Texting while driving ban

What kills me is its illegal to recieve a text. How the hell can I stop someone from sending me a text while Im driving? Dont be fooled this is only about another avenue to make money for the cities under the guise of public safety.

What about eating, reading, putting on makeup, listening to the radio. What a bunch of crap.  Huntsville City employees have not been allowed to use cell phones for talking or texting for a few months now in ANY city vehicle, trash trucks, buses, fire trucks, police cars and others yet I see all the time police talking and texting on the cell phone.  I get a non paid 3 day vacation if my supervisor catches me and it would be easy as we have 5 cameras on each bus. Bet the mayor uses his cell while driving .

Edited by unlblkrubi - 19 September 2010 at 11:39am

Doc Savage wrote: 50Willys wrote: You don't have to look at the text, just ignore it.  Actually that's the problem. Even ignoring it is an offense the way the last version I read had it. It is an offense to "receive", nothing about reading or responding. Plus the real issue here is that there are already distracted driving laws on the books so this adds NOTHING to the law. Plus proving it will be a real issue. Robert

That's kinda like "If a tree falls in the forest..."

Doc Savage wrote: 50Willys wrote: You don't have to look at the text, just ignore it.  Actually that's the problem. Even ignoring it is an offense the way the last version I read had it. It is an offense to "receive", nothing about reading or responding. Plus the real issue here is that there are already distracted driving laws on the books so this adds NOTHING to the law. Plus proving it will be a real issue. Robert

How did they define 'receive'?

Is it received by you if it is on your phone, but you have your phone in your pocket?
Is it received by you if your phone is off?
Is it considered received if you read it?

I have found a loophole for all members of RCRC. Since all "emergency" personnel are exempt from this new law and RCRC is a member of the Madison County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) then simply declare yourself as an emergency personnel and tell the cops to go away. Hey, if being cracked out and drunk but on your way to vote works as an excuse for a Congressman, then it should work in this case, right?

I got it! They should just outlaw driving. It solves all the problems. We can go back to riding horses and bikes or walking.

As far as texting being a secondary punishable offense, just give it time. Not wearing your seat belt use to be a secondary punishable offense until they got everyone use to it, and then they made it a primary punishable offense. It's just a matter of time.

My thing is that unless my text message is in plain clear view it is a violation of my rights for an officer to go into my cell phone and search my text inbox. Just because he saw me look at my phone does not mean he has reasonable cause. I was just checking the time, because my car clock is not always accurate, and I don't wear a watch, so now what? This law is beyond ridiculous. Anyone else tired of the government trying to be daddy. Geezzz...we're not children, and people who drive take on an adult responsibility; with that responsibility comes privilege and consequences. Though, why should people be held responsible for their mistakes. Like it has been pointed out if it wasn't texting people would be doing something else to take their attention from the road. Why should we limit everyone's freedoms, because people do stupid things. Ridiculous!!!  

 I agree Doc.

There are already laws related to distracted driving, improper lane usage, failure to yield, ...

mdmTJ wrote: There are already laws related to distracted driving, improper lane usage, failure to yield, ...   If you cause a wreck because of texting, talking on the cell phone, changing the radio station,...  there are already laws related to distracted driving, improper lane usage, failure to yield,  and numerous others.  But I know I feel much better knowing that I'm now protected from those texters out there.

I have to dodge people driving on 565 every day that are texting and/or talking on their cell phones and I'm getting tiered of it.  One of these days I'm not going to be able to miss them and then I will just go ballistic.