Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

No cellphones, no texting by drivers, U.S. urges
The Washington Times ^ | December 13, 2011 | Joan Lowy, Associated Press

Posted on 12/14/2011 8:17:17 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks

WASHINGTON — Texting, emailing or using a cellphone while driving is simply too dangerous to be allowed anywhere, federal safety investigators declared Tuesday, recommending that all states impose a total ban except for emergencies.

Inspired by recent deadly crashes — including one in which a teen-ager sent or received 11 text messages in 11 minutes before an accident — the recommendation would apply even to hands-free devices, a much stricter rule than any current state law.

The unanimous recommendation by the five-member National Transportation Safety Board would make an exception for devices deemed to aid driver safety such as GPS navigation systems.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cellphones; drivers; nannystate; texting
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-92 next last

1 posted on 12/14/2011 8:17:22 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

I could potentially support a texting/emailing ban, but banning cellphones altogether is overkill. Most drivers are quite capable of talking and driving at the same time, especially using headsets.


2 posted on 12/14/2011 8:20:36 PM PST by sthguard (The DNC theme song: "All You Need is Guv")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

This recommendation is DOA.


3 posted on 12/14/2011 8:20:50 PM PST by Poundstone (A recent Federal retiree and proud of it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

I can’t find in my Constitution this particular enumerated power for the federal government to do this. Can somebody help me out here?


4 posted on 12/14/2011 8:20:55 PM PST by coloradan (The US has become a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: coloradan
I can't find in the Constitution where the government can require me to drive on the right side of the road, can you?

("That's different" won't cut it!)

5 posted on 12/14/2011 8:22:39 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: coloradan

Wait a minute. This has to be Constitutional? Holy carp, Coloradan! That changes things dramatically. :-)


6 posted on 12/14/2011 8:22:39 PM PST by writer33 (Mark Levin Is The Constitutional Engine Of Conservatism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

That would be a good reason for me to ditch mine and save a ton of $$ every month.


7 posted on 12/14/2011 8:23:32 PM PST by Principle Over Politics (Romney 2012 is McCain 2008. No more RINOs!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Thank God for the Federal governmnt pointing me in the right direction when it comes to my behavior. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t know what to do.


8 posted on 12/14/2011 8:24:02 PM PST by GrandJediMasterYoda (Nancy Pelosi - The #1 reason why we need a Constitutional amendment for Congressional drug testing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GrandJediMasterYoda
Yeah, those fascist (Communist if you happen to be a Conservative) Stop signs dictating our behavior!


9 posted on 12/14/2011 8:27:53 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

I am a reasonably good driver, but I don’t like to talk on the phone while I drive, it’s very distracting. Texting while driving is just plain stupid. Not sure it should be illegal, since it’s awful hard to enforce, but it needs to be made not worth doing - something like if it’s proven that you texted before an accident you void your insurance coverage.


10 posted on 12/14/2011 8:30:28 PM PST by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Go Steelers (what's the baseball team called again?))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Ridiculous, What’ next?
Car stereos? GPS?
People fiddle with those things too while driving.

I have worked as a truck driver, I see people fiddling with a lot of things.

11 posted on 12/14/2011 8:32:58 PM PST by right way right (What's it gonna take?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

MARK RALPH ROSEKIND Born JAN 1955 MARK RALPH ROSEKIND
276 APRICOT LN
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040 (650) 432-4664

Call this idiot from your car ..


12 posted on 12/14/2011 8:33:38 PM PST by Walkingfeather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: coloradan

I can’t find in my Constitution this particular enumerated power for the federal government to do this. Can somebody help me out here?
____________________________________________________________

The Constitution is no longer being observed. It was written by a bunch of old, white, rich, slave owners’, donchaknow. /s

Besides. Dear Leader wants full power to indefinitely detain, without due process, Americans on US soil who are considered “terrorists”. Last I read, I may be a suspect because on my “Gadsden Flag” magnet on the back of my car according to Janet Incompitano.


13 posted on 12/14/2011 8:34:28 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear (A MUST WATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KeOLurcQaqI)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: sthguard

I generally don’t use my cell phone to talk, while driving.

But I do check my email and text while at red lights.


14 posted on 12/14/2011 8:34:54 PM PST by Jonty30 (If a person won't learn under the best of times, then he must learn under the worst of times.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Some Fat Guy in L.A.

The problem is,is that cops will abuse this law and ticket people who are sitting in a parking lot checking their email.


15 posted on 12/14/2011 8:35:27 PM PST by Husker24
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Poundstone

This recommendation is DOA.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Sounds like the new ‘tack’ for the Libs.

Overload something that is ridiculous off the top, go back and amend it, taking a few things out to appease all, then the pols can claim they ‘got tough’.

Shortly after, the little add ons start in the form of riders and before long they will have the whole thing in place, air tight, with the supposed backing of all.

Remember the smoking fiasco started with giving people ‘a place to enjoy a meal without smoke’, now they are attempting to stop you from smoking in your own home.

I was pretty much ‘laughed down’ several years ago when I opined that ‘they’ wouldn’t stop in the cars until the driver is in his own compartment, on top of the car with nothing but controls - like the old stagecoach.
BUT
Forget it, you won’t be allowed a shotgun pal either.


16 posted on 12/14/2011 8:36:18 PM PST by xrmusn ((6/98) History will treat me well - I intend to write it. W. Churchill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks; All

The statistics are that 28% of all accidents are caused by texting/cell phone usage. But you people here are more concerned with “your rights” than people’s safety?

What messages or phone calls are you taking that could POSSIBLY be so important that you’d put the lives of others in danger? And yes, there ARE emergencies, but if they occur you can pull over and call for help. If they occur on a regular basis, you have real problems.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/12/AR2010011202218.html


17 posted on 12/14/2011 8:37:30 PM PST by Joann37
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Truckers, cabbies, cops, have used hands free radios/phones for decades, and so should free people.


18 posted on 12/14/2011 8:38:19 PM PST by truth_seeker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084; SheLion; Gabz; Hank Kerchief; 383rr; libertarian27; traviskicks; bamahead; CSM; ...

Whatever happened to citing for distracted driving, for which texting and cell-phoning certainly qualify?

Nanny State PING!


19 posted on 12/14/2011 8:39:16 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Occupy DC General Assembly: We are Marxist tools. WE ARE MARXIST TOOLS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: right way right

Kids and eating are much worse. Worst is trying to watch the speedometer and the gps.


20 posted on 12/14/2011 8:40:06 PM PST by hocndoc (WingRight.org Have mustard seed, not afraid to use it. Cut spending, now,now,now!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-92 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson