New Texas Cell Phone Laws....discuss

[Miss Kitty]

Well new cell phone laws are being presented in Austin next week. They are calling for the ban of ALL cell phone use while driving. Including hands free devices.

I think this is drastic and they are expecting a compromise of banning non hands free use which is really what they want.

Any thoughts on this?

[trojan55]

I think if it makes the roads safer, we need to do it.

driving is a big part of my job and I have a CDL. I see things on the road that violate even the most fundamental driving laws, repeately, every day.

Is another law that is ignored going to make the roads safer?

I would like to see re-testing every 8 years of a driver's life. So many folks are inundated with their own bad habits and ignorance that anything they learned in their initial driver's education class is long gone from their focus of conscienceness while driving.

[wesaxman34]

I stopped keeping up with these cell phone laws because it was different everywhere you went. Anytime I'm on my phone while driving and I see a cop, I hide my phone regardless of if it's against the law or not as a precaution.

[4th and 1]

I'm all for it. Pull over and answer your phone. Sitting behind someone talking on their phone when the light turns green is irritating. We have become too dependent on those things..........

[ExCOOG88]

I'm all for it. Pull over and answer your phone. Sitting behind someone talking on their phone when the light turns green is irritating. We have become too dependent on those things..........

No s:Censor:t!! How many actually memorize phone numbers anymore? I used to know lots of numbers just from memory, now maybe ten. No new numbers for sure, cause i just put them in the phone.

[RedRage00]

No s:Censor:t!! How many actually memorize phone numbers anymore? I used to know lots of numbers just from memory, now maybe ten. No new numbers for sure, cause i just put them in the phone.

I've thought about that too. I believe I have like 2 or 3 numbers memorized lol

[Miss Kitty]

I am just throwing this out there.....but is talking on a hands free any more distracting than looking at a GPS screen while driving and trying to figure out where to go?

[JMSFan]

I am just throwing this out there.....but is talking on a hands free any more distracting than look at a GPS screen while driving and trying to figure out where to go?

Good point.

[ExCOOG88]

Couldn't give me a GPS. I know where I am going even when I am lost!

[tayb]

If you are too stupid to drive while talking on your cell phone then don't do it. If you can't handle multitasking then don't do it. There is no law that is going to protect me from stupidity. 95% of the time I am driving I have a phone up to my ear and I have zero wrecks and zero speeding tickets to show for it in the last 4 years.

I can't even begin to comprehend the "no hands free" BS. Are we going to be banned conversations with the passenger as well?

Can I still text while driving? Don't see anything about that. That is clearly less distracting than driving while talking. Looking down at your phone and texting is a much better option than talking.

GPS still OK? Staring at that screen clearly is less distracting than having a phone up to your ear.

What about handheld gaming devices? Those still cool too? Can't ever be too safe. Put away the cell phone and pull out the PSP.

Laptop? Definitely more dangerous to be talking on your cell phone while driving than typing a memo.

Can I still read my newspaper?

Changing my pants? Putting on make up? Picking my nose? Staring at a hot women who just drove by (hot women now illegal to drive?)? Checking out an enticing billboard sign? Falling asleep? Talking to the person in the back seat? Closing my eyes? Day dreaming?

Should we be banning all of those?

[Miss Kitty]

If you are too stupid to drive while talking on your cell phone then don't do it. If you can't handle multitasking then don't do it. There is no law that is going to protect me from stupidity. 95% of the time I am driving I have a phone up to my ear and I have zero wrecks and zero speeding tickets to show for it in the last 4 years.

I can't even begin to comprehend the "no hands free" BS. Are we going to be banned conversations with the passenger as well?

Can I still text while driving? Don't see anything about that. That is clearly less distracting than driving while talking. Looking down at your phone and texting is a much better option than talking.

GPS still OK? Staring at that screen clearly is less distracting than having a phone up to your ear.

What about handheld gaming devices? Those still cool too? Can't ever be too safe. Put away the cell phone and pull out the PSP.

Laptop? Definitely more dangerous to be talking on your cell phone while driving than typing a memo.

Can I still read my newspaper?

Changing my pants? Putting on make up? Picking my nose? Staring at a hot women who just drove by (hot women now illegal to drive?)? Checking out an enticing billboard sign? Falling asleep? Talking to the person in the back seat? Closing my eyes? Day dreaming?

Should we be banning all of those?

Yes texting is included as part of the ban.

[stevefoxsc]

should be able to use a head set.

What gets on my nerves is you got these crack heads on the phone chattin up storm, you miss your green light cause. Ugly better gotta call everyone about the sell at American eagle. Then you trying to pick up speed getting on the highway ramp, but she still all up on the phone doing 20 on the entrance ramp. So then you trying to get over but them big trucks coming down all like HONK HONK. And you just wana get out the car and slap her and just start yelling MOVE :Censor: GET OUT THE WAY GET OUT THE WAY :Censor: GET OUT THE WAY.

I'm sorry, i just had a ghetto moment.

[ExCOOG88]

If you are too stupid to drive while talking on your cell phone then don't do it. If you can't handle multitasking then don't do it. There is no law that is going to protect me from stupidity. 95% of the time I am driving I have a phone up to my ear and I have zero wrecks and zero speeding tickets to show for it in the last 4 years.

I can't even begin to comprehend the "no hands free" BS. Are we going to be banned conversations with the passenger as well?

Can I still text while driving? Don't see anything about that. That is clearly less distracting than driving while talking. Looking down at your phone and texting is a much better option than talking.

GPS still OK? Staring at that screen clearly is less distracting than having a phone up to your ear.

What about handheld gaming devices? Those still cool too? Can't ever be too safe. Put away the cell phone and pull out the PSP.

Laptop? Definitely more dangerous to be talking on your cell phone while driving than typing a memo.

Can I still read my newspaper?

Changing my pants? Putting on make up? Picking my nose? Staring at a hot women who just drove by (hot women now illegal to drive?)? Checking out an enticing billboard sign? Falling asleep? Talking to the person in the back seat? Closing my eyes? Day dreaming?

Should we be banning all of those?

Hmm, you put make-up on in the car?:D

[tayb]

Hmm, you put make-up on in the car?:D

Every day. I change clothes while talking on my cell phone, playing grand theft auto on my psp, and chatting on aim on my laptop. No wrecks baby!

[Slim-Rob]

Yeah i'd rather have someone eating a double cheeseburger and driving :/

[okt0ber]

It'll be impossible for the police to enforce it. Plus, it'll be ruled unconstitutional, you can't ban talking in the car. What if I drive down the road with the phone up to my ear but I'm not actually talking on it? It's just another way for the government to bother me. I'll still talk on the phone regardless and let my attorney handle the rest if they try and cite me for something they can't prove I was really doing.

[Maroondog]

I agree with the new law. Its already too hard to keep up with my coffee, doughnut, paper and phone. Eliminating one will make it a lot easier. :p

[Favpack]

Can I still do 70 on the freeway on my motorcycle with my cranium unprotected?

[RedRage00]

Well new cell phone laws are being presented in Austin next week. They are calling for the ban of ALL cell phone use while driving. Including hands free devices.

I think this is drastic and they are expecting a compromise of banning non hands free use which is really what they want.

Any thoughts on this?

Since I am Royalty now....You all must stop talking and texting starting NOW! :D

[Slim-Rob]

It'll be impossible for the police to enforce it. Plus, it'll be ruled unconstitutional, you can't ban talking in the car. What if I drive down the road with the phone up to my ear but I'm not actually talking on it? It's just another way for the government to bother me. I'll still talk on the phone regardless and let my attorney handle the rest if they try and cite me for something they can't prove I was really doing.


Actually, they CAN prove you were doing it. If you try to fight it they will just go to the cell company and get your call record.

I don't see how they could pass any law like this though

[Maroondog]

Can I still do 70 on the freeway on my motorcycle with my cranium unprotected?

If you are doing that then there is already damage.

[wesaxman34]

I somewhat agree with HookEm...if you can't multitask, you know who you are, and you defintely shouldn't be on the phone while driving. I can multitask very well without missing a beat, but when I am driving in crazy traffic, I always get off of the phone.

It's just one of those things that where everyone has to suffer because of the number of accidents caused by talking on cell phones. For me, it's no different than having a conversation with someone in the car right next to me, but not everyone can do that.

[okt0ber]

Actually, they CAN prove you were doing it. If you try to fight it they will just go to the cell company and get your call record.

I don't see how they could pass any law like this though

No, because the fine will likely be less than the costs of going through court orders with the cell companies, and I know the cell companies charge a fee to release information to the courts. I don't know of a municipal judge or city attorney that would go through the trouble of all that. It's just to ambigous to even pass.

[dada]

talking on a cell while driving on my jobs property will get you fired.

[tayb]

Yes texting is included as part of the ban.

Phew. That means I can still play cuberunner on my iPhone or send emails.

[Miss Kitty]

Phew. That means I can still play cuberunner on my iPhone or send emails.

Not with your cell phone. The way I understand it, the bill calls for the "use" of a cell phone while driving. So that would cover anything I think.

[tayb]

Not with your cell phone. The way I understand it, the bill calls for the "use" of a cell phone while driving. So that would cover anything I think.

So no more using your cellphone as a GPS? I wonder what the cell phone companies are going to have to say about this. :laugh

I could understand legislation like this coming from California but this is embarrassing. I am ashamed.

[Miss Kitty]

So no more using your cellphone as a GPS? I wonder what the cell phone companies are going to have to say about this. :laugh

I could understand legislation like this coming from California but this is embarrassing. I am ashamed.

I think it is drastic. That is why I think they are hoping for a "compromise" just so they can get something.

[dada]

Guess I'll get me a two way radio for the car and pick up cop channels as I drive.

[Miss Kitty]

Guess I'll get me a two way radio for the car and pick up cop channels as I drive.

C.B Radio baby with a whip antenna. Would look great on your Pimp Daddy Cruiser.

[dada]

C.B Radio baby with a whip antenna. Would look great on your Pimp Daddy Cruiser.

"Kitty kat, Kitty kat this is black diamond....come in over"