This week the House here in Illinois
passed two bills focusing on the use of cell phones while driving. On Thursday they passed
a bill which will require you to use a hands-free device or your speakerphone
if you wish drive and use the telephone at the same time. Furthermore, any calls that you initiate
while driving have to be calls that can be made with a single button
press. In other words, they have to be one
of your “quick dial” numbers. The only
exceptions would be in cases of emergency and even then you have to appear in
court and prove that the situation warranted the use of a cell phone. If passed this law would be classified as a
moving violation. Get three moving
violations and your license will be suspended!
The second bill, which was passed
on Friday, is similar to Thursday’s bill and really only serves as a backup
plan in case the first bill does not get written into law. This second bill places the same restrictions
on cell phone use by motorists but only applies to emergency scenes. This bill seems to be focused the safety of
emergency workers as it not only requires that drivers use a hands free device
when going through an emergency zone but it specifically prohibits taking
pictures or videos with your phones camera.
According to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration’s Distraction.gov
website over 3,000 people in America were killed as a result of distracted
driving in 2010. I have heard through
various media outlets recently that distracted driving is poised to become the
number one road hazard. I am against
texting and driving, or doing much of anything pertaining to smartphones while
driving, but I think an all-out ban unless you’re on speakerphone or some other
hands free solution is a bad idea. We
already have laws on the books that prohibit the use of cell phones in
construction and school zones. We also
have laws that ban sending texts while driving.
Why aren’t these enough? I can
get behind the idea of adding emergency zones to the list of areas where cell
phone usage while driving is restricted but an all-out ban seems a bit heavy
handed. For an experienced driver
talking on the phone while driving is no more distracting than having a
conversation with a passenger. It
shouldn’t be illegal for me to call for directions if I get lost. If I’m on a long highway trip it shouldn’t be
illegal to make a phone call to help pass the time. Furthermore, this law is essentially
requiring that drivers own a fancy smartphone with voice command features or
purchase a Bluetooth. I understand the
dangers of distracted driving. I know
people who text and drive and I hate it.
I will stop texting with them if they mention that they are in their
cars. But I shouldn’t lose basic
freedoms because some people don’t have the sense to wait until they get to
their destination before they carry on with their unimportant small talk!
As I stated previously, Illinois
already has laws prohibiting text messaging while driving. Why are we adding more? Are there other things we could do to curb
distracted driving? If not, how are officers
to enforce a ban? I can already see how
someone might argue that they had their cell phone in speakerphone mode but brought
the phone close to their ear because they were having trouble hearing the other
person. How could the court prove
otherwise?
References:
This article is very interesting. I don’t know about in Normal, but in my hometown it is illegal to text while driving. I think lawmakers have the right intentions of making these laws. There are so many accidents that could be avoided if someone was not being distracted by a cell phone or text message. I agree with you though that sometimes talking on the phone is necessary for asking for directions or other such tasks. I feel like if these policies get passed the car industry should get involved also. For example, putting Bluetooth’s and speakerphones built into cars. Even with all these policies people are still going to text and drive, I’m not sure if stricter laws are the answer but hopefully someone accidents can be avoided.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting. I think everyone should have to pull over if they do not have a hands free cell phone because I think most accidents are caused from cell phone use. I have heard of people dying because they were texting while driving down the road and crashed off the road. I know in school and construction zones you are not allowed to talk on your phone I think that is very smart because I work road construction every summer and people who are not even on their cell phones are CRAZY and almost hit you. I have almost been hit 5 times in my 5 years. People just do not care about others when they are inside of a vehicle.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you that I think an ultimate ban is a bit too much. I frequently make trips to Michigan, which is almost a 4 hours drive alone. If I did not have my cell phone to make calls to friends and family during my drive I feel like it would be more hazardous! Long car rides can be lonesome and boring often causing people to become tired. Having someone to talk to helps to keep you awake. Also I agree with the direction situation. Are we supposed to call 911 every time we get lost?! I think this is a very interesting topic and I will need to stay informed to make sure I don't get a ticket for this!
ReplyDeleteTexting and driving should not be tolerated. Driving on the road is not a game and too many people are involved in accidents because of this.
ReplyDeleteProps for finding that picture. Hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely guilty of texting and driving. I rarely text while driving in town, but on the highway (like I-55), driving becomes incredibly boring. Especially when the road isn't congested in the slightest.
There was a girl in my high school, however, that died in a car accident while texting and driving. Terrible tragedy, but that was probably 6 years ago. Law-makers are just trying to keep up with the times, but like every law, police officers cannot catch everyone.
This was a very interesting article that addresses a key issue in todays technology reliant society. Personally, I am happy that laws which prohibit the use of cell phones while driving are in place. I was actually in a accident where my buddy crashed due to the fact that he was trying to send out a text. In this particular case the damage was very minor but it demonstrates that the use of cell phones while driving should not be taken lightly because driving a car is something serious that people tend to treat lightly. As previously mentioned, I like the laws that are in place but I feel that they should be more strict. I feel that the use of a cell phone should be completely outlawed while operating a motor vehicle unless the individual pulls over to the side of the road. I believe that this could be very effective in preventing accident which, in turn, could save lives. Also, much props for that picture you posted in the article. It gave me a good laugh
ReplyDeleteVery interesting article. I agree with you, how many more laws are they going to make? If they keep this up they might as go ahead for an all out ban, but what will that accomplish? I understand with texting and driving, but talking on the phone while driving? Come on Illinois, stop with all these laws that take away are basic freedoms.
ReplyDeleteTexting and driving is definitely something that should not be tolerated but i don't really think that talking on the phone should be illegal. Texting and driving is much more dangerous than making a phone call, it takes more attention therefore being more dangerous. Most people who are constantly making phone calls and having long conversations have a bluetooth anyways, i feel that usually when phone calls are made in the car they are short and really don't take that much attention away from the road. I also feel that this is just another way for illinois to get some more money into our state. Because of how much debt we have racked up they had to raise the penalty for moving violations and now they are enforcing new laws to get more money as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree that texting and driving should be banned. I have seen people on the road who aren’t even watching the road at all because they are too busy looking down at their phones to text. This is very dangerous. I also don't think talking on the phone should be illegal. I feel that texting and talking on the phone are completely different hazards. Texting requires you to look at your phone and talking on the phone doesn’t. Overall, I also feel that Illinois is always looking for new ways to get money.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with this no texting and driving. I had a family friend die from getting hit by a young girl texting and driving. Since then it's changed my outlook on the whole law because it is a bad thing and people should pay close attention to the road ahead of them not the people they want to talk to. I could see people's point on thinking that driving and making calls or texts don't take away a person's attention, but it does it makes people's speed fluctuate and swerve. I get nervous while driving and seeing others distracted because it can end someone's life. Illinois will always be looking out for income for the state, but it's safety as well.
ReplyDeleteI am guilty of using my cell phone while driving, almost constantly. Today I was looking at the bulls score, looking up directions, talking on the phone, and texting in just one 15 minute car ride. For the most part I use a headset to deal with phone calls and I limit my texting. I agree with the bill that bans using cell phones but enforcing such a law will be difficult.
ReplyDeleteWe are all guilty of using our cell phones while driving and we don't realize that it takes one second to look down at it and your off the road. Texting and driving is the most serious that we need to be concerned about. It definitely should be banned because it completely makes you take your eyes off the road. On the other hand, I really don't think talking on the phone should be illegal because its just like talking to your passenger. You're still looking up and everything, but having it on speaker is always better so you have more control with two hands on the wheel.
ReplyDelete