OMG! R U driving? NC texting ban starts Dec. 1

[ccharles000]

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Starting soon, North Carolina drivers who text behind the wheel will need to pull over to avoid fines.

Multiple media outlets report Saturday that the state's ban on sending text messages while driving goes into effect Dec. 1. Violations could cost drivers $100 in fines.

The new law makes it illegal to text or read any e-mail or text message while driving, and fines are higher for school bus drivers caught in the act.

But the law only applies to the driver while the vehicle is moving, not when it's stopped or parked. Police officers and other safety officials are also exempt.

More than a dozen states already ban texting while driving, and a South Carolina lawmaker has introduced similar legislation.

http://www.thestate.com/statewire/story/1047670.html

[FBaggins]

1. And the cop will just be able to tell that you aren't using GPS functionality?

n/t

[KharmaTrain]

2. Those Who Text While Driving Should Lose Their License...

Bad enough I have to deal with morons with cellphones operating several tons of steel rolling at 70mph on a highway and oblivious to all going on around them...(even with "hands-free"), those who text while driving show total disregard not just to their own safety but mine as well. A fine won't deter some smart-ass from wanting to update their stupid facebook account "asshat is driving...", but maybe having their licenses revoked for 6 months or a year may.

[taterguy]

6. And how will those people get to work?

As long as we set up our society so that people are forced to use cars, revoking licenses should only be done on very rare and special occasions.

Hell, even most drunk drivers are eligible for a limited driving privilege.

[pipi_k]

9. Unless the law is kept secret from everyone...

then I figure how they get to work is their own problem.

I have the same lack of sympathy for drunk drivers. Both of my kids were nearly killed (in separate accidents) by drunk drivers...one in 1987, the other in 1995.


Adult...knows it's illegal...does it anyway

Take away his license. Period.

[taterguy]

11. If people can't work it becomes our problem

[KharmaTrain]

12. Driving in a Privilidge, Not A Right...

Want to make a change, get a Constitutional ammendment. In the meantime, if someone threatens a life through reckless driving...be it drunk or texting, they are endangering lives, period. Fines won't do squat...revocation will make those who think they're "smart" by doing this life threatening behavior (and yes, texting while driving is a threat to all who are out on that road...including pedestrians) should learn to live for six months or longer (for additional offenses) by losing their privilidge to drive.

How they get to work is their problem...they should have thought about that before they got into the car. Maybe they can text a friend to give them a lift...or ride a bike or ride public transportation. Again, driving is not a right...

[taterguy]

13. My commute to work would be a lot easier if everyone that endangered a life was taken off the road

As a cyclist, almost every day someone does something that puts my life in jeopardy.

The question is how draconian do we want to be about it.

We've made the choice that automobiles will be the way people get around in our society.

A consequence of that choice is that a lot of people will drive who shouldn't be driving.

[pipi_k]

15. No. It's the problem of the person who chose to break the law.

If he can't keep his job because he broke the law and lost his license and either can't, or won't, find another way to get there, then too bad. The way the economy is today, there are probably 10 or more people ready and willing to fill his place.

If he's really serious about getting to his job, he can find some other way to work. Bicycle. Train. Bus. Carpool. Ride from friend or relative.


That's what being an ADULT is all about. Being responsible and obeying laws meant to protect all of us from idiots.

[emilyg]

17. +1

[taterguy]

18. And if he/she has a family that depends on them for support . . .

Too damn bad.

They should have made sure that they didn't let anyone TWD

[Synicus Maximus]

19. I agree totally

[HuckleB]

10. Which could be why we continue to have such a big problem with drinking and driving.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. It's about time.

[LiberalFighter]

4. LEO's and other safety officials should not be exempt!!!

[MindPilot]

7. Yeah I know...what makes them special?

If it's training then every driver should have the opportunity to be trained to the same level of expertise. If it's necessity, I'm not buying it--they got radios!

[L0oniX]

5. Those who masturbate when driving should also lose their license.

[taterguy]

8. What if they use a hands-free device for that?

I can't believe no one's posted that reply yet

[L0oniX]

20. You could hurt yourself doing that with a blue tooth.

[NightWatcher]

14. what about people who eat, read the paper, fumble for the cd that slid under the seat....

and as far as police being exempt, we have had a rash of cops who were on their laptop slamming into other cars, people, trees, street signs, etc.

[Whisp]

16. good! some idiots need laws to curb their

idiotcy.

[Mari333]

21. I had a 16 or 17 yr old pull over into my lane and almost side swiped me

whilst she was texting. She was as dangerous as a drunk! wasnt even thinking about the road or driving.
I hope it gets banned all over.