Drivers Beware

[com_op_2000]

Florida texting while driving ban set to begin in Oct.
See this article:
http://www.wesh.com/news/politics/t...tt/-/11788048/20323898/-/u08vjjz/-/index.html

 

[Chuck S]

I wonder if we can still read a Kindle? Just kidding. But you know some idiot is going to try it.

 

[disneymayz]

Not sure why it's Drivers Beware. Florida seems a tad slow at rolling this out. IMHO - You are a complete idiot if you text while driving anyway. Look at videos of people doing it. It shouldn't be a secondary offense, they should pull people over for just doing it.

 

[wiigirl]

Not sure why it's Drivers Beware. Florida seems a tad slow at rolling this out. IMHO - You are a complete idiot if you text while driving anyway. Look at videos of people doing it. It shouldn't be a secondary offense, they should pull people over for just doing it.

Agreed! I can't count how many times I have nearly been hit or backed into by people texting and driving.

 

[LSchrow]

thank goodness!
we were astounded at how many drivers were texting, drifting in & out of lanes, oblivious of the traffic laws they were breaking as well as other drivers with so many lost tourists, the roads in that area were getting pretty scary.

the big question: how well will it be enforced? around here (long island), texting while driving is outlawed, yet it seems at least 1 out of every 5 drivers are doing it (not just teens/20's either: parents with little ones in the backseat are often texting while turning around to talk to the kids).
i really wish someone would develop a system to sync cels to their owners' cars, and all texting functions would shut off once the car was out of "park". that way passengers could still text - not perfect, but better than what we have now.
i don't think having a texting shut-off range would work (i.e., disabling all texting within car interior or a certain amount of feet), as that would make it impossible for anyone in the car (and perhaps nearby autos) to text, and might present a problem in an emergency.

yes, i put waaaaay too much thought into this, but texting while driving is a huge pet peeve of mine

 

[erionm]

the big question: how well will it be enforced?

The bill says texting and driving will be considered a secondary offense, meaning drivers have to be pulled over for something else first to get a texting ticket.

No points, just a monetary fine.

 

[LSchrow]

The bill says texting and driving will be considered a secondary offense, meaning drivers have to be pulled over for something else first to get a texting ticket.

No points, just a monetary fine.

ahhh, thank you - i admit i don't know traffic law that well (i simply stick with "don't do it" rules, no matter what the penalty is )

there are probably laws against using a sling-shot to shoot out (just one) brake light so texters will get pulled over...drats

 

[dvc_john]

Doesn't sound like much of a deterrent to me.
You have to be stopped for something else before they can ticket you for texting while driving, and the fine is only $30.
Second offense, and the fine doubles, and you get points on your license.

(Iowa has the same ridiculous $30 fine.)

 

[chalee94]

Doesn't sound like much of a deterrent to me.

so i guess that's why the OP said "drivers beware." others in FL will still be piloting 2 ton machinery at high speeds while barely paying attention to the road...keep your head on a swivel.

 

[JimMIA]

The penalties are light because, as a general strategy, in Florida we don't interfere with natural selection. If they kill themselves, too bad, so sad.

But...OP's caution is very appropriate. Texting drivers don't just hurt themselves, so keep a sharp eye out for them.

Just this morning, taking DD to school, we actually saw a texting accident happen. We were stopped at a traffic light and my daughter said, "Look that lady is texting!"

I guess she was multi-tasking as she ran a red light to make a left turn on rain-slick streets. She lost it, spun 180 degrees, jumped the curb backwards, and slammed the drivers side of the car into a wall. She looked pretty silly with her car on the sidewalk facing against traffic.

She wasn't hurt, and I'm sure her first reaction was, "What IDIOT put this wall here???"

 

[Dean]

Doesn't sound like much of a deterrent to me.
You have to be stopped for something else before they can ticket you for texting while driving, and the fine is only $30.
Second offense, and the fine doubles, and you get points on your license.

(Iowa has the same ridiculous $30 fine.)

You can't legislate against stupidity but I'll tell you that it being a secondary offense is not really a deterrent. They can always find something else to pull you over for.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not sure why it's Drivers Beware. Florida seems a tad slow at rolling this out. IMHO - You are a complete idiot if you text while driving anyway. Look at videos of people doing it. It shouldn't be a secondary offense, they should pull people over for just doing it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, my reaction is "Drivers Beware", but for a different reason. I figure this isn't going to keep people from texting and driving at all, so yes, OTHER drivers need to beware of the idiots who think they can drive and text at the same time.

 

[LSchrow]

in Florida we don't interfere with natural selection.

that would make a great bumper sticker