New York To Ban Texting, Gaming While Driving
See Full ImageThis falls under the "Common Sense" category but sadly, we often need laws to remind us that we actually have common sense.
Nobody likes the distracted driver and when there are as many vehicles on the road as there are in New York, the appropriate steps must be taken to protect people from...well, from idiots. According to Game Politics citing Buffalo Business First, the New York State Senate has "overwhelmingly" passed a bill that "bans texting, playing video games or surfing the Internet while driving." Here in Connecticut, it's illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving (unless you have a hands-free headset, as if the distraction is caused by your hands and not your mind when locked in a conversation 'rolling eyes'). Anyway, this new measure has already been approved by the New York Assembly and now, all it needs is Gov. David Paterson to sign it into law. Newsday quoted Sen. Martin Dilan (D) on the topic:
"This is a long-overdue safety measure for New York. Texting and burgeoning [portable electronic] technologies continue to pose serious, and sometimes fatal, distractions to drivers of all ages."
Well, duh. If you're caught in violation of this law, you will be slapped with a $150 fine, but the good news is that this ban is considered a secondary offense, which means the police officer can only enforce it if you're pulled over for something else. Honestly, if you're driving down the road playing a game on your PSP, you should just be flat-out arrested. Not so much for endangering everyone around you, but more just 'cuz you're stupid.
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7/18/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (67 posts)
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 3:17:48 PM
8 up, 4 down
tes37
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 3:44:34 PM
3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 6:18:25 PM
1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 11:02:07 AM
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2 up, 0 down
fatelementality
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 11:26:21 AM
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2 up, 0 down
dveisalive
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 11:29:45 AM
Reply
6 up, 1 down
Jiggy
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 11:42:35 AM
5 up, 1 down
fluffer nutter
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 12:09:17 PM
8 up, 1 down
fluffer nutter
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 12:08:21 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Kempy21
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 12:42:13 PM
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7 up, 1 down
CONTRABAND
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 12:50:50 PM
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2 up, 0 down
www
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 12:56:24 PM
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The only thing i can do while driving is simply talking on the phone.For real, i don't recall the last time i sent a text.I'd rather call and say anything on my mind,texting to me is sometimes dumb! I mean, what is it you want to say that you can't say with your voice,huh?
3 up, 1 down
Sir Shak
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 1:21:09 PM
Last edited by Sir Shak on 7/18/2009 1:21:24 PM
2 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 1:22:59 PM
Last edited by fluffer nutter on 7/18/2009 1:23:36 PM
6 up, 1 down
Sir Shak
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 1:32:43 PM
lol
1 up, 0 down
www
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 6:07:07 PM
4 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 6:45:12 PM
Imagine this. You're in a crowded arena, trying to meet with people that were at the same concert but seated in different sections. Your ears are hurting because of the awesome volume levels that you were entranced by and so you can't hear a phone ringer for the life of you. Your friends send you a text and lucky for you, you set your phone/PDA to vibrate and you feel that wonderful tingle. Look. You have a message where to meet up with these friends and then you can reply back that you received the message. Wasn't that just spiffy?
Last edited by fluffer nutter on 7/18/2009 6:45:51 PM
3 up, 1 down
robinhood2010
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 1:26:18 PM
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Why is this good? This doesn't put off drivers from doing it.
3 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 1:32:05 PM
1 up, 0 down
therabbitkinge
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 1:41:25 PM
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2 up, 0 down
N a S a H
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 2:08:24 PM
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3 up, 0 down
NightHawk17
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 2:12:47 PM
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4 up, 4 down
tes37
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 2:23:25 PM
Reply
15 up, 0 down
N a S a H
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 6:43:16 PM
2 up, 0 down
ThePearlJamer
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 8:52:55 PM
Yea...it also could've been her fault, it also could've been her insurance company that raises her premium too...
3 up, 0 down
tes37
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 10:21:40 AM
Seeing her Joker impersonation was well worth the risk
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 3:20:23 PM
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I wanted to stab this guy today that was driving really slow while talking on his phone.
7 up, 1 down
Sir Shak
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 9:02:59 PM
2 up, 0 down
tes37
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 10:26:41 AM
Thumbs up to WorldGrinsWithWeed
1 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 11:52:21 AM
1 up, 0 down
eLLeJuss
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 3:43:21 PM
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6 up, 0 down
kevinater321
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 4:48:34 PM
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2 up, 1 down
Alienange
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 4:57:32 PM
0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 5:06:02 PM
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8 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 5:38:13 PM
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5 up, 0 down
smileylyon
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 5:38:58 PM
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5 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 6:15:51 PM
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Can't believe people actually text or play games while driving. No wonder people have so many car accidents.
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 8:11:14 PM
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Ah well, at least there is a chance that this law will eclipse the coverage of the Tennessee State Legislature's attempts to show that they are indeed the stupidest legislature in the Union. Apparently the legislature feels so strongly about freedom that they passed a law making it legal to possess a handgun in a bar.
No, seriously. I mean, if you stop 100 people in the street and ask them if it's a good idea to mix the consumption of alcohol in a bar with guns, you'll get 100 shouts of "NO! Are you nuts!?" Not in Tennessee. We're still trying to figure out who in their right mind thinks it's a good law, and why on earth it was so important that it needed time in the legislature. In fact bar owners across the state are spending their hard earned money challenging the law, and putting up signs telling customers not to bring guns into their establishments.
As least this pointless law in New York is aimed an improving safety.
4 up, 0 down
Kangasfwa
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 11:45:54 PM
It's "officially" Are-can-saw by the way.
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 12:17:43 PM
I'm in TN, and right now worse than the whole guns in bars thing is the whole Memphis Mayor in the will-he, won't-he retire thing...
0 up, 0 down
wano
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 8:25:00 PM
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On a serious note though, talkin & texting on a mobile phone while driving has been banned here in the UK now for ages.
Its kind of weird how you get used to it prety quick though. When your not allowd to, you do find your self thinking why the hell would I risk it anyway.
Problem is, the twitchy bum moments / near pile ups Iv had, have mainly centered around me eating food, pervin at nice ladies or trying to spark a fag. So theres still way more distractions drivers are subjected to. But texting has to be the worst in my opinion.
Last edited by wano on 7/18/2009 8:30:16 PM
2 up, 0 down
ThePearlJamer
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 8:54:58 PM
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4 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 11:15:40 PM
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You think you guys/gals have it bad. Try being a biker with all the f*cking stupid "gotten-from-a-Sears-catalog" licenced drivers
But guess what, if you get stupid & cut my motorcycle off, there will be hell to pay!
There won't be any cop or law needed to ticket you, because I'll become both your judge & jury after I've turned around & caught you at the next light.
A lot of my bro's have been killed or maimed by careless cagers, so I don't consider it careless driving, I consider it "attempted murder" & I WILL respond appropriately.
"I didn't see him isn't a excuse, it's their F*CKING admission of guilt"!!!!!!
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 11:35:47 PM
I ask because I have no problem with bikers on touring bikes or similar larger bikes because the riders typically don't drive like tools. Unfortunately wannabe racers (at least where I live) appear to think that a) the laws of the road do not apply to two wheels, and b) they believe that the reaction times of other road users are in the region of a few hundredth of a second. Then there are the idiots who blast around neighborhoods on quad bikes in te evening, and tool around on a 250 during the day, taking a very casual approach to road safety, and traffic lights, and stop signs.
I'm not saying car/SUV/Truck drivers are great people or even decent drivers, but there are a lot of motorcyclists that shouldn't be allowed on two wheels. Also, as a car driver I have to say that however unobservant a car driver appears to be, they're positively attentive compared to your average soccer mom in an SUV or redneck driving a pickup (easily the worst drivers on the road).
Just sayin'....
2 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 5:04:44 PM
2 up, 0 down
Kangasfwa
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 11:40:06 PM
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1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 12:16:09 AM
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I have the same disdain toward a kid showing off his new crotch rocket(sport bike) if he's being stupid, as I do for stupid cagers(I just can't catch up with their speed unless they stop somewhere right ahead & are getting off their bike).
That kind of rider(for lack of better word, also does wheelies & stop pies in traffic just to show off & it usually gets the innocent bystanders & other motorists killed.
That kind of jerk-off actually gives all motorcyclists, more of a bad name than any outlaw club ever will.
And if they cause the heat to come down on all the other bikers, a 'real" club just might step in and crush his ass, his bike, and his whole circle of dumb-riding fools too.
BTW, I've never had any problems with any redneck pick-ups(yet), but the SUV soccer moms & old bluehairs in my experience seem be the worst at "leaving their brains home while driving"..
"I see stupid people".....
women doing their eyeliner while driving
fat tubs of lard that who are spilling their Big Mac's secret sauce all down their laps.
Young punks that think they're way-cool in broken down $50 cars with $5000 stereos & $2000 DUB rims.
the old guys who do 23 MPG down a one-lane each way, no-passing zone with their LEFT turn signal on for the next 80 miles.
Then at the next light, THEY TURN RIGHT!!!!
the irresponsible a**hole who tosses their ashes, or even their lit butt out the window while not realizing all motorcycles are actually 2-wheeled top-down convertibles(duhh).
And I could go on, & on, & on, forever.......
2 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 11:54:57 AM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 12:09:54 PM
Stoppies and wheelies in traffic drive me nuts, as does the same moron running between stationary lies of cars at 30+ mph - sheer stupidity. Those guys are the ones that give bikers in general a terrible name. The other ones are the weekend warriors who drive SUVs during the week, and try to ride their Harley (or similar) at the weekend. They don't ride often enough to be any good, and are almost as dangerous on their bikes are they are in their SUVs.
I'm not convinced that talking on the phone is a problem, especially with hands free kits. There are plenty of distractions in cars that are worse than a phone conversation. Texting and other similar activities are much worse because they take your eye off the road. If you're talking and something happens that you need to handle, your attention is where it needs to be, and you stop talking. But if you're eyes aren't on the road, you won't see the situation arise, and won't react. So, the golden rule for me is that if it takes my eyes from the road, it's not happening. You know?
Where I live, in 'The South', pickup drivers, soccer Moms in SUVs and soccer Moms in 'mini'-vans are the single biggest menace to safety. the pickup truck dudes are generally the ones with lift kits and glasspacks in their exhaust who can't see sh!t from the drivers seat. SUV drivers around here think they are indestructable. The worst SUVs are the ones with $10,000 sub-woofer systems that you can here a mile off and sound like thunder until they're right on top of you and your windows literally rattle.
We get the $50 junker with $8,000 in rims and $5,000 of sound, but we get more weirdness with cars like a Crown-Vic running on 4, yes FOUR, space saver spare-wheels. My personal favorite is a big Buick running around on small diameter extra wide tires, and rims that have been put on spacers that push the wheels several inches out from their correct position.
And don't get me started on the 4 banger tuners with their coffee can exhausts...
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 12:23:18 AM
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Arnold and I, despite being younger, are SO with you on this.
But just as a side bar, there is absolutely nothing I hate more than muffler-less motorcycles. ...why they are immune to all vehicle noise laws is beyond me. ;)
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 7/19/2009 12:23:38 AM
4 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 1:06:47 AM
It's even worse in NYC...
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 1:29:20 AM
I know what ya mean, but they're way worse than any un-mufflered bike will ever be.
At least you only hear me for 8 seconds or less as I go by.
But it seems those old run down jalopies won't go over 5 MPH, so you have to endure that brain-throbbing bass for almost 20 minutes.
Or they're trying to show off, by letting everyone that's disinterested, know that chrome wheels on a bucket of rust will always go well together.
Or they just gotta park that rolling piece of sh*t "Johnny -on-the-spot port-a-pottie right near you for 2 hours so they can angle their noise blaster's radar mast skyward, so now even Ray Walsh up on Mars, (bitcheses...just had to say that, LOL) know not to invade Planet earth.
BTW, honestly I didn't put straight pipes o my HD to be cool, I could give a f*ck less if I'm cool or not.
I did it for all my own, right safety reasons(like...me staying alive).
The saying that we bikers use "Loud pipes save lives" honestly rings true!!!!
With a mufflered bike, it's not "IF" you'll wind up going down in a crash, but "WHEN" you'll go down(and I guarantee that just because some riders haven't yet, they will, sometime in the future).
With mufflered pipes, because of inattentive A-Holes, I found that I was getting an average of 13 to 15 near misses EVERY DAY.(I should've just worn one of Target's logo'ed t-shirts, since I was becoming a moving one anyway).
But since I didn't want to plan a career staying in anger management classes for life, I opted for a pair of bike-length long unbaffled shotgun pipes. So now, even the idiots blinded by their own daydreaming hear me coming.
And if I see someone ready to pull out in front of me from a store or intersection, or someone ready to turn left into my path, I just do a quick "brap" on my throttle while holding the clutch in, and they now hear me,
And it causes them to spin their head around like Linda Blair, to see me coming into their view.
With these pipes, I'm now down to about 3 near misses a month.
So whenever you hear a un-mufflered Harley, pleas think of the reason it's probably been done that way(I'm not counting the few irresponsible motorcycle "posers"
that only go naked-piped just to show up & rev up every second, just to show that they can).
0 up, 0 down
Jed
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 2:06:13 AM
2 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 8:58:37 PM
My father was test-riding a BMW cycle (one he had repaired for a customer) back when I was in junior high, and some old guy pulled out in front of him and stalled the car. My father hit him broadside and flipped over that high windshield those BMWs had and over the whole car. He broke both his wrists but if he hadn't been wearing a helmet, he would be dead today, as he landed on the back of his head. He had so much adrenaline going, though, he ran back and actually threw the bike off the road so it wouldn't get hit by any other traffic.
The motorcycle did have a muffler, but in that case, it wouldn't have mattered either way. And I'm sorry, but because of this and many other incidents, me and my whole family are huge advocates of motorcycle safety, and the cycles that are illegal in 100 different ways (handlebars above the head, wheel three feet out in front, feet sticking way out; it's ALL illegal) shouldn't be allowed be on the road. We also believe in full motorcycle apparel, including helmet; make it a law everywhere (it's not a law to where a helmet in CT).
So no, we're not "cool," either, but by now, the whole family knows what it takes to be safe on a motorcycle. ;)
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 7/19/2009 8:59:10 PM
0 up, 0 down
Jed
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 2:09:24 AM
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___________
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 3:25:21 AM
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weve had it for months, and if you dont have your full licence yet your not allowed to use hands free either.
i know thats BS.
i had a accident a few months ago, this lady ran up the back of me.
and you know what she said.
"sorry i was not looking where i was going i was busy reading that sign"
WTF?
seriously.
people who are dumb enough to say that let alone actualy do it should never be allowed to drive.
asian women too suprise suprise, but i wont bring that up.............
1 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Monday, July 20, 2009 @ 10:54:17 AM
1 up, 0 down
bOnEs
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 10:48:43 AM
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just because your car has an airbag, doesn't mean your safe out there... and people drive like they have a guardian angel watching over them, like they're completely safe on the roads... whenever i see someone crossing the yellow or white lines, half the time it's because they are on their cell phones...
i mean, i hate talking on the phone when i am driving because well... i am driving... leave a message and i'll call you when i get to where i am going... sometimes i answer (if i know it's kinda important) but, i usually let it go to voicemail...
and don't get me started on texting... it's the cheapest excuse of calling someone without actually saying anything... i wish they banned texting with phones period...
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Robochic
Sunday, July 19, 2009 @ 1:47:16 PM
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2 up, 0 down
556pineapple
Reply
Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 10:48:07 AM
It really is sad that we need a law to remind people to pay attention to the road. I've never heard of someone playing a video game while driving, but I wouldn't doubt that it's happened before. I did see a shirtless guy driving his truck down the freeway once, with an open book on the steering wheel and drinking from a gallon of milk though...