Order Bans Feds From Texting While Driving

President Obama signed an executive order banning federal employees from text messaging while driving on the job or in a government-owned vehicle, the White House announced Oct. 1. The order also bans texting while driving if the federal worker is using electronic equipment supplied by the government. It is part of the administration’s larger effort to reduce distracted driving, said Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The department will consider new restrictions on cell phone use by rail, truck and bus operators, including new rules to revoke commercial drivers’ licenses for school bus drivers convicted of texting while driving, LaHood said. “This order sends a very clear signal to the American public that distracted driving is dangerous and unacceptable. It shows that the federal government is leading by example,” said LaHood. Driving while talking on cell phones has been banned in seven states, and texting while driving has been banned in 18 states; 17 states have made it illegal for school bus drivers to use cell phones while driving. To see more, go to: www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Executive-Order-Federal-Leadership-on-Reducing-Text-Messaging-while-Driving or www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/dot15609.htm.

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As far as I'm concerned, the law didn't go far enough. It should've banned ALL cell phone use while driving, not just texting. There's absolutely no reason whasoever for anyone to be using a cell phone WHILE THEY'RE DRIVING. This should be a nationwide law for everyone, not just federal employees.

The reason we have so many laws is because of lawyers who look at a law that is so broad like "negligent driving" and help people get away with it by proving beyond a reasonable doubt that they were NOT negligent. Therefore, we make new laws to specify what we mean that makes it spider web into an entire Law Library instead of just the laws.
Imagine being 8 years old again and instead of getting a sheet of paper that has the class rules on it, you get a booklet that has the rules with all kinds of previous decisions that were made in the past that could possibly help your case of talking in class. That is why we have so much beaurocracy in this country.....Lawyers!

Perhaps there should be  a media blitz reinforcing the cell phone laws all over again to remind the arrogant fools that think the laws don't apply to them . In addition, the fines should be raised from $150 for texting (in NY) to $500 and talking and texting should both be made primary rather than secondary offenses. The thing is, nobody seems to be scared of being pulled over and fined for something that can get ME killed!   If they want to get themselves killed I don't give a rat's behind.  I think the consequences have to be such that people will think twice before they use hand-held devices. It's just too bad that the habit is so deeply ingrained, but that's part of  the self-absorbed society we live in.

The minute I heard about this new rule, I had to text everyone to tell them about it.