States try to ban driver distractions

BARRE, Vt. - Put down the flute and keep your eyes on the road. And forget about sipping that cup of coffee on the way to work, or smoking a cigarette on the way home. In some states, it could soon be illegal — if it isn't already.

Emboldened by the passage of cell phone bans for drivers in some communities, states are turning their attention to other things that drive motorists to distraction.

Vermont lawmakers are considering a measure that would ban eating, drinking, smoking, reading, writing, personal grooming, playing an instrument, "interacting with pets or cargo," talking on a cell phone or using any other personal communication device while driving. The punishment: a fine of up to $600.

Similar bills are under consideration in Maryland and Texas, and Connecticut has passed one that generically bans any activity that could interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070209/ap_on_re_us/driven_to_distraction


I don't mind banning the cell phone usage while driving.. however there is the hands free phone acceseries

Texas is quickly becoming the nanny-leader of the South.

The new state motto: Forget the Alamo; Remember nanny!

The problem for commuters today is the boredom. We are told to make the most of our time, yet we find government saying "NO". When I lived and worked in Chicago I can remember women applying their face, men reading the newspapers, other eating their breakfasts, and this was before cell phones.

This is nothing compared to drivers trying to maintain order with children in the vehicle, again this was before they were tied to the seats, but nothing closes their mouths.

Maybe the automobile has killed it's effectiveness in getting people from point A to point B, because of their sheer numbers.

All of this should point all of us toward public transportation, but it is never mentioned. The only other alternative is a professional driver because regardless, time is spent in traffic and that time serves no purpose.

Similiar laws are being passed for pedestrians in New York but these include MP3 players.

The biggest distraction of all to drivers is CHILDREN. They need to be banned also!

many so-called "distractions" help break the monotony of driving - especially on long trips. What will happen is more drivers will nod off at the wheel and then the roads will be oh so much safer I'm sure

Coffee and smokes have kept my old ass awake many a time on long trips.

As I've pointed out in other posts, what all of these "nanny state" type laws have in common are two things: greater government control and a subversive attack on free-market capitalism.

It's not going to do McDonald's a lot of good, for instance, if you can't get your food at the drive thru and munch away in your car.

Well then, they'll just have to ban the drive thru's won't they?

Maybe the thought is if we never leave home we can't hurt anyone else.

If we never leave home we can never compare notes with others.

If we never leave home we will never cause them any harm or vote them out of office.

If we never leave home we will never actually find them and put them in jail where they belong.

I think the antis are worried that smoker will unite and become a force to reckon with. hence they are putting it in terms as trying their damnist to discredit any of the science that is brought forth..