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Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
Oregon State Police cited 41 drivers and warned 250 others across the state since the beginning of the year for violating Oregon's new hands-free cell phone law, troopers reported Friday.
The law, which requires most drivers to use a hands-free device to talk on the telephone while driving, went into effect Jan. 1. Violation of the law is a primary offense, meaning a police officer or deputy can stop a driver just for talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device.
If convicted, the violation carries a minimum $142 fine.
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Reader comments
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
If you're stupid enough to ignore the safety hazards -excuse me, PROVEN safety hazards, of talking while driving, then ante up the fine.
The rest of us would like to think we are a little bit safer anyway with the protection, in this case, of "Big Government".
The process does, after all, provide for repeal of such statutes - just get enough signatures & proven evidence that it's NOT a safety hazard & present it to the legislature.
It's NOT the business of the State patrol to differentiate between "criminals and illegal aliens who do not have money to confiscate" and the particular law-breakers that are the subjest of this article.
Perhaps "We Need More Big Government" feels the particular criminals noted in his comment should be somehow labeled for easier identification........
""Hang Up and Drive""
(email verified)
Fri, Feb 05, 2010 at 01:50 PM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
A large and recent study has shown NO benefit to these laws. People have been driving and holding things in their hands since cars were invented -- remember the stick shift?
It is a great revenue stream for, and another example of, micro management by the lords in government - to their financial benefit. With banning plastic shopping bags, ridiculous phone laws, an who-knows-what-else they dream up as a way to squeeze money out of us in a deep recession, it's no surprise the serfs are rebelling against the government royalty.
If this were really an issue of safety, auto insurance companies would seek exclusions, in their policies for those who choose to eat, talk on phone (still legal with a headset), etc.
"jburn"
(email verified)
Fri, Feb 05, 2010 at 02:22 PM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
Those results are, in fact, correct - however, the incidents of accidents remained 4 times HIGHER for cell phone use in vehicles, indicating the distraction is NOT the holding of the phone, but the actual conversation being a distraction in and of itself. (This the conclusion reached by the researchers themselves, not me)
Therefore, the correction for this problem would be to ban cell phone conversations entirely while driving.
I stand by my "hang up & drive" solution to the issue. The law as written decreases the use of cell phones while driving by those who do not have headsets -at least SOME effort toward solving the issue caused by those too ignorant to just pull over & talk.....
"Hang Up & Drive - Really!!!"
(email verified)
Fri, Feb 05, 2010 at 05:07 PM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
Under the new law, if you are over the age of 18, you may use a wireless device if you are using a hands free accessory that allows you to keep both hands on the wheel while you are driving. Drivers that are under the age of 18 may not use a wireless device in any case except specific situations such as an emergency or farming or agricultural operations. For other exceptions to the new law please use the link provided below to read the bill.
So lets look at this Anti Cell Phone law with a "rational" mind.
The new Anti Cell Phone law (TAX) says you can not use a Cell phone and drive unless it is "hands free".
So my question is.....
Q. Is the act of talking on the cell phone which is dangerous?
A. No, because you can still talk on your cell phone if you are "hands free"
Q. Is it the act of driving with one hand that is dangerous?
A. No, Oregon State allows one handed drivers the right to operate a motor vehicle.
Q. Is the act of talking to another person while driving that which is dangerous?
A. No, You can have a passenger in your vehicle, and talk to them while driving, (but not that same passenger with a cell phone, unless it's hands free)
Q. If talking to , or listening to another person while driving is dangerous, then therefore should we not also ban "passengers, and radios" from our vehicles?
A. No, we have already "proved" that the act of using the cell phone is not dangerous, (hence the State allows hands free operation), and that driving with one hand, (while holding the phone to your ear) is also not dangerous, (hence the State allows disabled people to drive), and that the act of talking to another person itself is not dangerous, (hence the State allows you to have a passenger in the car with you, and also promotes carpooling), and that the act of listening to another person (whether passenger, cell phone call, or the radio) is not dangerous, since they are not also banned, this can only be rationalized as, yet another TAX upon the Citizens of Oregon By the Nanny State DemoRATS!
No it is NOT about safety, it is all about CONTROL, the control of your everyday activities, it's all about placing another TAX on you and convincing you it is "for your own good"
Oregon already has laws on the books that cover "careless and reckless" operation of a motor vehicle, whether it is caused buy a cell phone, a passenger, your radio, or YOU women putting on your make up in the morning as you drive to work or when you are off to some hot date and you are running late!
I say ENFORCE existing law before you place new laws for old ones and claim it is for safety, when in fact it is all about CONTROL and TAXES!
"It's All About STEALING More Money From The Citizens of Oregon"
(email verified)
Sat, Feb 06, 2010 at 08:18 AM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
Under the new law, if you are over the age of 18, you may use a wireless device if you are using a hands free accessory that allows you to keep both hands on the wheel while you are driving. Drivers that are under the age of 18 may not use a wireless device in any case except specific situations such as an emergency or farming or agricultural operations. For other exceptions to the new law please use the link provided below to read the bill.
So lets look at this Anti Cell Phone law with a "rational" mind.
The new Anti Cell Phone law (TAX) says you can not use a Cell phone and drive unless it is "hands free".
So my question is.....
Q. Is the act of talking on the cell phone which is dangerous?
A. No, because you can still talk on your cell phone if you are "hands free"
Q. Is it the act of driving with one hand that is dangerous?
A. No, Oregon State allows one handed drivers the right to operate a motor vehicle.
Q. Is the act of talking to another person while driving that which is dangerous?
A. No, You can have a passenger in your vehicle, and talk to them while driving, (but not that same passenger with a cell phone, unless it's hands free)
Q. If talking to , or listening to another person while driving is dangerous, then therefore should we not also ban "passengers, and radios" from our vehicles?
A. No, we have already "proved" that the act of using the cell phone is not dangerous, (hence the State allows hands free operation), and that driving with one hand, (while holding the phone to your ear) is also not dangerous, (hence the State allows disabled people to drive), and that the act of talking to another person itself is not dangerous, (hence the State allows you to have a passenger in the car with you, and also promotes carpooling), and that the act of listening to another person (whether passenger, cell phone call, or the radio) is not dangerous, since they are not also banned, this can only be rationalized as, yet another TAX upon the Citizens of Oregon By the Nanny State DemoRATS!
No it is NOT about safety, it is all about CONTROL, the control of your everyday activities, it's all about placing another TAX on you and convincing you it is "for your own good"
Oregon already has laws on the books that cover "careless and reckless" operation of a motor vehicle, whether it is caused buy a cell phone, a passenger, your radio, or YOU women putting on your make up in the morning as you drive to work or when you are off to some hot date and you are running late!
I say ENFORCE existing law before you place new laws for old ones and claim it is for safety, when in fact it is all about CONTROL and TAXES!
"It's All About STEALING More Money From The Citizens of Oregon"
(email verified)
Sat, Feb 06, 2010 at 08:21 AM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
Dear hang up, Ok so you are in to saftey and you said it's not the phone it's the conversation. Ok lets pass a law that states that you have to buy and drive a single seat car so you will not be talking with your hubby-wife-kids in the back seat. Ok we are all safer now ho can't for get the new single seat car can't go faster than 35 cause speed kills too. Remember we are from the government, we are here to healp.
"Dodge Ram"
(email verified)
Sat, Feb 06, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
I'm from the UK where the use of hand held cell phones has been banned for sometime. The results show a reduction in vehicle accidents which was the cited reason for the ban in the first place.
I spend approx 5 months of the year in the US & whlst driving here, do not use a cell phone at all.
A well known motoring journalist in the Uk wanted to test the the theory & attended the Millbrook Test Track which has state of the art computerized driving facilities. First he took a driving simulator course whilst not using a cell phone. Secondly, he took a course whilst using a hand held cell phone. Thirdly he did a course using a hands free cell phone. Fourthly, and here's where the real surprise came, he did a course having drunk 3 pints of normal strength beer which was enough to take him over the UK limit when tested before he drove. As you would expect, when the computer printout info came back having assessed his driving over the course which included a number of everyday hazards motorists face he had no real issues & if this had been his driving test, he would have passed.
When the results came back for the two simulations involving the use of a cell phone, his driving was impaired & if that had been his driving test he would have failed. Here's the surprise, even though he was over the legal drink drive limit, due to him concentrating more than usual due to minor inebriation, he would have passed his driving test.
The Millbrook Testing Ground has undertaken thousands of tests of a similar nature using drivers of all levels of experience & age. The results are pretty conclusive - use a cell phone at the wheel, hand held or hands free & you are more like to be involved in an accident. What they conclude, is that your concentration is not fully given to driving as you are more concerned with your cell phone conversation
If you use the phone, hand held in your state, you know the penalty. You do have a choice. Don't use a cell phone at all whilst driving - pull over if you need to use your cell phone.
"Ian, a cell phone free driver"
(email verified)
Sun, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:12 AM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
I'm from the UK where the use of hand held cell phones has been banned for sometime. The results show a reduction in vehicle accidents which was the cited reason for the ban in the first place.
I spend approx 5 months of the year in the US & whlst driving here, do not use a cell phone at all.
A well known motoring journalist in the Uk wanted to test the the theory & attended the Millbrook Test Track which has state of the art computerized driving facilities. First he took a driving simulator course whilst not using a cell phone. Secondly, he took a course whilst using a hand held cell phone. Thirdly he did a course using a hands free cell phone. Fourthly, and here's where the real surprise came, he did a course having drunk 3 pints of normal strength beer which was enough to take him over the UK limit when tested before he drove. As you would expect, when the computer printout info came back having assessed his driving over the course which included a number of everyday hazards motorists face he had no real issues & if this had been his driving test, he would have passed.
When the results came back for the two simulations involving the use of a cell phone, his driving was impaired & if that had been his driving test he would have failed. Here's the surprise, even though he was over the legal drink drive limit, due to him concentrating more than usual due to minor inebriation, he would have passed his driving test.
The Millbrook Testing Ground has undertaken thousands of tests of a similar nature using drivers of all levels of experience & age. The results are pretty conclusive - use a cell phone at the wheel, hand held or hands free & you are more like to be involved in an accident. What they conclude, is that your concentration is not fully given to driving as you are more concerned with your cell phone conversation
If you use the phone, hand held in your state, you know the penalty. You do have a choice. Don't use a cell phone at all whilst driving - pull over if you need to use your cell phone.
"Ian, a cell phone free driver"
(email verified)
Sun, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:26 AM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
I'm from the UK where the use of hand held cell phones has been banned for sometime. The results show a reduction in vehicle accidents which was the cited reason for the ban in the first place.
I spend approx 5 months of the year in the US & whlst driving here, do not use a cell phone at all.
A well known motoring journalist in the Uk wanted to test the the theory & attended the Millbrook Test Track which has state of the art computerized driving facilities. First he took a driving simulator course whilst not using a cell phone. Secondly, he took a course whilst using a hand held cell phone. Thirdly he did a course using a hands free cell phone. Fourthly, and here's where the real surprise came, he did a course having drunk 3 pints of normal strength beer which was enough to take him over the UK limit when tested before he drove. As you would expect, when the computer printout info came back having assessed his driving over the course which included a number of everyday hazards motorists face he had no real issues & if this had been his driving test, he would have passed.
When the results came back for the two simulations involving the use of a cell phone, his driving was impaired & if that had been his driving test he would have failed. Here's the surprise, even though he was over the legal drink drive limit, due to him concentrating more than usual due to minor inebriation, he would have passed his driving test.
The Millbrook Testing Ground has undertaken thousands of tests of a similar nature using drivers of all levels of experience & age. The results are pretty conclusive - use a cell phone at the wheel, hand held or hands free & you are more like to be involved in an accident. What they conclude, is that your concentration is not fully given to driving as you are more concerned with your cell phone conversation
If you use the phone, hand held in your state, you know the penalty. You do have a choice. Don't use a cell phone at all whilst driving - pull over if you need to use your cell phone.
"Ian, a cell phone free driver"
(email verified)
Sun, Feb 07, 2010 at 08:32 AM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
Some people are being offered a deal at the citing officer's discretion: If you complete the High Risk Driving Class at Legacy Emmanuel ($50) and bring the class certificate to your court date, the the ticket will be waived. I know the class is by referral only, and it's an 8 hour, one to two day class, depending on what's available. I think it's pretty cool since the law is still so new.
"side note"
(email verified)
Sun, Feb 07, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
I'm for "Big Government" when people who aren't for big government think that they should be allowed to do anything they want even if it puts other peoples lives in danger. I don't care if they have money or not, legally here or not, old, young, whatever! I think people caught texting while driving should have their licence suspended for a year. And for all you people over let's say 20 yrs. old who think that not paying complete attention to driving your car comes with a fine is so unfare, boo-hoo. I have one question. How did you ever make it thru life before cell phones came around?
"Love the new law!!"
(email verified)
Sun, Feb 07, 2010 at 07:58 PM
Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
Those who don't agree with the cell ban get over it....
Maybe you should speak with the families of the girls that were killed by someone who was texting while driving. If you recall they were killed while on a trip to Eastern Oregon. The other driver was texting.
I drive HWY 30 a lot and can tell you first hand that drivers who text and use their phone are oblivious to what is happening around them.
This has to do with safety and nothing else. Get a devise that will allow you to drive without occupying your hands. It's not about talking, it's about those who take their eyes off the road while texting or trying to dial a phone number and then holding the cell phone up to their head becoming oblivious to what is going on around them.
Get a clue people!!!!!!!!!!! These blogs amaze me with the ignorance I see...
""
(email verified)
Tue, Feb 09, 2010 at 10:08 AM
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Re: Troopers slap 41 drivers with fines for cell phone violations
That is right, keep your focus on those who have money to pay the fines and ignore all the criminals and illegal aliens who do not have any money to confiscate for the benefit of the state.
"We need more big government"
(email verified)
Fri, Feb 05, 2010 at 01:29 PM