Massachusetts bans cell phones while driving

[faemum]

I'd like to see a nationwide ban policy of smoking in bars and restaurants...I think it'll help lower medical and dental costs...

the smoking ban in bars and restaurants was introduced a few years ago here . Smokers were still allowed in alfresco areas , so a lot of pubs upgraded/ built new alfresco areas with better weather protection , outdoor heaters etc. then a year ago it was banned there too.
Even as a non-smoker ,I think they should have still allowed it in alfresco areas.
Revenue went up when these laws were that way as non-smokers enjoyed nights out more and smokers still had a chance to join in.
Much nicer to have the smokers sit outside in a nice area with a drink, then come back inside to dance or eat, than crowd the pavement .
A big part of this law was to protect the employees and so employers would not be sued in future.

[Ikissedagirl]

yeap...even at 10 cents per text, it's inbound and outbound so minimum of 20 cents...

as for enforcement, police cars (in our county atleast) are now equipped with laptops...so that they can pull up license plate information, registration etc...not to mention that I've seen a couple using cell phones while driving...

I'm glad I'm not the only one that does 10 mph over the limit allowance...



and just in case it wasn't obvious...I'm being facetious this whole time...

I knew you were playing devil's advocate. 

[Ikissedagirl]

Sure it'll need to be enforced but IMO, now that it's a law, people will certainly think twice and as well, it'll be taught in drivers education.  In my experience, after living in Germany for 3 years where it is against the law to use a handheld while driving, it was not something I was willing to start doing just because I moved back to the states. 

[GeekMom]

One of the commenters in a Boston globe article about it said it best. I can't find the comment, but basically he said "I say I'm not going to do it. Then I do it again, have a near miss, swear off of it, and repeat. But now, knowing that I can get a minimum of a $250 ticket? I will have just that extra incentive not to do it"

Another interesting perspective on the whole thing comes from John Rosemond:
http://www.rosemond.com/Weekly-Column---92109.html

Normally, I don't like this guy very much, although some of his ideas are useful. But I thought he was spot on about teen drivers and phones. The 'getting your teen driver a cell phone so they will be safe' idea is ass-backwards. Give a new driver a cell phone in the car and you might as well give them a six pack.

[Ikissedagirl]

One of the commenters in a Boston globe article about it said it best. I can't find the comment, but basically he said "I say I'm not going to do it. Then I do it again, have a near miss, swear off of it, and repeat. But now, knowing that I can get a minimum of a $250 ticket? I will have just that extra incentive not to do it"

Another interesting perspective on the whole thing comes from John Rosemond:
http://www.rosemond.com/Weekly-Column---92109.html

Normally, I don't like this guy very much, although some of his ideas are useful. But I thought he was spot on about teen drivers and phones. The 'getting your teen driver a cell phone so they will be safe' idea is ass-backwards. Give a new driver a cell phone in the car and you might as well give them a six pack.

Exactly.  You start taking big money from folks and it will change things--I'm glad the minimum is that high, good deal.

[forrest]

I knew you were playing devil's advocate. 

I thought so...just want to make sure...

[Kapihopela]

We just got this law January 1st.  We get a 250$ fine and 4 points on our license which is the same penalty as running a stop sign.  The cops are out in full force enforcing it too, at least till everyone gets used to it.  I will admit since I use my phone so rarely that it is very difficult not to pick it up if it rings, but I still think its a great law. 

We have all the smoking bans too and I couldn't imagine seeing someone smoking indoors, anywhere, no matter what kind of establishment.  Even with our extreme winter weather I hear very few people complain about having to step outside at the bar.  It's just that foreign to smoke inside here.

We also have a no smoking in the car with children law.  Which is fabulous!