Missouri: Text Messaging While Driving Is Fine, As Long As You're Over 21
from the disparate-impact dept
Laws that ban individual activities -- like cell phone use -- while driving are often little more than political hype. Singling out specific activities for bans doesn't do much to address the root problem of unsafe driving, which remains the issue regardless of its cause, while also generating the implication that if a specific action while driving hasn't been banned, it's okay and safe. Nevertheless, plenty of states have moved forward with laws banning talking on cell phones while driving, and more recently, texting. Next, they'll have to ban using the mobile web, or IM, or playing Tetris on your phone while driving, since they've left these (and plenty of other activities) out, but we digress... In any case, Missouri's legislature has taken the silliness one step further by banning texting while driving, but only for drivers under the age of 21. If you accept the supposed need for these sorts of laws, how could you argue they should only apply to those under 21? What happens on a person's 21st birthday that suddenly makes texting while driving acceptable and safe? Answers in the comments, please...
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The same thing that happens that suddenly makes drinking acceptable and safe.
What that "thing" is, I have no idea.
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Magical Birthdays
Same thing that suddenly happens on their 18th birthday that makes it OK to engage in sex with them.
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Re: Magical Birthdays
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I doubt your ridiculous claim is true anywhere.
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To the point of the article, I think that while teenage drivers can be more easily distracted, our laws should be equitable where possible. I think texting bans (WHERE YOU ACTUALLY ARE LOOKING DOWN) are a good idea, as they like cell phones, present a unique risk seperate from human behaviors (ie,grooming), but there shouldn't be an age limit. Anything less is political grandstanding.
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Two quick examples: Reckless Endangerment, Negligence. (I'm sure there are others)
Making new laws to cover that which is already covered is just asinine; as though the law-makers are attempting to justify their existence and salary by working EXTRA hard (and doing stupid things).
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Though, there's a major difference. A person can put down the phone/hang up. You can't sober up like that.
But on the whole, we agree that using a mobile phone and driving are *usually* a bad idea -- depending on the circumstances. But why do you assume that other activities aren't as bad? Why is it different?
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And a person should "put down the phone/hang up" when they're driving. We're talking about people who don't do that.
But why do you assume that other activities aren't as bad? Why is it different?
Why is DUI different?
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Ergo, I believe that, hands-free or not, talking on a cell phone is bad because the focus is moved to the phone call, not driving. Driving simply becomes an automatic action, much like when you get "road hypnosis" and suddenly realize you are miles down the road from when you last paid attention.
When driving becomes automatic, any changes to the situation become dangerous. You over-react to objects in the road or other drivers swerving or braking.
I suspect that the "under 21" law is trying to account for new drivers not having as much experience. The thing is, there is really not much difference between cell phone use, texting, messing w/ the radio, eating, etc. They are all distractions and most people are incapable of multi-tasking.
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When someone is in the car with you while you talk, they can help alert you to problems that you may not notice, possibly due to you talking to them. When they're not in the car (just on the phone), they can't see that your swerving into the other lane and get your attention.
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In this case, it may well be that there are already Missouri laws on the books that create a tiered level of licenses by age, making it easy to add new language, even if its irrational and sweeping, to the restrictions already in place.
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Hawaii law
Honestly, who the fuck is stupid enough to think that playing a video game while driving is safe??
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Re: Hawaii law
IM-not so-HO, anyone caught doing that should be tried for attempted manslaughter!
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What's next on the list
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@Mike: The difference is mostly scientific. From my limited
understanding, the act of say combing your hair, or say, stuffing french fries in your face, doesn't distract in the same way talking does. While I may have been trying to justify my points a bit, there does seem to be a real, and meaningful distinction. This would justify a seperate law.
Text messaging means no hands on the wheel (steering with the backs of fingers probably) and looking away from the road. Again, unique. I'm not for redundancy in the laws if it's not needed, but technology changes the way people operate. Again also, for this law you mention, it does seem that the age limit is just a way to use the teenagers as a scapegoat for what is a problem for people of ALL ages. There I definately agree.
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What tiny child-like hands do you have that prevent you from texting one handed?!
I have been known to text a quick reply while driving, and I bring the phone up to my eye level. That way, any changes in my driving situation are noticed quickly. Obviously not as fast as not texting, but faster than changing the radio station, and about equal to looking in the rear-view mirror.
If you make it illegal, people are still going to do it, but they'll feel compelled to "hide" it by texting below window-level, eyes down. (Though, for some reason this is how most people do it anyway-- dunno why.)
PS- I drive one handed regardless of if I'm texting or not. Two and ten is for my grandmother.
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Then maybe you should get the other one out of you pants.
Two and ten is for my grandmother.
Sounds like even she's a better driver than you are.
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Mythbusters
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Re: Mythbusters
I saw that episode... and while I'm a huge fan, I had serious problems with the methodology, which included a weird obstacle course, that was not "everyday driving" and also included odd other distractions and what was not a "normal" conversation. I didn't think it told us much of anything.
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Re: Re: Mythbusters
From what I've read, I thought that show was geared towards 12 year old Beavis and Buttheads with a hard-on for Kari Byron who want to see some kind of explosion or fire in practically episode. I mean, really, pretty juvenile stuff. I think there was even an episode once where they drove vehicles to test them for gas mileage that came with a warning that viewers should never try the same at home, EVER! So remember Mike, if you're a Mythbuster fan, you're considered too immature to drive anyway.
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what should be disallowed
The most distracting things you can have in the car is kids in the backseat. Therefore, kids should never be allowed to be in a car unless they're drugged.
Most accidents on the roads happen between cars, so all other cars should be on a strict schedule to be on the road so that I can have the roads all to myself.
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The obvious escaped Carlo
Singling out specific activities for bans doesn't do much to address the root problem of unsafe driving, which remains the issue regardless of its cause, while also generating the implication that if a specific action while driving hasn't been banned, it's okay and safe.
Your argument is absurd but first things first. Nothing happens at age 21, and this law should apply to everyone regardless of age. There is not one "root cause" of texting and driving (you conviently left out your opinion on this point). Furthermore, making it illegal does not imply everything else is safe. There is no need to pass a law against playing a PSP and driving because nobody does it (hopefully). Rather, making it illegal suggests that it is happening often enough to warrant attention from lawmakers, and though this may be a point of disagreement here: laws do influence human behavior.
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Re: The obvious escaped Carlo
I guess it can fall under the general context of reckless driving. It's reckless to look at your cell phone when you're supposed to be looking at the road.
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21!
You can vote at 18. You can help decide the future of the country at 18. You can help elect someone who will shape the face of the world for the next 4 years at 18.
You can join the military at 18. You can be deployed overseas into heavy combat at 18. You can kill someone "defending" your country at 18. You can be put in charge of millions of dollars of military hardware at 18.
But God forbid you drink or text at 18.
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Good. I suppose you think it's just A-OK for 15 year olds to be having abortions right? The pregnancy never has to do with their scumbag 27 year old boyfriend right?
I mean get up, do some homework, eat breakfast, listen to some rock music, get an abortion, it's all cool right?
Just another day in amorality-ville...
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Just because a 15 year old is pregnant doesn't mean a 27 year old was involved. That's just a stupid assumption. Of course, it just goes along with the rest of the stupid comment.
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END TRANSMISSION..
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Texting while driving
We all know that younger people may not have become mature at a time when they are allowed to do mature things. In most states, 16 year olds can drive, and they are a real hazard on the road, as a group! So, setting an age limit is, if not reasonable, still not unreasonable!
That said, I don't like discrimination, and this is!
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Texting while driving
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driving
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texting while driving
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texting while driving
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21 years of age
The state of Missouri is concerned about the divided attention that talking/texting causes, not that a hand is off the wheel or eyes are off the road. Your mind is actually diverted from the task of driving, almost to the point of feeling like you're relaxing at home.
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21 years of age
The state of Missouri is concerned about the divided attention that talking/texting causes, not that a hand is off the wheel or eyes are off the road. Your mind is actually diverted from the task of driving, almost to the point of feeling like you're relaxing at home.
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ban it for all
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ha thats retarded
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Overlegislation
This is the true problem of overlegislation. People begin to equate legality with morality. Thus, conservatives think that getting rid of drug laws is a bad idea "because then the government would be endorsing drugs!" Liberals think that that getting rid of antidiscrimination laws is a bad idea "because the government would be endorsing discrimination!" The truth is that neither law (in today's world) does much to further their pet cause, and in fact, evidence shows that discrimination and drug use actually increase due to the laws.
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One handed?
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Missouri Law- Texting while driving
Disgusted.
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A lot happens then, objectively.
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Texting while driving is wrong for all drivers
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Texting while driving
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wo
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age limit on texting and driving
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SInce you didn't know
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