Guy In Silicon Valley Buys Billboard Ad Against CA's Hands-Free Mobile Phone Law

from the one-way-to-protest dept

I'm not really sure that this is an effective use of money to protest a law, but one guy, Grant Paulson, has shelled out $10,000 of his own money to buy space on a billboard in Palo Alto to protest California's new requirement for using a hands-free device if you're using a mobile phone while driving. The billboard's message is directed at state Senator Joe Simitian of Palo Alto -- who introduced the legislation in the first place. In part, it reads:

Senator Joe Simitian: Your cell phone law sucks. Amazing how 1 man's bad idea can screw over & inconvenience millions of people in CA. Let's overturn this law in the next election & protect what rights we still have left."

It may be getting attention, but Simitian doesn't seem particularly persuaded by it, saying that it "put a smile on my face" and calling it "a hoot." Also, it looks like most of the people the San Jose Mercury News asked about it weren't impressed by the billboard -- with some noting that they have no problem with the hands-free rule, and others complaining that the billboard itself was distracting because it contained too many words (seriously). Even Simitian noted: "My only concern is that someone might be rear-ended." That seems pretty ridiculous, frankly. Shouldn't drivers know better than to get distracted by a billboard with "too many words."

Hell, perhaps next Simitian will propose a law banning billboard with too many words as a new "driver distraction" that must be stopped. I'm sure I know one guy who would buy a billboard protesting that law...

Filed Under: california, grant paulson, hands free, joe simitian