Distracted Driving Penalties

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

A recent news story reported that a woman in Melbourne was fined $496 and four demerit points for using her mobile while driving (she’s actually got a fairly good defense that she was holding an ice cream and not a phone). Had the offense occurred in Queensland, she would have been fined $1000. 

I was fairly well shocked, since the penalty for doing that here is just $80 and 20 points. But it got me curious. What are the distracted driving restrictions and penalties where you live, and do you think they should be more or less severe?

Boru

Even in America those "distracted driving" laws vary from state to state as well as fines. So distracted driving can contain use of cell phone in some states, or or just texting, but not hands free cell. Other states can include eating too, depending on what the officer observes and how much you take your eyes off the road. 

I'd guess in any case, what an officer observes is swerving or drifting out of your lane. They pull you over, and maybe the first thing they think is you might be drunk, but standard, first question everyone knows is, "Do you know why I pulled you over"? Most people say, "no". Officer says, "you were swerving, or drifting out of the lane". Then maybe, MAYBE, the driver says, " I dropped my food" or "My smoke" or "my cd" or "my cell", and at that point the officer may charge them with distracted driving. But again, laws very from state to state.

But in general, anything that takes your eyes off the road, even changing the radio station, or lighting a smoke, or even turning to talk to your passenger, all that has the potential to take your eyes off the road and get into an accident. 

Even without that, the faster you go, the longer it takes for your vehicle to slow down. Which is also why I fucking hate tailgaters.

I wasn’t really looking for a lecture (but ta for the effort). I was interested to know the penalties for distracted driving where you live, and how you feel about them.

Boru

[brewer]

Nebraska Texting Law: No person shall use a handheld wireless communication device to read a written communication, manually type a written communication, or send a written communication while operating a motor vehicle which is in motion. Fines range form $200-$500 and three points against a driver’s license. Driving means operating a commercial motor vehicle, with the motor running, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device(such as a stoplight), or other momentary delays. Texting means manually entering alphanumeric text into, or reading text from, an electronic device. Texting includes, but is not limited to, short message service, emailing, instant messaging, a command or request to access an Internet web page, pressing more than a single button to initiate or terminate a voice communication using a mobile telephone, or engaging in any other form of electronic text retrieval or electronic text entry for present or future communication.

I see cell phone use every time I drive yet I've never seen anybody get pulled over. If I'm in a pissy mood I'll fuck with them given the chance.

If I see somebody using.a cell - my favorite is to pass them on the left or right depending on which lane they are in (4 or 5 lane ) - check to make sure it is clear behind me - then do an emergency stop with.tires squealing....

It usually gets their attention.


Extra points if they drop the phone....

I typically drive up next to them and then crowd the line. Every time they look down, hit the horn.

[arewethereyet]

There is no way you can get behind the wheel of a car and travel any distance without something catching your eye or attention. Part of driving safely is taking in what's around and behind you. If the idea of reaching for a radio knob with a quick glance is going to come up then tell me how looking into a rearview or sideview mirror isn't also a distraction from what's in front of you.

Unless you are one of those little old ladies who can barely see over the dashboard and are clutching the steering wheel with both hands, you are distracted at some point. The problem with them is that they are looking straight ahead at all times.

The thing with those distractions is how long are they and do they serve a purpose that has to do with safe operation of the vehicle.

[onlinebiker]

It's not dangerous to me. 


I am paying attention.


It probably IS dangerous to Joe Yaketyyak with his brain welded to his motherfucking phone.

That's the point. I am returning the favor.

Oh, I get it now. It’s ok to put another person at risk by doing exactly what they’re doing.

Boru

Turnabout is indeed fair play....

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Oh, I get it now. It’s ok to put another person at risk by doing exactly what they’re doing.

Boru

Turnabout is indeed fair play....

Not when it involves putting other people at risk.  You're exacerbating the problem.

Boru

[Sal]

A recent news story reported that a woman in Melbourne was fined $496 and four demerit points for using her mobile while driving (she’s actually got a fairly good defense that she was holding an ice cream and not a phone). Had the offense occurred in Queensland, she would have been fined $1000. 

I was fairly well shocked, since the penalty for doing that here is just $80 and 20 points. But it got me curious. What are the distracted driving restrictions and penalties where you live, and do you think they should be more or less severe?

Boru

Around these isles, you get a clip in your drivers licence and a fine for holding a phone/ice cream/your dick in your other hand while driving. I just think the fine should be higher, personally.

[onlinebiker]

Turnabout is indeed fair play....

Not when it involves putting other people at risk.  You're exacerbating the problem.

Boru

I consider it teaching the asshole a lesson.


YRMV

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Not when it involves putting other people at risk.  You're exacerbating the problem.

Boru

I consider it teaching the asshole a lesson.


YRMV

Autodidact.

Boru

[arewethereyet]

What Is the Penalty for Distracted Driving in Texas?
In Texas, the penalty for a violation of the distracted driving law is as follows:

For a first offense: $25 to $99
For a second or following offense: $100 to $200
Keep in mind that the amount you will be expected to pay is often higher than the fine, since court costs and fees are typically added in.

[tackattack]

Georgia law is you must be hands free and further classifies it by commercial and non drivers

Penalties: First offenses. For a first distracted driving violation, a motorist is looking at a maximum fine of $50 and one demerit point. However, handheld-device-use first offenders who appear in court and provide proof of purchasing a hands-free device can get the charge dismissed.

Second offenses. A second distracted driving conviction carries up to $100 in fines and two demerit points.

Third offense. Anyone convicted of a third distracted driving violation faces up to $150 in fines and three demerit points.

Commercial drivers. Motorists operating commercial vehicles who violated the distracted driving law—in addition to the penalties specified above—are subject to a civil penalty of up to $2,750.


I’m fine with that I just wish it would be enforced more