Kajtek1 wrote: Only in Mercedes. I can take my hands off steering wheel and the car will not change the line for 1/4 mile
"Henry's Mercedes" !!
I had an "almost stock" Model A Ford (and a '56 Ford) when I was in
HS. The previous owner had changed the steering wheel (moved elect
switches to toggles below the cowl/tank/"dash").
The steering wheel had the original single large nut exposed in the middle of the column - holding the steering wheel in place.
Great fun to have it finger tight - and while going down the road,
remove the nut on the sly, pop the wheel off & hand it to a passenger.
As long as you didn't hit any potholes (or?) it went straight-arrow.
Quarter of a mile EZ!
Oh yeah - the video.
CHP is happy to hand out lots more serious (and expensive) "cites" than talking on a cellphone! Covered by other VC sections, like reckless driving, etc.
CHP probably wouldn't have been too happy about driving without a steering wheel either, LOL!
JC
ol Bombero-JC wrote: CHP is happy to hand out lots more serious (and expensive) "cites" than talking on a cellphone! Covered by other VC sections, like reckless driving, etc....
That's why I have trouble with the new law. It is better covered by other laws (distracted driving, etc.). Why have a special law for cell phones? So they can pull over someone, just because they have a cell phone. Sounds like the intersections of "new revenue source", "let's do something (even if it does nothing)", and "let's help out the cell phone companies".
ol Bombero-JC wrote: CHP is happy to hand out lots more serious (and expensive) "cites" than talking on a cellphone! Covered by other VC sections, like reckless driving, etc....
That's why I have trouble with the new law. It is better covered by other laws (distracted driving, etc.). Why have a special law for cell phones? So they can pull over someone, just because they have a cell phone. Sounds like the intersections of "new revenue source", "let's do something (even if it does nothing)", and "let's help out the cell phone companies".
Doug, I think you hit the nail on the head. I totally agree with you.
ol Bombero-JC wrote: CHP is happy to hand out lots more serious (and expensive) "cites" than talking on a cellphone! Covered by other VC sections, like reckless driving, etc....
That's why I have trouble with the new law. It is better covered by other laws (distracted driving, etc.). Why have a special law for cell phones? So they can pull over someone, just because they have a cell phone. Sounds like the intersections of "new revenue source", "let's do something (even if it does nothing)", and "let's help out the cell phone companies".
I can't speak for all states, but in California there is no such law as distracted driving. At least there wasn't until we got the cell phone law. You can still eat, put on makeup, drive with your knees, shave, and read a book without getting a ticket unless this activity causes you to violate some other rule of the road. If you can drive while doing these activities without breaking any traffic law, then there is no violation.
2004 National Tropi-Cal T-350, Class A, Triple slide, 330 HP Cat DP. 2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4 or
2002 Harley FLSTF Fat Boy on a Trailer or
2004 Polaris Quad on the Trailer
msmith1199 wrote: I can't speak for all states, but in California there is no such law as distracted driving. At least there wasn't until we got the cell phone law. You can still eat, put on makeup, drive with your knees, shave, and read a book without getting a ticket unless this activity causes you to violate some other rule of the road. If you can drive while doing these activities without breaking any traffic law, then there is no violation.
Then CA should have passed a "distracted driver" law instead of the cell phone law. Then I would understand the law and actually support it.
There are a lot more bad things going on while driving than using the cell phone (you mentioned a good number of them).
I just remembered the best one I saw.
Waiting at a light in Anaheim just down from the Hilton at harbor Blvd I looked down (driving tour coach) at a girl in a red Lamborghini and she was snorting a line of Coke. Then, she took off so fast that the red paint started to peel back.
If you own a funeral home then you must love cellphone users in cars, judging from the video.
msmith1199 wrote: I can't speak for all states, but in California there is no such law as distracted driving. At least there wasn't until we got the cell phone law. You can still eat, put on makeup, drive with your knees, shave, and read a book without getting a ticket unless this activity causes you to violate some other rule of the road. If you can drive while doing these activities without breaking any traffic law, then there is no violation.
Then CA should have passed a "distracted driver" law instead of the cell phone law. Then I would understand the law and actually support it.
There are a lot more bad things going on while driving than using the cell phone (you mentioned a good number of them).
One thing I think no one mentioned is that the California cell phone law does NOT specifically forbid texting! The police say that texting is "not recommended". Now how stupid are the folks in Sacramento that they didn't include texting in the law?
I wonder if this law will be like the seatbelt law in CA. If some of you remember, CA implimented the seatbelt law, removed it and then put it back again. Maybe they will see how silly the new law is and re-write it eventually. They say the reason it does't mention "texting" is 4 years ago when the law was being written, texting was not that popular like it is now. So they didn't even think to mention it in the law.
You would think it would have been a law about distracted driving, how many drivers do you see reading a map while driving.
And a bit off subject, but I recenlty bought a Tom Tom navigation unit. It "warns" you about using it in a safe manner, but I'll tell you, there is no way I can drive safe while using that thing. Trying to push those little keys on the screen, and reading the messages it displays.... way worse than a cell phone in my opinion. I also think the worse part about the cell phone is dialing. Once you are talking, it less of an issue. I guess the arguement for that would be concentration on driving vs concentration on the conversation. And what about lighting a cigarette while driving.... just another law that wasn't thought out very well.
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