RI expected to outlaw texting and driving
Published: November 9, 2009
Updated: November 9, 2009
PROVIDENCE—Rhode Island is expected to join 18 other states to make texting while driving against the law.
Gov. Don Carcieri is expected to sign the bill passed by the General Assembly.
Drivers under 18 and school bus drivers when transporting children are already forbidden from using a cell phone while behind the wheel.
Bus drivers transporting children can use a cell phone in an emergency.
Under the proposed law, anyone caught texting while driving would be subject to fines.
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Reader Reactions
You do have a point about cops being the worst offenders of all. They consider themselves above the law—and that should NOT be. They should lead the way by being an example of what to do—instead of what not to do.
I say it should apply to cops as well—call the police departments or the state police and report violations. I’m NOT saying it will do any good, but when the higher ups see what the cops are doing, maybe—just maybe—change will come from within.
i would like to know that as well. besides cops are the worst offenders. text patrol maybe?
So seriously how are they going to enforce this law? Makes no sense at all to pass this law without also banning using your cell phone to make phone calls without a hands free kit. If your texting before you get pulled over you could easily delete your messages by the time the officer gets to your car. I doubt they are going to get a warrant to pull your texting records from your wireless phone carrier. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for this law, I just think it would be pretty easy to fight in court without proof. What does everyone else think?
People who just can’t pry the cellphones off of their ears or out of their hands while driving ought to be subject to these fines, strictly enforced and not appealable and not able to be bargained down:
First offence—$500.00 fine and 30 day community service, helping auto accident victims.
Second offence—$1000.00 fine, 30 day community service, helping auto accident victims AND loss of license for 60 days.
An offence resulting in an accident or a third offence—No fine, but total loss of driving license for 3 years.
A subsequent offence, loss of license for LIFE.
That is the only way to get those road running and hogging idiots to stop.
We will continue to have this problem until everyone has a car with bluetooth. My phone never comes out of my pocket. Voice commands to make calls and receive them. If I hear my cell phone beep with a text message, I pull over or just wait until I get off the freeway. Love it.
Posted by loripb7563 on November 09, 2009 at 12:26 pm
freak when the comment came to my email i knew it was either u or IBD.
Can you feel the love people? 
and on topic…
I have more people swerve at me because of texting.
TWD© (Texting While Driving) should have the same consequences as a DUI…
Side Note:
If the law was, “anyone caught texting while driving would be subject to spankings” frak would TWD© all of the time.
I cannot remember where she’s from, but I heard a mother has done just that.
Why don’t they just have the phone lock up for texting while in motion. Yes I know you may not be driving but just take the option away. especially for the jack@ss kids. And yes your phone knows when your moving and how fast you are going. I my self wouldn’t mind it if when I hit like 25 MPH my phone was able to receive text messages (my phone will read me the message out loud)but did not allow me to send any.
Sorry I don’t think this is enough.Talking on hand held phones need to be part of this. I’m so sick of that person holding the phone to their ear trying to make a corner and not paying attention. Yes I do have a cell phone No I do not talk while driving. What is so important you can not wait till you stop? Many of us lived for years without cell phones. You can survive 5 minutes.
greenebean616—just listening to a radio isn’t attention intensive—but changing stations is. Why do you think there are presets on a car radio? They’re NOT just for convenience.
At the same time talking to a passenger is more attention consuming. Those who’ve been driving a long time have probably inadvertently gone through a red light or a stop sign while doing so—hopefully with no adverse effects.
Talking on a cell phone is even MORE attention consuming, because there is this little voice that you’re struggling to hear—the cellular signal may be on a fringe area (although with digital that doesn’t happen often at all) and you’re struggling to make sure you’re understanding the person OK—AND thinking about your reply at the same time.
Texting—well, we ALL know that really requires intense concentration.
Hands free cell phone is probably equal to talking with a passenger—and that can STILL require you take your attention off your driving.
In short (yeah, right) ANYTHING that takes your attention off the road is NOT OK these days, that is with all the idiots and wild drivers there are on the road.
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