Chaingun81
Regular Member
imported post
LEO 229 wrote:
I personally would separate these issues. In fact, I'd not even make a law requiring seat belts. And same goes for motorcycle helmet requirment.The difference is that by not wearing a seatbelt (or a helmet on a motorcycle) you only endagering yourself. If you are stupid enough to do so - go ahead. I view that as a part of personal freedom.
Texting while driving much like a DWI is an entirely different issue as you endager others by doing so. This has nothing to do with personal freedom and should be rigorously enforced.
I alsoagree with you that in many cases texting is worse than DWI. I know of a lot of otherwise responsiblepeople who do occasionalDWI-light (meaning they are not totally wasted, they are just over the legal limit) who are well aware of the implications of their condition (both legal and physical)and even though their reaction is impaired, they are driving very conservatively under the speed limit staying inthe rightlane religiously obeying all rules of the road. Ironically, they are probably driving safer than when they are sober.
Texting on the other hand is not viewed as a big deal and legal implications are negligible compared to DWI, so people do it in a much more unsafe manner.
I'd be interested to see if you'd agree with the above observation from your professional experience as a LEO
LEO 229 wrote:
I will add my two cents...
First off.. in Virginia it is a secondary violation. So you have to do something else AND be texting before I can stop you.
Let me just say that seat belts are the same way and it is hard to get them too.
But at least with a seat belt you are doing a visible violation for a long time. This gives me a chance to see it and look for some other violation.
How long does it take to text someone... a few seconds here and there. And then I have to be side by side with you to watch you.
If I am side by side you will see me and maybe not do it or keep it in your lap out of sight.
But even if you do... being obvious as hell... and in my face.. as long as your tags are current, you do not speed, you signal on lane changes, and do not follow to closely... there is nothing I can do to you. :lol:
They say texting is worse that being DWI... but they made it a secondary violation. oh man!!! :shock:
I personally would separate these issues. In fact, I'd not even make a law requiring seat belts. And same goes for motorcycle helmet requirment.The difference is that by not wearing a seatbelt (or a helmet on a motorcycle) you only endagering yourself. If you are stupid enough to do so - go ahead. I view that as a part of personal freedom.
Texting while driving much like a DWI is an entirely different issue as you endager others by doing so. This has nothing to do with personal freedom and should be rigorously enforced.
I alsoagree with you that in many cases texting is worse than DWI. I know of a lot of otherwise responsiblepeople who do occasionalDWI-light (meaning they are not totally wasted, they are just over the legal limit) who are well aware of the implications of their condition (both legal and physical)and even though their reaction is impaired, they are driving very conservatively under the speed limit staying inthe rightlane religiously obeying all rules of the road. Ironically, they are probably driving safer than when they are sober.
Texting on the other hand is not viewed as a big deal and legal implications are negligible compared to DWI, so people do it in a much more unsafe manner.
I'd be interested to see if you'd agree with the above observation from your professional experience as a LEO