Ban cell phones and driving? Bill filing begins in Missouri
Among the first bills filed today in Jefferson City: A bill that would ban the use of cell phones while driving in certain circumstances.
Today is the first day to pre-file bills in the Missouri Legislature. For some lawmakers, it’s their best chance at a headline. It’s also a good look into some of the issues that will be taking up the Legislature’s time come January.
The first two bills assigned a number (according to the Gov Watch site), are HB 26, filed by Republican Joe Smith of St. Charles, and HB 27, filed by Republican David Day of Dixon. Smith’s bill would prohibit cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle on public property, with some exceptions.
Day’s bill would allow veterans in Missouri to deduct their military retirement income from state income taxes.
While they haven’t been assigned bill numbers yet, three Columbia Democrats also announced their intention to file bills today. One, supported by freshman lawmakers Mary Still and Stephen Webber, would ban robo-calls, unless the call was preceded by a live operator who asks the recipient for consent. A similar bill was sponsored by Democrat Ed Wildberger last year.
Also, freshman Democrat Chris Kelly said he planned to file a bill allowing early voting in Missouri. Also, the Democrats said they would revive payday loan legislation that would limit interest rates on the loans.
A bill like this is completely uncalled for. Drunk drivers are a MUCH bigger threat than drivers on cell phones. Besides, I have NEVER had an accident while on a cell phone while driving. This is a bill that does nothing but transfer your money into state coffers. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! This is an example of our nation sliding downward toward Communism and is a bill everyone should BITTERLY OPPOSE!!!!!!!
If you can’t talk on a cell phone while driving, granted it should be speaker phone or headset, then you shouldn’t be allowed to talk to a passenger either or listen to the radio or change a station. Let’s get realistic. And what about those kids in the back seat? Aren’t they a distraction also?
Just forgot eatting takeout food, reading the newspaper, reading a map - writing down directions from a radio commerical, talking on a CD Radio … etc.
Its the not object that needs to be banned - its the Driver that should be ticketed or lose thier licence for being so careless and reckless.
Take away the Radio, take away talking in the vehicle, take away the CB Radios, take away all means of distraction …. and watch how many accidents you see … still the same amount if not more.
Wonder how many accidents are caused by drivers slowing down to see another accident on the highway.
This bill is uncalled for and will not pass.
I will move from the state of Missouri if it does.
Its bad enough Jefferson County is the biggest rip off money hungry jurisdiction in Missouri - but to keep adding ontop of that. You pass a bill in St. Louis and Jefferson County will double it and make sure that any one who has violated the law will pay the maximum price and or double.
i.e. A MIP is 100.00 to take a class for drug and alcoholism - THEN they drop the charge to littering!! and a 200.00 fine and court costs and attorney fees a whole shopping 600.00 YEA Jefferson County make a killing on a MIP turned into a littering charge. Thats really teaching our children something - get drunk and drive, get drunk and party, pay us enough money and we will lower it to littering.
The whole Legal system in Missouri is a rip off … Keep adding more laws … I will be one of many that leave. I refuse to live in a communism State any longer.
Maybe I’ll start driving around with a blow up doll in the passenger seat so the officer thinks I’m talking to them instead of my bluetooth.
I’m glad to hear about the cell phone ban. It should have been a law long ago, I myself don’t own a cell phone , never had a need for one, but I’ve been ran off the road twice by someone else not paying attention to the road while using a cell phone , luckily no one got hurt . It’s a long time coming and glad someone is trying to do something about it.
I am in favor of such a bill. If they make us wear seat belts then they should make us hang up and drive. We have all seen the dangerous driving that occurs while people are dialing and or talking on cell phones. I wonder if the legislators have their hands in the cell phone companies pockets…wink wink
Let’s just enforce the current law. If officers would start ticketing for those not paying attention to their driving, I think it would take care of it’s self….. couple of months back, group of motorcycles riding on one wheel down 270, county cop turns on lights, some pull over, cop does not.
Nancy Drew….Don’t let the door hit you in the backside when you leave!!
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
One dangerous distraction other than texting, putting on make-up, reading etc, is driving with a dog or two between your arms crawling around the steering wheel. if they had to make a sudden stop or change lanes they could get their dog tied up in the steering wheel. I am a dog person, but I don’t think this is appropriate.
Just my thoughts, I think federal and state governments should do what they do best in their empowerment, which is stay separate from townships.
The people making the money are those who punch holes in statues, and laws that should have never made edorsement or implementation.
Certainly there are other statues and laws that cover offences of this sort.
Lets keep what others don’t have imagination with some lead way. We don’t have many edges left.
Our freedom of non-prepetial statues and laws breed leaders and intovators not terrist.
Simply speaking the freedoms that make us as a whole great have greatly been reduced since our conception as a republic.
Sometimes I feel that everyone thinks that the averange American IQ is 70 or below.
Hell what do I know except I’m not in grade school , nor should the law feel that this is something that is recommended for loss of life.
War’s would not exist if that was the case. I’m for that.