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.
hmmmmmm driving a motor vehicle on public property..what designates public property? all property is owned by someone wether it be the city or state and our rights to drive on that property can be changed just by putting up a road closed sign so how doesn’t that make it private property. I don’t see how the police are going to enforce this bill… 15 billion cell phones and maybe 30000 police statewide. This is going to be the joke of the century if it passes. If my phone rings while I am driving I will answer it and I am sure most ppl would. whats next take away my radio so I can’t sing along with it or change stations while I am driving.
Repairman… What did you do before you had a cell phone? Regardless, no one has written anything about `taking away’ your cell phone. You would still have it in your vehicle.
Bob… Come on. You really have to ask this? City, county and state roads would obviously be public property. And how in the hell does a `road closed’ sign transfer ownership to a private individual or group of individuals?
Ok if you take my rights away and I can no longer drive while on the phone then you MUST!!
1) Make sure Police cannot use their phones while driving
2) Using any raido
3) And dont forget they must no longer USE A COMPUTER while driving on the road.
Cops are not saints and they are not good drivers. I know that I can outdrive any cop and have been in pro driving schools and understand cars better then any cop on the street.
This law would be wrong…
It is silly season for legislators. Introducing bills that they really know have no chance to be passed.
My post: http://tinyurl.com/6yt8o3
Shaun Dakin
CEO
StopPoliticalCalls.org
This cell phone ban bill must be sponsored by a pawn of Sprint/Nextel … They are so desperate to make money that they would love forcing their remaining customers to buy handsfree or bluetooth headsets …
Passing more traffic rules might be needed. But can we remove at least one for every time another is added? How about getting rid of the “two plate” rule at the same time?
1. Let’s support the ban on cell phones while driving. Poor planning before going somewhere (ie not getting clear directions, addresses etc.) does not justify using the cell phone.
For more reasons:
Cf. http://www.livescience.com/technology/050201_cell_danger.html
2. Why do we tax veterans’ benefits anyway?
3. Sadly, I suspect the “robo-calls” bill, even if passed will be overturned by the US Supreme Court that has already said that those with lots of money have a right to more free speech than others.
4. Early voting and making election day a holiday may improve voter turnout.
I agree with the many posts here that suggest enforcement of the existing C & I law could take care of this. The problem is that in almost all cases if the offender is smart enough to get an attorney, the charge will be reduced to some $25, no point violation which makes it meaningless. The same would happen with a cell phone ban.
That being said, I do believe it is extremely dangerous for people to drive while dialing or talking on a cell phone or texting. It is equally dangerous for people to be eating, reading a book or newspaper or anything else, putting on makeup or combing their hair, holding dogs and cats in their lap, turning around to deal with kids in the back seat, and anything else that distracts the driver from his/her primary responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe and prudent manner.
I also agree that the ban should apply to police officers as well as the general public.
If your cell phone rings, it is reasonable to expect you pull off the road, take care of the call and then resume your travels, or, simply ignore any incoming call until you can get to a place where you can return the call.
But, unless judges will stop accepting plea deals with lawyers to reduce the offense of C & I down to a meaningless offense, it does no good for the police to issue tickets for this offense. The judges who plead these tickets down are as much of the problem as the offenders.
Although I agree that many are abusing the cell phone use while driving, sometimes running stop lights, etc….I think it is a waste of the taxpayers’ dollars… I echo sentiments earlier that if you are banning cell phones, then you should also ban other distracting behaviors. I think cell phone users that cause accidents or wrecks should be double fined, but using government to ‘control’ human behavior in general is just plain wrong.