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Post by Swimmy on May 11, 2009 6:31:55 GMT -5
After watching the news and the segue leading into the story about IL looking to become the 8th state in the union to place restrictions on cell phone use while driving, I began to think.
In instances where texting, other cell phone use, or doing other activities that require the driver to take his eyes off the road causes death or serious injury, they should be prosecuted for vehicular manslaughter, negligent homicide, or assault with a deadly weapon. Why should we give them "moving violations" when we're prosecuting teens sexting their boyfriends and girlfriends?
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Post by dgriffin on May 11, 2009 16:00:10 GMT -5
'Cause we like to punish some things and some people more than others?
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Post by Swimmy on May 12, 2009 18:22:52 GMT -5
But it just doesn't make sense to me. Why create laws that we know are not enforceable and the very law enforcement commit too? Why not just enforce the already existing laws instead? I would hope that a teeny bopper prosecuted for negligent homicide because she was texting while driving will send a clear message to everyone to STOP texting while driving.
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Post by bobbbiez on May 12, 2009 22:01:07 GMT -5
 Ya know, my thoughts always go to one question when I see people with cell phones glued to their ears.........."how the hell did we all manage before cell phones?" 
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Post by Swimmy on May 12, 2009 22:07:31 GMT -5
I guess it is the same answer to the question, "how did we survive without computers?" Much better. I think humanity has suffered the most thanks to technology.
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Post by bobbbiez on May 12, 2009 22:33:01 GMT -5
Yep, some technology gets out of hand and is not always a good thing. I admit when cell phones came out I thought they were for the good...........in emergencies only. I bought one because when I was working I'd have to drive up to my camp by myself late at night on a fairly isolated road and the phone would come in handy if anything happened. Now, I'm so disgusted with people in how they abuse the use of a good thing. No legitimate reason to talk on a cell phone that many times even if you're not driving.
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Post by Swimmy on May 12, 2009 22:40:52 GMT -5
One good thing I love about having my cell phone as my only phone is that I can turn it off when I don't want to take any calls.
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Post by bobbbiez on May 12, 2009 22:56:05 GMT -5
My answering machine already gave me that option. Didn't need a cell phone for that. 
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Post by Swimmy on May 13, 2009 6:26:04 GMT -5
Ah, yes. But you still have to listen to the phone ring, the answering machine pick up, and the caller to either hang up and call again, or leave a message. With the phone shut off, it goes straight to voice mail and I never hear anything until i turn it back on.  |
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Post by concerned on May 13, 2009 9:29:15 GMT -5
I have often wondered the same thing in terms of laws that may be unenforcible. I guess a lawsuit would arise if a person in a car was injured or if the car was in an accident because the other driver was using a cell phone.
I don't own a cell phone. I just don't believe in them. Maybe medical science someday will develop a cell phone that can be implanted behind a persons ear or ears. With all this micro-processors I would think it would be very easy to do.
I also wonder how safe those GPI( whatever they are called) reading a map for directions takes some time and concentration.
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Post by concerned on May 13, 2009 9:35:38 GMT -5
I wonder what will happen iwhen medicine in our country becomes owned by the government. Since the Doctors will be working for the State they won't need medical malpractice insurance. Won't that drastically drive down the cost of medicine and also increase unemployment because all those people working for lawyers and insurance companies involved in medical malpractice won't be needed? Those lawyers would have to start looking for a different job?
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Post by chris on May 13, 2009 10:00:35 GMT -5
I wouldn't want a homing device planted in my ear.
Bobbbiez....I wonder if the price would go down any on medicines. It still would be about the Dr. pushing the drug. My SIL works for a shrink and is ofc mgr there. The drug reps to see the drs pay there way to the door. I'm talking big giveaways....VIP seats to Buffalo Bills games including hired limo for all, food (we are talking from the best and most expensive restaurants) when they learned she was going to Vegas they bought her tickets to see "O" (circque soleil show) 1 was over a hundred $$$. Who do you think pays for this. Us at the counter when we fill our Rx. It's one huge racket.
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Post by chris on May 13, 2009 10:50:10 GMT -5
No you can turn that off too so you don't her the phone ring and turn the sound down on the VM...you still might hear a click from when you do get a call and then it hangs up.
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Post by Swimmy on May 13, 2009 11:02:56 GMT -5
Interesting. Before phones became cordless, my mother would have to take a phone off the hook in one room to get me to take a nap in the other room because the phone calls would wake me up and i could hear the busy signal on the receiver if the phone was in the same room.
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Post by clarencebunsen on May 13, 2009 21:05:17 GMT -5
Swimmy,
As I see it, the problem with prosecuting for negligent homicide is that it is tombstone justice. Making texting while driving illegal will not completely stop it but if it saves a few lives is it worth the effort?
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Ya know, my thoughts always go to one question when I see people with cell phones glued to their ears.........."how the hell did we all manage before cell phones?" 
