Proposed Tougher Distracted Driving Laws

[52weekbreak]

Attached is a link to an article on toughening up distracted driving laws that seems to put it in the same category as impaired driving. I am not a fan of increased discretion to police officers. My personal experience is that there are too many who behave poorly in a routine traffic stop.

For example, I received a call on my hands free phone in my car which is perfectly legal. As I have call display, I recognized the caller and chose to exit the QEII and park in a Tim Horton's parking lot as his calls often require some real thought - something I have learned affects your reaction time. There were three officers sitting in Tim's and I happened to park in a stall by the window.

I left the car running to keep the Bluetooth connected and at one point checked an email. I received a distracted driving ticket in the mail to the registered owner of the vehicle. It was thrown out eventually but under this proposed law, that officer could have got off his lazy ass and confiscated my license while sorting out his BS stand.

Obviously not a fan.

 

[Rbrduk]

So they ticketed you for being parked while checking your device. Wow.....


Now what about the police and sheriffs that are on there phones and computers while driving?
I was on my way to Edmonton the other day and was passed by a sheriff in uniform, on his phone driving a truck pulling a trailer with a cruiser on the trailer.
What good for the goose is good for the gander.

 

[greenthumb]

Attached is a link to an article on toughening up distracted driving laws that seems to put it in the same category as impaired driving. I am not a fan of increased discretion to police officers. My personal experience is that there are too many who behave poorly in a routine traffic stop.

For example, I received a call on my hands free phone in my car which is perfectly legal. As I have call display, I recognized the caller and chose to exit the QEII and park in a Tim Horton's parking lot as his calls often require some real thought - something I have learned affects your reaction time. There were three officers sitting in Tim's and I happened to park in a stall by the window.

I left the car running to keep the Bluetooth connected and at one point checked an email. I received a distracted driving ticket in the mail to the registered owner of the vehicle. It was thrown out eventually but under this proposed law, that officer could have got off his lazy ass and confiscated my license while sorting out his BS stand.

Obviously not a fan.

While you were in AB, ICBC recommends you pull over to make a call if needed. They make no mention of requiring to turn off your engine. I have read other stories of people being ticketed in BC for situations similar to yours. Red lights I can understand, but when you've removed yourself from interacting with traffic, it is ubsurd. I think some officers are applying the drunk driving mentality to cell phones; if you're behind the wheel, regardless of the situation, you're guilty.
Coincidentally, someone was ticketed in a timmies drive through a few months ago. It made the local news. Perhaps it's their new strategy to justify all those donuts.

To further complicate the issue, so many new vehicles come with what is effectively a tablet built into the dash. Also, people who vlog or make you tube videos while driving.

http://www.icbc.com/road-safety/crashes-happen/Distracted-driving/Pages/default.aspx

 

[Cdnfireman]

Just driving around I see conservatively 30% of people driving distracted by their cell phones, and have seen several near misses. Distracted driving is approaching if not exceeding the dangers of drunk driving. People are obviously so weak willed that they lack the discipline and self control to wait a few minutes till they can stop and call back. Cops that ticket people that are stopped at the side of the road safely need a head shake, and I doubt it happens very often anyway.
Everyone is in favour of distracted driving laws until it affects them, because typically, they’re good enough drivers that the distraction doesn’t detract from their abilities. It’s all the other drivers that are the problem.
i don’t have a problem with confiscating someone’s license for distracted driving, particularly if they’ve been ticketed before for it.

 

[Cableguy]

This happens because ther 6 month training quailfies rcmp as special and better at multi taskinging than the rest of us
such a joke really I would luv to challenge anyone of them to driving and talking on a phone or eating while driving or any other multi tasks
there not above the rest of us like they tend to think

So they ticketed you for being parked while checking your device. Wow.....


Now what about the police and sheriffs that are on there phones and computers while driving?
I was on my way to Edmonton the other day and was passed by a sheriff in uniform, on his phone driving a truck pulling a trailer with a cruiser on the trailer.
What good for the goose is good for the gander.

 

[Teth-Air]

Distraction is subjective. Yes it is good to minimize distractions but let's get real. A soccer mom with 3 screaming kids in the car is way more distracted than lots of people talking on the phone, especially on a long straight highway. My point is this is a stupid law. We have other laws to deal with people who can't drive or refuse to drive properly and with respect for others. Why fine someone because they might screw up while driving rather when they actually do. I know some will say stop the mistake before it happens but do we really need to keep making laws to protect us from ourselves? Maybe we should fine people because they didn't get 8 hours sleep and get behind the wheel. See how stupid it is? Some can drive with 6 hours of sleep and some need 10. It comes down to individuals and there are a dozen more important mistakes being made by many drivers daily and the police turn a blind eye. Take signaling for example, many never signal to change lanes. It's concerning how many police I have seen not signaling too. Ride a motorcycle next to someone changing lanes into you, with no warning, and this seemingly innocent action becomes very important.

 

[Bernoff]

This happens because ther 6 month training quailfies rcmp as special and better at multi taskinging than the rest of us
such a joke really I would luv to challenge anyone of them to driving and talking on a phone or eating while driving or any other multi tasks
there not above the rest of us like they tend to think

Ya but they do this all day, everyday, got to be good at it with all that practice. Lol

 

[Mike270412]

Ya but they do this all day, everyday, got to be good at it with all that practice. Lol

I will have to agree.

 

[Cdnfireman]

This happens because ther 6 month training quailfies rcmp as special and better at multi taskinging than the rest of us
such a joke really I would luv to challenge anyone of them to driving and talking on a phone or eating while driving or any other multi tasks
there not above the rest of us like they tend to think

Its not that they’re above the rest of us , they’re just better trained than most, and likely younger, fitter, with better eyesight and reaction time. It’s probably safe to say that most people on the road have little or no driver training. The problem with driving is that almost nobody will be honest enough to admit they’re a lousy driver. I was a driving instructor with the fire department for over 6 years. It was the most disliked course that everyone had to take, with most guys thinking their driving skills were top notch. Lots of guys got their eyes opened, with many having to repeat the course because of poor skill levels.
Most people think driving and reading a book is stupid, but have no problem with driving while reading or sending a text message. It’s a stupid law until it’s your truck and toys that are smashed, or you or your family member is hurt or worse by someone that was too busy texting or taking a selfie to pay attention to the road.

 

[Cableguy]

Practice makes perfect I agree
but operating a vehicle or equipment and talking on a phone or monitering a screen at the same time can be acomplished by people other than the police
they shouldnt have any special treatment trust me Ive seen there young and old members with the same incompetence as most the public
Some people shouldnt be allowed to procreate or drive, let alone talk while driving , But there are those that can and do, and some do it effortlessly
sucks to be grouped with all the idiots lol

 

[Cdnfireman]

Practice makes perfect I agree
but operating a vehicle or equipment and talking on a phone or monitering a screen at the same time can be acomplished by people other than the police
they shouldnt have any special treatment trust me Ive seen there young and old members with the same incompetence as most the public
Some people shouldnt be allowed to procreate or drive, let alone talk while driving , But there are those that can and do, and some do it effortlessly
sucks to be grouped with all the idiots lol

Agreed. But unfortunately when they draft the laws, they have to take into account the lowest common denominator....let’s face it, the smarter, motivated and most capable segments of society typically aren’t the ones running afoul of the law...

 

[canuck5]

Cell phones have been around a long time when people use to talk (only)on them they were less of a problem because you still concentrated on the road. Today's devices are a constant distraction that force people to take there eyes off the road. I do agree many can probably multi task safely but as said our laws are written have to apply to everyone. If it's a problem an it's killing people you have to make it such a deterrent that a large percentage of the population conform and avoid doing it.

 

[KatMan]

Yes. And the upper echelon are cops right? nothing like showing how big his dick is by trying to make a distracted driving ticket stick, like he tried to on the OP. Result is another example of the incompetance and natzi like tactics of some cops.

yah, that's the answer, give those dickheads more discretion.

 

[johnnytrail]

Distraction is subjective. Yes it is good to minimize distractions but let's get real. A soccer mom with 3 screaming kids in the car is way more distracted than lots of people talking on the phone, especially on a long straight highway. My point is this is a stupid law. We have other laws to deal with people who can't drive or refuse to drive properly and with respect for others. Why fine someone because they might screw up while driving rather when they actually do. I know some will say stop the mistake before it happens but do we really need to keep making laws to protect us from ourselves? Maybe we should fine people because they didn't get 8 hours sleep and get behind the wheel. See how stupid it is? Some can drive with 6 hours of sleep and some need 10. It comes down to individuals and there are a dozen more important mistakes being made by many drivers daily and the police turn a blind eye. Take signaling for example, many never signal to change lanes. It's concerning how many police I have seen not signaling too. Ride a motorcycle next to someone changing lanes into you, with no warning, and this seemingly innocent action becomes very important.

It's not subjective at all put down the damn phone when you driving!

 

[Teth-Air]

It's not subjective at all put down the damn phone when you driving!

But light your smoke and find your favorite radio station.

 

[canuck5]

But light your smoke and find your favorite radio station.

That's where the grey area lies can you even have a drink of water anymore?

 

[whoDEANie]

...Maybe we should fine people because they didn't get 8 hours sleep and get behind the wheel. See how stupid it is?...

You CAN get a ticket for driving without enough sleep. It is a form of impairment.

 

[X-it]

I got sideswiped by a girl who was reaching for her cell phone, she never even knew she hit me. Her door handle hit my elbow.... I was on a bike.

 

[KatMan]

you should buy a car

 

[Teth-Air]

You CAN get a ticket for driving without enough sleep. It is a form of impairment.

So we now need a sleep meter to test all those who get behind the wheel. If it is serious why are we not doing something about it? Well we are at it, a happy meter, a sad meter etc. because emotions can impair people too. I bet these can be more of an impairment than a phone. In the end you can drive or you can't drive. I know there are many on the road that should not be but how could we as a society take away 25-30% of the licences because people are clueless? I would not complain if drivers needed to be tested every 3-5 years and the tests got way tougher. Oh ya but then our economy would get go farther down the drain. Bottom line is if you can juggle bowling balls while driving with NO mistakes, I say go ahead, but if breathing is a distraction to you and you make a mistake, that is when you deserve a ticket, not before.