I came across an article on CNN about a Twitter site for calling out bad driving. It does say at the end that they should pull over. I doubt that advice will be taken.
Just what we need on the streets, roads and highways people twittering or tweeting to complain about the driving habits of people probably on the cell phone or texting wile driving.
There is currently a bill before the Missouri state Senate that would prohibit drivers from reading or writing text message while operating a moving motor vehicle. The bill does not affect the use of a wireless telephone as a telephone by the driver. However, the bill preempts the field of regulating the use of all wireless communication devices in motor vehicles. In other words, in the future, no municipality could regulate the use of a wireless phone by the driver of a vehicle.
Click here for the full text of the bill.
Here is some good news from the Missouri Highway Patrol. I suspect that injury accidents are going to be up. There are so many cases involving driver distraction, be it on a cell phone or text messaging while driving.
Missouri Experiences Significant Reduction In Traffic Deaths
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is pleased to announce Missouri has experienced a 27 percent decrease in fatalities over the past three years. The complete breakdown of statistics is as follows:
From 2005 to 2006, Missouri led the nation with a 13 percent decrease in traffic fatalities.
From 2006 to 2007, Missouri experienced a nine percent decrease in traffic fatalities.
From 2007 to 2008, Missouri saw a five percent decrease in traffic fatalities.*
“I am very pleased with the reduction of fatal traffic crashes in Missouri over the past three years,” stated Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “All of our troopers work every day to encourage safe driving and reduce traffic fatalities. We are committed to working with our traffic safety partners to further reduce the number of traffic deaths in our state. This is our primary responsibility and I believe we are doing a commendable job as evidenced by the fantastic reductions," stated Colonel Keathley.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol urges motorists to continue to do their part to keep the numbers moving in the right direction. Motorists should obey the speed limit, pay attention, never drink and drive, and always fasten their seat belt. Missourians can help further make the roads safe by reporting dangerous drivers to the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.
*Note: 2008 fatality totals may change due to late deaths.
Here is a Springfield News-Leader Editorial that makes a lot of sense. Call your Missouri state senator or representative. Especially if you ride a bicycle or motorcycle on Missouri roads.
Missouri lawmakers should support a proposal banning new drivers from using cell phones.
DECEMBER 16, 2008
SFETE! TISC!! I PAST!!!
In cell-phone text that means: "Smiling from ear to ear. This is so cool. I passed."
Currently, there's no prohibition in Missouri against a new, 16-year-old driver text-messaging his friends -- just as soon as he drives away from the license center -- that he's now a legal driver.
Evidence mounts that distraction caused by such messaging is more dangerous than driving after drinking.
But texting while driving remains perfectly legal, no matter your age or driving experience.
During a rainstorm, through a school zone, while taking little sister to day care -- all legal, even if the driver hasn't yet learned how to check for a blind spot on his left.
Wisely, some Missouri legislators plan to again debate cell phone restrictions during the next session. Several lawmakers have said they want to try to limit the use of cell phones for everyone. Some want to require hands-free listening devices.
Attempts to enact cell-phone laws last year failed. We hope that this year the lawmakers will focus on new drivers, as Rep. Charlie Norr, D-Springfield, is suggesting. We think they should be forced to spend at least their first year as drivers phone-free.
Norr, a former firefighter in Maryland, said the dangers of trying to drive while distracted are widely known, and have caused much carnage. He is realistic enough to know that lawmakers cannot do anything about many of those distractions -- like eating or trying to handle business matters by phone while on the road -- but he is hoping to push legislation this session focusing on the young drivers.
Of course, some will call such a restriction "ageism," or presumptuous or an overreaction. Those arguments should be ignored. Driving is a privilege, not a right, and studies routinely show that teenagers take too many chances on the road.
It's bad enough to have the loud friends in the back seat, or windy, hilly roads, or bad weather. Leave the cell phone out of the equation, at least long enough for a teenager to have some sense of the responsibility -- and the danger -- that comes when you get behind the wheel.
I would also suggest reading Andy Clines post on the subject
Also see my previous post and watch the video.
This is a very interesting and disturbing piece I saw on the local Springfield news. The Missouri Highway Patrol took several teens through a obstacle course (in the rain) while the teens sent and received text messages. It is surprising that sitting with a Missouri Highway Patrolman in the car and failing a test doesn't seem to phase them. I don't know what it will take to convince these kids; killing or severally injuring someone else by their negligence? I hope I am not around to find out the definition of what "probably a hardcore wreck" means to the one teen that said that is what it would take to make him stop.
Parents talk to your kids about using their cell phones while driving. You may be liable for their motor vehicle accidents.
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