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Texting while driving in PA...

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  • Texting while driving in PA...

    It is now illegal to text while driving in PA. A big $50 fine if you are caught. I still see bunches of people still texting while driving.

    My question is, if the legislature feels this is a truly dangerous activity and they really want to end this practice then why not make the penalty really stiff...like $1000 or more.

    As far as I have seen the $50 penalty has had zero effect and that won't change.
    "I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."

  • #2
    I think $1 000 is unreasonable. It might deter some, but some will still do it and accept the wrist slap and reduced fine when they take it to court.

    Talking on a cell phone has been against the law in Ontario for years and I still see people doing it a couple times a week...and I don't drive much.

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    • #3
      $200 in CA for texting or talking without a hands free devices
      "You know what's wrong with America? If I lovingly tongue a woman's nipple in a movie, it gets an "NC-17" rating, if I chop it off with a machete, it's an "R". That's what's wrong with America, man...."--Dennis Hopper

      "One should judge a man mainly from his depravities. Virtues can be faked. Depravities are real." -- Klaus Kinski

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      • #4
        I agree that $50 is not enough (see that Mith, I agree), however I think $200 (or maybe even $400) is more realistic than $1,000. But it should be a stiffer fine. In Mass texting is illegal but you can talk on the phone without the need of hands free devices. I believe Connecticut and NY are the same as California and that makes more sense. You just shouldn't be doing something that takes one hand away from you while driving.
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        • #5
          Who cares about the fine? If it's $1,000, most people simply won't pay it. It's not like it's a misdemeanor or a felony, and it can't result in losing your license.

          Why not have it add points to your insurance? That would make people take pause.

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          • #6
            It's so f'king dangerous. When using a mobile device while driving, your reactions are 50% less, and you are more than 4X more likely to crash or have an accident.

            $50 is a joke punishment. It's too low in the UK as well ... you will be stopped and warned if spotted, but only get points on your license and a £60 fine if you are "not in proper control of your vehicle" (3 points | 12 points = 1 year ban).

            $500 fine, and points on your license will stop most people doing it ... and it will lead to higher insurance premiums.

            The only exempt circumstances are if you are making an emergency 999 call or something ... which seems reasonable

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            • #7
              Originally posted by revo View Post
              Who cares about the fine? If it's $1,000, most people simply won't pay it. It's not like it's a misdemeanor or a felony, and it can't result in losing your license.

              Why not have it add points to your insurance? That would make people take pause.
              Good idea.
              "I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."

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              • #8
                It's going to take some time but eventually texting while driving will incur penalties similar to DUIs IMO. Research has shown that reaction times are impacted just as much from texting as from alcohol, and the injury/fatality statistics will continue to increase which will lead to greater lobbying to stiffen the penalties.
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                • #9
                  The fine is irrelevant...it's the enforcement that's the key. Cops have to go after violators in force, and the fines should increase with further offenses.
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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Hornsby View Post
                    The fine is irrelevant...it's the enforcement that's the key. Cops have to go after violators in force, and the fines should increase with further offenses.
                    plus it lets the cops justify pulling over hot 19 year girls.....
                    "You know what's wrong with America? If I lovingly tongue a woman's nipple in a movie, it gets an "NC-17" rating, if I chop it off with a machete, it's an "R". That's what's wrong with America, man...."--Dennis Hopper

                    "One should judge a man mainly from his depravities. Virtues can be faked. Depravities are real." -- Klaus Kinski

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Fresno Bob View Post
                      plus it lets the cops justify pulling over hot 19 year girls.....
                      Have you put your application in yet?
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                      • #12
                        What is the difference between this and reckless driving?

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by BuckyBuckner View Post
                          You just shouldn't be doing something that takes one hand away from you while driving.
                          Well...there goes one of my favorite driving activities.
                          Considering his only baseball post in the past year was bringing up a 3 year old thread to taunt Hornsby and he's never contributed a dime to our hatpass, perhaps?

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by schlesinj View Post
                            What is the difference between this and reckless driving?
                            In Maine now, there is an umbrella provision now, not just limited to texting while driving. It is now driving while distracted... and that can be for texting, searching for something, putting on makeup, talking on the phone, eating in the car...
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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by SeaDogStat View Post
                              In Maine now, there is an umbrella provision now, not just limited to texting while driving. It is now driving while distracted... and that can be for texting, searching for something, putting on makeup, talking on the phone, eating in the car...
                              looking for your umbrella?

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