Santa Fe Bans Driving While Talking on Cell Phone - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

1C00lVC · 1st January 2002, 06:55

See highlighted text: Thank god!!

Arie

Quote:

Santa Fe Bans Driving While Talking on Cell Phone
Monday December 31 1:51 PM ET

SANTA FE, N.M. (Reuters) - Drivers in Santa Fe planning to wish friends a Happy New Year on Tuesday better not reach for a hand-held cell phone.

The New Mexican capital on Jan. 1 joins a small but growing number of U.S. localities that say hand-held cell phones are unsafe because they distract drivers.

Hands-free cell phones will still be lawful within the Santa Fe city limits, but the ordinance taking effect on New Year's Day adds talking on hand-held cell phones to a list of other outlawed driving activities, like shaving and applying makeup.

``I believe it will keep the streets much safer. It allows drivers to keep both hands on the wheel and maybe pay a little bit more attention,'' said Sgt. Alex Montoya of the Santa Fe City Police Department.

The police department has launched an advertising blitz to let drivers know of the new law, including a reminder that a violation of the ban can result in a traffic citation and fine of up to $30, Montoya said.

New York is the only state to pass a state-wide measure banning hand-held cell phone use while driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (news - web sites) (NHTSA).

At least 10 local jurisdictions, including Marlboro, New Jersey, and Lebanon, Pennsylvania, now restrict drivers to using only hands-free cell phones while driving and at least 300 more are considering similar rules, the NHTSA said.

The Santa Fe ordinance is an amendment to an existing careless driving law that prohibits driving while, for example, putting on makeup or shaving.

``The ordinance came about as a request from a constituent who had a near miss with someone talking on a cell phone,'' said City Council member Miguel Chavez, who sponsored the ordinance. Chavez said the council's decision last summer was based almost entirely on anecdotal evidence.

``We didn't have a lot of information when we did it, but it did seem to pose a safety threat,'' he said.

In an informal poll conducted by the NHTSA, 75 percent of more than 1,000 respondents said they believed it was not safe to talk on a cell phone while driving. Another 22 percent thought it was safe, while 3 percent were unsure.

Based on research showing that cell phone use increases the risk of accidents, the NHTSA, in the past, has recommended that cell phones not be used by the drivers of a moving vehicle.

Bart Carter · 1st January 2002, 07:38

Too much.

The law is already on the books. - Careless driving.

To try to break it down to each and every thing that could contribute is stupid. Different people have different capacities.

But I can shave without looking.

I can talk on a phone without losing concentration.

What about drinking, eating, rubbernecking, smoking, etc.

If a person isn't paying attention, give a ticket.

Of course I agree with the makeup thing.

bobafett · 1st January 2002, 11:45

While out to lunch with a friend, I was driving back on Saratoga Ave (for you local guys) towards 280. Next to me was a girl doing about 20 in the 35, yapping away on her cell phone, putting on makeup, and fuddling with something else, barely looking. Well, I tried desperately to get her attention, highbeamed, honked my horn, got in front of her and tapped the brakes...nothing. She was just doing her thing. I got back on the driver side of her car.

Now my buddy and I concluded long ago that she was unfit to be on the road (just like 75% of the other drivers...what's wrong when 85% of people think they're above average...uh...yeah). Luckily for me, I had some gum from the meal, and i promptly rolled odwn his window and with one hard thwak i smacked it right on her side-window. A nice big wad of juicy-fruit. She looked up, smiled at us, and went back to reading her book or whatever it was.

I can't begin to explain how many times I've encountered simialr situations. While it's fun to play tricks on them (you have lipstick on your cheek!!), knowing that they're on the road is a bit disconcerting. I'll happily deal with a state-wide ban and be relegated to hands-free devices if that means that everyone else has to as well.

Now my only concern is CHP...

--Dan

TiGumz · 1st January 2002, 15:29

Quote:

Originally posted by Bart Carter
[b]Too much.The law is already on the books. - Careless driving.
To try to break it down to each and every thing that could contribute is stupid. Different people have different capacities.../B]

I agree with Bart, too many laws can make more and more "reasonable" situations unlawful. Inconsistency is a problem also, for example, would the law also apply to CB or ham radios in moving vehicles? If not, why not?

Just wondering if the ban also applied to police officers. Talk about distractions. In a high speed chase, do they take their hands off the wheel to radio status reports? Have they gone hands free yet, for all of their radios? Inquiring minds want to know.

AndyMenard · 1st January 2002, 15:39

oh well, it was bound to happen at some point??

I suppose this is just yet another portion of our lives they will control now?

I have to admit however that I feel like I am a much safer driver when using the hands-free phone in the BEAST than when I am using my other "mobile" phone in my other vehicles...

CM5GO · 1st January 2002, 16:19

IMO it should of happened a long time ago, everywhere! Way too many accidents come from distracted drivers on cell phones.

Last year I was driving in my M3 with my wife. We were stopped behind a dump truck beyond the bend of a corner. I look in my rear view to see this lady coming towards us in her Honda accord. She had one hand on her cell phone and was shaking the other hand in the air while having an argument on the phone.

She didnt even know we were there until she plowed into the back of us at over 40 mph pushing us under the dump truck in front of us.

Thank God everyone was fine with the exception of some sore necks and achy bones. The car was another story

It took me 8 months to get my car back and it was never the same.

Cell phones and driving dont mix.

TCM · 1st January 2002, 17:38

I agree that these laws are getting out of hand. While I agree that distracted drivers must have some consequences, all these little laws against drinking, eating, cell phones, etc. is going to lead in to way too many fines for inocent people. I am sorry, but having a sip of coffee on the way to work does not mean that you are completely unaware of your surroundings. While, I can see cell phones being banned and make up, eating and drinking? What's next, looking at directions for a quick second while driving.

NOTE: NEW HAMPSHIRE PASSED THE SAME LAW ON THE 1st. NO CELL PHONES, EATING, DRINKING, OR MAKEUP WHILE DRIVING. Fines are expected to be near $1000 if you are caught and it is up to the officers discreation to say if you were driving reclessly. No, offense to the officers, but I can almost gaurantee that everyone who gets pulled over will be tagged with driving reclessly. Unforutantely, this particuliar law sounds like a money maker to me. Be careful all of the North East group. NH Troppers will be looking for out of state plates.

Steve Beswick · 1st January 2002, 18:58

I agree with Bart, there are already written laws that handle these types of "Reckless Driving". The Feds, State and local governments should just announce that all of these "new" problems, i.e. "talking on handheld cell phones, putting on make-up, reading newspapers", etc, will be ticketed under the existing laws. You just can't make a new law to cover everything and to anticipate what's next.

I mean, let's face it, laws are laws, it's where enforcement kicks in that it really counts. Are cops really going to stop a pretty girl who's talking on her cell phone as she applies makeup & give her a $1000 ticket. When Pigs Fly !

Wish I'd ordered that $2500 hands-free phone option in my M5 !

Bart Carter · 2nd January 2002, 03:43

Steve,

When I tried to order my phone for delivery at the Driving Experience, I was told that it wasn't possible. You have to get with your local cell rep and/or dealer to set up for your area.

I was advised that it was too difficult and to handle it locally when I returned home.

So (someone please correct me if I'm wrong

) now is as good as any to get the phone. I am.

Do a search to find out everything you could want to know about the phones.

Jim Dolan · 2nd January 2002, 16:00

I don't agree with these laws. First of all a recent survey shows that only 3% of distraction accidents are caused by cell phone use while 19% are caused by eating in cars.(Which may account for why 50% of our people are so fat.) Also, it gives police the right to stop you, or a new probable cause. Also, fines are very high. Two hundred dollars in Dade County Florida. Police are becoming tax collectors. For many small cities fines are a major source of revenue. I know I work in one although I've never paid one. Police presence in very high, so I'm not for giving them another reason to raise revenue. There may be legitimate use for cells phones that you won't like loosing. Hands free cell phones are just around the corner to be banned because it's the conversation that distracts not the holding of the phone itself.

I have a better solution.

Regulate the phone companies to limit the amount of cheap free air time and people will stop using them for frivolous calls. Long conversations are the problem, not the phone itself. They buy more air time than they need and feel compelled to use it. Hence stupid unnecessary conversations.

Let me conclude by saying I rarely speak on the cell phone while driving and don't want to lose that right because others abuse it.

BTW, the person responsible for passing the Dade County law was a person of socialist thinking, you know the governmennt knows best type. Get smart and protect your rights.