Yesterday, the Illinois Senate voted overwhelmingly to band texting while driving, but they specifically carved out an exception for getting directions via GPS on the phone:
Texting behind the wheel could mean a $75 ticket, and three of those in a year could cost motorists their driver's licenses under legislation passed by the state Senate Tuesday.
That plan was the centerpiece of a safe-driving push at the Statehouse, where senators also approved a measure to bar cell-phone use while driving in school and construction zones.Passed 45-6, the anti-texting plan pushed by Secretary of State Jesse White is aimed at reducing distracted driving, particularly among young motorists.Meanwhile, the Senate killed legislation that would compel motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks at all times and a measure to expand use of speed cameras in school, hospital and park zones.
So we single out texting, but no mandatory stop by motorists for pedestrians in crosswalks. What on earth were they thinking about in Springfield?
I imagine they were thinking that motorists with their eyes on their phones instead of on the road and with their hands on their phones instead of the wheel are dangerous.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, with your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, you are still able to change lanes, slow and stop if necessary to allow pedestrians to safely cross at crosswalks.
Is it really reasonable to be passing a bazillion laws about all the things you shouldn't do while driving? Surely that list is limitless. Is there evidence that the laws actually deter, or are they just additional things they could cite you with in the case of an accident (or pull you over for, regardless of whether you are driving hazardously or not, if they haven't met their budget)?
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