LaHood Plans "Distracted Driving Summit"
“If it were up to me, I would ban drivers from texting,” the Secretary of Transportation tells the LA Times. Happily, LaHood does not have the authority to unilaterally enact laws, so, “that’s why I have decided to convene a summit of senior transportation officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives, members of Congress and academics who study these matters.” The conference is expected to yield “concrete steps” to curb the threat of distracted drivers. Like an education and awareness campaign. Meanwhile, the Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Drivers Act (ALERT Drivers, geddit?) has been introduced to the Senate. This bill would force states to pass texting-while-driving bans (with DOT-set minimum penalties) within two years of its passage, or risk losing 25 percent of their federal highway funding. Just like the good old double-nickel days. Meanwhile, has anyone thought about the difficulty in enforcing such a ban?
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I'm ready to buy one of those gizmos that jam's cell phone reception, but apparently? THAT would be illegal. Looks like the idiots will win this one, too.
I'm all for a law banning texting while driving, its insane. What I don't like is the Federal Government blackmail of the states. Either make it a federal law, or recommend the states enact the law. Most states would jump on it as a new source of revenue, without the blackmail.