The other day our Terminator Governor signed a law prohibiting text messaging while driving. As a matter of fact beginning January, 1 you can no longer even read a text while operating a motor vehicle.
Good idea? Sure.
As good an idea as the hands-free law that went into effect this past July? Absolutely.
Laws that will make the roads safer? No way.
I think both laws are a great idea, especially here in LA where people struggle to drive in the first place. My problem with the text ban is the same issue I have with the hands-free legislation: the consequences of breaking the law.
First offense is $20, and getting caught a second time will set you back a whopping $50. Here’s the problem:
- No financial deterrent – $20 and $50 fines? In California, especially LA people spend this on Starbucks in the morning. The cost of a second offense ($50) is only $8 less than it costs to park your car at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel for the day. For a lot of people here in LA money is not an object. Now before you jump all over me let’s all admit that the cost of living in LA is higher than a lot of other places in the country. Subsequently salaries tend to be greater as well. As much as people don’t want to throw $20 or $50 out the window it’s hardly a stiff fine to make people think twice before answering a call or texting their friends letting them know they are going to be late getting to The Ivy.
- No effect on points – In Canada your driving records starts out with a number of points and you lose them if you are guilty of committing certain driving offenses. Here in California you start at zero and work your way up to levels affecting your driving privileges and insurance. I haven’t been able to find any stories talking about the addition of points to your record if you are cited. Why not throw this into the ticket as well?
What really gets me about the laws though is this: It’s illegal to text while driving, but it is okay to read a text, check the web on your phone, or dial a call.
Seems a little counter-productive, don’t you think?
Only fines when caught doesn’t seem to make much differences. I noticed when the law first came out in July, most people were very good. But now I see more and more are talking on the phone again without hand-free.