Favorite Texting Position Behind the Wheel? What's it Going to Cost in CT and NY if You Get Caught?
Driving, Watching TV, Sitting on the Toilet - Where is Your Favorite Texting Spot?
So many things are possible today with our communication and on-the-go lifestyle. If you want to learn the texting language, here is a starter Texting 101 glossary kit. Do you have a blackberry, an iPhone, a laptop, a blackberry, or perhaps a GPS system in your car?
I read in the local Connecticut paper the other day, that "If you have the phone in one hand", according to the Journal Inquirer, "you'll have a ticket in the other". This refers to any hand-held device while operating a vehicle.
"The Hartford, CT area is one of two locations where a federal-and-state-funded program will be conducted over the next year. United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the start of a new law enforcement effort to curb distracted driving, stating the goal is to save injuries and lives. "Anyone caught texting or talking on a hand-held cell phone will be pulled over and fined ", was the message from Hartford police Lt. Robert Allan. (JI)
The same article reported that Connecticut contributed 100K and the federal government 200K to this beta program with a similar program expected to be conducted in Syracuse NY concurrently.
In the U.S., 21 states have laws related to phone hand-held devices. Week-long waves of tickets are expected to occur in Connecticut during July, October 2010, and February of 2011.
The driving with a mobile device law and subsequent penalties are different by state.
In Connecticut, the offender faces a $100.00 fine. In New York, the driver cannot be pulled over for using a phone as a primary offense, although there are actions in the work to change that.
In Massachusetts, there is an elevation to the fine rate based upon the first, second or third time offense. To see a detailed view of the law by state in the North East Region of the US, see here.
If you are thinking about getting an I-Pad, see my friend Millionaire Hoy's Piece on "IPoop, Why the IPad might be the greatest thing since sliced bread!" Have you ever lost an electronic appliance in the toilet bowl? That's a different kind of praying to the porcelain God, isn't it?
We say, "Please work, please work - knowing there is no way it is going to". Hearing aids, pagers, blackberries following into a pool of water is not quite the same losing a paperback book to the bathtub!
Would you dare text while driving a motorcycle? This guy in India did, see the YouTube clip here. How about while walking down the wedding aisle? Or do you go out to dinner with your current guy, while texting your ex?
Remember back a decade ago when worker's were screaming, "Carpel Tunnel Syndrome" based upon repetitive jobs such as cashiering, soldering, some manufacturing, cutting hair, etc. The best way to reduce the strain is to allow those muscles to relax.
Do your thumbs hurt at the end of the day?
How about your pocketbook? Have you ever received a ticket for using a hand-held mobile device? If you live in Connecticut, or New York and text or talk on a hand-held device behind the wheel, you might just be next.
If you are not aware of the laws and fines associated with texting and holding hand held devices while driving in your own, and neighboring states, you might want to book mark this page for your next trip, and feel free to pass it along.
Sources:
Journal Inquirer, Hartford, Distracted Driving Targeted, Christine McCluskey
AC, IPoop, Why the IPad, Millionaire Hoy
You Tube Texting Clips
Published by Kay Balbi
"Life is a journey, not a destination. You only get one life-are you living it?" Freelance writer and business management consultant Kay Balbi has many passions and interests to share. She is an author, insp... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI think texting and driving should be against the law everywhere. It is just too dangerous.
Yesterday, a young lady in a very large SUV was holding her phone up between her and the windshield, typing like crazy with her right thumb. She was, of course, driving in the passing lane and narrowly missed my car (in the right-hand lane) and one other car in front of her. Where do people get the idea that their brain is so superior that the research about divided attention doesn't apply to them? Great article.
It just blows me away every time I see someone doing this. What are people thinking??
Good that they are going to crack down on it. I have done it a few times...but for the past few months I just keep my cell in my purse while driving. Trying to stay away from the cell while driving now. :)
There is a definite need to "curb its appeal" as you say. People are texting everywhere these days (everyone except me!) cheers ;)
Stupid and dangerous practice.
I hope this spreads all over the US we had so much trouble driving in those 9 states recently for vacation - why because there were people texting, talking on phones watching DVD's from front seats on their GPS screens. Horrible.
I am forwarding this informative article to a good friend in New York.
Thanks for the information