Keep those thumbs on the wheel…
by Sara on August 1st, 2008
Among many new laws that take effect today in Minnesota, this one caught my eye.
This law (get ready, it’s interesting) BANS text messaging while driving.
I heard this on the radio this morning, and all I could think about was, “How are they going to enforce that?!”
Then, my imagination took over.
I imagine texting stings performed by police officers…sending texts from unlisted cell phones to catch me in the act.
I imagine cops on motorcycles whizzing around I-35, peering into car windows to see the requisite moving of thumbs at rapid speeds.
This law makes me giggle.
As it turns out, “…drivers must violate some other traffic law in order to be penalized. Texting and driving qualifies as a petty misdemeanor.”
Note to self: Don’t get caught committing any traffic violations in Minnesota.
Here’s a wrap-up of the law in the Minnesota Daily newspaper.
The Minnesota Daily’s article states that, “A number of people will not [text and drive] just because it is law,” he said. “We know that this will cut down on the bad behavior that exists here.”
Seriously? Is the government that naive? People still speed, even though speed limits are enforced by the law. Similarly, people will still text message while driving, despite the fact that “it’s the law.” I’m not dissing this law’s intent, but in my opinion, it’s too slippery to enforce.
I’m sure it’s (partly) justified, given how dangerous it is to take one’s eyes off the road.
Nevertheless, I can think of a few laws (either state or federal) that I would pass that are “more important.”
Like mandating flex fuel vehicles. Or, forcing presidential candidates to offer at least a large percentage of their campaign donations to charity. Even offering a tax incentive or subsidy to adults who adopt a child from the United States instead of overseas seems like a great idea.
In other Minnesota news…today is the one-year anniversary of the I-35 bridge collapse.
Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s report on the anniversary of the bridge collapse.
on August 1st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I agree that making a law does not cause people to obey it, but sometimes passing laws does affect the way we behave. For instance, it’s notoriously difficult to enforce anti-littering laws, and millions of yobs still huck cigarette butts out their car windows each day even though it is both illegal and dangerous (especially in elevated fire-risk areas). Probably only very few people stopped flicking their butts out the window (I know, don’t read that phrase out of context) when the laws were passed, but the laws have allowed prosecution of egregious violations. Also, the laws serve as a public endorsement of good practice, and, in combination with similar laws and a broader social movement, we’ve managed to reduce roadside litter dramatically in just a few decades.
On another note – I love your blog!
on August 5th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Oddly enough, I was on my way home from Minnesota with some friends Sunday night after an awesome day at Warped tour.. Almost died a few times as my friend who was driving was texting his girlfriend…
on August 7th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
I texted my girlfriend once while driving through the Twin Cities, Brad claimed that I almost killed him. I wouldn’t know, I was looking at my cell phone.
And I agree with Dr O’Hara, Even though most people (including police officers themselves) will continue texting while driving, I believe the law will make a few people more hesitant to do so, and even a few people to stop, and if that even saves one accident (or even life), its better than no law at all.
For the record, texting while riding your bike is even more dangerous.