LV--Texting & Talking while Driving

[Fern Modena]

Nevada (not just Las Vegas) just had a new cell phone law go into effect. It is now unlawful to speak on a cell phone while driving unless the phone is hands free. If you want to initiate a call while you are driving, you must also have "voice dial," because you can't use the keyboard at all, either.

You cannot text while driving at all either. This includes while stopped at traffic lights! For the first three months you will only be warned, and beginning January 1, 2012 you will be ticketed. During the warning period they have the right to stop you, warn you, check for wants and warrants, seat belts, etc. So you may as well just follow the law.

Fern

 

[Passepartout]

I look for similar laws to become 'normal.' People- me included- are tired of being nearly run into or sideswiped or delayed by some idiot with a phone held up to his/her head.

Hands free and voice dialing are easily and cheaply available for those who absolutely MUST be in touch- though It's hard for me to imagine anyone THAT important.

Study after study has shown that people talking on phones performance of standard tests are as impaired as are legally drunk drivers. Texters perform as well as drivers who are asleep.

Good on ya Nevada/Clark County/Las Vegas Metro!

Jim Ricks

 

[PigsDad]

It's hard for me to imagine anyone THAT important.

Only in their own minds...

Kurt

 

[BevL]

We've had that law in effect for coming up two years, I think. I must admit I was one of those cell phone talking, coffee drinking freeway drivers when I did "the commute" for 13 years.

It's a good thing but it's not enforced very well here in British Columbia. And yes, I have reformed my evil ways - LOL!!.

 

[california-bighorn]

Hands free and voice dialing are easily and cheaply available for those who absolutely MUST be in touch- though It's hard for me to imagine anyone THAT important.



Jim Ricks

Testing has demonstrated that even "hands free" conversations are just as dangerous as holding the phone to ones ear. It is the mental distraction that causes the problem.

 

[LynnW]

The same law started here in Calgary Sept 1. Today while stopped at a traffic light I noticed a young girl in the lane beside me pick up her cell phone and then drop it in the seat beside her and I could tell she was texting while trying not to be noticed. How did we ever manage before cell phones

Lynn

 

[glypnirsgirl]

I was addicted to returning my client calls while commuting. And I think that it impaired my driving. Although it is still legal to talk on the cellphone here (except in school zones), I think that it should be illegal while the car is in a traffic lane - whether moving or not.

I think all states should go all the way to total ban on calling or texting while the vehicle is moving.

On the way to work, I normally hit a traffic jam where vehicle move fairly slowly. I notice two or three people every morning texting. Which has made that jam even worse because they are not aware when the traffic starts moving. And they are not aware when the traffic suddenly slows down.

I stopped talking on the phone after driving in Washington state for a week while visiting my parents. It was so much easier to drive when I was just driving, I decided to give it up.

I changed my cellphone message to say, "Hi. I am no longer answering the telephone while driving, please call my office and leave a message." A couple of my clients have gotten upset because it is not as easy as it used to be to get in touch with me.

My life is much more peaceful listening to the radio instead of talking.

elaine