I am in Sales and I purchased a Hands Free device before it was the law in CT. I see Police and State Troopers talking on their cell phones as they drive. This is not as annoying as watching them use cell phones while running red lights and failing to stop at right on red turns.
How can you expect to enforce a law that even law enforcement ignores?
FRANK
Hamden, CT
Ditto, Frank. I was driving down Summer Street in Stamford. The cop who was next to me was chatting away oblivious to the world around him. This is a regular occurrence in Stamford, as it is everywhere. People with the thing glued to their head, chatting away, oblivious to what is going on around them – and not even trying to hide it from the cops.
Same here… I freequently see cops chatting away on their cell phones without a hands free device (along with many other of my fellow drivers). A poor example for everyone. Maybe I should snap a photo with my cell phone of these fine officers in the act and post them on the internet with a “Shame on you” header.
And more-over, what is the point of raising the fine if you are not enforcing the law in the first place?
Careful folks, there may be a valid reason that the officers don’t use hands-free equipment. In any event, they aren’t the ones causing the accidents involving cell phone use.
My theory is that people won’t alter their behavior until and unless they pereive a significant consequence to themselves. $100 isn’t significant in Connecticut much less anywhere else. “IF” it’s a big enough issue to pursue then there should be a zero tolerance policy except for bonafide emergencies. And this notion of “first offense” has to go. It suggests that more are expected. You want to get people’s attention? How about this: “THE” offense, be it first or fourth, should carry a mandatory 60-day license suspension and a $500 fine. Our society lacks the discipline to hold people personally accountable and it’s become an epidemic.
As a motorcycle rider I am very aware of what is going on around me. I constantly see people talking on their cell phones. They have their cell phones plastered to their ears before they get out of their drive ways.
One day I left work early before the mad rush hour and during my 13 mile trek up I-91 from New Haven to Wallingford I counted 20 people talking on cell phones. This included state workers and Government Officials. The really scary ones are the ones that use all lanes on the highway while talking on the cell phone.
The problem is we do not have enough police to enforce the law and we have some the most discourteous drivers I have ever seen. People just do not care about the other person out there.
I have had people go around me when I am waiting at light to make a right hand turn and their is a sign right there that says “No Turn On Red”.
Drivers in Connecticut just do not care about the law. And until we can have enough police that are dedicated to nothing more than traffic enforcement it will never change.
I think that since this law has been on the books for 2 full years now they should do away with the first time offender deal, put the fine up to $200.00 for fist time with $100.00 increases for each additional offense(offense #9 = $1,000.00), take that money plus all other traffic violation money, put it into a pool to hire some traffic only officers.
Since it it becoming increasingly apparent that the inmates are running the asylum, maybe we should stop trying to change behaviors and get back to basics. Let’s face it, there has always been and will always be a segment of the population that puts everyone else at risk with their negligent/irresponsible behavior. These people simply don’t care about anyone else. So, the good guys keep paying for uninsured motorist coverage and the safest cars they can buy. Bust the creeps hard when you can. Be Happy.
I agree with Jack and Claims Guy. Note that there are MANY bad drivers all across the US.
I walk to work and watch drivers every morning on their phones, eating, reading, applying make-up, shaving, etc and it’s really disgusting to watch. What’s worse are the drivers who are not “distracted” and still violate the laws – no right turn on red, no left turns, no u-turns, changing lanes w/o blinkers, etc. I wish more cops were on the road watching this behavior and ticketing them or changing the law so their license can be suspended (even if just for a month or two). I say increase the fines or penalties.
Jack,
You’re lucky to have only counted 20 users in your 13 mile drive….I live in San Francisco….last month I counted 12 cell phone users in a 1/2 mile drive thru town! This is my BIGGEST pet peeve! What does it take to pull over and talk?
What in the world did we do BEFORE cell phones? I am all for a $500. fine and a mandatory 60 day suspension. The same law goes into effect July 2008 here in California – all you get is a “slap on the wrist” – I believe for first-time offenders it’s $20 (?) And you first have to break the law (eg: speeing, failure to stop, etc…) before they can fine you for not using a “hands free” set. (Teens 16 & 17 cannot use ANY device)
By the way, all exept two out of those 12 people I saw either failed to stop at a stop sign, turned without looking, failed to yeild to the right of way or ran thru a red light (one almost hitting a pedestrian).
As for hands-free, I don’t think that will work, either. Some of these bubble heads are so wrapped up in their conversations to notice that they are maneuvering a 2 ton weapon!
What’s wrong with driving with cell phone usage? Right now I’m on the freeway, with my laptop in the seat next to me typing this message.
Uh oh, I just missed my exit.
Now this guy is yelling at me.
Oh no, here comes a truck ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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I am in Sales and I purchased a Hands Free device before it was the law in CT. I see Police and State Troopers talking on their cell phones as they drive. This is not as annoying as watching them use cell phones while running red lights and failing to stop at right on red turns.
How can you expect to enforce a law that even law enforcement ignores?
FRANK
Hamden, CT
Ditto, Frank. I was driving down Summer Street in Stamford. The cop who was next to me was chatting away oblivious to the world around him. This is a regular occurrence in Stamford, as it is everywhere. People with the thing glued to their head, chatting away, oblivious to what is going on around them – and not even trying to hide it from the cops.
Same here… I freequently see cops chatting away on their cell phones without a hands free device (along with many other of my fellow drivers). A poor example for everyone. Maybe I should snap a photo with my cell phone of these fine officers in the act and post them on the internet with a “Shame on you” header.
And more-over, what is the point of raising the fine if you are not enforcing the law in the first place?
Blondie – Norwich, CT
Careful folks, there may be a valid reason that the officers don’t use hands-free equipment. In any event, they aren’t the ones causing the accidents involving cell phone use.
My theory is that people won’t alter their behavior until and unless they pereive a significant consequence to themselves. $100 isn’t significant in Connecticut much less anywhere else. “IF” it’s a big enough issue to pursue then there should be a zero tolerance policy except for bonafide emergencies. And this notion of “first offense” has to go. It suggests that more are expected. You want to get people’s attention? How about this: “THE” offense, be it first or fourth, should carry a mandatory 60-day license suspension and a $500 fine. Our society lacks the discipline to hold people personally accountable and it’s become an epidemic.
As a motorcycle rider I am very aware of what is going on around me. I constantly see people talking on their cell phones. They have their cell phones plastered to their ears before they get out of their drive ways.
One day I left work early before the mad rush hour and during my 13 mile trek up I-91 from New Haven to Wallingford I counted 20 people talking on cell phones. This included state workers and Government Officials. The really scary ones are the ones that use all lanes on the highway while talking on the cell phone.
The problem is we do not have enough police to enforce the law and we have some the most discourteous drivers I have ever seen. People just do not care about the other person out there.
I have had people go around me when I am waiting at light to make a right hand turn and their is a sign right there that says “No Turn On Red”.
Drivers in Connecticut just do not care about the law. And until we can have enough police that are dedicated to nothing more than traffic enforcement it will never change.
I think that since this law has been on the books for 2 full years now they should do away with the first time offender deal, put the fine up to $200.00 for fist time with $100.00 increases for each additional offense(offense #9 = $1,000.00), take that money plus all other traffic violation money, put it into a pool to hire some traffic only officers.
Since it it becoming increasingly apparent that the inmates are running the asylum, maybe we should stop trying to change behaviors and get back to basics. Let’s face it, there has always been and will always be a segment of the population that puts everyone else at risk with their negligent/irresponsible behavior. These people simply don’t care about anyone else. So, the good guys keep paying for uninsured motorist coverage and the safest cars they can buy. Bust the creeps hard when you can. Be Happy.
I agree with Jack and Claims Guy. Note that there are MANY bad drivers all across the US.
I walk to work and watch drivers every morning on their phones, eating, reading, applying make-up, shaving, etc and it’s really disgusting to watch. What’s worse are the drivers who are not “distracted” and still violate the laws – no right turn on red, no left turns, no u-turns, changing lanes w/o blinkers, etc. I wish more cops were on the road watching this behavior and ticketing them or changing the law so their license can be suspended (even if just for a month or two). I say increase the fines or penalties.
Jack,
You’re lucky to have only counted 20 users in your 13 mile drive….I live in San Francisco….last month I counted 12 cell phone users in a 1/2 mile drive thru town! This is my BIGGEST pet peeve! What does it take to pull over and talk?
What in the world did we do BEFORE cell phones? I am all for a $500. fine and a mandatory 60 day suspension. The same law goes into effect July 2008 here in California – all you get is a “slap on the wrist” – I believe for first-time offenders it’s $20 (?) And you first have to break the law (eg: speeing, failure to stop, etc…) before they can fine you for not using a “hands free” set. (Teens 16 & 17 cannot use ANY device)
By the way, all exept two out of those 12 people I saw either failed to stop at a stop sign, turned without looking, failed to yeild to the right of way or ran thru a red light (one almost hitting a pedestrian).
As for hands-free, I don’t think that will work, either. Some of these bubble heads are so wrapped up in their conversations to notice that they are maneuvering a 2 ton weapon!
Thanks, all for letting me vent! :)
Bless the stupid, the ignorant, and irresponsible of the world as they keep us employed.
What’s wrong with driving with cell phone usage? Right now I’m on the freeway, with my laptop in the seat next to me typing this message.
Uh oh, I just missed my exit.
Now this guy is yelling at me.
Oh no, here comes a truck ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ