Distracted driving laws

[Tonyvdb]

Distracted drivers is my number one concern when riding down the road. We have lost so many dear friends even here on this forum to people simply not paying attention.

Here in my province in Canada distracted driving carries a fine of $287 and 3 demerits (7 you loose your licence) your insurance cost also goes up. Plus all new drivers have restrictions (only one other passenger and 0 tolerance policy) but that still does not stop many drivers from texting or doing other foolish things behind the wheel.
The issue is that the simply is not enough enforcement on the road to catch all these people. I can drive on my way home from work on any given day and see numerous people who are texting and not a police officer in sight.

What do you all think should be done?

[Mr Jensee]

Heavy fines if it can be proven that the accident was caused by distracted driving. This is about all we can do without having to put driver cams in all cars. I don't know what the answer is.

[trikebldr]

Just speaking for my own area, our cops don't give a s**t! I have actually been told on the phone that unless it involves injury or death, to deal with it myself. I called one night to report a wife in her car slowly following her drunk husband walking in his briefs down our street. She was shooting at him with a small caliber pistol!!! The 911 operator asked if anyone was hurt!!!!!!! I said no, not yet, and she said it wasn't important enough. It was 45 minutes before a cop showed up! Our local law enforcement just don't care!
I have two of those in-car cameras and VCR's in my truck, one facing forward and one rearward. I have taken the videos to the police before and they just look at me like "So, what are we supposed to do about this?". The video shows blatant violations and near accidents with clear license plates and even facial.
I think we have enough laws to cover most incidents, but just need an effective law enforcement and court system.
I've old this story here before, but it is worth repeating. In Las Vegas there are two traffic judges that have adopted the philosophy that when anybody claims they just couldn't see the cyclist (bicycles in this case), they have the choice of being convicted of negligent driving or of not being able to see well enough to ever drive again! They tell the defendant that if they can't see a cyclist who stands as much as 5' above the pavement, then they couldn't possibly see the lines on the road at about 1/32" tall! They don't mess around in Vegas! We need more judges like that, and more cops willing to take the time to stop those distracted drivers who just can't be bothered to pull over to take care of their business.

[JohnT]

Like any other problem, it will disappear or at least diminish easily. Our courts system has to start punishing offenders. Harshly. End of problem. First offense? 2 points and $350 fine + "court costs". Second offense in 18 months? Higher fine and 10 day license suspension.
Third offense in 18 months? Still higher fine and 10 day revocation. (big difference in NY)
Plus make it a higher insurance surcharge. For instance an unregistered motor vehicle conviction in NY carries a 50% insurance surcharge for the next 4 years. Yup, a $1000 premium becomes $1500 for the next four years.

[cushman eagle]

Here in Ohio,we have been notified by the DMV,that a $10,000 fine will be issued if one of our CDL drivers is caught using a hand held communication device!

[ekap1200]

Here in Ohio,we have been notified by the DMV,that a $10,000 fine will be issued if one of our CDL drivers is caught using a hand held communication device!

Wow, does that apply to a CB mic. ?

[Mr Jensee]

short answer, YES.

[Me Again]

Just speaking for my own area, our cops don't give a s**t! I have actually been told on the phone that unless it involves injury or death, to deal with it myself. I called one night to report a wife in her car slowly following her drunk husband walking in his briefs down our street. She was shooting at him with a small caliber pistol!!! The 911 operator asked if anyone was hurt!!!!!!! I said no, not yet, and she said it wasn't important enough. It was 45 minutes before a cop showed up! Our local law enforcement just don't care!

You must live in a really bad neighborhood if they don't care about "shots fired "

[Mr Jensee]

I live just a stones throw from the hood and have never had cops not responded when we needed them. Maybe we just pay our cops more?

[cushman eagle]

We use our CB mikes when we are travelling,but have never been caught!We rarely use a phone when driving!