New Jersey cops crack down on chatty drivers
Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:00AM EST
See Comments (132)
We all know about those pesky cell-phone laws states are putting out to scare drivers into using hands-free devices while behind the wheel. If you live in New Jersey, you better start taking those laws seriously unless you want to pay a hefty fine.
Philly.com is reporting that law enforcement officers in New Jersey will be able to fine drivers for talking or texting on their cell phone while driving. New Jersey adopted its hands-free law in July 2004 as a secondary offense, which meant the police couldn't pull you over for talking on the phone alone. But starting this Saturday, March 1, the law becomes a primary offense, and chatty drivers will be subjected to huge fines for not using a hands-free device.
These fines will range from $100-$250, although the state's Division of Highway Traffic Safety says no points will be assessed.
Guess it's time you start looking at inexpensive headsets folks. If you need a headset, and would like to get one free (and who doesn't), check out FreeHeadsets.org.
This organization has been promoting safe driving since 2003 by distributing free cell phone headsets. All you have to do is pay the shipping charge, which is about $4. I wrote about these guys last year, so you can get more information about FreeHeadsets.org here.
I'd love to hear what you think about this new law.
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2 Posted by eisosdesign on Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:31AM EST Report Abuse
Just talking on a cell phone while driving should also be outlawed. Studies have shown that it is at least as dangerous to drive while talking on a cell phone (hands-free or not) as driving drunk. The Mythbusters, among others, have performed tests to prove that this is true.
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3 Posted by uncle9bob on Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:12AM EST Report Abuse
When I was growing up (MANY moons ago), and you saw a driver going too slow, weaving in a lane, or making abrupt, stupid moves etc;, You assumed that person was drunk or somehow otherwise impaired. Now the normal assumption is that said driver is yakking on their cell phone. I live in the Bay Area, and driving out here is,at least, 50% harder because of these self absorbed people. Jersey's got it right, and theirs should be the law of the land. BTW, when I'm driving, my phone is on vibrate, in my pocket, and I NEVER answer it until I'm stopped, or got to where I was going to. Nothing is that important that you have to put your life, and others at risk.
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4 Posted by chsheau on Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:00PM EST Report Abuse
I'm all for it. First of all, half of these people can't even drive that well to begin with. Have them talk on the phone and it's "Watch out" for them.
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5 Posted by vanzanz19 on Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:18PM EST Report Abuse
Uh-huh. Jersey's got more problems than people talking on cell phones while driving, but at least they're starting somewhere.
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1 Posted by mikedgolf40505 on Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:15AM EST Report Abuse
I think that just talking on the phone is not as huge a problem as the texting is. Not much difference in talking with a bluetooth and holding your phone with one hand. However, texting while driving is not only extremely dangerous but also very stupid.