New Jersey cops crack down on chatty drivers
Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:00AM EST
See Comments (108)
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.
Comments on New Jersey cops crack down on chatty drivers
Post a Comment
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
-
2 Posted by pchts on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:04PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't do much traveling but when I do I see a awful lot of Cops talking on the cell phones as well. They should be no different than the people they are supposed to be protecting. They need to start policeing them selfs as well as the public!
-
3 Posted by pls2mtu on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse
It's a good move on the surface, but there are some responsible drivers who just may have an urgent need to get on the phone while they are driving. I have that need on occasion (note on occasion), but I get off as soon as I can and still stay mindful of my driving. The ones to go after are those who do drive stupidly while yakking on the phone incessantly and especially while they are in the middle of maneuvering through tight traffic such as pulling in and out of parking spacesin a parking lot.
-
4 Posted by lineridergarcia22 on Thu Mar 6, 2008 4:37PM EST Report Abuse
I can't believe some people think they are such good drivers they can multi task like that . Quite frankly when you draw your attention from driving you are putting other peoples lives in danger. Maybe they don't care about their own lives but maybe the rest of us care about ours !! I think it should be a law to at least have hand free ability . (this should include law enforcement while they drive too) another words, ALL drivers should have this attachment to keep the HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL !!!
-
5 Posted by vlpla@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:37PM EDT Report Abuse
The law takes effect in California in July. Bravo. A car can be a death machine. Recently in LA, I saw a woman driving a manual gear Jeep, smoking a cigarette, drinking a cup of coffee, putting on her eye make-up and lipstick and talking on a handheld phone. I'm certain her attention was on her driving, though! Sure!
-
6 Posted by osupoolfanatic on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:47PM EDT Report Abuse
If you cant drive with one hand and still be able to focus on the road, you probably shouldn't be driving anyway. It isn't any different to drive while talking to a friend in your car than talking on your phone. I have never had a problem talking to someone on a cell phone and being able to drive. As long as you aren't having a tough time seeing where you are going, then talking isn't going to hurt anyone. If it does, then you probably need a refresher on handling your car.
-
7 Posted by superman_0414 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:48PM EDT Report Abuse
Talking on the cell phone should be illegal in every state even talking hands free with both hands on the wheel because your busy talking on the phone and thinking what to say and not in front and around of you. I think losing your phone use and heavy fines.
-
8 Posted by mccoy.helene on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:13PM EDT Report Abuse
I am all for it. It should be like this in all States I almost got wiped out the other day by someone on there cell phone it shook me up so I had to pull over and they just kept on going down the road she did not even notice what was going on. I use a cell phone all day in my office but not on the road. Ladies putting make up on and such give it a break I am a woman but please be careful alot of folks have ended up in the E.R. due to doing other things rather than paying attetion whats going on the road.
-
9 Posted by annala6425 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:55PM EDT Report Abuse
I think it should be a three strikes law.....3 tickets for being on the phone or texting while you drive and you lose your license.
-
10 Posted by ynevettjohnson on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:56PM EDT Report Abuse
I have a bluetooth and even with that I am not really able to concentrate on the road. I think it's just safer for everyone if we pull over for emergency chat. Once ga----- s $4 a gallon, I think we'll all be walking anyway.
1 Posted by dsullend on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse
As a Jersey driver, and on the road as a field tech, I'm glad to hear this is finally in effect as a primary offense and it should be everywhere. I am guilty, once in a while, of driving without using a headset, and I do notice a difference. You do not have the range of motion with your head as well as concentration loss. I do have more awareness when using a headset, but maybe it's just me. As a motorcyclist, I applaud this even more. BTW...HANG UP AND DRIVE!!!