NE2: Northeast Region Distracted Drivers Act [Failed]

[Cincinnatus]

The Assembly will now consider the legislation introduced by the Rep from RI.  Debate time will last 72 hours;

All vehicle opertors while driving in the Northeast Region shall be restricted from the following activities:
 
-using hand-held cell phones
-texting or e-mailing
-using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players, e.g. MP3 players
-entering information on GPS units
-reading printed materials in the vehicle
-writing, printing or sketching
-personal grooming

Applies to all vehicles, including bicycles
Applies to all roads in both urban and rural areas of the Northeast Region

The penalty for the first offence shall be a fine of $200.00

The penalty for the second offence shall be a fine of $400.00

The penalty for the third offence shall be a fine of $600.00, and the driver must complete a mandatory distracted drivers course and a mandatory safe driving course

Any further offences will result in a fine of $1000.00 per offence, with further mandatory distracted driving and safe driving courses required.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

I am reintroducing this distracted drivers bill, modified, as I believe it is imperative the Northeast have a law in place to deal with this problem.

The restrictions and the penalties have been modified and I believe it should be acceptable to this Assembly, as well as being an effective bill at the same time, and will, in fact, result in saving lives.

I am asking for the support of this Assembly in enacting this legislation. 

[Senator Napoleon]

I would like to see further debate on this matter, and I hope the legislature can find an acceptable compromise. I will be following this debate closely.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

I will not support this bill in its present form.

As I explained in the previous thread, I do not support penalties for distracted driving unless it results in death, injury, or damage to property.

[Senator Napoleon]

I will not support this bill in its present form.

As I explained in the previous thread, I do not support penalties for distracted driving unless it results in death, injury, or damage to property.

I think something like this would be an effective deterrent without draining law enforcement resources.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

I will not support this bill in its present form.

As I explained in the previous thread, I do not support penalties for distracted driving unless it results in death, injury, or damage to property.

I think something like this would be an effective deterrent without draining law enforcement resources.

In many situations, drivers should focus solely on their surroundings. But I don't think that this is always the case. There are times when the risk involved is minimal. I do not believe that the Region should prohibit responsible multitasking.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

No risk is worth endangering the lives of yourself and others.  And that is exactly what distracted driving does. 

If there are no penalties, no consequences, for distracted driving, or for anything else that endangers human lives, then those who engage in this dangerous practice, or other dangerous practices, will think there is nothing wrong with them endangering the lives of others.

For endangering lives, there need be consequences.

There is really no such thing as minimal risk when human lives are involved.   

[crypto-fascist superhero]

Everything endangers lives.  The act of driving a car in general endangers lives.  What's next, shall we ban cars with manual transmissions because the acts of monitoring the tachometer and operating the clutch pedal and shifter might conceivably distract the driver?  Perhaps cars shall come without cupholders, lest the driver be tempted to stow his drink.  For that matter, cars should only have one seat, so that the driver can't possibly be distracted by a conversation with any passenger.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

Some members of this Assembly fail to grasp what distracted driving is all about or what it really means.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

No risk is worth endangering the lives of yourself and others.  And that is exactly what distracted driving does. 

Wormy has it right: Every decision that a person makes involves a calculated risk, including the decision to drive in the first place. The Northeast Assembly does not have the power to change this, nor should we try to.

If there are no penalties, no consequences, for distracted driving, or for anything else that endangers human lives, then those who engage in this dangerous practice, or other dangerous practices, will think there is nothing wrong with them endangering the lives of others.

With respect, this is nonsense. We do not live in a region of sociopaths. Nor do I believe that there should be no legal consequences for distracted driving when it does cause harm - but that is not what this legislation proposes.

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

No risk is worth endangering the lives of yourself and others.  And that is exactly what distracted driving does. 

Wormy has it right: Every decision that a person makes involves a calculated risk, including the decision to drive in the first place. The Northeast Assembly does not have the power to change this, nor should we try to.

If there are no penalties, no consequences, for distracted driving, or for anything else that endangers human lives, then those who engage in this dangerous practice, or other dangerous practices, will think there is nothing wrong with them endangering the lives of others.

With respect, this is nonsense. We do not live in a region of sociopaths. Nor do I believe that there should be no legal consequences for distracted driving when it does cause harm - but that is not what this legislation proposes.

There are already laws on the books covering drivers when they cause harm, injury, or death to others as a result of driving dangerously.

This distracted driving legislation addresses the issue of cutting down greatly on the possibilities of harm being done to others before it happens.   

[crypto-fascist superhero]

But there's only one way to cut the possibility of harm being done to anyone 100%.

[Cincinnatus]

Debate time has expired.  The Assembly will now vote on the final text.  This vote will last 24 hours, or until all members have voted;

All vehicle operators while driving in the Northeast Region shall be restricted from the following activities:
 
-using hand-held cell phones
-texting or e-mailing
-using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players, e.g. MP3 players
-entering information on GPS units
-reading printed materials in the vehicle
-writing, printing or sketching
-personal grooming

Applies to all vehicles, including bicycles
Applies to all roads in both urban and rural areas of the Northeast Region

The penalty for the first offense shall be a fine of $200.00

The penalty for the second offense shall be a fine of $400.00

The penalty for the third offense shall be a fine of $600.00, and the driver must complete a mandatory distracted drivers course and a mandatory safe driving course

Any further offenses will result in a fine of $1000.00 per offense, with further mandatory distracted driving and safe driving courses required.

[Ѕenator Αverroës]

Nay.

[crypto-fascist superhero]

Nay.

[Cincinnatus]

Voting time has expired.  Ayes are 0, Nays are 2, the bill fails.