MA: Common Courtesy While Driving Act (Statute)

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

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[Oldiesfreak1854]

I can see both sides of this.  While I value personal responsibility, I feel that there need to be some laws regarding tjis issue.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

I can see both sides of this.  While I value personal responsibility, I feel that there need to be some laws regarding tjis issue.

I value personal responsibility quite a ton, but when it comes to possibly putting the life of another (or several) human being(s) in danger, there must be some laws to curtail the danger.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I can see both sides of this.  While I value personal responsibility, I feel that there need to be some laws regarding tjis issue.

I value personal responsibility quite a ton, but when it comes to possibly putting the life of another (or several) human being(s) in danger, there must be some laws to curtail the danger.

I agree.  That's why I support seatbelt and helmet laws.  So at this point, I will support this bill.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

I can see both sides of this.  While I value personal responsibility, I feel that there need to be some laws regarding tjis issue.

I value personal responsibility quite a ton, but when it comes to possibly putting the life of another (or several) human being(s) in danger, there must be some laws to curtail the danger.

This goes far beyond things that directly put people's lives in danger, and the fines are rather heavy considering the subjectivity that will go into enforcing this. 

Also, do anger management classes actually work?

[Grumpier Than Thou]

his goes far beyond things that directly put people's lives in danger, and the fines are rather heavy considering the subjectivity that will go into enforcing this. 

Also, do anger management classes actually work?

I don't think a $500 fine is heavy for something like this. Everyone should feel safe when driving, which is why we have such hard crackdowns on drunk driving laws. Even if someone is sober, they can still kill someone behind the wheel of a car.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

his goes far beyond things that directly put people's lives in danger, and the fines are rather heavy considering the subjectivity that will go into enforcing this. 

Also, do anger management classes actually work?

I don't think a $500 fine is heavy for something like this. Everyone should feel safe when driving, which is why we have such hard crackdowns on drunk driving laws. Even if someone is sober, they can still kill someone behind the wheel of a car.

by honking?

[Grumpier Than Thou]

It's intimidation, plus it's just rude. Shouldn't excessive honking be considered disturbing the peace?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

It's intimidation, plus it's just rude. Shouldn't excessive honking be considered disturbing the peace?

I just wish we wouldn't automatically jump to criminalization to deal with momentary rudeness or expressions of frustration.

[tmthforu94]

I have some serious problems with clause 3.

- Do anger management classes even work? What benefit is a person really going to get from one week of classes? It also needs to be more specific - how many times would they go in that week? Would they have to pay for the classes. It doesn't make much difference for me, as I think that part should be struck out completely.
- $500 is an extremely high amount. In Indiana, it's only a $25 ticket for not wearing a seatbelt. Is the goal of this bill to encourage positive driving behavior, or is it to increase regional revenue and potentially hurt families economically. Because it seems like the latter from this clause.

Other than these nitpicks, I'd be leaning towards this bill.

[ZuWo]

I agree with the main thrust of this bill but as previous posters have pointed out I have doubts about the effectiveness of anger management classes and the fines seem too high to me.

My suggestions: Remove the anger management classes (or, if you really think they are necessary, reserve them for people who repeatedly violate this bill) and reduce the fine of $500 to $100 at most.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I agree with the main thrust of this bill but as previous posters have pointed out I have doubts about the effectiveness of anger management classes and the fines seem too high to me.

My suggestions: Remove the anger management classes (or, if you really think they are nece

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ssary, reserve them for people who repeatedly violate this bill) and reduce the fine of $500 to $100 at most.

Agreed. I think anger management classes might be a little extreme for a few moments of acting rudely.  In fact, since it looks like somebody will amend this bill at some point, I'll just do it for them:

[Grumpier Than Thou]

I'll accept ZuWo's amendment to the bill.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Good.  I actually introduced it, but it was his idea.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

So the bill now reads:

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[Grumpier Than Thou]

Yes.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Seeing no further debate, we'll bring this to a final vote.  Members will vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.  This will be a 48-hour vote.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Aye

[ZuWo]

For the record, I can support this since the bill was amended and improved where it was necessary. If the bill gets a majority I will sign it into law.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Aye

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

AYE

[HappyWarrior]

Nay, I think when you're regulating how what people can say that is just not allowing for freedom of speech.

[tmthforu94]

Good intentions, but I agree with HappyWarrior. A lot of this would come down to individual police officer's discretion - what one office might deem as wrong, another might not do anything about.

Shua said it well:

It's intimidation, plus it's just rude. Shouldn't excessive honking be considered disturbing the peace?

I just wish we wouldn't automatically jump to criminalization to deal with momentary rudeness or expressions of frustration.

[ZuWo]

Nay, I think when you're regulating how what people can say that is just not allowing for freedom of speech.

When I saw this bill for the first time I was aware that the clause "... using profane language that is audible to other motorists" might be the most problematic part of the bill. However, I understand that there are big differences between the US - the home country of most Atlasians - and the part of the world I come from regarding the use and acceptance of profanity. Since profanity seems to be frowned upon in public settings in the US I came to the conclusion that this clause may be appropriate here.

I essentially agree with what citizen Tmthforu94 said about the bill a few days ago:

Other than these nitpicks, I'd be leaning towards this bill.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Nay, I think when you're regulating how what people can say that is just not allowing for freedom of speech.

When I saw this bill for the first time I was aware that the clause "... using profane language that is audible to other motorists" might be the most problematic part of the bill. However, I understand that there are big differences between the US - the home country of most Atlasians - and the part of the world I come from regarding the use and acceptance of profanity. Since profanity seems to be frowned upon in public settings in the US I came to the conclusion that this clause may be appropriate here.

[/quote]

Yes, which is why I put it in the bill. It's not regulating speech, it's preserving a safe driving environment. Plus, if someone is unloading a string of profanity that is audible, parents may not want their children exposed to said profanity. It's more holding adults responsible for potentially dangerous actions and promoting more responsibility while driving.