Thread: Obama bans gov't workers from texting while driving

As of today that is the law for all drivers using the Arkansas highways & byways.

Originally Posted by Show-me

Obama bans gov't workers from texting while driving



[snip]
The order bans federal employees from text messaging -- which it defines to include e-mailing, instant messaging or obtaining navigational information -- when driving government-owned vehicles or private vehicles while on government business.

On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called distracted driving a serious epidemic. Figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed more than 5,800 distracted driving deaths and 515,000 injuries last year.

Under the new executive order, all agencies in the executive branch must set up new rules and reevaluate existing programs to prohibit text messaging while driving.

The underlined italics are my addition. Gotta agree with the idea behind this. Will some worthy manager define obtaining navigational information as using a GPS device? That's gonna make life very difficult for a lot of us trying to find sites or structures out in the middle of nowhere. Of course, those managers only leave their offices to go to DC and schmooze so they will probably have a driver assigned and won't need a GPS.

Originally Posted by grandma

As of today that is the law for all drivers using the Arkansas highways & byways.

Clarification: I hadn't read the part of the Fed's that went beyond just texting. The ARkansas law is `no texting' ; also a law for under 18's: No talking on cell phone, anywhichway.

Originally Posted by Show-me

Obama bans gov't workers from texting while driving

Good for him! I can get on board this decision.

Originally Posted by tsptalk

Good for him! I can get on board this decision.

fORMER GOVERNMENT COURIER-DRIVER, I agree
DB

I also 100% agree with the decision however people have been Eating triple woppers with cheese and drinking big gulp 64 oz. drinks while driving for as long as I can remember. People smoking while driving, smoke in their eyes. Make up application, shaving, reading maps etc.
On military installations it is against the law unless you have a handsfree device. I know people who should not be talking to the passenger while driving.
You would think that any of these actions could be considered reckless or careless, some enforcement would go along way.
There are already enough laws out there. You can find violations on a simple 10 mile trip, it can hapen wright in front of an officer and they do not pull them over. Like TURN SIGNALS.
Just ranting.

Great move, 100% agree

..I just wish they make it a NATIONAL BAN soon with heavy penalties.

I called a coworker/longtime colleague and friend the other day not knowing he was enroute to his home office 100 miles away, caught him on the interstate. He said he could talk because he had a hands-free setup in his work vehicle now. I asked him to pull over and stop anyway, please. He did-just because it was me who asked.

Originally Posted by WorkFE

I also 100% agree with the decision however people have been Eating triple woppers with cheese and drinking big gulp 64 oz. drinks while driving for as long as I can remember. People smoking while driving, smoke in their eyes. Make up application, shaving, reading maps etc.

Delivering mail...

Great, another attempt to regulate common sense. That has worked out sooooooo well in the past.

Next there will be a requirement that if you own a cell phone you must purchase a 'mobile device' attachment to your auto insurance policy, with substantial fines if you are caught with your papers not in order.

Of course, for an additional fee, it would protect you from all sorts of your own stupidity, such as accidentally texting innappropriate pictures of yourself to your boss when drunk, calling your wife on the way home to ask what's for supper (that's mysoginistic you know), and even throwing the phone out the window after your 16 year old daughter calls to tell you she just had an abortion without your consent - "heck officer, please don't write me that littering ticket, i didn't even know she was pregnant! plus i gots the insurance see?"

Let's call a spade a spade here: this is another seemingly innocuous rule that we all be pressured to subject ourselves to for the good of society while our liberties and freedom of choice are slowly eroded. Quit worrying so much about the idiots that need to be told how to properly utilize a cell phone, they tend to revoke their own swimming passes soon enough. Out of the Gene Pool!

Here's the real issue:

Originally Posted by Show-me

law enforcement or national security responsibilities might be exempt from the new requirements

Can't see the forest for the trees.

Originally Posted by burrocrat

Great, another attempt to regulate common sense. That has worked out sooooooo well in the past.

Next there will be a requirement that if you own a cell phone you must purchase a 'mobile device' attachment to your auto insurance policy, with substantial fines if you are caught with your papers not in order.

Of course, for an additional fee, it would protect you from all sorts of your own stupidity, such as accidentally texting innappropriate pictures of yourself to your boss when drunk, calling your wife on the way home to ask what's for supper (that's mysoginistic you know), and even throwing the phone out the window after your 16 year old daughter calls to tell you she just had an abortion without your consent - "heck officer, please don't write me that littering ticket, i didn't even know she was pregnant! plus i gots the insurance see?"



Let's call a spade a spade here: this is another seemingly innocuous rule that we all be pressured to subject ourselves to for the good of society while our liberties and freedom of choice are slowly eroded. Quit worrying so much about the idiots that need to be told how to properly utilize a cell phone, they tend to revoke their own swimming passes soon enough. Out of the Gene Pool!

Here's the real issue:



Can't see the forest for the trees.

Kudos..I love the sarcasm