Bikers Rally For Toughter Texting Penalies!

[WilliamH]

But one, the deer, could be an act of God. The other, avoiding a fool, the fool should be at fault and is doing something they shouldn't be doing.

Can't argue your point. Doesn't change the way you may have to respond to an external factor.

 

[wheaters]

In UK there is a legal term called "causing death by dangerous driving" which can and has been applied in such cases. I believe the penalty is up to two years in jail.

It's shame that in most of this country, there are no longer any regular police patrols on motorways, where every day you can see cars being driven in an erratic fashion while the driver (often a young female, I have to say) does somethingfar more urgent than controlling the vehicle, such as texting..

 

[Ty]

Bikers rally in Harrisburg for tougher texting penalties
The New Castle News
Posted: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 4:00 am
By John Finnerty
CNHI Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG — Motorcyclists are throwing their weight behind an effort to stiffen penalties for drivers who cause fatal crashes while texting.

Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Lawrence County, proposes sentences for distracted driving that mirror those for causing injuries while driving drunk.

The bill is dubbed Daniel’s Law in honor of Daniel Gallatin, 68, of New Castle, who was killed in May 2013 when his motorcycle was rear-ended by an SUV while he was driving in front of his daughter’s home.

Laura Gargiulo, 44, of Volant pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, texting while driving and careless driving. She was sentenced to 60 days in jail and another 60 days of incarceration with work release, followed by house arrest and probation.

She was also ordered to visit schools to talk about the dangers of distracted driving and fined $50 – the penalty in Pennsylvania for texting behind the wheel.

Her sentence incensed Gallatin’s friends and family.

“Regardless of the circumstances, 60 days in jail for a person who admitted committing a crime that caused a death is not sufficient,” said his daughter, Michelle Gallatin-Baughman, after a rally at the Capitol sponsored by the motorcycle group ABATE of Pennsylvania on Monday afternoon.

Gallatin was one of 59 people killed in distracted driving crashes in Pennsylvania in 2013, according to the state Department of Transportation.

“It’s an unfortunate thing, and we need to do everything we can to make some good come out of it,” said Jim Conner, a longtime friend of Gallatin’s.

The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts reported that 1,410 people were given traffic tickets for texting behind the wheel last year. Proponents of Daniel’s Law argue that the penalties aren’t severe enough when the texting leads to tragedy.

“This kind of irresponsible and reckless behavior has very real, and all too frequently, life changing consequences,” Gibbons said. “Nobody deserves to have their life forever altered because of a text message or email.”

The texting ban is difficult to enforce, said District Judge Jeffrey Mensch, in Mifflinburg. He’s only seen a handful of texting tickets cross his desk.

The court system's records show only a dozen texting-while-driving citations issued in Union County in the last three years. Mensch’s court only covers half the county.

“It’s rare,” he said, adding that it’s easier for police to give tickets for texting while driving in more populated areas.

There traffic conditions provide more opportunity for officers to catch people playing with their phones instead of watching the road.

Court data reflect that: Counties surrounding Philadelphia are home to 1 in 5 Pennsylvanians, but were the location of better than 1 in 4 texting-while-driving tickets last year.

Gibbons’ texting bill, introduced last month, isn't the only effort at targeting distracted driving.

Sen. John Wozniak, D-Cambria County, has authored a bill to extend the texting ban to include talking on a cell phone while driving.

“(Drivers) have to realize they are not sitting in their living room,” he told bikers gathered at the Capitol.

Edit: There were these two comments following the story...

"I've seen plenty of bikers texting too. That said I'd love more harsh penalties for all texting and driving cases. Id rather not wait for them to cost a life."

My question to this is: Presuming this comment is about a biker texting while driving, how does that biker hold the phone, text and keep one hand on the grip all at the same time?

"Even the police text while driving, I've seen them do it."

My own comment on all of this:
I was rear-ended last year on one of my MCs at a stop light by a lady who was using her phone, had a little dog jumping around in the mini-van and admitted to the officer that she had taken 3 percodan that morning.

The officer allowed her to drive away.

The biggest problem IMO?
"$50 – the penalty in Pennsylvania for texting behind the wheel."
OK, I might get caught texting and driving. It's a $50 fine. So who gives a damn, right?

Stupid people will find a way...

 

[HHH]

I just got back from a 5k miles trip from Denver to Alaska and back, and text-and-drive has become epidemic. The surprise for me over the years, though, is I see it more often from middle-aged drivers than younger folks.

The AAA released the results of a study showing a decrease in texting while driving overall. Interestingly, it showed a significant spike in the use of smartphones while driving for those over 40 years old.

And wheaters, it's good to hear from you.

 

[grampi]

As much as this sucks, let's be honest: I'm betting that 90% of accidents are from 'distracted driving'. Someone not paying attention. There are very few mechanical or 'act-of-God' moments on the road. Someone's not doing what they should be doing.

• eating
• talking to passengers
  
• adjusting the radio
• texting
• reading
• make-up
• speeding
• swerving
• fast braking
• day-dreaming
• etc.

So maybe the penalty for getting in a wreck isn't steep enough in general, but do we really need to single out texting?
Maybe we do... I don't know.

I think we do...a recent study I read somewhere on the internet deemed cell phone usage (not just texting) as being more dangerous than drunk driving...I think there's only one way to solve this problem and that's to have the government mandate to cell phone manufacturers that the devices must be made so that they won't work while in a vehicle with the ignition on. Many places have laws against using them while driving, but people thumb their noses at these laws, and law enforcement doesn't enforce the laws anyway...I know it sucks having big brother dictate the issue, but if we want safe roads, we will need a resolution that actually works...

 

[CompTrex]

I think we do...a recent study I read somewhere on the internet deemed cell phone usage (not just texting) as being more dangerous than drunk driving...I think there's only one way to solve this problem and that's to have the government mandate to cell phone manufacturers that the devices must be made so that they won't work while in a vehicle with the ignition on. Many places have laws against using them while driving, but people thumb their noses at these laws, and law enforcement doesn't enforce the laws anyway...I know it sucks having big brother dictate the issue, but if we want safe roads, we will need a resolution that actually works...

Safety vs freedom. The eternal debate...

 

[Elio Amazed]

Yeah, I want the freedom to jog, ride a bicycle, ride my MC, and drive along side of, and on, public highways...
Without having someone risk my life by choosing to do this unnecessary, selfish and contemptable activity.
Especially when most of those risking my life (without my permission) are fully aware of the risk they are imposing on others.

If I'm only putting my own life at risk, it's a question of freedom.
If I'm risking other lives as well, I expect justified intervention by those sworn to protect those other lives.

When the humans continue to make a wrong choice en masse that kills and maimes other humans...
Then that choice, at least symbolically, is taken out of their hands. And rightfully so.
Collectively, when left to our own devices, we far too often prove not to be caring and socially responsible critters.
With all the reasoning, intelligence and potential that evolution has invested into us, it's a frickin' shame.

 

[DAVID BROWER]

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING IS SOMETHING THAT SCARES ME .
IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU CAN'T PULL OVER ?

THIS FROM A GUY WHO DOES NOT HAVE A CELLPHONE .
AND YES , I TYPE ALL THIS STUFF FROM A STATIONARY DESK AT HOME .

 

[grampi]

Yeah, I want the freedom to jog, ride a bicycle, ride my MC, and drive along side of, and on, public highways...
Without having someone risk my life by choosing to do this unnecessary, selfish and contemptable activity.
Especially when most of those risking my life (without my permission) are fully aware of the risk they are imposing on others.

If I'm only putting my own life at risk, it's a question of freedom.
If I'm risking other lives as well, I expect justified intervention by those sworn to protect those other lives.

When the humans continue to make a wrong choice en masse that kills and maimes other humans...
Then that choice, at least sybolically, is taken out of their hands. And rightfully so.
Collectively, when left to our own devices, we far too often prove not to be caring and socially responsible critters.
With all the reasoning, intelligence and potential that evolution has invested into us, it's a frickin' shame.

Well said, and I agree with every word...the roadways are full of idiots these days who care nothing about anyone's safety, even their own...that's when big brother needs to step in...unfortunately, I don't see that happening unless there's some major movement to crack down on cell phone use while driving by a large portion of the population...

 

[Buckeyejake]

grami,
You are correct. It's cell phone use in general. Texting or talking is distractive driving. My wife and I made a pact that neither one of us would use the phone while driving. Sometimes it's very hard to resist. If the phone is not in easy access to the driver it helps. Glove compartments seem to be the answer.

You are also correct about a major movement to push our government to take action. Freedom comes with responsibility. If you don't take responsibility and put in danger other lives than freedom can be removed for the betterment of society.

Freedom without responsibility is worthless.