Comments on: VA Considers Banning Texting While Driving, Difficult to Enforce http://www.joemanna.com/blog/va-considers-banning-texting-while-driving-difficult-to-enforce/ Tech News, Social Media & Politics From a Geek Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:02:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: S.P. Gass http://www.joemanna.com/blog/va-considers-banning-texting-while-driving-difficult-to-enforce/#comment-37358 S.P. Gass Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:38:29 +0000 http://www.joemanna.com/blog/va-considers-banning-texting-while-driving-difficult-to-enforce/#comment-37358 Joe, you're right that the 1966 National Traffic & Motor Vehicle Safety Act mandated auto manufacturers to include safety belt devices. However, as some people chose not to wear them, Virginia passed a law taking effect in 1988 requiring people to wear them when riding in the front seats of vehicles. This law targets a behavior (putting on a seat belt) and has been shown to save lives. Joe, you’re right that the 1966 National Traffic & Motor Vehicle Safety Act mandated auto manufacturers to include safety belt devices. However, as some people chose not to wear them, Virginia passed a law taking effect in 1988 requiring people to wear them when riding in the front seats of vehicles. This law targets a behavior (putting on a seat belt) and has been shown to save lives.

]]> By: Joe http://www.joemanna.com/blog/va-considers-banning-texting-while-driving-difficult-to-enforce/#comment-37090 Joe Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:21:10 +0000 http://www.joemanna.com/blog/va-considers-banning-texting-while-driving-difficult-to-enforce/#comment-37090 The seat belt law is one example of a form of legislation that saved lives; however, the law was targeted against automotive manufacturers to mechanically include a device that scientifically saved lives. The notion that banning text messaging while driving saves lives is purely anecdotal and attempts to manage a behavior, not a device. ~Joe The seat belt law is one example of a form of legislation that saved lives; however, the law was targeted against automotive manufacturers to mechanically include a device that scientifically saved lives.

The notion that banning text messaging while driving saves lives is purely anecdotal and attempts to manage a behavior, not a device.

~Joe

]]> By: S.P. Gass http://www.joemanna.com/blog/va-considers-banning-texting-while-driving-difficult-to-enforce/#comment-36889 S.P. Gass Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:33:19 +0000 http://www.joemanna.com/blog/va-considers-banning-texting-while-driving-difficult-to-enforce/#comment-36889 Joe, while I'm not sure the law is necessary (what does reckless driving already cover?) and I agree the enforcement will be challenging... I still hope passage of the law will make people think twice before texting and driving. In terms of laws saving lives, there are studies showing the seat belt law did exactly that: http://www.hsinjurylaw.com/library/serious-injuries-decr.cfm P.S. I do agree with you 100% about the abusive driver fees. Joe, while I’m not sure the law is necessary (what does reckless driving already cover?) and I agree the enforcement will be challenging… I still hope passage of the law will make people think twice before texting and driving. In terms of laws saving lives, there are studies showing the seat belt law did exactly that: http://www.hsinjurylaw.com/library/serious-injuries-decr.cfm

P.S. I do agree with you 100% about the abusive driver fees.

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