Nanny State: New Calif. Law Would Ban Texting While Biking; What's Next?...

[jillian]

You would say that. You're a classic Socialist/Progressive Nanny Stater stereotype.

um... no.

i just know that some moron goes riding down fifth avenue on a bicycle, chit chatting away and rides into my car, the idiot is going to sue me. or they hit some old lady and kill her... because they're a moron and can't stop riding long enough to text or have a conversation...

there's nothing wrong with penalizing people who don't have the common sense they were born with.

I'd also point out that i've always said restaurant owners should be able to decide if their restaurant is a smoking or non-smoking establishment. so i don't know about being pro 'nanny state' whatever the heck that rightwing propaganda actually means... but i do think common sense is in order.

Well, you're making some progress. I'll give ya that. But you still have a long way to go.

um... my opinions on those issues haven't changed.

but isn't it disingenuous to whine about the slightest regulation...unless it imposes on people's most intimate decisions and actions?

 

[francoHFW]

Ron Paul's 40,000 new laws
By Meghan Ashford-Grooms, W. Gardner Selby
Published on Friday, April 27th, 2012 at 5:28 p.m.

Related rulings:

"Just on Jan. 1 of this year, there were 40,000 new laws put on the books in one day."
Ron Paul, Tuesday, April 10th, 2012.

Ruling: False | Details

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U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, made a stop at Texas A&M University on April 10, 2012, while campaigning for president.
In an April 10, 2012, speech at Texas A&M University, Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul, the U.S. House member from Lake Jackson, said the nation is moving in the wrong direction, adding that the country has too many laws. "Just on Jan. 1 of this year, there were 40,000 new laws put on the books in one day," Paul said.

Not quite, we determined.

The Congressional Record of Jan. 3, 2012 says that in the previous 12 months, about 80 bills had become federal law.

And what of new state laws?

According to StateScape, a research firm in Alexandria, Va., state legislatures enacted 18,562 bills, excluding non-statutory resolutions, through all of 2011. Also, other experts reminded us that not all measures take effect at the start of a year.

Paul also aired the 40,000 figure in his April 26, 2012, speech at the University of Texas, seemingly indicating he believes the laws are all federal laws.

"I say we have way too many laws on the books. First, along with the National Defense Authorization Act on January first, there were forty thousand new laws placed on our books," Paul said. "Now, what I would like to be is the first president to get rid of forty thousand useless laws." (President Barack Obama signed the defense act into law on Jan. 5, 2012.)

We rated Paul’s claim at Texas A&M as False. See our full check to the right.

PolitiFact | Ron Paul's 40,000 new laws

So of course that's BS too, Pub dupe. And 90% of those you wouldn't recognize as laws either. ...Dittoheads! A disaster...

 

[auditor0007]

I guess creating 40,000 new Laws in 2011 wasn't enough for the Nanny/Police Staters.


It could soon be illegal to ride a bicycle and text if a California lawmaker gets his way.

Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who authored the 2008 California law mandating the use of hands-free technology while driving, has proposed extending that law to bicyclists.

Senate Bill 1475 would ban bicyclists from texting or talking without a headset. Bicyclists would be fined $20 for their first offense and $50 thereafter with no additional fees.

The new bill was originally part of the 2008 driving ordinance, however the bicycle portion was omitted from the final law. It is supported by the California Bicycle Coalition.

The bill is currently working its way through the state senate. Sen. Simitian hopes to make it law by the end of 2012.

oh no!!! the horror!!! the horror!!!

You would say that. You're a classic Socialist/Progressive Nanny Stater stereotype.

Socialist, Marxist, Communist, NannyStater, name it what you will, at least she isn't stupid. You see, to believe that she is any of those things is just plain stupid. You cons have no clue what socialism actually is, and this is evident based on the fact that you believe Obama's policies are socialist. You use things like the bailouts of Chrysler and GM as examples but fail to mention that the government has and never had any intention of taking over those private enterprises. In socialist states, the government owns and controls most business. Real socialist countries would be countries like Cuba and Venezuela. If you are really suggesting that Obama wants us to be like them, then all I can do is laugh at you.

 

[paulitician]

oh no!!! the horror!!! the horror!!!

You would say that. You're a classic Socialist/Progressive Nanny Stater stereotype.

Socialist, Marxist, Communist, NannyStater, name it what you will, at least she isn't stupid. You see, to believe that she is any of those things is just plain stupid. You cons have no clue what socialism actually is, and this is evident based on the fact that you believe Obama's policies are socialist. You use things like the bailouts of Chrysler and GM as examples but fail to mention that the government has and never had any intention of taking over those private enterprises. In socialist states, the government owns and controls most business. Real socialist countries would be countries like Cuba and Venezuela. If you are really suggesting that Obama wants us to be like them, then all I can do is laugh at you.

GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt is your Dear Leader's 'Jobs Czar.' Anymore questions?

 

[Mr Natural]

So some lamebrain is out there riding his bike and texting and gets run over. Want to guess who gets the shaft?

The hapless motorist of course.

 

[paulitician]

How many more Laws will satisfy the Nanny/Police Staters?

 

[Mr Natural]

You can be sure that the insurance companies looking to make sure that they're not on the hook for any huge settlements are behind this.

 

[Political Junky]

San Francisco cyclist accused of killing pedestrian facing charges | abc7news.com

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco police are preparing to make an arrest in the death of a man hit by a bicyclist last month at the corner of Market and Castro. Police say Chris Bucchere was going too fast on his bike when he hit and killed a 71-year-old man who was lawfully in the crosswalk.

"A person who did something wrong should also pay for it," Anna Chao said.

Chao is Sutchi Hui's niece. Hui was killed March 29 after being hit by a cyclist while crossing the street at Market and Castro streets. Police intend to arrest the man responsible for her uncle's death.

Was he texting? Yes/No?

It just shows that a bicycle can kill.
Are you for allowing drivers to text when driving.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

I don't understand why people are getting riled up about this.

Is there anyone here who's upset about no longer being able to bike and text at the same time?

 

[The Infidel]

I don't understand why people are getting riled up about this.

Is there anyone here who's upset about no longer being able to bike and text at the same time?

The left does not believe we can govern ourselves... lets make a new law to ban liberals from the streets too.

Seriously though.... do we really need a new law? I bet there are laws already in place that regulate distracted driving. This is nothing more than another feel good BS law meant to regulate us like cattle in a pen.

Where will it end???

 

[Meister]

San Francisco cyclist accused of killing pedestrian facing charges | abc7news.com

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco police are preparing to make an arrest in the death of a man hit by a bicyclist last month at the corner of Market and Castro. Police say Chris Bucchere was going too fast on his bike when he hit and killed a 71-year-old man who was lawfully in the crosswalk.

"A person who did something wrong should also pay for it," Anna Chao said.

Chao is Sutchi Hui's niece. Hui was killed March 29 after being hit by a cyclist while crossing the street at Market and Castro streets. Police intend to arrest the man responsible for her uncle's death.

Was he texting? Yes/No?

It just shows that a bicycle can kill.
Are you for allowing drivers to text when driving.

We're talking about a bicycle...not a motorized vehicle.
Perhaps California needs to shore up any safety hazard starting with glass bottles, they can break and cut. Next, toothpicks....a person could choke on them. After that I think they could outlaw cd's in vehicles....another safety hazzard.
I know you will acknowledge my post as silly....and it is, but this is where the government is taking us....it is just silly.

 

[Cowman]

Bicyclist and Motorist collisions are a very real problem. They cost lives and taxpayer money.

I can't believe people are defending the right to text and ride a bike. How fucking hazardous do you guys like the roads and sidewalks to be?

I've seen countless people that can't even fucking WALK properly while texting. They bump into shit and trip over things.

 

[PoliticalChic]

I guess creating 40,000 new Laws in 2011 wasn't enough for the Nanny/Police Staters.


It could soon be illegal to ride a bicycle and text if a California lawmaker gets his way.

Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who authored the 2008 California law mandating the use of hands-free technology while driving, has proposed extending that law to bicyclists.

Senate Bill 1475 would ban bicyclists from texting or talking without a headset. Bicyclists would be fined $20 for their first offense and $50 thereafter with no additional fees.

The new bill was originally part of the 2008 driving ordinance, however the bicycle portion was omitted from the final law. It is supported by the California Bicycle Coalition.

The bill is currently working its way through the state senate. Sen. Simitian hopes to make it law by the end of 2012.

"FLATBUSH — A $625 fine for use of an antique, manual cash register in a century-old barber shop. A $250 fine for a 14-cent mistake on the price of ChapStick at a pharmacy. A $250 fine for posting separate haircut prices for men and women at a salon.

The old saying, “Let the punishment fit the crime,” apparently no longer applies."
City Fines Are Choking Us: Shopkeepers | Brooklyn Daily Eagle

 

[Mr Natural]

Bicyclist and Motorist collisions are a very real problem. They cost lives and taxpayer money.

I can't believe people are defending the right to text and ride a bike. How fucking hazardous do you guys like the roads and sidewalks to be?

I've seen countless people that can't even fucking WALK properly while texting. They bump into shit and trip over things.

But, but, but . . .

You take away a person's right to text while biking and the next thing you know, they're marching us into forced labor camps.

 

[freedombecki]

I guess creating 40,000 new Laws in 2011 wasn't enough for the Nanny/Police Staters.


It could soon be illegal to ride a bicycle and text if a California lawmaker gets his way.

Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who authored the 2008 California law mandating the use of hands-free technology while driving, has proposed extending that law to bicyclists.

Senate Bill 1475 would ban bicyclists from texting or talking without a headset. Bicyclists would be fined $20 for their first offense and $50 thereafter with no additional fees.

The new bill was originally part of the 2008 driving ordinance, however the bicycle portion was omitted from the final law. It is supported by the California Bicycle Coalition.

The bill is currently working its way through the state senate. Sen. Simitian hopes to make it law by the end of 2012.

oh no!!! the horror!!! the horror!!!

You would say that. You're a classic Socialist/Progressive Nanny Stater stereotype.

Paulitician, I'm a pro-user fee conservative who doesn't like much government intervention. I'm also educated in consumer and health frauds perpetrated on people by profiteering concerns. I'm also a business owner and a supporter of law enforcement when it is done properly. I looked up some statistics I'd like you to see on Texting while Driving Statistics:

Texting While Driving Statistics

​

• About 6,000 deaths and a half a million injuries are caused by distracted drivers every year.
• While teenagers are texting, they spend about 10 percent of the time outside the driving lane they’re supposed to be in.
• Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver’s reaction time as slow as that of a 70-year-old.
• Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. That is enough time to travel the length of a football field.

About 4 years ago or less, my husband was nearing the downtown intersection very near my business. He saw a man knocked to the ground in a wheelchair by a driver who was on a cellphone. When he walked through the door, he looked shocked. Everyone I knew had had to dodge a car for their life near there, because so many people were speeding through red lights, oblivious to everything and everyone around them while they chatted or texted.


With their reaction time worse than someone with a BAL of 2.0, how many people have to die? The 6,000 stat was only people who were killed. Another 450,000 were wounded by distracted drivers, some will be in a wheelchair for life.


It's a low blow when you hear something like a person more caught up in his or her cell phone conversation with a client or social contact than they are with the safety and security of people they put at risk while they are centered on an activity that should be conducted in a setting where they cannot harm someone or themselves.


It makes me mad when I am walking in an airport or store, and somebody is blabbing away like a ninny instead of relating to the world as a place to be.


The world was not made so idiots could kill other people with idiotic habits like drunk driving or driving while mentally blocking out cyclers, pedestrians and property they hit while playing around with anything but the wheel on their auto or motorcycle.


It's not a big government issue, it's when poor personal habits become a crime. Then it is a police problem to mop up the blood and guts from a senseless accident caused by being absorbed in something other than safety consciousness while driving.


Unfortunately, police cannot stop or make charges on people whose behaviors that are legal. They can only charge people who have broken the law. Cyber obsession can lead to death on a roadway by a driver or a cycler absorbed in the task of texting, getting plastered, or driving under the influence of a mind-altering substance.


Sorry, the only way to stop some of this is by passing wise laws that will ensure if they don't stop the behavior, they will spend some serious time thinking about it in a confined place for as long as it takes to alter the behavior.


I support a law against texting while operating a vehicle on public roadways.

 

[Zoom-boing]

I don't understand why there's a specific ban on texting while driving. Texting while driving is distracted driving . . .why doesn't it fall under that?

Are there similar laws for riding a bike while distracted? How does one text and ride a bike at the same time? No hands? I didn't think many people could do that. If you're texting and get hit by a car then you get hit by a car. You can't fix stupid.

Here's another one. The article claims the tickets are an improvement and will cut down on police time on the matter. Um, hello? #1 anyone?

Mass. Town Could Start Issuing Tickets for Cursing

WGGB abc40/FOX 6: News, Weather, Sports: Springfield, MA - Home

 

[freedombecki]

I don't understand why there's a specific ban on texting while driving. Texting while driving is distracted driving . . .why doesn't it fall under that?

Are there similar laws for riding a bike while distracted? How does one text and ride a bike at the same time? No hands? I didn't think many people could do that. If you're texting and get hit by a car then you get hit by a car. You can't fix stupid.

Here's another one. The article claims the tickets are an improvement and will cut down on police time on the matter. Um, hello? #1 anyone?

Mass. Town Could Start Issuing Tickets for Cursing

WGGB abc40/FOX 6: News, Weather, Sports: Springfield, MA - Home

To address the text I bolded, that is a good question. I'm only a layperson, but I think a lawyer could blithely greet a jury and make a good joke to make them laugh. He could then proceed to say the law is against molecular substances that alter consciousness, and prove how an appliance does not meet the standard of such a substance in such a spectacular way the hugest fool in the world would be educated by him. Even the best prosecutor in the world would have serious trouble contradicting a Gerry Spence (Silkwood v. Kerr-McGee, Randy Weaver v. ATF, Feiger v. MI Justice Dept., etc.) who can make the handsomest prosecutor look like the north end of a horse going south in a New York minute and never in his 60+ year career, lost a criminal case, not even one. The law could include all drivers of every mode of transportation. I know that every year, drunk motor boat drivers cause drowning deaths, and if they were texting, you could expect a similar catastrophe, so lawmakers should be chary of their wording, not to let any person who kills another person while texting or chatting be unaccountable.

And about that Massachusetts town issuing tickets for taboo speech? I had a business acquaintance once whose most distinguishing characteristic seemed to be prolifically using the "B" "C" "D" "F" "GD" and "Q" words any time the boss was not present. Years later, when I was no longer responsible for her conduct, her son called another young man several of the above, just as he learned it in her household, and the guy shot him. After that, every year she was holding a sign at every race rally held about how a mean white boy murdered her adopted black son. She took exactly ZERO responsibility for teaching that child his social vocabulary, but all recriminations aside, she has a dead son who was never once challenged on taboo speech. You may see some of my posts pointing out definitions of people's taboo speech vocabulary as I know them to be, and it's because of her son. No matter what happened, no matter the right or wrong of the situation, I'm sad that he was shot and killed by someone even more lacking in social graces than himself. Some sorrows tear the heart right out of a person's chest it seems.

Some people say more than they think. Massachusetts is trying to prevent murders by passing the cussing law. Taboo speech is a no-win proposition.

When people act worse than animals, you have to have some educational measures and easy-to-understand laws in place to keep them from eating each other's livers or at least controlling some of it. Mommies used to stay home and teach kids right from wrong. Times have changed, and I don't know how to turn back the clock to an age of innocence, do you?

 

[Cowman]

I don't understand why there's a specific ban on texting while driving. Texting while driving is distracted driving . . .why doesn't it fall under that?

Are there similar laws for riding a bike while distracted? How does one text and ride a bike at the same time? No hands? I didn't think many people could do that. If you're texting and get hit by a car then you get hit by a car. You can't fix stupid.

Here's another one. The article claims the tickets are an improvement and will cut down on police time on the matter. Um, hello? #1 anyone?

Mass. Town Could Start Issuing Tickets for Cursing

WGGB abc40/FOX 6: News, Weather, Sports: Springfield, MA - Home

Texting isn't just the act of typing. It's also the act of reading it.

Thousands of peopled have died from simply reading a text their friend or loved one sent them while driving.