Letters
Comply with the law
It's time to write about more important issues than the complaints of those who supported same-sex marriage and are having difficulty accepting defeat. I read the letter from Martha Palmer (Nov. 10) who accused the Sun Journal of being juvenile for using the term "torpedoed" reporting the vote on Question 1. I didn't find that insulting but, rather, quite humorous.
More important is the distracted driving law that was recently passed. One would never know it, because many drivers continue to ignore it. Almost daily I see someone driving while holding a cell phone in one hand, a cigarette in the other hand, and trying to drink coffee at the same time.
Those who get caught violating the law, in addition to being fined, should have their licenses suspended for 90 days, or one year if they cause an accident. Insurance companies should notify their clients that violation of the law might adversely affect their auto insurance rate.
In 2006, I was nearly killed in a head-on collision by a driver talking on her cell phone. Both cars were totaled. I sustained multiple injuries, requiring emergency surgery, and remained comatose for four days. I also required months of rehabilitation, more surgery, and suffered permanent hearing loss.
It is imperative that drivers comply with the cell phone use law, for their own safety and the safety of others.
Robert P. Lacombe, Sabattus
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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest
The distracted driving law
The distracted driving law does not prohibit talking on a cell phone whils driving. It does allow cops the discretion to say that using a cell phone or anything else is causing a distraction to your driving. If you can talk and still pay attention to your driving you are not breaking any laws.
That's the beauty of the
That's the beauty of the term "distracted driving". This means that individuals scolding children in the backseat not paying attention to the road can be issued a citation. It's an all encompassing term that covers a variety of distractions. I don't believe it was intended solely for "cell phone use"
edit: duplicate post.
edit: duplicate post. Apparently I am "posting challenged"
verified Maybe, Robert-you just may
Maybe, Robert-you just may be one of many unfortunate candidates to push for stricter laws. Maybe it could give you some peace and comfort that you are doing the right thing and could possibly saving the lives of others before cell phone driving kills another person (cuz its certainly not the first time). I agree that people should not be using cell phones while driving. I think the scariest I've seen was a semi driving through a red light.
As for NO on 1... this has only just begun and its rather exciting! =]
verified I agree, that cell phone
I agree, that cell phone users are overly distracted. People are overly comfortable in the car, and forget that they are operating and are responsible for a 5000+ lb torpedo traveling at a high velocity. I think that people who have been responsible for an accident attributed to multi tasking should result in the same higher insurance rates that drunk drivers get.
And what about those
And what about those distracted by the radio, or kids in the backseat, or passengers in the front? What would you do to the fender benders caused by leaf peeping in the fall? Or those who drive 5 miles an hour whie trying to find an address? Find a real issue and stop making ones up in order to complain about. There has been no empirical data showing an increase in accidents on par with the increase of cell phone usage. Sure, it happens, but not on a scale that those who want to run your life for you would have you believe. Government is in your car enough already, do we really need to invent more reasons? If it bothers you that much, store the car and go ride the bus.
"Reasoning with a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. " Pirate
verified Actually, there have been
Actually, there have been many studies that show that cell phone use has increased the number of accidents. The Highway Safety Commission has released stats if you want to check. Also, Maine is not the only state in the union to do this, just the latest. Also, many Mainers, like myself, live in areas without buses or a taxi service. The radio doesn't need to be played with, just set it before you drive off and live with it, or turn it off. If your kids don't know how to behave in the car, pull over and teach them. If your passanger requires all your attention off driving, then don't have a passenger. Common sense makes people responsible for themselves, which is why it's no longer used and must at times be legislated.
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