Back when I was 14 (edit: forgot about when I had my Hardship DL), I had a Gameboy. Played Tetris on it.
First driving lesson from dad was throwing the Gameboy in my hand when behind the wheel and saying that if I top out while navigating traffic, I've got no business being behind a wheel, and anything anyone says about "video games improving coordination" is nonsense.
I'm 25 now. Drive daily. Have a CDL. Occasionally do 24-hour A-to-B runs. No accidents. The occasional ridiculous speeding ticket (56 in a 55 in Michigan's Upper Peninsula).
Point is, if you can't multitask on the road, then the problem is you. You shouldn't be allowed to drive. Period.
But thanks for the legislation. I'm sure it'll keep us safe, even though you've got Miss Makeup in the slow lane and Mr. Bluetooth Headset & Coffee and Doughnut in the fast lane.
Recently the NY Senate has been in the news about its inability to hold session and pass legislation because of disputes between party lines. And now they pass this bill...
...
FYI, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage has been sitting with the NY Senate for months. The NY House has already voted for it and Gov. Patterson has publicly stated intent to sign it. Even more frustrating, only two more votes are needed for the bill to pass, which pundits say could be easily attained.
And a ban on electronics while driving is what they use their time doing...
The legislative branch needs to be pruned from the tree.
EDIT: The point about this being a secondary offense but a police officer using a pretextual reason to give you the $150 fine cannot be stressed enough. There are numerous reasons a person can be given a citation for violating the traffic code that are rarely enforced. This law provides incentive for police to dig for a violation the police would otherwise turn a blind eye towards. Ex) Playing music too loud, spitting, improper signaling, hanging something from rear-view mirror, hands not at proper position on steering wheel, etc...
@billtheesquire: It's a start (I support the same-sex bill, even though it seems like a desperation move by Patterson to scrap up whatever support he can now).
Back on topic, it shouldn't be a secondary offense. It's reckless driving! Texting, gaming, hands-on calls, etc should be banned for the driver.
@Jon-Claw: Agreed, but I think the problem is that most people who want that done are also participating in these acts.
As for the same-sex bill, if we're really that close to getting it passed then hopefully we'll rake up those two votes soon. I think it's long overdue for the people that desire it.
I'm kind of surprised there wasn't a law that would already cover this in some way.
In the UK there has been a law for "careless driving" for years. Basically a blanket law that covers anything that could distract you from having your eyes on the road... Texting, fiddling with your stereo, arguing with someone in the back seat, headbanging too enthusiastically...
When you're driving, you have a responsibility not only to yourself but also to the pedestrians and other drivers.
Driving while being distracted by playing-- or playing while being distracted by driving (depends on the priority ;-) -- is dangerous. I don't see anything wrong with the legislation.
Don't make it sound as if they're singling out us gamers. When the law enforced hands-free mobile phones while driving, the lawmakers aren't singling out mobile phone fanboys. It's just making the roads a bit safer.
Now where's the belgian-waffle-makers-while-driving... fanboys who'd protest Owen's plan?
10/24/09
10/24/09
10/24/09
10/24/09
):< #djhero
10/24/09
I hope it becomes the norm. D #djhero
10/24/09
10/24/09
I'm still wary of getting the Empress LE after how shitty Troopers LE was in comparison to GOLD's LE. #djhero
10/24/09
10/24/09
Unlocked She is my Wife yet? (Best IIDX video ever.)
10/24/09
10/24/09
You CANNOT beat Mitsuru leading the Beatmania artists in para para dancing. It's not POSSIBLE.
(...though I would love a HHH vs Mitsuru piece. The video would destroy EVERYTHING.) #djhero
10/24/09
10/24/09
10/24/09
10/22/09
I'm signed up for the guest list, but damn. Did not see this coming.
Any Kotaku editors showing up tonight? #superstreetfighteriv
10/22/09
10/22/09
07/19/09
07/19/09
First driving lesson from dad was throwing the Gameboy in my hand when behind the wheel and saying that if I top out while navigating traffic, I've got no business being behind a wheel, and anything anyone says about "video games improving coordination" is nonsense.
I'm 25 now. Drive daily. Have a CDL. Occasionally do 24-hour A-to-B runs. No accidents. The occasional ridiculous speeding ticket (56 in a 55 in Michigan's Upper Peninsula).
Point is, if you can't multitask on the road, then the problem is you. You shouldn't be allowed to drive. Period.
But thanks for the legislation. I'm sure it'll keep us safe, even though you've got Miss Makeup in the slow lane and Mr. Bluetooth Headset & Coffee and Doughnut in the fast lane.
Our government needs a good dismantling.
07/19/09
...
FYI, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage has been sitting with the NY Senate for months. The NY House has already voted for it and Gov. Patterson has publicly stated intent to sign it. Even more frustrating, only two more votes are needed for the bill to pass, which pundits say could be easily attained.
And a ban on electronics while driving is what they use their time doing...
The legislative branch needs to be pruned from the tree.
EDIT: The point about this being a secondary offense but a police officer using a pretextual reason to give you the $150 fine cannot be stressed enough. There are numerous reasons a person can be given a citation for violating the traffic code that are rarely enforced. This law provides incentive for police to dig for a violation the police would otherwise turn a blind eye towards. Ex) Playing music too loud, spitting, improper signaling, hanging something from rear-view mirror, hands not at proper position on steering wheel, etc...
07/19/09
Back on topic, it shouldn't be a secondary offense. It's reckless driving! Texting, gaming, hands-on calls, etc should be banned for the driver.
07/19/09
As for the same-sex bill, if we're really that close to getting it passed then hopefully we'll rake up those two votes soon. I think it's long overdue for the people that desire it.
07/19/09
Game is tough, I tell ya what. >:{
07/19/09
In the UK there has been a law for "careless driving" for years. Basically a blanket law that covers anything that could distract you from having your eyes on the road... Texting, fiddling with your stereo, arguing with someone in the back seat, headbanging too enthusiastically...
07/19/09
Driving while being distracted by playing-- or playing while being distracted by driving (depends on the priority ;-) -- is dangerous. I don't see anything wrong with the legislation.
Don't make it sound as if they're singling out us gamers. When the law enforced hands-free mobile phones while driving, the lawmakers aren't singling out mobile phone fanboys. It's just making the roads a bit safer.
Now where's the belgian-waffle-makers-while-driving... fanboys who'd protest Owen's plan?