California Bans Texting While Driving; Lapdogs OK

Last week, California joined a number of other states around the country in banning text messaging while driving. The move was applauded by the Insurance Instititue for Highway Safety. Offending drivers will pay a first-time penalty of $25 and $50 every time after that.

However, a similar bill that would ban people from allowing their dogs to ride on their laps while driving will be vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. His camp said he would only sign bills that were high-priority. 

We don’t really see the distinction here, other than the fact that text messaging is probably more commonplace than irresponsible dog owners. 

Calif. lapdogs can stay just that in moving cars (­AP)

Comments

[Droopy Dog]

Dog owners- Do you love your dog? Then DO NOT put them in your lap, DO NOT let them climb there, DO NOT allow that behaviour. Should your airbag go off, for any reason, your dog will, in all likelihood, be killed. It's just about the worse place for your pet to be in an accident.

[Zerf]

Good job CA but I have to wonder how many people actually will get caught doing this and ticketed for it? Saw an idiot cruising down 495 doing 70 here in MA texting away while driving. (My wife actually saw it, I was doing something "stupid" like watching the road while I was driving.)

[Dave T.]

I see texting and driving everyday here in Chicago. Saw a guy this morning doing it in his Audi S5.

[kj]

Watch people texting while they are walking. It's funny how they can't walk straight. Now imagine them driving at 80 while texting. Too much can happen on the road at that speed while they are reading some stupid message. Texting should be banned in all 50 states.

[J]

Arnold Schwarzenegger's high priority apparently is the same as McCain.

[DL]

clearly all of these people are EXCELLENT drivers who can also perform feats such as parallel park blindfolded, etc. shame on me for needing both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road!

Zerf, i also get frustrated with some MA drivers ... my favorite is those who are on their cell phones and drive really slowly; when you speed up to pass them, they realize they're too darn slow and speed up, so you cannot pass safely and look like a fool failing a pass attempt.

[Zerf]

DL, I do see that a lot too. 45-55 one minute and 75+ the next. I am always yelling pick a speed as if it made any difference to them. :-)

[Skinner]

I saw what appeared to be a teacher correcting papers in the morning rush hour traffic a few weeks ago. So much for setting an example.

[J]

DL,

Just got to plan it and catch them off guard.

I sped up little by little, so that they don't realize, then cut over quick enough that I need to counter steer a bit.