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Friday, September 14, 2007

Reaction - Governor Arnold Bans Cell Phone Use for Minors

I really dispute the idea of Governor Arnold banning the use of cell phones while driving for people under the age of 18. See article here.

  • Why do we go after only teenagers that are able to be legal to drive (16 to 17.9)? This might sound strange, but it seems easier to pass laws and policies against people that are under the voting age because they can't vote to recall elected public officials. If they were to ban the use of cell phones to adults, then just watch voters get revenge on the governor by not supporting him. But when thinking of "protecting the children," it is easy to target children.
    • Think of it this way, some of those curfew policies that target under 18 year olds is not exactly fair because there is this stigma that people under 18 don't have a voice and can't complain, so adults always thinks of what is 'right' or 'wrong.'
  • Why not try to pass a law to use headsets? I drive with a bluetooth headset, even though the law for adults has not been enforced yet.
  • How the hell can you enforce the teenage cell phone ban law if the cops can't pull you over (see article)?
  • Did Arnold use those statistics from AAA about cell phone use?
    • Lets remember that statistics can lie and can be tweaked just right to make it in their favor.
      • Only 1,000 were surveyed. JUST HOW MANY TEENS LIVE IN THIS STATE?
      • If you were asked if you ever used a mobile device while you drive, nearly everyone would agree (even me, I've callled 911 at least once). If you worded the question differently, like do you use it everyday or at least three times a week, then the results would be drastically different.
      • Would the statistics be different if they asked the question:
        • Do you use a mobile device while driving without a headset?
        • Do you use a mobile device while driving with a headset?
    • How much money did AAA feed down Arnold's throat? Plus, the DMV contracts out AAA to do some of the car registration stuff at their offices, why do I have a feeling that this may be biased?
  • The decent thing I will say is, I don't support anyone using a mobile device like a PDA, notebook computer, or DVD player while driving. That's a little too extreme.
Here's a way to cheat the system you teenagers! Since cops can't pull you over for using a cell phone, attach a speakerphone to your car (bluetooth is now available) so that the cops won't see you put a phone to your ear.

Let's summarize my rants:
There's always another way to get around the system.
Statistics suck.

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