I hate being told what to do. I hate it even more when its the government telling me what to do. Its not their job. They're here to take care of defense matters and the occasional federal court ruling, but that's where it should end.
Take seat belt laws. Seat belts are a good idea, but if I don't wear one and get killed in an accident, I've got no one to blame but myself. I have to admit, when seat belt laws first came into effect I refused to wear one out of rebellion. Eventually common sense prevailed ... I am a Republican.
The same goes for helmets, cell phones, and a plethora of other "protective" laws that seem to be all the rage. Last week Chicago enacted its new "hands free" law. It will cost you $50 if you're caught talking on your cell without a headset and $200 if you cause an accident.
However, that's only within the city itself, not the surrounding suburbs. This leads to some interesting questions, since my daily commute takes me from the burbs into the city. At what point exactly do I have to start using my headseat? If I cause an accident while my left rear tire is still in the suburbs, is the fine reduced? And how will anyone prove I've been on the phone if I throw it out the window at the moment of impact?
The day before the law went into effect last week, its sponsor, Alderman Burt Natarus (D-42nd), was interviewed on the morning news. He said we shouldn't think of the law as a punishment, but rather as an oppportunity for us to (and yes, this is a direct quote) "keep at least two hands on the wheel while we're driving." Finding a third hand on my steering wheel would distract me more than any phone conversation I've ever had.
Personally, I love my headset. For one thing, it alleviates that nasty crick I get in my neck from trying to squish a 3 centimeter thick phone between my ear and shoulder. And it makes it so much easier for me to talk with my hands while I'm driving. But I still want to be able to pick up my phone for a 3 second conversation without shelling out more money to the government. Are Chicago's finest so bored with the local crime scene that they need more reasons to stop vehicles? What would make more sense is to simply increase the fine for any traffic incident that involves a distraction, including your mascara wand, and leave those of us with common sense alone.
1 comment:
I don't like things being government mandated,
but I must admit, these cellphone-while-driving laws make a good excuse for avoiding people. Especially when I drive upwards of 3 hours a day.
seatbelt laws are a joke though. i wear one anyways, cause your stupid if you dont. but if your dumbass wants to take yourself out of the gene pool, my tax dollars dont want to stop you....
bith.
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