New laws

By Art
August 1st, 2008 @ 10:26 AM Driving, Government, Ranting

The Star Tribune has an overview of the new laws that go into effect today. Click it (click it harrrrrrrrrrd) for the whole list.

One that makes me kind of happy is this one:

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS, AND GETTING DATA: All closed meetings of a government body must be electronically recorded, unless prohibited by attorney-client privilege. The recordings must be preserved for at least three years. A judge may award attorneys’ fees in a case where a government body violated the law.

<3 government transparency.

HOWEVER, I’m a little ranty about this whole texting while driving (or, as a local TV news outlet has put it, “driving while intexticated”). Don’t get me wrong, texting while you drive is ridiculous. Seriously. Pay attention to the road. Here’s the overview:


DRIVING AND TEXTING: During the first six months, newly licensed drivers under age 18 cannot carry more than one passenger under age 20 unless they are immediate family members. During the next six months, they cannot carry more than three such passengers.

In addition, newly licensed drivers under 18 cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. during the first six months unless they are going between their home and a job or school event and there is no other transportation. The provision does not apply if the driver is accompanied by a licensed driver at least 25 years old.

As of today, it is also illegal FOR ANY DRIVER to text message when a vehicle is in motion or part of traffic.

It seems to me the reason this law was passed is because texting while driving takes your eyes (and attention) off the road. The thing is, we already have a law for that: it’s called reckless driving. Let’s say it becomes really popular for people to drive while blindfolded. Should congress pass a law forbidding blindfolded driving, or should cops just start ticketing (and, perhaps, arresting) people for idiotic reckless driving? If a person is endangering other people due to their texting while driving, ticket them with reckless driving. It’s not hard.

At least we have more new laws, eh?

5 Comments so far

  1. Erica M (ericam) on August 1st, 2008 @ 10:44 am

    This texting while driving thing pisses me off. The statue is 169.475, but the statute listing on the state’s website has not yet been updated. Here’s the relevant portion of the law:

    Sec. 38. [169.475] USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE.Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section, "electronic message" means a self-contained piece of digital communication that is designed or intended to be transmitted between physical devices. An electronic message includes, but is not limited to, e-mail, a text message, an instant message, a command or request to access a World Wide Web page, or other data that uses a commonly recognized electronic communications protocol. An electronic message does not include voice or other data transmitted as a result of making a phone call, or data transmitted automatically by a wireless communications device without direct initiation by a person.Subd. 2. Prohibition on use. No person may operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device to compose, read, or send an electronic message, when the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic.Subd. 3. Exceptions. This section does not apply if a wireless communications device is used:(1) solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode;(2) for making a cellular phone call;(3) for obtaining emergency assistance to (i) report a traffic accident, medical emergency, or serious traffic hazard, or (ii) prevent a crime about to be committed;(4) in the reasonable belief that a person’s life or safety is in immediate danger; or(5) in an authorized emergency vehicle while in the performance of official duties.

  2. moe (emoeby) on August 1st, 2008 @ 11:25 am

    I’m more annoyed with the part you quoted rather than the texting. When I first got my license, I would pick up my two neighborhood friends and take them to school. We were carpooling. So now for those first six months, we would have been required to add an extra car to the road, and for no good reason. That just doesn’t make any sense to me.

  3. Art (artallen) on August 1st, 2008 @ 11:27 am

    Heh. Meant to quote the other part. I’ll include them both ^^

  4. lexicon on August 1st, 2008 @ 11:45 am

    The main thrust of the texting-while-driving bit is that this new law makes it a primary offense. That means cops can ticket you if they see you in the driver’s seat texting, even if you’re stopped in traffic, and even if you’re not violating any other traffic laws.

    They don’t need to see you driving recklessly now.

    Personally, I like the restrictions on new drivers. They are the highest-risk group of drivers and there’s plenty of "good reason" to limit the times they can drive and how many other people are in the car with them distracting them. It’s only for six months, which probably feels long to a 16 year old, but that’s not an unreasonable amount of time for a new driver to gain some driving skills.

    Maybe I’d feel differently if I weren’t a motorcyclist; young drivers (and minivan drivers, who are simply evil) have been the cause of most of my close-calls.

  5. David (jacc) on August 1st, 2008 @ 1:57 pm

    I like new laws. They make me feel safe and I can sleep at night knowing the criminals are really in for it this time.


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