The G Man

I agree, but in order for any law to work, they have to go together. The goverment can use a portion of that fine to raise the enforcement rate.

IS-SV

Next we can talk about raising a big fat tax on that dangerous cell phone.

mmarshall

You're probably already paying various Federal/State/Local taxes, charges, and fees on it.....check the list on your monthly bill/statement.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

once the fine is high enough, law enforcement will start to love enforcing that. greed comes into play, always. why do you think highway patrols look for cars that are over 15mph from speed limit? that's coz' that's in the next fine bracket (here in ca) and it's more money. simple as that

if fine for holding cell phone is like 1000 bucks every time, and when state budget is tight? i can already tell you what's going to happen

mmarshall

It's not just fine brackets. That's not the only reason. Once you get more than 10-15 MPH over the limit, the conviction rate in traffic court becomes easier for cops and prosecutors, because there are fewer excuses/alibis for speeding such as speedometer error, low readings from oversized wheels/tires, momentary distractions, poorly-designed instrument readouts, etc....

rominl

iTrader: (4)

there are other reasons, but believe me, fine is the primary, especially when a chp admitted that to me "if i am going to pull over someone for speeding anyway, why not pull over one that can get more money? sometimes i will even wait to get those who are 30mph over"

mmarshall

30 MPH over the limit (may) carrry a reckless-driving charge as well (here in VA it is 20 MPH over).

Back on topic (cell phones), that brings up an interesting idea. Fines for cell-phone use whie driving may not deter a lot of people, but (maybe) points on one's license and a reckless-driving charge for driving while distracted will. Perhaps that (might) be overdoing it, but it would surely open some eyes.

IS-SV

Yes I have looked at the fine print, but some of those charges are fake taxes (cell phone companies are known for this practice) they are actually just fees to generate additional revenue. There are no big fat taxes (yet), but I did mention that might be the next step once the phones are deemed as "dangerous", like a sin tax on booze, ciggies..

The G Man

A cop can sit on the side of any highway and pull over poeple all day long, he or she probably couldnt write tickets fast enough. They have to pick and choose who they pull over.