Kansas might outlaw driving while stupid

The Wichita Eagle had a big story this weekend about inattentive driving and how it plays a bigger role in wrecks than people realize. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it's the leading cause of crashes nationwide.

A state committee's looking at way to reduce traffic deaths, and they're expected to recommend a state law against inattentive driving. Not sure exactly what that means, though. Obviously, it'd probably include reading a magazine while behind the wheel -- something I actually saw another driver doing in Midtown last week.

But what about fiddling with your car stereo? Or swigging your coffee?

Comments

[T :)]

Or talking on your phone..or putting make-up on..or yelling at your kids to stop fighting...

[G]

ALL of those should be offenses punishable by a loss of license.

Basically here's how i want the law to work: I have a device in my car that allows me to enter license plate numbers of idiot drivers. These numbers are entered into a system, and the driver receives a mailed notification that their license has been suspended for 30 days for driving like an *#*(@#^.

A third offense results in a permanent suspension of their license.

If there are a few other people around the area who aren't idiot drivers, maybe, just maybe, we let them have a device too.

[blondie2hot7]

LOL G: What about crocheting while driving, is that ok?

I want one of those idiot devices!!

[T :)]

What gives YOU the right to say who is an idiot driver? What if someone got ahold of one of these devices and started sending in anyone's license plate numbers? You would have completely innocent people losing their licenses for no reason. Makes no sense G, nice try though

[blondie2hot7]

LOL T: I can tell you the horror stories that I have seen first hand of people doing everything but driving while behind the wheel.. OMG!!

I agree T, those devices could cause people to wreck anyhow!!G: What were you thinking? If you are typing in a plate number, you could WRECK!!

[BS Steve]

Neat, more restrictions this law isnt going to stay even if they get it through give these people 6 months with it lmfao.

[BS Steve]

This law would do away with the probable cause for sure just think driving down the street sipping on a soda and a cop decides to pull you over what a joke and people are falling for it everytime because they think they can out drive everyone else no one is perfect although you may think you are.

[blondie2hot7]

That would really be a joke
A ticket for drinking your coke!

I think that law will never pass
Congress will soon run out of gas!

[blondie2hot7]

I'm driving home in my cool car
Who cares if I just left the bar?

I stopped to eat at taco bell
Now here I sit inside a cell?

What on earth could I have done?
Ordered a big mac upon a bun?

***lol***
I have to get this outta my system this morning..

[BS Steve]

Well blondie their reference as an example is taking a sip of coffee and I am sure it would purtain to any drink so I used my favorite "Coke" lol as I do not drink coffee along with alot of other peeps.

[G]

Wondered if anyone would take my idea seriously...thanks T :)

Simply purveying the frustration that all of us competent drivers have everytime we set out on the road. Would be great if we could just zap the idiots right off the road as we come across them.

Just substitute your name for mine in my post and you'll love the idea.

[joel]

every vehicle should be equipped with a car phone, with the corresponding numer the same as the license plate. that way you can call someone and tell them how awful a driver they are.

[T :)]

LOL joel

[blondie2hot7]

lol joel..
But in all seriousness, if we let everyone have a call in device that could open a can of worms. They would have people calling in on people they don't like.. That could get hairy G..

[blondie2hot7]

G: Maybe they could come up with some kind of GPS system that could track the driver on all sides of you (front-back-either side) and then you just push a button, and it has a camera to take a picture of the image, and it automatically goes to the highway patrol?
Things that make ya say hmmmmm??

[blondie2hot7]

Oooooooops!! We have to name it...........The all new "IDD" device.. Inattentive Driving Detector.......

[openmind]

While I would love to see some of the idiot drivers off the road, I dont see anyway that they could properly enforce this law. Like Steve said, it would essentially do away with probable cause.

[blondie2hot7]

I sure don't either openmind. The police wouldn't have time to go on emergency calls.. What would they do if someone called for back up? Say "I'm sorry, but I'm taking someone into custody that has obviously been eating a Whopper."

I guess if you don't have it in your hand, if you have ketchup and mayo running down your chin, that would give them probable cause?

[Jeff]

What about stupid looking drivers? can we get them off the streets too? While we are at it, anyone whose car looks as though duct tape and bungy cords are the only thing keeping it together, and anyone driving a moped or any other form of scooter has got to go.

[blondie2hot7]

LOL jeff: That would get rid of about 1/2 of the drivers on the road!!

[blondie2hot7]

I meant, off the dang road!!

[blondie2hot7]

Nevermind the correction, it was worded right the 1st time...I got up too early!

[G]

I've revised my law to make it more effective: Instead of calling in their DL# to the police, all new cars will be equipped with a self destruct mechanism that can be activated by remote from up to 1/2 mile away. I will be given the remote, and can instantly incinerate all idiot drivers at my convenience.

That should address all previous concerns.

[blondie2hot7]

G: I want to know if you slept well this weekend, or did you just have a bad weekend?

_________ _____________

Sign on the dotted line if you just had a bad weekend.

[jamie]

Interesting that the NHTSA is not blaming drunk driving for this one too!

[G]

Sorry blondie. Had a good weekend, having an awful morning though. Felt vindictive since i woke up for some reason.

I usually don't advocate blowing up cars or cults...but this morning it seems just peachy for some reason.

[Halcyon]

I recently addressed this issue with the city councilwoman for my ward in Olathe. I received a speeding ticket in Olathe in July after swerving to avoid a woman who was talking on her cell phone. The cop even acknowledged seeing the woman on her phone, but said that inattentive driving is not an offense unless she causes an accident. The city councilwoman for Olathe actually had the chief of police for Olathe call me at home to discuss the matter. I still had to pay the ticket =), but it made me feel a bit better knowing that someone had at least acknowledged my frustration. This would be a very welcome addition to traffic laws in the Metro in my opinion. (Provided it would actually be enforced)

[blondie2hot7]

Ok G: Then we can skip the signing thing.. I hope the rest of your day is better :)

But, you have to LOVE my IDD idea..LOL

[Bob]

Remember the little guns kids used to have that shot the little arrows with the suction cups on them?

Everybody should have one in their car and when you see someone driving like an idiot, you shoot one at their car. When the police see a car going down the road with these all over the car, they can pull them over and give them a ticket for being stupid!

[blondie2hot7]

That is not right hal, if a cop see's a driver doing that, they should be ticketed for inattentive driving..

And, my IDD idea, just gave me an idea!!

Just like the "cha cha cha chia"
"IDD idea!!" LOL
Sounding better!! (might have to throw a few more D's in there!!

[blondie2hot7]

Dang Bob, then we'd all be "drive by shooters!" We can't have that!!

[blondie2hot7]

Ok, I'm feeling creative today..
The new item will be

The ID-IDD ID-YA."

***LOL****

[slh]

I'm just curious. How many of the advocates for safe driving have I been behind, doing 30 mph in a 35 mph zone? Sometimes a tendancy to be TO safe is no better than being reckless.

[blondie2hot7]

*****Raising my hand*******

[Twisted]

I tend to agree with my 13 year old son who doesn't even possess a drivers license yet. But he recognizes the stupidity on the road. The DMV needs to have a more detailed testing system prior to giving out a drivers license in the first place! Or what about issuing an IQ test before you can pass? Maybe that will help rule out the idiots.

[blondie2hot7]

Actually, I retract that statement slh.. I meant, I have been behind people doing 30 in a 35. Whats worse, is getting behind someone doing 40 in a 70mph zone!!

[blondie2hot7]

Twisted: We would have a bunch of politicians being chauffered around if they did that!!

[blondie2hot7]

Wait, that's already happening,. Maybe it's manditory they take an IQ test along with the drivers test in Topeka!

[BS Steve]

I thought that was how politicians got around blondie.

I figured it was the excuse they used as not being in the real world to come up with stupid excuses for laws like this.

You know it isnt me having to deal with it state of mind they all seem to be in now days.

[blondie2hot7]

You must of posted that before you read my other comment Steve. Too true

[Halcyon]

Bob - I asked the same thing myself and got the same answer even when I spoke with the chief of police in Olathe. She actually said that they could see you driving down the road reading the newspaper, and they couldn't ticket you unless you caused an accident, because inattentive driving is not a ticketable offense unless an accident occurs in Olathe. (And Johnson County as a whole I think)

[blondie2hot7]

HAL, this police chief actually seen BOB driving down the road reading a newspaper?? OH mYY! What technology!!
shame on you BOB! LOL

[Sandra]

With all the added features of some new cell phones, one could talk on his cell while listening to his fave songs, take photos and watch tv all at the same time while driving in rush hour traffic.

[blondie2hot7]

I agree sandra: They have too much stuff to complicate our minds.

[B]

There has to be some criteria set that is reasonable. I would like to have an old car with a cow catcher on it (from an old train) and be able to shove them off the road when necessary.

I have seen a woman drinking coffee from a china cup and saucer, and on another day eating cereal from a bowl while driving. Seen men shaving, reading the newspaper (that makes me really nervous), watching the scenery and not looking forward. letting their fluffy little dog sit on their lap waving his tail while they are trying to see. (women do this do, but I have seen mostly men (they are not always chick magnets guys.)

Women (I hate to say it mostly women) smoking, talking on the cell and turning at the same time and not looking in the direction of the turn. I am sure there are more.

[b.]

How about the people that cant drive at least 60 mph on highway that cause alot of problems on the roads. All your ever hear about is the young drivers. Well I drive on the road alot and i can tell you that the older people are a bigger problem than the kids that are just starting out.

[Don]

I look up and somebody is trying to lane change without looking in mirror to see somebody already occupying the lane next to them. I comment tha driver had handicapped plate on back of thier car. My duaghter said it was a kansas plate . I said that was a handicapped plate. dumbasses.

[Tim]

this is a stupid idea

[puzzled]

I have seen police officers chatting on their cell phones while driving their patrol cars......who would go after them?

[puzzled]

Volunteers?? lol