We've had discussions here before about one line between legitimate government dictates (those aimed at keeping us from harming others) and inappropriate nannying (trying to keep us from hurting ourselves. The National Transportation Safety Board is jumping into an issue that sort of straddles the line by recommending that all 50 states enact bans on "driver use of personal electronic devices."
The NTSB has been investigating a deadly crash in Gray Summit, Missouri last year. A 19-year-old pickup driver sent 11 texts in the 11 minutes before before the accident, according to the NTSB, including one “right before impact.” The accident killed two people and injured 38.
“We will never know whether the driver was typing, reaching for the phone, or reading a text when his pickup ran into the truck in front of him without warning,” Hersman said in her opening statement.
“But, we do know he had been distracted — cognitively, manually, and visually — while driving.
“Driving was not his only priority.”
No need to belabor the obvious point that all kinds of things, from listening to the radio to eating a sandwich, can be distracting to a driver. Making driving the "only priority" while behind the wheel is the kind of common sense that can't be commanded by law, though heaven knows they keep trying. What's interesting here is that the NTSB's recommendation was spurred by its investigation into an accident caused by texting, which a number of states already ban, but it wants all use of devices banned, including talking on cell phones. People who complain that government never stops short of going too far may now mutter "Told you so, told you so."
Oh, and the biggest shock in the story:
While the NTSB investigates transportation and pipeline accidents and makes recommendations on safety rules and regulations, it has no power to implement them.
A federal agency that doesn't have the power to just make up rules and make us all follow them? Didn't know there was such a thing. It can only recommend and hope the states follow through? How very inefficient.
Comments
Yesterday in the span of less than 15 miles, I was nearly hit when cars veered from their lanes into mine. On Coldwater heading south towards Glenbrook a large Ford Truck went from the right lane to the left turn lane. My daughter saw him coming over, head down, looking at something with no hands on the wheel..
The other occurred on coliseum heading east at Northcrest. A car veered from the right lane nearly taking my rear passenger door out. The lady was looking down, no hands on the wheel.
The final was heading north on St. Joe when a car went from the right to the left, back to the right and then settled on the middle of the road. Again he was using a phone of some type.
Maybe instead of banning the use, a more non legislated move would be that when these idiots cause an accident, there are triple damages. Insurance companies would then raise rates based on risk. When it becomes to expensive to drive the idiots are off the road. But a new type of idiot would be created - driving without insurance. The problem with legislation is well intended legislation leads to mutant idiots.
The solution may be car companies creating a jamming device for cars moving to keep occupants from getting a signal. But then this takes a 20 year phase in. The average age of a car on the road is now at 11 years.
Just give it a little time, in the governments jihad to save every one in the country from anything bad ever happening to anyone anytime for any reason under any circumstance, they will ultimately get to the point where the national speed limit is lowered to 15 miles per hour, or whatever speed the NHTSA administration deems appropriate, maybe 14 or 18 mph.
Remember 5 to 7 years ago when I was complaining about the smoking ordinances & bans and I warned then that the government was coming after what you ate next??
How'd that work out for ya'll?
Well, if people only behaved responsibly, we wouldn't need big brother government. BUt they don't. Then again, we are government, so we are policing ourselves.
AJ
Andrew, that sounds kind of like when your mom says "That's why we can't ever nice things", heh..
We have a tunnel vision in this country, fueled by an ever growing group of people that believe with all their hearts it is the state's role to protect everyone from everything and it's just plain wrong. The examples are legion. I was being facetious before about the speed limit but it's certainly not out of the question.
Once the government solves this made up plague (yes accidents are awful, but they happen, people will be distracted by something else) they will find something else to regulate or outlaw "for the common good".
Sad thing is, so may of you just roll with the flow because to reject the government intervention would be tantamount to sponsoring the wanton death and destruction of lives....
sheesh..
maybe I want govt intervention to safeguard me from the irresponsible behavior of others
Leo, I think you'll find this interesting:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/news/distracted-driving-or-distracted-policymaking-why-the-proposed-car-cellphone-ban-is-wrong-6617334