Seems like it would be pretty simple to disable the ability to text, using either the GPS embedded in high end phones, or by calcuating the speed of handoffs between cells. This could eliminate texting drivers. Keep the voice working, just remove the ability to do text at any more than walking speeds. Of course, this would mean that passengers in a car, bus or train would also lose mobile access…
A few close calls as both driver and cyclist at the opposite end of texting drivers has me thinking that way. Rather than enact laws, just have the service provider shut off data communication and leave a 14.4 kbps narrowband voice link up to the user. Should be quite simple to implement at the base station side.
People don’t get mad about a no texting law currently because its a shot in the dark if you actually would get caught. However if you take it away from commuters just because drivers are idiots. Everyone will be pissed at it would never pass.
Never really got why people text when driving, you should get you license suspended if caught. In Honolulu they just passed a cell phone and video game playing ban while driving. I asked the question who the hell plays there PSP while driving, and found out that one of my co-workers used to, WTF.
That was my second point i should have made. make the punishment an ACTUAL deterrent. Its like drafting in triathlons. if we started giving 10 min penalties instead of 2 in an olympic distance race people would be less likely to do it. Same thing with cell phones. if you give someone a 50 dollar fine they aren’t going to care. Lose their license however people start caring.
I just drove back from illinois today. Speeding in a work zone ticket STARTS at 375 dollars. What happens everyone goes 55 more or less. You go into iowa where its not posted what the fine is or that its a incredibly high one. Everyone does at least 10 over in the work zone.
I think it would actually be safer for everyone if the functionality is disabled at the base station. It would be a reasonably “simple” firmware change…just an “if-then-else” and then you just turn off the turbo decoding for the data stream for the user in question. Of course this does not support a revenue stream of tickets, but could actually prevent more accidents. I think it is like a sharp knife. Do you want to give it to a kid to play with and tell him what he can or cannot do, or just remove the knife as a option to play with.
IMO wouldnt it be more dangerous to block everything? People would devote even more attention trying to figure out why there shit isnt working, which means theyd pay even less attention to the road?
People don’t get mad about a no texting law currently because its a shot in the dark if you actually would get caught. However if you take it away from commuters just because drivers are idiots. Everyone will be pissed at it would never pass.
It always seems odd to me, that people get most upset about suggestions/rules/laws that fall under the category of common-sense. Common-sense, would/should say that texting in the car is not a good idea. Same for cell phone use.
Minor detail, since the jammers broadcast a radio signal…“illegal to operate, manufacture, import, or offer for sale, including advertising (Communications Act of 1934), with fines of up to $11,000 and imprisonment of up to one year”. Believe me…I’ve wanted to use one every time I go to a restaurant, movie, etc. Not sure if this still applies?
