Monday, January 26, 2009
New Texas House bill seeks to ban eating while driving
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A bill proposed by State Rep. Chente Quintanilla (D-El Paso) would make eating, shaving, or applying makeup while driving against the law in Texas.
The bill, HB 738, would create the offense of “Inattentive Driving” which would allow fines for various traffic offenses to be doubled if the person who committed the offense was driving while reading, writing, performing personal grooming (including applying makeup, shaving or other personal grooming tasks), consuming a food or beverage, interacting with a pet, interacting with a vehicle passenger, using a personal communications device (including a radio, CD player, cell phone, pager fax machine (!), GPS device or text messaging device), or engaging in “any other activity that prevents the operator from safely operating the motor vehicle."

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Comments
luniz Anonymous
booooooooooo
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Michael Davis Verified
What is "interacting with a vehicle passenger?"
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
RollingThunder1975 Anonymous
I think that would be intimate relations while driving :)
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Jason Rice Verified
For cash money I won't make the obvious and unwholesome connection.
Bidding starts at $5
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Rick Yost Verified
I'm sorry...let me stop laughing long enough to post this.
Hey kids, this is that paranoid old guy who's always griping about the loss of individual rights.
But hey, this is just another LAW they want to pass to make your lives better. And they know they'll get it passed eventually. You've let 'em do what they want so far. Cheers!
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
John McClelland Verified
The drive thru daiquiri business is so dead.
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
pabloindallas Anonymous
Another Dem playing dictator to the Great Unwashed.
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Travis Bush Verified
So all those Tom Tom users are gonna be breaking the law?
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Jason Rice Verified
Now Yost - It's just the first volley. Their real goal is to keep us from eating high sodium high fat foods in the car "you know, for the children" so they start big so they can compromise
I friggin' wish!
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Jesus Valadez Verified
Oh hell no! I just bought a $500 TomTom!
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Chris Kidd Verified
I have a feeling this bills going to be paired down greatly before it goes up for a vote. The GPS/Radio and interacting w/ passenger provisions will most certainly be cut out
9 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
texxgirl Anonymous
What's next? Cars with no cup holders or radios...lol) This was nice comic relief for me today.
9 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
willied53 Anonymous
We really need to keep these Californians out of Texas.
9 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
c0ldgirl Anonymous
Some of the provisions I really like and will do all of us some good. I am scared of how far reaching into my pocket this could go though. Guess I won't be needing my "Hang up and drive. The gas is on the right." sign anymore.
9 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
tx_dem41 Anonymous
I believe there is already a legal charge which covers the misuse of any of the listed items....it's called reckless driving.
9 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Kevin Kunreuther Verified
1.)@tex_dem41 GOOD ICON!!! 2.)If we're really going to eliminate all distractions from the driver, I propose adding to this bill the following amendments: (a) all passengers have to SHUT UP or immediately depart the vehicle. (b) personal grooming includes cleaning out your nasal cavities with fingers or other viable, especially in view of other drivers on the road. The fine for this infraction shall increase a hundredfold if the driver not only removes detritus from nasal cavities in view of other drivers but deposits such detritus in the mouth and swallows, followed by licking of lips and repeating of infraction again. (c)masturbating or stimulating one's genitalia while operating a motor vehicle is a definite no-no! (d)no bumper stickers or designs or art or messages on vehicle that would distract other operators of motor vehicles.
9 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Travis Bush Verified
Kevi, I agree, except detritus tastes so good! :D
9 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
Some things have to change, while sleeping while driving is another law they should pass....if your on cruse control......A/T, When cars fly so will man again.
9 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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