[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Racoon

Ahhh.
I believe that cell-phone use/texting while driving is a danger to public safety.

However, the new laws against it here, in Washington & California, as Turtle alluded,is so that Police have another avenue in which to pull over a driver and make 'contact'.
Its another entry point for law enforcement.

I like the law though. People should pay attention to driving and not cell-phones and texting.

Just a technicality, but as I understand it law enforcement can not pull someone over just for the phone/text use; it is a secondary offense.

Hands-Free: The Washington State Cell-Phone Law & Text Messaging Ban

Washington State has two cell-phone related driving laws going into effect in 2008. The first one is EHB 1214 and takes effect on January 1st, 2008. EHB 1214 bans text messaging and makes it a traffic infraction; this is not a hands-free ordinance, but a complete ban on text messaging.

Like many of the other driving laws across the United States there are exceptions during emergency situations or for on-duty public safety personnel. This is a secondary enforcement law, which means that you will only receive a ticket if you have been pulled over for another driving violation. Like the hands-free violation, this infraction is not placed on your driving record or reportable to employers or insurance companies.

[sound of plastic breaking from rear of car] "The reason I pulled ya over is ya got a broken tailight."

"How 'bout I make 'contact' wit your skull boy!?"

[freeztar]

Doesn't everyone text their "American Idol Idle" votes?

[Jay-qu]

Its illegal here to drive and use your phone, but Im not sure what the laws on handsfree's are.. as you normally still need to click 'answer' and 'hang up'.

I also wonder how those laws translate to using your Ipod or PDA, what about choosing songs on your mp3 CD.. all distracting

[Mercedes Benzene]

It seems that everyone around here uses a phone while driving. I know my dad texts and sends emails from his blackberry while he's driving.... which is somewhat concerning.
DC now bans cellphone use while behind the wheel, but people can still be seen doing all throughout the metro region.

[alexander]

It's enough to make one get a cell disruptor.

or build one.

It is against the law to have a jammer in the US, it is not in Japan.... You can build one for about 150 bucks if you have the tools and a really really good grasp of electronics (for tools, i'm not talking about soldering iron, assuming most of you have that, well you will need a good soldering iron with heat control, but what i'm talking about is a good multimeter and a spectrum analyzer, board holder, good magnifying glass, and the most important tool is: lots of patience)... (and yes i do have links, the whole parts list, bread board designs, detailed instructions, firmware, everything, makes a jammer that will fit in a cigarette pack (unless you have an external antenna ofcourse, which increase range ) It can jam 2 bands at a time (ex 2.4ghz and 900MHz, which would jam all wifi, bluetooth, and gps devices, as well as all the GSM phones...) and with some reading and ordering slightly higher power parts, you can put out about 220mw on 1.9Ghz range (if you decide to block only cell signals) and about 400mw on 900MhZ.

I digress though, it is illegal, and if caught using such device, one can face up to 11,000 dollar charge and up to 1 year in jail, from your friends at the FCC...

Originally Posted by Your Friend at FCC

(m) Harmful interference. Any emission, radiation or induction that endangers the functioning of a radio navigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunications service operating in accordance with this Chapter.

including

(p) Kit. Any number of electronic parts, usually provided with a schematic diagram or printed circuit board, which, when assembled in accordance with instructions, results in a device subject to the regulations in this Part, even if additional parts of any type are required to complete assembly.

To wit:

The operation of transmitters designed to jam or block wireless communications is a violation of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended ("Act"). See 47 U.S.C. Sections 301, 302a, 333. The Act prohibits any person from willfully or maliciously interfering with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized under the Act or operated by the U.S. government. 47 U.S.C. Section 333. The manufacture, importation, sale or offer for sale, including advertising, of devices designed to block or jam wireless transmissions is prohibited. 47 U.S.C. Section 302a(b). Parties in violation of these provisions may be subject to the penalties set out in 47 U.S.C. Sections 501-510. Fines for a first offense can range as high as $11,000 for each violation or imprisonment for up to one year, and the device used may also be seized and forfeited to the U.S. government. (FCC website)

interesting, you can buy jammmers too from the UK, and they will ship to US and Europe...

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

dangit!!!! That stinks.

[alexander]

on a side note, it turns out that some PCB companies will not make the portable jammer boards (at least the ones from the jammer i was talking about) hehe

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

Must you kill all hope!
I still dream of the day when running a rolling phone booth is tantamount to driving while intoxicated...and dealt with just as severely.

[alexander]

yes, people that run a rolling phone booth, together with bad drivers, script kiddies and rednecks (with no guns) need to be put on an island in a "Lord of the Flies" situation, to prove, who is the most annoying.... now that's one reality show i would actually follow Oh the fantastic grand finale, when the volcano on the island explodes...

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by alexander

yes, people that run a rolling phone booth, together with bad drivers, script kiddies and rednecks (with no guns) need to be put on an island in a "Lord of the Flies" situation, to prove, who is the most annoying.... now that's one reality show i would actually follow Oh the fantastic grand finale, when the volcano on the island explodes...

I'd definitely watch that!