got to love Mass government??????

[Doug MacIVER]

if this gets classified as political so be it. this is a public safety issue! Mass hand free stuck for a year in Mass house. we all know this a blue state to the nth degree, where is there concern for protecting us on the roads?
http://www.wcvb.com/article/as-texting-bill-stalls-lobbyists-cash-in/22120327

 

[sportbikerider78]

I don't see why it is worse killing someone because you are a horrible driver, or killing someone because you were texting your mom about where to eat dinner. In one case, you can prosecute because the driver was distracted...in the other they suck at driving and walk away with a minor ticket, if any.
Either way, someone is dead. In one case, you can prove someone was obviously neglectful, but who cares?

Bad drivers that have lots of accidents need to get their licences pulled. It doesn't happen.

If you are waiting for the nanny state to protect you on the roads, I wouldn't hold your breath.

 

[Doug MacIVER]

no difference in a death or accident. here in Mass you will pay for one or the other.
why have licenses, stop lts and signs, speed limits ect.. in my short drive to work each day, its seems that more times than should be people are crossing center lines or weaving all over the place. intersections get real fun at times and it's the one on a phone "nekcuf ti pu". I really don't see a nanny here just some common sense.
as an aside, our Mass legislature does this all the time. they take stuff, nothing gets done here fast with the exceptions of their pay raises or taxes.
took and pissed away millions upon millions to Conn. before opening casinos. one could go on and on, but on the OP, put me down as not quite as cynical as you

 

[bholler]

I don't see why it is worse killing someone because you are a horrible driver, or killing someone because you were texting your mom about where to eat dinner. In one case, you can prosecute because the driver was distracted...in the other they suck at driving and walk away with a minor ticket, if any.
Either way, someone is dead. In one case, you can prove someone was obviously neglectful, but who cares?

Bad drivers that have lots of accidents need to get their licences pulled. It doesn't happen.

If you are waiting for the nanny state to protect you on the roads, I wouldn't hold your breath.

You do realize people get charged in fatal accidents plenty of times right? And bad drivers do get their licences pulled as well. I dont understand the resoning that we shouldnt bother trying to stop one dangerous thing simply because there are other things that are dangerous. We might as well have no laws at all with that reasoning.

 

[sportbikerider78]

You do realize people get charged in fatal accidents plenty of times right? And bad drivers do get their licences pulled as well. I dont understand the resoning that we shouldnt bother trying to stop one dangerous thing simply because there are other things that are dangerous. We might as well have no laws at all with that reasoning.

I know many deaths off hand where the driver is charged for "failing to yield" or something ridiculous and they are still driving.

The reasoning is that we should enforce existing laws that make driving safer instead of making new laws. Let's make people better drivers with more training instead of issuing DL's like candy to any 15 yr old that can see straight.

 

[bholler]

I know many deaths off hand where the driver is charged for "failing to yield" or something ridiculous and they are still driving.

The reasoning is that we should enforce existing laws that make driving safer instead of making new laws. Let's make people better drivers with more training instead of issuing DL's like candy to any 15 yr old that can see straight.

So your thoughts are that we should ignore all new problems untill we completly resolve any old ones???

And btw most states dont give licences at 15 and i dont know any that dont require testing beyond an eye exam.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Doesnt help that Mass. is drowning in Debt. One of a half dozen states that cant fund itself anymore. It will be interesting to see how these states handle the insolvency issue going forward.

 

[Doug MacIVER]

Doesnt help that Mass. is drowning in Debt. One of a half dozen states that cant fund itself anymore. It will be interesting to see how these states handle the insolvency issue going forward.

here I go again, political, they will just increase fees and taxes. put forth a 20 year study to figure if there are other solutions?!?

 

[sportbikerider78]

Mass. is drowning in Debt.

Perfectly predictable.

 

[fbelec]

i being a mass resident and drive these roads way more than i like think that there should be a very high price to pay if caught texting. 9 out of 10 stupid moves or sitting thru a green light are from dopes texting or holding the phone in the air instead of up against their face and they can't see on the side they got the phone in the air. what should be done is the phone company's who ever they may be should set the phone using the gps so that if the phone is moving 5 mph or more the phone goes into i'm driving mode and doesn't work until the car is stopped. they have it set up to do it manually but should be automatic. that will leave to the cops that see someone at a green light with their head down to get a nice ticket

 

[bholler]

i being a mass resident and drive these roads way more than i like think that there should be a very high price to pay if caught texting. 9 out of 10 stupid moves or sitting thru a green light are from dopes texting or holding the phone in the air instead of up against their face and they can't see on the side they got the phone in the air. what should be done is the phone company's who ever they may be should set the phone using the gps so that if the phone is moving 5 mph or more the phone goes into i'm driving mode and doesn't work until the car is stopped. they have it set up to do it manually but should be automatic. that will leave to the cops that see someone at a green light with their head down to get a nice ticket

Not a bad idea but that would mean passengers and commuters on busses and trains couldnt use their phones either.

 

[bholler]

Doesnt help that Mass. is drowning in Debt. One of a half dozen states that cant fund itself anymore. It will be interesting to see how these states handle the insolvency issue going forward.

Does that include the midwester and southern states who receive more federal aid than they pay in federal taxes?

 

[Ashful]

The trouble with distracted driving is that it makes folks who might be otherwise competent drivers, momentarily very dangerous. Unfortunately, auto makers are only making this problem unavoidably worse, with touch-screen computers built into the dash board of every car, and it’s not just the folks who try to program the GPS in a moving vehicle who are guilty of this. I used to be able to adjust the radio or the climate control in my cars, without ever taking my eyes off the road, but now that’s impossible with a touch screen. They lack the basic tactile feedback that one requires to perform basic operations in the vehicle, without taking your eyes off the road. I am really surprised there has not been any legislation against these ergonomic decisions on the part of auto makers, not only from our own government, but from some of the more progressively safety conscious (ahem... Germany).

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Does that include the midwester and southern states who receive more federal aid than they pay in federal taxes?

They all receive too much federal aid. Which will cease when the borrowed money runs out.

 

[bholler]

They all receive too much federal aid. Which will cease when the borrowed money runs out.

But most states on the west coast and the north east pay in more in taxes than they receive in aid. Those states that pay more than they receive are also many of the ones in financial trouble. Maybe if they didnt have to cover the bill for those other states they would be in better shape.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

WHat

Maybe if they didnt have to cover the bill for those other states they would be in better shape.

What you seem to be saying is ,the Govt should to develop a formula to pay only to each state benefits only up to the amount they pay in taxes. I dont think ANYONE is covering the bill. The Govt is just borrowing the money to cover it. And we all know that 20T will NEVER be paid back. A hell of a way to run a country(Into the ground).

 

[bholler]

WHat

What you seem to be saying is ,the Govt should to develop a formula to pay only to each state benefits only up to the amount they pay in taxes. I dont think the richer states ARE covering the bill. The Govt is just borrowing the money to cover it. And we all know that 20T will NEVER be paid back. A hell of a way to run a country(Into the ground).

I agree it is a mess. And no the states who pay more than they get dont pay near enough to cover the shortfall of the other states. But dont act like those other states are any better simply because they rely on the federal govt to cover their states budget short falls.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

You cant give away free stuff then complain when its taken. Im sayin stop giving away so much free stuff paid for with borrowed money. Its not about any state better than another. Each state is responsible for its own budget. Mass knows what the rules in place are. Other states are not responsible for what it does with its budget. The fault for the percieved inequity lies in the Fed Govt wanting to be all things to all people ,and do it with someone elses borrowed money.

 

[BrotherBart]

The trouble with distracted driving is that it makes folks who might be otherwise competent drivers, momentarily very dangerous. Unfortunately, auto makers are only making this problem unavoidably worse, with touch-screen computers built into the dash board of every car, and it’s not just the folks who try to program the GPS in a moving vehicle who are guilty of this. I used to be able to adjust the radio or the climate control in my cars, without ever taking my eyes off the road, but now that’s impossible with a touch screen. They lack the basic tactile feedback that one requires to perform basic operations in the vehicle, without taking your eyes off the road. I am really surprised there has not been any legislation against these ergonomic decisions on the part of auto makers, not only from our own government, but from some of the more progressively safety conscious (ahem... Germany).

Amen. Bought a new Chrysler van that has the wonderful feature where the sound system connects to my phone for hands free calling with voice dialing. But I am going to die in a crash trying to adjust the air conditioning or selecting a song for the radio to play.

 

[timfromohio]

YES! I was thinking to my self this morning about how knobs have been replaced with touch screens, nested menus, etc. My current vehicle is as 2010 Honda. The HVAC controls and simple and I'm able to adjust temperature and fan speed without looking away from the road. Newer ones now have touch screens.

Don't mean to hijack thread - your statement just resonated with me big time.

 

[timfromohio]

PS - I tried to quote Ashful's statement regarding touch screens, but it didn't appear in my response.

 

[sportbikerider78]

But most states on the west coast and the north east pay in more in taxes than they receive in aid. Those states that pay more than they receive are also many of the ones in financial trouble. Maybe if they didnt have to cover the bill for those other states they would be in better shape.

Please define what aid you are talking about. All of the studies I have seen on this, also include personal income tax rebates and such.
Keeping in mind, all of these 'aids' are outlined by the fed. All the states are just following the same rules and the demographics and income levels fall where they may.
If we did a small flat fed tax with zero rebates, that would make a ton of sense to me. But lets face it...it can never be 'fair'. CT and MA get trillions in military spending with defense contractors and it keeps a great deal of their economy floating. Midwest states get massive amounts of farm subsidies that keeps things going. The list goes on and on for every state. The fed wants it this way because then they can control local government by holding big piles of money over their heads when big votes come up. It is legal bribery.

We all know how states get into trouble these days. Too much spending on entitlement programs. It is always that obvious.

 

[sportbikerider78]

Amen. Bought a new Chrysler van that has the wonderful feature where the sound system connects to my phone for hands free calling with voice dialing. But I am going to die in a crash trying to adjust the air conditioning or selecting a song for the radio to play.

Well...2005 was bound to catch up with you at some point.

 

[sportbikerider78]

The trouble with distracted driving is that it makes folks who might be otherwise competent drivers, momentarily very dangerous. Unfortunately, auto makers are only making this problem unavoidably worse, with touch-screen computers built into the dash board of every car, and it’s not just the folks who try to program the GPS in a moving vehicle who are guilty of this. I used to be able to adjust the radio or the climate control in my cars, without ever taking my eyes off the road, but now that’s impossible with a touch screen. They lack the basic tactile feedback that one requires to perform basic operations in the vehicle, without taking your eyes off the road. I am really surprised there has not been any legislation against these ergonomic decisions on the part of auto makers, not only from our own government, but from some of the more progressively safety conscious (ahem... Germany).

The driving force is cost.
PLC's and HMI's have gotten super cheap. Touch screens are also getting cheaper every day. This tech isn't going anywhere.
One of my customers is a huge supplier to GM, Chrysler, and a few German companies. The push is for more screens and less knobs.
The buttons aren't coming back but the interface may change. You might find yourself talking to the car to adjust temperature and such.

It almost doesn't even matter anymore what works better....people's perception is that more screens = better tech. That's what they buy.

I bought a 2015 Infiniti Q40 because I loved the engine and powertrain. The inside tech is very 2008'ish..but I don't car. It's not what "I" look for in a car.

 

[BrotherBart]

Alexa, do a like on sportbikerider78's post.