Everyone read, especially those going to final porters show ->

[FrankZappa]

Final porters show is this friday, 9/30. On 10/01 a new law goes into effect in CT making it illegal to drive while using a cell phone without a hands free device. If you have a learners permit, you cannot even use a hands free device.

Why does this effect porters?
Cops will look for any reason to pull you over. When the speed limits went up to 65, they were ticketing people for going 66mph to make everyone aware of the new law. I would expect the same, and while I got you pulled over, have you been drinking, got anything in the car I should know about? There is a good chance you will get pulled over leaving porters at some time, since it will then be 10/01 and the new law is in effect. In case you may not want to have to talk to the police after the show, be aware of this!!

http://www.statehighwaysafety.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

Connecticut
Use of mobile electronic devices (except hands free) while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited on public and private roads (emergency situations excepted; legitimate use by school buses (without passengers) buses, taxis and tow trucks in the performance of job duties excepted.)

Persons holding a learner permit may not use any hand-held mobile telephone (including hands-free devices) while operating a motor vehicle (emergency situations excepted.)

http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObject.jsp?objid=0000006021&reqid=12920

A driver who violates either provision is subject to a fine of up $ 75 for a first offense, up to $ 150 for a second offense, and up to $ 250 for a subsequent offense.

note:this is the proposed bill, not the final. I couldnt find it online, so the date is wrong, but pretty much everything else is the same.

[Mamalakabubadaya]

it\'s about time they did that in ct, you guys suck at driving for the most part
(except you paul, thanks for the ride back from moedown!!

[derickw]

they really need to do this in RI and MA. It was confirmed by a study that RI has the worse drivers in the country with MA right behind them. I think the study was done by some triple A affiliate.

[antbach]

RI drivers make Mass drivers look like the best drivers in the world. I really think RIers think STOP signs are YIELD signs and vice versa. What really gets me ticked off is the ri block, and everyone does it (i have started to, too); and also the fact that if I am turning left onto a side road the person waiting to turn left onto the main road expects me to stop and let him turn before I do and starts pulling out, I get lots of middle fingers, dirty looks, and near accidents because of this so I have pretty much stopped using my signal light for these incidents so the person doesnt know Im gonna turn.

[Mamalakabubadaya]

the northern va/md/dc metro area drivers are atrocious. these people are the worst drivers i have ever seen. worse than boston, denver, la, ct, you name it. i have been in one accident in my life that was my fault (i rear ended someone when i was 16)..every single accident that i have been in here has been because of some idiot\'s fault. someone ran a stop sign and hit my car, my car has been hit in a parking lot, i was almost killed by a drunk driver last year, the list goes on. they REALLY REALLY need to put that law into place in this area.

[RadicalRich1138]

this law is so damn stupid, i mean legally you can still drive while eating 17 cheeseburgers, changing songs on your ipod, and watching a dvd....

phone\'s don\'t cause accidents, idiots that dont know how to drive do

[Mamalakabubadaya]

phone\'s don\'t cause accidents, idiots that dont know how to drive do

this is true, but there are still people who absolutely suck at multitasking and seriously forget that they are driving once they get on the phone.

[kindm's]

This law has been in effect in NY for a few years and it is sooo not enforced. Not saying that they wont use it as an excuse for pulling you over in CT but if U can\'t wait to get home before calling someone at 2AM then u deserve to get pulled over for it


I hate fucking cell phones

[davepeck]

phone\'s don\'t cause accidents, idiots that dont know how to drive do

this is true, but there are still people who absolutely suck at multitasking and seriously forget that they are driving once they get on the phone.

but these people are bad drivers to begin with. i agree with rich here.. it\'s not the act of holding something up to your ear that causes people to drive silly. most people don\'t have 2 hands on the wheel anyways..

[RadicalRich1138]

yeah dave!  common ground!

[leith]

phone\'s don\'t cause accidents, idiots that dont know how to drive do

this is true, but there are still people who absolutely suck at multitasking and seriously forget that they are driving once they get on the phone.

but these people are bad drivers to begin with. i agree with rich here.. it\'s not the act of holding something up to your ear that causes people to drive silly. most people don\'t have 2 hands on the wheel anyways..

Bad drivers or not it is a proven fact that anyone using a cell phone even a hands free  phone does lose focus on their driving. Even if the person is only listening w/ both hands on the wheel they WILL lose focus.
This law may seem silly but so did the seatbelt laws and the helmet laws. If you really need to make a call pull over. No call is more important than your life.

[Jim Cobb]

I AM NOT ARGUING WITH THE NEW LAW, but how is making a hands free cell call different than talking to someone who\'s in the passenget seat?

[leith]

I AM NOT ARGUING WITH THE NEW LAW, but how is making a hands free cell call different than talking to someone who\'s in the passenget seat?

It\'s not but you can not outlaw passengers. Yet.

[Jim Cobb]

hahahaha

[Stephengencs]

I AM NOT ARGUING WITH THE NEW LAW, but how is making a hands free cell call different than talking to someone who\'s in the passenget seat?

because you dont have to take your eyes off the road to talk to someone who is in your car.....to call or receive a call from your cell phone, you generally have to a. find your phone, and b. at least glance at it to dial out or answer it.....now obviously there are exceptions to that, like the auto answer if you have a flip phone, or voice dial (but who really uses that stupid feature anyway).....bottom line, it should most definitely help prevent accidents....unfortunately its not usually YOU that you need to worry about while driving...its the OTHER GUY...the guy who just found his wife banging his best friend, or some punk ass kid who thinks he knows everything and can drive however he/she wants......