Bill forcing drivers’ hands off smartphones awaits Gov. Jerry Brown

[TexasTowelie]

It could be the end of driving while scrolling in California thanks to a bill that cleared the Assembly on Tuesday and awaits consideration by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Assembly Bill 1785 by Assemblyman Bill Quirk, D-Hayward, would require drivers to mount their smartphones on their car’s windshield or dashboard and use them only for things that require the “motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger.”

“The whole point is to prevent distracted driving,” Quirk said on the Assembly floor.

Several members spoke about their personal experiences with deaths related to distracted driving and urged the bill’s passage. Assemblyman Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach, however, said the bill was too “broad” in its attempt to prevent smartphone use.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article97432397.html

[kimbutgar]

1. I hope he signs it

Just yesterday while I was driving a guy flew though a red light and he was texting! He stopped mid intersection but what if their was a pedestration walking though the intersection.

And then later I heard on the radio that automobile crashes/deaths are rising dramatically in the US.

[villager]

2. Well, we already have a law against texting while driving.

I'm not sure what this "broad swipe" would actually accomplish.

[uppityperson]

3. Not to mention how to enforce it. I use mine for the map directions

Single finger swipe, you could still play Pokemon, be very distracted.

[villager]

4. Yeah, good point. So one could get ticketed for looking at a phone map if your phone's not bracketed

I guess courts and cops will love the revenue enhancement.

[Kablooie]

6. But think of all the great Pokemon you might miss!

A pedestrian was killed yesterday in Japan by a driver playing Pokemon.