Ore. bill would boost fines for drivers on phones
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The maximum fine for motorists caught talking on their cellphones or texting while driving would increase from $250 to $1,000 under a bill that is being considered by the Oregon Legislature, a move intended to make distracted driving a more serious crime.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved the bill proposed by Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, with two members dissenting.
Albany police Officer Robert Hayes, speaking for the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, said there are simply not enough officers to always enforce the law. He told the committee that he often passes drivers on their cellphones as he is responding to a more pressing call.
"If there is no fear of getting a citation, there is no fear of committing the violation," Hayes said.
The current law that went into effect in January 2010 prohibits motorists from texting or talking on their cellphones while driving. Drivers are permitted to use hand-free accessories to talk on the phone, but texting is illegal in any circumstance.
Courtney said he hopes to change the way Oregonians think about texting and talking on the phone while driving.
"If it was my way, we would treat distracted driving the same way we treat drinking and driving in this state," Courtney told the Associated Press. "And I think one day we will."
Sen. Betsy Close, R-Albany, who voted against the bill, said she's worried the fines are too steep — considering many of the violators are young people.
"My concern is that the maximum fine is high, and that we have a law on the books already," she said.
The number of motorists cited for violating the ban increased since the law went into effect in 2010. Between 2010 and 2012, state troopers issued a total of 4,586 citations and 6,752 warnings, according to police statistics. In 2012, state police issued 2,151 citations, more than twice as many as in 2010 when police issued 1,012 citations.
In 2011, the Legislature closed a loophole that allowed drivers to talk on hand-held cellphones for work-related purposes. Now, the exemption is limited to a handful of professionals.
Sen. Jeff Kruse, a Roseburg Republican who opposed the measure, said he would prefer if the bill applied to all forms of distracted driving, including eating or putting on makeup.
"If we're going to pass a bill like this, I'd rather it be more all-encompassing than just focusing on the cellphone," he said.
The bill would allot approximately $123,000 to the Oregon Department of Transportation to put up signs notifying drivers that texting and talking on the phone is illegal.
Rep. Carolyn Tomei, D-Milwaukie, introduced a similar bill in the House that would set the maximum fine even higher, at $2,000.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
Not enough police, sounds like a job opportunity. Instead of patrolmen and women however, use existing cameras at most traffic lights normally used to regulate and monitor traffic flow., the officers assigned could monitor the drivers for cell use and target the licence of the vehicle. Then mail to the owner of the vehicle the ticket and summons to court. This is a use of existing technology, albeit more cameras can be installed on city street lights, to monitor activity on roads without traffic lights. These cameras have been utilized during investigations to issue speeding tickets, examine as evidence after an accident, and track bank Atm theft, or other criminal activities. Â There exists a means to 'catch them in the act' as a sign waver I see so many people not using a hands free solution. This is a willful act of self distraction. There needs to be a solution to these violations.
Great. Thats all the power I wanna give some self righteous cop.
@Paul Nolet Hate to break it to you but the cameras are there to monitor traffic for the DOT already. Check tripcheck.com for camera locations. It is already illegal to talk on cells without handsfree, do the math a 20-30 dollar handsfree unit; or $750 moving violation (which will also affect your insurance premiums). Handsfree sounds better to me.Â
I think it's about time, but most of us can't afford the fine. I think We should have jail time instead. That would stop it for sure. It's on your record!!!
a week in the slamer
Considering how many people are hurting for funds, too steep.
Another example of Government trying to regulate behavior.... If they wanted to do this they would start giving tickets for drinking coffee, eating, or changing the radio station.
You know, the $250 find would be just fine if they actually handed them out!!! You know how many people I see on a daily basis on their phones and driving? It's so irritating!!!
It's about time!
I think they should charge them 1000.00 dollars it can't be that important that you can't wait til you get to ware you are going really wtf
How about no more radios/stereos in cars cuz the gal singing along to her favorite song, drumming the steering wheel is also distracted.
we both know it happens...and seriously having used a headset and a visor bluetooth speaker, you are distracted, you are just distracted with both hands hopefully on the wheel.
LMBO!!! That is soooo.... Funny!!!
Oh Annette, a live fire stick, you crack me up. But the guy with the drink cup in one hand, cig between two fingers, shoveling french fries in his mouth while switching radio stations is much more of a danger.
Here's a thought...... How about having these police officer focus on the overwhelming drug problem in our area rather than try to make a buck for our budget off of people who are already paying for these budgets thru their taxes!! RIDICULOUS!! The whole law is stupid and is only made for bringing in the dough!! It's not any more dangerous to TALK on your cell phone than it is to have dogs in the car, screaming demanding children in the car, putting on makeup in the car OR my personal pet peeve..... Smoking in the car.... For Cryin out loud..... That's a live fire stick hangin from their fingertips!!
well then i want to know if i can write the cops one for talking on the cell phone to oh i forgot the are about any law
Â
@David AÂ No one is above the law. If you witness a criminal act being made by an officer you have a duty and right as a citizen and resident to report it directly to the Sheriff's Department, or the Chief of police. You will be asked to provide proof, Use the camera or video camera on your phone if you are not driving to catch them in the action. Public citizen arrest is covered under the articles of enforcement for public safety.
I think $1000 is ridiculous, that's what I read about drunk driving fines...and it isn't a deterrant to drunk dirvers, how about some community service. People would rather hand over some cash than spend time doing something they don't enjoy.
TOO STEEP! Just another cash cow. Try fixing something real while your being paid that huge welfare check off our tax money. How about the budget or the economy or unemployment which we would love to see you sleaze bags be unemployed soon
Also people that drive with their pets on their laps, should also be fined this is just as distraction.
About time!!
I do want police to keep their eyes on drivers who don't stop for the bus while children are loading or unloading. And please fine them $$$ too!!
Copy that. Write em up. Too dangerous.
I have a question- does anyone know anyone who has gotten a ticket for this? I don't & I have seen a ton of people do it still!
Yeah. Great solution. Let's punish our citizens for the stupid decisions our local government has made by upping fines unnecessarily. That should help the economy really thrive. Pointless. ^
One way to get the town out of debt!!
They should fine as well those who are checking on their phone if someone like or commented on their Facebook status while driving :(
No prob. but cops fireman ambulances ect.,.. shouldnt be legal for them to be on cell phones either !!!! that is the only way you get my vote.
Good. Just have them enforce it. Too many people on the phone now- cops aren't doing anything about it so no one cares
People are not paying attention to a $250 fine. They are still taking on the phone when there are so many other ways to talk while you drive. Hope it passes.
Good!! It should be higher, too many accidents because of stupid people talking or texting while driving.
Let them increase it, then maybe more would be caught.
It would be nice if they would inforce it
Great! Lets spend another $123,000 on a bunch of signs telling everyone on the road that something is illegal. News flash......we already know it! Â
I think their fines would be fine if they would catch the ones doing it and not paying attention to the road and almost causing the law abiding driver to crash. Pets shouldnt be in their laps either.
I also believe people holding there animals on their Laps, while diving should be a big no also.and yes cops need to have there phones but there is,a hands free device for all of us.but using there computer while driving should not be allowed.i have seen to many incidents where they almost hit someone cause they were Looking at the computer
^ I agree Kevin! I am much more worried about the Senior drivers out there than the ones talking on the phone.
And what are we going to do about the thousands of people who drive around in DC alone that are clearly way too old to drive. I'm much more scared of a woman in her 90's, leaning as close to the wind shield as physically possible, trying to grip her fluffy steering wheel cover while she drives down both lanes at 14 mph and pulls in front of oncoming traffic having no idea what's going on than I am of a 25 year old driver on their cell phone.
Make it 5K. Â Drive through Roseburg and every 5th car has the driver talking on their cell phone. Â Tons of people are willfully breaking the law.
Statistics show that there are a lot more accidents when people aren't on their cell phones than when people are. Obviously I'm not saying that its safer to drive with a cell phone than without, but there are plenty of factors that come into play while driving that have nothing to do with a phone conversation. Weather, passengers, kids, rough days at work, music...the list is endless. I'm also willing to bet that it's a lot safer for a person to talk on their cell phone while driving than have their poodle sitting on their lap. $1,000 is ridiculous.
Just another way for the state to gouge us for money.
I would support it for sure!!
ridiculous.. cell phone calls, not texting, are less distracting than screaming kids in the back seat.. kids in the car should be illegal..
I HAVE HAD MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS OVER THE YEARS FROM PEOPLE ON CELL PHONES. LAST YEAR, A WOMAN ON A CELLPHONE HIT ME AT BETWEEN 55 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEGAL LEFT HAND TURN AND SHE CROSSED THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE TO DO IT BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO BUSY TALKING ON THE PHONE TO NOTICE THE TURN SIGNAL AND THOUGHT I WAS JUST STOPPED. ALTHOUGH I HAD LOOKED OUT MY MIRRORS, SHE CAME UP BEHIND ME SO FAST, I DIDN'T EVEN SEE HER. I THINK A THOUSAND DOLLARS IS TOO LOW A FINE.
Make this bill include eating in your car and women putting on makeup while driving.!!!!
Lysander, some people might be able to do it but for the most part people seem to mental check out while they are talking on the phone. Driving requires attention and focus. Some have a problem with that.
thought they stopped ppl doing that. I see so many on phones all the time, it amazes me, glad i got hands free, or i dont answer till im parked somewhere
Great, but impose and actually collect it and set up a fund to assist the people that these idiots hurt or kill because they can't pull over or wait!
About time!!!!
I see LOADS of people in Roseburg on the phone.