Executive Order now Executive Law...Ban on "texting" while vehicle is on, page 1

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Topic started on 1-11-2009 @ 10:44 PM by ExPostFacto

How did this slip our attention lol

EXECUTIVE ORDER

Seriously everyone needs to read this as the order flows directly into businesses that contract with the federal government. If your company is a federal contractor, no matter how insignificant their service they are now required to follow this executive order.

Sec. 4. Text Messaging While Driving by Government Contractors, Subcontractors, and Recipients and Subrecipients. Each Federal agency, in procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, and other grants to the extent authorized by applicable statutory authority, entered into after the date of this order, shall encourage contractors, subcontractors, and recipients and subrecipients to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or GOV, or while driving POV when on official Government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the Government. Agencies should also encourage Federal contractors, subcontractors, and grant recipients and subrecipients as described in this section to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of this order.

And what is considered texting?

(b) "Texting" or "Text Messaging" means reading from or entering data into any handheld or other electronic device, including for the purpose of SMS texting, e-mailing, instant messaging, obtaining navigational information, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 10:58 PM by vox2442

Originally posted by ExPostFacto

And what is considered texting?

(b) "Texting" or "Text Messaging" means reading from or entering data into any handheld or other electronic device, including for the purpose of SMS texting, e-mailing, instant messaging, obtaining navigational information, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication.

According to that, checking the speed you're driving is now illegal. As is changing the climate control system, adjusting the volume on your stereo, changing the radio station, searching through a CD for the track you want, and god help you if you've got your iPod wired to your stereo like I do.

Badly written law, that.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:00 PM by EnlightenUp

The definition of "texting" could mean that use of the automibile's engine control unit is illegal while driving. Your throttle input and other control inputs are read by the computer and thus count as entering data into an electronic device ("other electronic device").

edit:
vox2442, ha, yeah, that too.

Technically one's own brain fits into that category as well.

[edit on 11/1/2009 by EnlightenUp]

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:04 PM by ExPostFacto

The one I thought was extremely ironic was using a GPS. How many FBI, do you think use one? How many other federal employees that regularly drive around use them? Hell, some trucking companies use them and I know they are federal contractors. Fed Ex, UPS, all government contractors.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:04 PM by Bored To Tears

Its sad that we have to have laws for something that should be common sense.

Can't tell you how many times someone who was texting has almost side swapped me while riding my motorcycle.

Hope their are steep penalties for breaking this law.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:07 PM by iamoverrated

Originally posted by EnlightenUp
The definition of "texting" could mean that use of the automibile's engine control unit is illegal while driving. Your throttle input and other control inputs are read by the computer and thus count as entering data into an electronic device ("other electronic device").

edit:
vox2442, ha, yeah, that too.

Technically one's own brain fits into that category as well.

[edit on 11/1/2009 by EnlightenUp]

We can't have people thinking now, can we? Shouldn't this be at the very least a state level issue? If not city/town/county issue? I know they're trying to apply it to all government vehicles but this opens the door to applying to this to all motorist.

I don't agree with texting while driving, but come on... The federal government? Next thing you know they'll be policing the country with the army and telling companies how much they can pay their employees or banning flavored cigarettes... Oh Wait, that's already here.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:08 PM by ExPostFacto

reply to post by Bored To Tears

That's the whole reason I posted this...President's cannot make laws. But funny that an executive decision impacts so many private persons. I agree with the President's attempt, but this seems like a job for legislatures. of course they aren't doing the job anyway.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:08 PM by HotSauce

reply to post by ExPostFacto

Well i will be damned, the whole country is headed straight for the crap barrell and we got some dumbass control freak for a president who is worried about people text driving. Great job keeping your eye on the ball President.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:13 PM by iamoverrated

Originally posted by HotSauce
reply to post by ExPostFacto

Well i will be damned, the whole country is headed straight for the crap barrell and we got some dumbass control freak for a president who is worried about people text driving. Great job keeping your eye on the ball President.

Well.... aren't all presidents, well at least modern presidents just puppets for their administration?

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:17 PM by HotSauce

reply to post by iamoverrated

To be honest I do not really believe that. To me that is just making an excuse for a job poorly done. I mean GW might not have been the greatest, but nobody can accuse him of being a Marxist and then back it up with 50 quotes from him and his partners in crime.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:17 PM by K_OS

So keep an eye on the police cars and make a citizens arrest if you need too!

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:19 PM by Bored To Tears

reply to post by ExPostFacto

Honestly, I really don't care who makes it a law, as long as it becomes one.

I'm tired of almost being killed because idiots get in a car and forget that there is a real world on the other side of the glass. I bet if I text on my motorcycle I would be pulled over in an instant.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:20 PM by Janky Red

Originally posted by HotSauce
reply to post by iamoverrated

To be honest I do not really believe that. To me that is just making an excuse for a job poorly done. I mean GW might not have been the greatest, but nobody can accuse him of being a Marxist and then back it up with 50 quotes from him and his partners in crime.

I can give you 50 intentionally lying to start a war quotes -

But then again the man and his boys were to good for the uniform...
Hell and he never pulled a trigger due to his lies, right on!

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:20 PM by mnemeth1

Seriously everyone needs to read this as the order flows directly into businesses that contract with the federal government. If your company is a federal contractor, no matter how insignificant their service they are now required to follow this executive order.

I want you all to let that sink in for a bit.

I don't think most people have a grasp of just how wide ranging a power this is.

www.usgovernmentspending.com...

As of right now, the government is responsible for over 40% of all spending that takes place in America.

How many people do you think are effected by this order?

As the country devolves into a socialist "utopia", how many more people will fall under the presidents dictatorial control?

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:21 PM by Janky Red

Originally posted by Bored To Tears
reply to post by ExPostFacto

Honestly, I really don't care who makes it a law, as long as it becomes one.

I'm tired of almost being killed because idiots get in a car and forget that there is a real world on the other side of the glass. I bet if I text on my motorcycle I would be pulled over in an instant.

Man I agree, but lets attack common sense for the thrill of the scrap!

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:34 PM by whatukno

YAY! That means speeding just became legal!

So when the cop pulls you over for speeding and asks you if you know how fast you were going, you should say I have no Idea how fast I was going. Reading the speedometer is illegal. So is reading street signs.

Just following the law officer.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:38 PM by drwizardphd

I hate to agree with this, and I am usually against authoritarian measures such as this one, but texting while driving is a seriously bad idea, and it seems like more and more people are doing it.

I have almost been in accidents while driving with friends who like to text while they are driving. Hell, I even caught my 71 year old father doing it after he got his new cell phone! Needless to say I had a talk with him about it.

Talking on your cell and driving is one thing, most people are able to multi task and it really isn't much different to simply holding a conversation while driving, which is something people have been doing for years and years. However, texting while driving is just as (and likely more) dangerous than drunk driving, as it involves actively taking your eyes off of the road to look down at our phones. I would love to see a study done, but I already know of at least a couple local accidents (one fatal) involving texting while driving.

That being said, I think the wording of the legislation (particularly the part defining "texting") is far too broad.

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:54 PM by EnlightenUp

Originally posted by drwizardphd
That being said, I think the wording of the legislation (particularly the part defining "texting") is far too broad.

Yes, the wording is farcical in its broadness and some of us enjoy taking advantage of that fact. People should remember how to drive while driving.

Pub(l)ic Service Announcement:
Remember, don't be a Text-ical!

[edit on 11/2/2009 by EnlightenUp]

reply posted on 1-11-2009 @ 11:57 PM by calstorm

Its been illegal in cali for almost a year, the cops still do it. Its very annoying, but not much you can do about it.

reply posted on 2-11-2009 @ 12:01 AM by JoshNorton

Have I read wikipedia while driving at 70 mph? Yes. But I draw the line at editing wikipedia while driving at 70 mph. That would be reckless.