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Off the top of my head... Distracted driving is a crime in many states now (where distracted has been interpreted more or less broadly to include electronic dev

Off the top of my head... Distracted driving is a crime in many states now (where distracted has been interpreted more or less broadly to include electronic devices or even eating while driving). Having a phone playing Spotify/Pandora/$X into your car stereo can be a punishable offense in MA, OR, WA, NY, etc. Just because there have not been actual convictions for said offenses does not mean they are not prosecutable. Depending on the state, simply interacting with an electronic device while driving (to change the station for example), can be a punishable offense.

jcranmer 9y ago
Distracted driving is now the leading cause of traffic accidents, above even speeding and drunk driving. That to me is a strong sign that it ought to be illegal. Also, traffic infractions usually aren't crimes or misdemeanor in most jurisdictions.
- ItendToDisagree 9y ago
  To be fair it probably always has been the leading cause. Especially if you include things like yelling at your kids to stop messing with each other, day dreaming, etc. The issue isn't that it is dangerous, the issue is that it is selectively enforced. Also, regardless of the level of criminality, driving infractions can be/are selectively enforced. Being pulled over for being distracted can quickly lead to being arrested for some other offense, or for the police to search your car, or even for them to claim you were aggressive and shoot you dead.
gorkonsine 9y ago
Since most new cars now have "infotainment" systems which are basically like an iPad on your dashboard, and are used for both navigation and music, doesn't that mean that anyone with a new car can be prosecuted for just using their car normally? Furthermore, if it really says "interacting with an electronic device while driving", doesn't that mean anyone with a new car can be prosecuted for just driving, since steering now is electronic, and gas pedals are drive-by-wire? Even the older cars (80s and newer) fall into this category because they have electronic fuel injection controlling the engine, so just driving it will still interact with that electronic device.
cr0sh 9y ago
> Depending on the state, simply interacting with an electronic device while driving (to change the station for example), can be a punishable offense. I wonder if these laws have an "out" for police officers while they are driving...?
- smileysteve 9y ago
  In Georgia, yep, police are specifically exempted. They can do whatever they want on their laptops (or other devices)

jcranmer 9y ago

Distracted driving is now the leading cause of traffic accidents, above even speeding and drunk driving. That to me is a strong sign that it ought to be illegal. Also, traffic infractions usually aren't crimes or misdemeanor in most jurisdictions.

ItendToDisagree 9y ago
To be fair it probably always has been the leading cause. Especially if you include things like yelling at your kids to stop messing with each other, day dreaming, etc. The issue isn't that it is dangerous, the issue is that it is selectively enforced. Also, regardless of the level of criminality, driving infractions can be/are selectively enforced. Being pulled over for being distracted can quickly lead to being arrested for some other offense, or for the police to search your car, or even for them to claim you were aggressive and shoot you dead.

gorkonsine 9y ago

Since most new cars now have "infotainment" systems which are basically like an iPad on your dashboard, and are used for both navigation and music, doesn't that mean that anyone with a new car can be prosecuted for just using their car normally? Furthermore, if it really says "interacting with an electronic device while driving", doesn't that mean anyone with a new car can be prosecuted for just driving, since steering now is electronic, and gas pedals are drive-by-wire? Even the older cars (80s and newer) fall into this category because they have electronic fuel injection controlling the engine, so just driving it will still interact with that electronic device.

cr0sh 9y ago

> Depending on the state, simply interacting with an electronic device while driving (to change the station for example), can be a punishable offense. I wonder if these laws have an "out" for police officers while they are driving...?

smileysteve 9y ago
In Georgia, yep, police are specifically exempted. They can do whatever they want on their laptops (or other devices)