November 23, 2007
Transit on Thursday Friday: Caught
As we are still recovering from the gluttony that was Thanksgiving, and since it was pretty slow news week in, well, everything, we are light on the transit news, too.
But first, which D.C. Council Member likes to ignore laws? You get one guess and the answer is after the jump.
Photo by AlbinoFlea
That’s right, via a very well timed Thanksgiving Day police ride along by the Washington Times, we learn that Ward 8 Council member Marion Barry loves to ignore rules while endangering himself and others.
Oh wait, that’s not really a surprise.
Regardless, the council member was pulled over yesterday by a cop over in Southeast for talking on his cell phone while driving, causing him to impede traffic.
His excuse? His ear piece was broken.
He got off with a warning.
The law against cell phone use while driving, by the way, was passed in 2004, before Barry joined the council.
Speed traps
Not that we advocate breaking the law, but we do enjoying sticking it The Man. Therefore, via WTOP and the National Motorist’s Association, we bring you a somewhat handy list of the worst speed traps in Virginia and Maryland. Don't say we didn't warn you.
(D.C., for the record) was not included in this roundup thanks to the fact that everyone forgets about us. Might have something to do with that no vote in Congress, not a state bit people keep talking about.)
Maryland’s worst spot is in Frederick, with “dishonorable mentions” going to places in Columbia, Hagerstown and Waldorf. In Virginia beware of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Emporia and Norfolk.
Weekend track work, delays
On the Red line trains will be sharing one track between Fort Totten and Takoma between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday due to track work. Riders should add up to 20 minutes to their trips.
On the Green line trains will share one track between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday between Greenbelt and College Park thanks to new car testing. Riders should add up 15 minutes to their trips.
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There is no law against using a cell phone while driving. The law prohibits using a cell phone not equipped with a handsfree device while driving. You can drive and talk as long as your cell phone has a handsfree capability (e.g. built-in speakerphone), and you don't even have to be using the handsfree capability.
I don't know if this is the exact wording, but it's from a web site that lists state cell phone laws
All drivers (regardless of residency) must use hands free device, except for emergencies and on-duty emergency and police personnel. School bus drivers may not use cell phones, except for emergencies.
In other words, you have to be using the handsfree capability (and holding your cell phone in one hand while the speakerphone is on doesn't count)
You can read more about the law (including a link to the law itself at the bottom of the page) in the MPD's FAQ.
The key provision of the law says that "No person shall use a mobile telephone or other electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle in the District of Columbia unless the telephone or device is equipped with a hands-free accessory." (emphasis added).
You can read more about the law (including a link to the law itself at the bottom of the page) in the MPD's FAQ.
The key provision of the law says that "No person shall use a mobile telephone or other electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle in the District of Columbia unless the telephone or device is equipped with a hands-free accessory." (emphasis added).
You can read more about the law (including a link to the law itself at the bottom of the page) in the MPD's FAQ.
The key provision of the law says that "No person shall use a mobile telephone or other electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle in the District of Columbia unless the telephone or device is equipped with a hands-free accessory." (emphasis added).
You can read more about the law (including a link to the law itself at the bottom of the page) in the MPD's FAQ.
The key provision of the law says that "No person shall use a mobile telephone or other electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle in the District of Columbia unless the telephone or device is equipped with a hands-free accessory." (emphasis added).
You can read more about the law (including a link to the law itself at the bottom of the page) in the MPD's FAQ.
The key provision of the law says that "No person shall use a mobile telephone or other electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle in the District of Columbia unless the telephone or device is equipped with a hands-free accessory." (emphasis added).
You can read more about the law (including a link to the law itself at the bottom of the page) in the MPD's FAQ.
The key provision of the law says that "No person shall use a mobile telephone or other electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle in the District of Columbia unless the telephone or device is equipped with a hands-free accessory." (emphasis added).
You can read more about the law (including a link to the law itself at the bottom of the page) in the MPD's FAQ.
The key provision of the law says that "No person shall use a mobile telephone or other electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle in the District of Columbia unless the telephone or device is equipped with a hands-free accessory." (emphasis added).
Well, the comment posting form was giving me errors. Guess the posts showed up anyway, hours later.
emphasis clearly added
And if you read elsewhere on the page:
What is a hands-free accessory?
The law defines a “hands-free accessory” as an attachment, add-on, built-in feature or addition to a mobile telephone that, when used, allows the driver to maintain both hands on the steering wheel. The hands-free accessory can be either permanently installed in the vehicle or be portable.
and
With enactment of the law, DC joins a small, but growing number of jurisdictions working to improve traffic safety by restricting or prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving.
If it only meant that you had to have the option, it would be a completely unenforceable law. Anyone pulled over while holding a cell phone would just have to show the officer they had a speakerphone button.
MikeB: the law matters, not the FAQ. Courts don't enforce FAQs. And you've made precisely my point: it's a completely unenforceable law. If you have a speakerphone button, you're off the hook. Don't ask me why the law is written that way, but it is.
ah yes..that is the law, but try telling that to a cop who wants to so desperately write you a $100 ticket even though you clearly were using speaker phone on the side of the road, not moving, not even in traffic.
So take the ticket, go to court, get it thrown out, laugh at the cop.