September 3, 2008
Cell Phone Citations On Rise Yet Again
Back in November of 2007, we cited a report from the Washington Times, which showed that citations for simultaneously driving and using a cell phone were sharply rising every year. Well, this year is no different - take a look at the chart to your right.
The projection of 2008 citations is based on information from this year's version of the very same Times story, which the AP has since picked up. The report shows that the ubiquitous $100 fines are having another record year. Even more amazingly, the number of cell phone tickets doesn't even include 3,308 tickets handed out so far this year by MPD for similar infractions, like eating, text messaging, putting on makeup, or playing with an iPod.
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Wow, 12,000 a year? That's almost half the number of people on K St. on any given afternoon breaking that law.
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bravo, MPD. an easy source of funds, and a de facto commuter tax. works for me.
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They should conduct a study of how often the MPD will just use their loudspeaker to yell "Get off the cell phone!" instead of issuing a ticket.
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Next up -- fines for walking down the street eating a Chipotle burrito.
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how many of those drivers were from MD and VA?
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I'm one of those in 2007. Was pulled over for just the cell phone thing as I pulled away from safeway on Columbia Rd.
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Forget the Red light and speed cam tax. dDoT should set the cameras to ticket drivers on cellphones or DWT's i'm sure there's more revenue in that! maybe!
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This is the biggest law people break. Stand at any corner and count the number of drivers yakking on the phone. I do it all the time, but for short calls only. I try to control myself and wait til I'm in MD or VA if I'm driving there to call.
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I'm all for it. I've been badly injured in car accidents three times in the past year, and once again back in 2005. Three out of four of those drivers were on their cellphones when they hit me. I'm only 42, but walk with a cane, have gone through repeated courses of physical therapy, and still face back surgery.
And it's all thanks to selfish, self-absorbed morons who think it's more important to chat behind the wheel than it is to simply pay attention. There's no excuse for this crap.
Is it really too difficult to put down the stupid Crackberry or use a freaking headset?
For the record, the three cell users who've injured me (and totaled my car on one occasion)? One from DC, one from Maryland, and one from Virginia.
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Would they accept camera-wielding volunteers? I know of one.
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How many of those tickets were issued to MPD, Capitol Police, Park Police, Secret Service, etc officers?
Oh wait, according to the MPD, every single time you see an officer on the phone, he is involved in a life and death emergency situation that involves matters so sensitive that the normal police radio system can not be used.
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Woe is me. Gone are the days when I could talk on my cell phone, hold a beer, light a doobie and put on my mascara. And I was never once late for work!
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i used to be pretty good at playing the harmonica at the wheel while juggling a wendy's double-cheeseburgher. i could even hold the burgher while parallel parking. man those were the days, indeed.
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you held a burgher? i didn't realize that old-timey german town leaders were still around here.
did he like it?
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Not only that, but two of them? And covered with cheese? That's some kickass stunt driving.
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Now that's some German porn I would like to see.
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Thank god they're still not fining people for peeing in the sink.
[nervously looks around, zips up pants]
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I didn't even know that they had also covered that last sentence. In an urban situation there really is no excuse not to be aware and constantly scanning your environment. Your life and the life of others are on the line.
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Note to self ... spell check first.
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no, erahk0, please don't. you'd deny us awesome jokes about german porn!