Panhandling in Madison County

[lpc123]

Not sure it is an either/or situation. You know we could just raise expectations of law enforcement.

[RocketDawg]

Originally Posted by otterhere

Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents now; I'd consider stopping idiots from staring at, scrolling on, and even TEXTING on their phones while driving to be pretty important.

I've seen people driving on 565 with a book propped up on the steering wheel, presumably reading while driving.

And I saw a service van once a few years ago, merging onto 565 at the eastbound end of Madison Blvd - he had a phone to his ear with left hand, and had what must have been a scheduling book on the steering wheel while writing with his right hand. I suppose he must have been steering (while merging into fairly heavy traffic) with his knees.

Police looking for distracted driving, cell phone or otherwise, isn't a waste of their time. But I think cell phone usage is still a secondary violation (meaning they have to stop a person for something else, like speeding - can't just stop for using the phone) unless that's changed with the new law. Even hands-free is distracting to a certain degree, but nearly as bad as actually holding the phone.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by RocketDawg

I've seen people driving on 565 with a book propped up on the steering wheel, presumably reading while driving.

And I saw a service van once a few years ago, merging onto 565 at the eastbound end of Madison Blvd - he had a phone to his ear with left hand, and had what must have been a scheduling book on the steering wheel while writing with his right hand. I suppose he must have been steering (while merging into fairly heavy traffic) with his knees.

Police looking for distracted driving, cell phone or otherwise, isn't a waste of their time. But I think cell phone usage is still a secondary violation (meaning they have to stop a person for something else, like speeding - can't just stop for using the phone) unless that's changed with the new law. Even hands-free is distracting to a certain degree, but nearly as bad as actually holding the phone.

The problem is many people put the phone on speaker and still hold the phone while calling that “hands free”

[dijkstra]

Originally Posted by otterhere

Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents now; I'd consider stopping idiots from staring at, scrolling on, and even TEXTING on their phones while driving to be pretty important.

I get the texting while driving laws but not even being able to hold your phone to your ear like has been done since the 80's is a bit ridiculous.

This sort of raises a question. What about the laptop sized screen that controls pretty much everything in a Tesla. If that thing isn't a distraction what does one look like? I drove one and using that huge touch screen to control things such as the A/C forces you to focus on the screen and poke around. I guess probably need a law for all the touch screens in cars these days. lol

I see women in the mornings with their visor flipped down, using the mirror to put makeup on. People holding a hamburger and stuffing it in their mouth is pretty common. It just goes on and on.

I guess my point is, they can pass law after law but police don't have time for all of it as they are almost always understaffed and you can't prevent people from doing all the stupid things they do while driving. I just wonder if the police are actually going to pull people over for holding the phone just to talk because I can see quite a few arguments in their future with that one.

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

I get the texting while driving laws but not even being able to hold your phone to your ear like has been done since the 80's is a bit ridiculous.

This sort of raises a question. What about the laptop sized screen that controls pretty much everything in a Tesla. If that thing isn't a distraction what does one look like? I drove one and using that huge touch screen to control things such as the A/C forces you to focus on the screen and poke around. I guess probably need a law for all the touch screens in cars these days. lol

I see women in the mornings with their visor flipped down, using the mirror to put makeup on. People holding a hamburger and stuffing it in their mouth is pretty common. It just goes on and on.

I guess my point is, they can pass law after law but police don't have time for all of it as they are almost always understaffed and you can't prevent people from doing all the stupid things they do while driving. I just wonder if the police are actually going to pull people over for holding the phone just to talk because I can see quite a few arguments in their future with that one.

The larger effect of traffic laws is that lawyers and insurance companies can hang their hats on them. In the past someone could argue that even though they were on the phone they weren't distracted and the other driver was at fault. Now that dodge can't work. Drive down the wrong side of the street, against traffic laws, you get in an accident and it is your responsibility - full stop. The same now happens to motormouths.

I agree with you on the computer displays, such as in Teslas. Hamburger in hand or soda with a straw, meh. I don't generally use my mouth in driving a car.

[lpc123]

Should have mentioned that a law prohibiting panhandling was passed last May:


Bill outlawing panhandling and loitering on Alabama roads signed into law


Applies to State highways and roads, not every road.

[otterhere]

Originally Posted by dijkstra

This sort of raises a question. What about the laptop sized screen that controls pretty much everything in a Tesla. If that thing isn't a distraction what does one look like? I drove one and using that huge touch screen to control things such as the A/C forces you to focus on the screen and poke around. I guess probably need a law for all the touch screens in cars these days. lol.

I totally agree; screens - that one obviously has to look away from the road to read and use - do NOT belong in cars.

[MisterEd51]

Originally Posted by otterhere

I totally agree; screens - that one obviously has to look away from the road to read and use - do NOT belong in cars.

If you let the car drive itself then that won't be a big problem

[harry chickpea]

Hmmmm... Anyone else notice how panhandling seems to diminish in frequency in cold weather?

On a larger level, is nice southern weather generally a contributory factor to "crimes of opportunity"?

When weather outside is below freezing, and there is snow on the ground, I feel a lot safer than when it is a nice mild summer Friday night and the honky-tonks have let out.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Hmmmm... Anyone else notice how panhandling seems to diminish in frequency in cold weather?

On a larger level, is nice southern weather generally a contributory factor to "crimes of opportunity"?

When weather outside is below freezing, and there is snow on the ground, I feel a lot safer than when it is a nice mild summer Friday night and the honky-tonks have let out.

Nationally and historically, February is the lowest month for burglaries.

Duluth, MN is on the northern edge of Lake Superior, near Canada, and gets frequent cold wind gusts off the frozen lake. Average low temps in January hover around zero with a couple feet of snow. Duluth surprisingly also has a small amount of panhandling in the winter months but great ice hockey.