06-09-2003, 03:33 PM
Hi,
Hmm, 1 in 450 auto accidents involve cell phones? And, though you don't say so, about 1 in 2 involve alcohol.
I'd be more interested in seeing injury and fatality figures than just reported accidents. First, because a fender bender is just an inconvenience (who was the celebrity airhead who said "When you lose your life, you lose something important", or words to that effect). But, second, a large percentage of fender benders don't get reported. If there are injuries involved, that percentage gos way down.
I'd say *enforcing* the DWI laws might be a tad more important than passing new cell phone laws. Of course, doing both would be good, if they can figure out how to enforce the cell phone law.
As to seat belts, I'm all for laws requiring that the manufacturers install an adequate seat belt system. That is consumer protection. I'm against laws requiring people to use them. That is government parenting. If a person is stupid enough to drive around without a seat belt, then it is a good thing for them to die -- preferably before reproducing. And the old "but if they get injured society has to take care of them" argument is best answered with "why?"
Maybe we ought to raise the pay for the President.
Maybe. Or maybe we only need to stop harassing the sitting president with politically motivated personal suits that are dropped as soon as he leaves office. BTW, does a "retired" president get any kind of benefits other than a lifelong secret service escort?
--Pete
Hmm, 1 in 450 auto accidents involve cell phones? And, though you don't say so, about 1 in 2 involve alcohol.
I'd be more interested in seeing injury and fatality figures than just reported accidents. First, because a fender bender is just an inconvenience (who was the celebrity airhead who said "When you lose your life, you lose something important", or words to that effect). But, second, a large percentage of fender benders don't get reported. If there are injuries involved, that percentage gos way down.
I'd say *enforcing* the DWI laws might be a tad more important than passing new cell phone laws. Of course, doing both would be good, if they can figure out how to enforce the cell phone law.
As to seat belts, I'm all for laws requiring that the manufacturers install an adequate seat belt system. That is consumer protection. I'm against laws requiring people to use them. That is government parenting. If a person is stupid enough to drive around without a seat belt, then it is a good thing for them to die -- preferably before reproducing. And the old "but if they get injured society has to take care of them" argument is best answered with "why?"
Maybe we ought to raise the pay for the President.
Maybe. Or maybe we only need to stop harassing the sitting president with politically motivated personal suits that are dropped as soon as he leaves office. BTW, does a "retired" president get any kind of benefits other than a lifelong secret service escort?
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?