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Teen cited under Maine distracted-driving law

Submitted by The Associated Press on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 09:07
in

KITTERY -- A New Hampshire teenager has been cited under Maine's new distracted-driving law after allegedly crashing her car into a utility pole while texting on her cell phone.

Kittery police Sgt. Charles Denault told the Portsmouth Herald that 19-year-old Jessica Jones admitted that she was texting when she crashed into the pole on Leach Road at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, knocking out power to the neighborhood for the remainder of the afternoon.

Jones was summonsed for failure to maintain control of a vehicle, which is also called the distracted driver law.

The law, which went into effect Sept. 12, makes it illegal for drivers to lose control while distracted, whether by using a cell phone, texting, eating or some other activity.

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Submitted by Raymond Dunton on Sat, 10/10/2009 - 01:44.

I think this should be a primary offense, that is that you can get pulled over for talking or texting on a cellphone.  I have more than once seen a motorist gabbing away on their cellphone and completely ignore pedestrian(s) in the crosswalk.  The crosswalk law is not a guideline or a suggestion.  It's the LAW.  As far as the distracted driving law, since a driver can't be cited for it unless they cause an accident, that is rather useless.  Oh that's great, so a driver while talking  on a cell phone can run over a pedestrian and only then be cited in regards to this law.  How about a law that reduces accidents in this state by making it illegal to use a cell phone while driving?  Cellphones are a major cause of motorist distraction.  Whether texting or talking, your attention is diverted away from your driving and towards either your voice or texting conversation.  Either way, it is a distraction and should be made illegal.

Submitted by Chad Dillihunt on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 05:58.

Has anybody noticed that the last two of the people charged under this law were both women?

Submitted by jack black on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 19:43.

Richard,

 i dont believe anyone here said it was ILLEGAL for cell phone use in a motor vehicle...BUT IT SHOULD BE!!!! the distracted driving is all good and well, i personally agree with it,BUT,  i also personally believe that cell phone use should be outlawedwhile operating a motor vehicle.

 

two wek ago, my family and i were darn near hit by one of these idiots while they were taking care of more important business on their cell phone, than paying attention to driving their car. my light was green and i proceeded to go...theirs was red but guess what the excuse was? "i didnt even see it", hmmmmm i wonder why?

Submitted by Richard Behar on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 19:31.

Argh.

Folks, for the umtienth time. Talking on a cell phone nor anything else while driving IS NOT ILLEGAL.

IF however what you're doing causes an accident because your head was up your backside instead of watch the road THEN you can be summonsed.

Cops and anyone else can talk and drive.

Learn your dammmn laws.

Submitted by Roger David on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 17:27.

Last time I knew, 19 was still a teenager and she was certainly acting like one and not an adult!  After requiring her to pay for the utility repairs, they should take her cell phone/ipod away for a year or so...

Submitted by Reva Ridge on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 15:06.

Has anyone noticed the trend here? I know I have since this no brainer law went into affect. People, young and older are so freaking unsure about this law that, that in-it-self is making for driver distraction! Go Augusta-nothing better to do? Nonsense. This law is a no brainer .......period!

I know the other day, last Saturday it was raining and I needed to turn on the front defroster and was so nervous doing so having to take my eyes of the road for a split second. This law is ridiculous and will continue to cause more accidents.

Augusta at it's best, as always!

Submitted by Jack Rosemont on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 12:48.

This is an adult!! What is wrong with the word "woman"? Better yet , how about "Driver cited for... "

Submitted by jack black on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 11:23.

good! now she ought recieve a bill from the power company to pay the double time wages for the afternoon. DAMN cell phones. they should have a device inside of them that disables them when you are in a motor vehicle and the engine is running.

Submitted by jack black on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 11:20.

GOOD FOR HER!!! she should ALSO be given the service bill from the power company...double time on sunday,i dont imagine those guys worked for free. DAMN cell phones.

there should be e device in vehicles that jams the signal for the damn things , so they CANNOT be used in a motor vehicle as long as the engine is running.

that text message must have been important...meant more to her than her life, she's lucky she's alive.

 

Submitted by Rebecca Whitney on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 11:18.

I'm surprised whenever I read that someone was texting while driving. I drink coffee in the car and change radio stations, but texting seems a new level of distraction. My eyes do not leave the road when I'm driving. Are some people this good at texting that they don't have to look down?

Submitted by Jay Cee on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 11:15.

Cops are exempt from the law

Submitted by Change HasCome on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 11:01.

We should now see ALL cops using their computers,talking on their radios(& cells), as well as eating their donuts while parked from now on, right ;)?