OK before the rants begin on another copper bashing, I will get my 2 cents in. Lets look at how many officers, fire guys and paramedics drive around Boise while using their computers. Everyday were talking probably 80-100, times 365 days a year, and how many accidents are there involving police, fire and paramedics? A fraction of the amount that drive daily, so, lets not just begin to say it is wrong unless you have some stats to back it up.

EDITOR NOTE–Steve, do you question the CHP, FDNY, USDOT, AAA, MADD, and ISP? No copper is gonna own up to “inattentive” when he can claim a patch of ice, dog, or bicycle caused him to bump a curb or scrape a post. On the road other motorists tend to avoid the “Big White Stallion” with a light bar. Go talk to the legislature and tell them not to bash cops by passing a law aimed at safety.

I’ve heard there are places where ALL the Police/EMS/Fire, except the cops on the highest priority, must not speed. They can change lights, but must stop at stop signs… the lost time is not much, and it’s a bunch safer for the public they are to serve and protect. (Although it probably takes the fun out of the job.)

If you know where one of these places is, it would be nice to know more about the reasons and the results.

BIG Brother? Texting police? That would be easy. They can just get your phone bill/GPS location records and send a ticket for whenever the phone was moving.

Wow Mr Editor, you are now saying coppers will lie about accidents huh. Man, just keep bashing editor, your true colors are showing again. Also, most of those stats are from large metro areas I am sure, so get the Idaho stats, or better yet, Boise, Nampa, Meridian etc.

The Boise fire department does not allow the drivers of a fire apparatus to work on the computer, text or talk on the phone while driving. How do I know this for sure? I’m a Boise firefighter. The Captain works the computer. the Driver doesn’t have access to it. I can’t even see the screen from the driver’s seat. And personal phone use is out while on a truck or engine.

Zippo, BFD has a policy that the fire apparatus will come to a full stop at all red lights or stop signs. There is good and bad with every policy, but this one is on the books and is expected to be followed.

EDITOR NOTE–Matt, thanks for the info. Good policy , especially with my expensive rig! Policy on computer is probably the same for ACEMS too. Nemo will probably let us know on that. ISP has privately said they avoid reading and driving too.

I think you are missing some important issues with this bill. I am a Police Officer, but not a traffic cop. I believe the traffic laws all have their place, but are sometimes used more than needed, simply for a fund generating tool (not to be blamed on the cops, but the politicians who push the enforcement). This bill will greatly add to this problem. The bill text prohibits:

“engaging in the review of, or preparation and transmission of typed messages via wireless devices.”

Think about how vague this is, and what it extends to. Not only does this prohibit people from texting on a phone, it also includes ‘reviewing’ any transmission on a wireless device. Anyone use a GPS system? You can’t anymore if this bill passes. Does your phone ring and you want to look screen to see who is calling? You just violated this law, and if an Officer sees you look at your phone he/she can legally stop you. Have a TOM TOM or a GARMIN on your dash? Seems pretty easy that an Officer can now stop you for that. How about satellite radio? Seems like a wireless device to me!

My point is this: This law is very vague, and simply over extends the reach of law enforcement.

Good luck on enforcing this new law. My defense will be I was making a phone call, not texting. Yes, people lie all the time to cops. Prove I was texting. Oh, and another thing. Get a warrant to see my phone.

Acquaintances of mine who consistently use cell phones or text while driving are combattive about the texting ban law instead of using commen sense on the roads. You simply cannot concentrate on the roads, signs, traffic, turn offs, etc., while engaging in long-winded conversations or texting. I have ridden along with paramedics and they always have a driver and another paramedic on board to monitor screens and write reports and are generally followed by at least one commander. Most law enforcement officers I’ve observed do pull off the road to write reports. There should not be any exceptions to this law. Safety is paramount…just ask the parents of the young man and young woman who recently died tragically in vehicular accidents in the Treasure Valley due to texting. Will this law be easy to enforce? Probably not, but a stiff fine might make some think twice about putting gadgets we’ve done without for eons above human life.

We have laptops in all of our fire apparatus, rescue and command vehicles. The crews use them to gather gis data,gps data, weather data, incident information ect, vital info while responding to an incident. The Engine Captains or backseaters use the laptops, the driver never does unless while the vehicle is stopped. Besides the laptops the Engine Captain also have multi-channel radios, blackberries, pda’s, cell phones, satelite phones that keep them occupied.