Cellphone Law

I still see it all around me. It has been almost a year since CA began enforcing a law restricting handheld cellular phone usage while driving. The "texting" loophole was later closed. So how the hell is a cop to enforce this law? My guess is that they don't. Just today I witnessed a young gal glancing down at her lap repeatedly while at a stoplight. Another, older woman, was blatantly yakking away with the phone up against her left ear, the one facing out the window for the world to see (but perhaps invisible to law enforcement). I had to pass a vehicle yesterday that was going questionably slow, only to find a woman carrying on an animated conversation on her phone. Sure, people will hedge their bets against getting caught... no different than breaking other traffic laws I suppose, but this one's harder to detect and probably why they do it.

I am no fan of phones, which leaves me with a feeling of being left out on (figuratively) giving a finger to the Man. I now make up for that by proceeding through red lights when clear, perform rolling stops, speeding, and sex when I can get it.

Traffic Enforcement

I do not consider myself a chronic speeder (when it comes to the roadways); there is a time and place where you can open up the throttle. I did not necessarily say legally, but there is a huge difference between rush hour metropolitan congestion and an endless desert. Believe me, being tagged for 65mph on a southern Utah desert stretch of new asphalt posted at 55mph made very little sense to me.

But around Sacramento, I have seen drivers going about 50% over some speed limits.

There are other infractions as well: tailgating, weaving, red light running, cutting off others, wandering (most likely due to cellphone usage, primping and preening, squeals on wheels, child chiding, reading, daydreaming, pigging out or a blow job). Sometimes I wonder "where's a cop when you really need one?".

I hear the budget is primarily to blame, although I attribute it in part to cellphones and drive-thru service. Waiting at home for a phone call or enjoying a sit-down meal are no longer reasons to keep one from sliding behind the wheel. But I (am starting to) digress. Maybe the budget can be better spent on strategically placing empty patrol cars at various, problematic traffic locations. These cars' high profile will act as a deterrent, and isn't traffic safety the goal, as opposed to ticket quotas? Or, make the patrol cars' appearance more discreet and that will keep everyone guessing.

I can just hear law enforcement unions and the ACLU beginning to stir.