Do we really need laws to protect us from ourselves?
The United States, the land of the free, seems to like to make laws against just about everything.
So, as always, let's look at this from the slighly unusual working of my mind.
When it comes to driving, there really is only one fundamental rule...
Don't hit anything.
Such a simple concept. Easy to understand. Doesn't take a lawyer or an English major to decipher the meaning.
Because people don't seem to get this concept we try to spell it out more clearly in the form of more laws.
Then when somebody violates it, rather than just look at the most serious violation, like a homicide, we compund the violations.
ie: DUI, wreckless driving, vehicular homicide.
But isn't driving under the influence wreckless? Didn't you hit something? With prior knowledge of the consequences of the original offense and subsequent sequele, did you not willfully plan to commit said crimes or did you accidentally decide to drive home drunk after you went to the bar with the intention to drink?
So isn't the charge rather manslaughter or murder? Does the fact you used a 3000 pound projectile somehow differ from using a 9mm one?
When somebody uses a hand held weapon to inflict harm, we all seem so shocked. But not as much outrage when somebody gets run down, smashed into, etc.
I have never seen a law against driving a car in the city limits, but you would be hard pressed to find a city where discharging a firearm in them isn't a crime.
BUt all of this does tie in to the OP. Let's face it, whether DUI, texting, talking, reading the paper, eating, putting on your make up, changing cloths, turning around to yell at the kids, picking that thing you just dropped on the floorboard up, slipping through you cd collection or whatever venue of digital media, (now there are even TVs in the car, what a dumb idea)
Are you not distracted?
Is your full attention or capability focused on driving?
undoubtably a police crackdown on this would save a lot of lives. There might be some calls of double standard as the cops type your plate number into thier lap top as they pursue you, nothing that can't be fixed with an in car camera. Call it "cop cam" and it will flash a yellow light and send a picture of the infraction and a fine to the officer's residence when it happens.
I don't think we need to codify any more laws on "don't hit anything."
What is the solution?
Well, when I commute, I like to read, text, eat, talk on the phone, talk to my collegues and friends, day dream, plan my day. sometimes have a drink before or after commuting.
I don't give even the slightest thought I might get into or cause a collision.
...Of course I ride the bus or tram. Sometimes the train.
I don't worry about missing them, they come every 3-5 minutes. My all you can ride bus and tram pass cost $25 for 3 months.
(don't have a car note, fuel bill, or insurance payment either)
Of course you could always argue that the medical, legal, and incarceration costs might be cheaper than effective and convienient mass transit, but somehow I think your argument might be invalid.
Oh, guess what else? The people who drive those busses, trams, trains, sell tickets, maintain, plan, purchase, administer and all other functions associated. You know what they all have in common?
a job.
The more variables you add to an equation (read cars on the road) the more chances of a miscalculation (read crash)
If we were truly worried about saving lives and money, rather than reactionary laws, that don't undue damage or loss of life, we would put effective mechanisms in place to prevent such losses.
Some will say you will lose the jobs of the people making cars. But really, if you make a car or a bus, or drive it, you still have a job. Just a different one.
Final answer: we don't need laws on paper, we need preventative actions in reality.
