Bishop Police Department to Hold Zero Tolerance Distracted Driving
Enforcement Operation
As part of this month’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign, Bishop Police Department will be offering “zero tolerance” to those texting or operating hand-held cell phones during the month of April 2012. Drivers who break the law and place themselves and others in danger will be cited. The current minimum ticket cost is $159, with subsequent tickets costing at least $279.
Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk. As a result, law enforcement across the state, including Bishop Police are increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting. This April will see over 225 local agencies plus the CHP conducting zero tolerance enforcements.
“We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously.” said Bishop Police Chief Chris Carter. “Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting officers on the road to enforce zero tolerance. Is that text message or cell phone call really worth $159?”
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver’s reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.
Studies show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in “inattention blindness” which occurs when the brain isn’t seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers’ focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road. When over one third of your brain’s functioning that should be on your driving moves over to cell phone talking, you can become a cell phone “zombie.”
“Turn off your phone and put it out of reach as you get into the car,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “Think before you call or text someone. If there is a chance they may be driving, let it wait. It’s not worth it.”
Katie Coffman, Public Information Officer.
An ad hominem (Latin for “to the man” or “to the person”), short for argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic or belief of the person supporting it. Ad hominem reasoning is normally described as a logical fallacy.… Read more »
the bff comment….just meant to say that the two of you sound so much alike that you could be the same person…
Yes, quite unlike the right wing conservatives who all have unique and profound viewpoints.
Here are some “right wing conservative viewpoints” as mentioned by the poster above.
They most certainly ARE profound. (as well as frightening)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77rtyQf6Hwk
The phrase “dumpster diving” keeps rolling around my brain.
A whole lot of people are light years a part in point of view. It’s amazing we accomplish anything.
I can’t wait till fishing season 🙂
I hear ya sieragrl, I wasn’t meaning to go against what you said, but just throwing out a few thoughts on what you said. the thing about bluetooth was a joke. It just goes back to what I have said before .. people are getting less inclined to be responsible… Read more »
LOL Rob … you’re right .. but somehow we do.
Ken Warner and Dennis……………what a combo…………..bff’s or what?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutFkykjmbM
Hate comes to Orange County.
The Tea Party in action.
The Tea Party is an offshoot of the modern American conservative movement. This rabid movement bears no semblance whatsoever to their father’s or grandfather’s style of conservatism. It has been replaced with non-stop hate-mongering and led by their gurus Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. Here’s just a small example of… Read more »
This is an odd place to discuss the Tea Party and their baggers but here is a fairly accurate history of the genesis of the Tea Party — from the Guardian so you can give it a little more trust than the usual sources….
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/oct/25/tea-party-koch-brothers
Unedited Tea Party protestor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUsBvkfQKUw&feature=relmfu
That’s classic Dennis.
Not being under the influence of that group, the definition of “Tea Bagger” as noted above, is news to me. So, I suppose ignorance of any code talk within that group is no excuse. I do have compassion for anyone trapped in the state of California that is generally regarded… Read more »
Sounds like you’re doing a little foaming at the mouth too there dennis with your own rhetoric. Better have the hose ready there buddy.
People who find their way onto this exchange of information/venting/therapy format might as well know that whenever I read the word “liberal” (as is one political group’s ad infinitum Modus operandi) I will always give the Webster definition over the Limbaugh/Beck demonized one. It’s tough to turn the other cheek… Read more »
Well there you go Den .. I don’t like rush either, he is just another bagger who has lost touch with reality … just saying though .. I see in a lot of your posts, the same thing .. so yeah .. all parties .. have people who spread lies,… Read more »
There appears to be some confusion re: the use of the terms “liberal” and “foam at the mouth.” Perhaps this uncensored clip will shed some light on what I am driving at re: my concern for the group that clearly foams at the mouth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutFkykjmbM ps – there’s plenty more… Read more »
I just “googled” tea-bagger on urban dictionary…..There are all kinds of things it can be….each one had me laughing out loud.
LOL Wayne
I think if there was a slugfest between Elizabeth Tenney and this Warner character – I’d put my money on Tenney. When do you suppose “The Right,” The Tea-Baggers”, “The Neocons” “The Limbaughites” or “The Only True Americans” (as they like to call themselves) are going to figure out that… Read more »
No, it’s what they say. And I guess if you don’t talk “text” you probably do sound old to the next generation — who will be known for their illiteracy and shallowness. BTW: violence as the final arbiter is certainly a Tea Bag characteristic — “Don’t retreat — reload” etc.… Read more »
I’m glad I’m not miserable like what you write dennis lol
“Tea Baggers” is an ugly term for gay sex between males. Those who cannot win the argument based on logic and facts default to calling the other side “Tea Baggers” rather than Tea Party memebers. When they continue to lose the argument they come up with other names such as… Read more »
Amen Reality
Actually, “Tea bagging” doesn’t have to be just and “ugly term for gay sex between males” it can also be for heterosexuals too.
“…when one side begins with the name calling, they have lost the battle and they make themselves look foolish.” It is my belief that the very same name-calling (“liberal” is a dirty word amongst one angst-ridden group) caused the “lost battle” of putting the likes of Sarah Palin or Michele… Read more »
“Tea Partiers,” Tea-baggers,” whatever you want to call them –
here is a meeting of some people (some say a prime example) of why there is great concern for the youth of America (the future) as they inherit the mess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OemUugDSeWk&feature=related
As I recall, the tea party members themselves originally used the term tea baggers, until it was brought to their attention what is was also a term for.
I’m surprised the angst-ridden, anti-government, anti-this, anti-that posters above don’t all use the moniker “Rush.”
What can you say? It’s a wacky world.
And now we get English lessons.
Always a source of enjoyment they are. :>
Sure do like dennis’ and Charles James’ responses. So refreshing to read literate expressions of thoughtful analysis.
Question: how does one write the possessive of a proper name ending in ‘s’?
It’s clear from the posts that some people have issues when it comes to law enforcement officers (LEOs) exemption to use cell phones on duty while driving. Others appear to simply have issues with law enforcement period if it in any way contradicts with their personal lifestyle choices. A few… Read more »
Yes, it is. Stay tuned. BK
Yes I do believe that there is reason for LEO’s to use cell phone, I have personally witnessed personal use of cell phones by officers while driving. I do not believe it is the immense proportion that some make it out to be. But just the same it does happen.… Read more »
Charles- it really isn’t the police I have a problem with concerning the cell phone laws. It’s all these mama boy laws our lawmakers are shoving down our throat in the name of public safety. It’s pushing us close to a police state in my opinion. That doesn’t mean I… Read more »
Amen Trouble
Steven, Law Enforcement is only exempt for speaking on a cell phone for official business only. All one has to do is complain to the department, and I would gaurentee that a review of the cell phone bill shows personal calls being made during the Officers tour of duty. They… Read more »
cat…You got to go through a lot of legal loops to be checking on cell-phone records…even when it’s related to calls during work hours…..And you tell me I ramble?
um, no. The city or town issued phone has a bill that should and can easily be reviewed by the supervisor or administrative staff. Not hard at all. The hard part would be knowing if they were driving while they made the call.
sierragrl….sounds like a great idea…and something I’m sure Law Enforcement wants to look into and investigate with their officers.And,surely,the public wants too…The resources that it would take,time,money,man hours,etc. trying to find out if their officers are making personal phone calls while on the job (something most everyone does),and then trying… Read more »
hehe do you really think they will take your complaints under consideration and investigate it. We can complain about it, but that would be as far as it goes … thank you very much for your concern we will look into .. it have a good day.
P.S. when I read: “… so the name calling starts when someone has a different opinion than you….putting people in neat political boxes”
Does this include the word “liberal” (and not the original live-and-let-live definition – the “anything goes/bad American definition) ?
LOL dennis you must be one of them liberals you are defending so intensely .. I don’t really care if you are … liberal … tea bagger … conservative or if anyone else is .. politics is a messy subject that involves a lot of paper work to clean up… Read more »
There is a foam-at-the-mouth group that listens to Oxycontin-inspired radio talk show hosts and reads all the manic sounding Ann Coulter books all focusing on the demonization of the word “liberal.” It’s all they do.
Please provide your definition of the word to reach a common understanding.
Thanks in advance.
Define liberal.
define foam at the mouth … define conservative … Meeting in the middle is not bagging on everyone and thinking you are somehow above others. Understanding and accepting of other’s views while wanting to have your views known and accepted. Giving and taking .. but mainly giving in some ..… Read more »
Tell it to THESE people – Big.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77rtyQf6Hwk
“I speak out about your words here dennis because as I see it …” says Big Al. Perusing all the postings today, I’d say Big Al speaks out about … well just about everything. And this is an M.O. of today’s modern American conservative movement (which bears no semblance whatsoever… Read more »
No Dennis .. my M.O. as you put it doesn’t point to any political party. I don’t side with any of them, I think say how I see it. I don’t bag on the parties like you do, I just bag on people when I see them blowing it. I… Read more »
yup
This “I’m an American and I can talk on my cell phone when I’m driving anytime I want” rhetoric is reminiscent of a previous politicized argument regarding handguns. Next we get to hear: “You can have my cell phone when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!” No one… Read more »
Law Enforcement are exempt from this law. My guess is that they are conducting unfinished business on their phones while driving. Sometimes I’m sure they are ordering pizza. I still think it is unsafe and unless it is an absolute emergency, they too should have to pull over and talk.… Read more »
I am sure that the XM Radio that officers install in their cars does not distract them either! NOT!!!
They’d be better informed if the listened to 92.5 KSRW to keep up and local news and events.
Benett- to answer your question without disclosing what I do for a living is hard. But, if you were a fed-x driver that is dispatch by a company paid cell phone and expected to answer it all the time, it is difficult to do with a bluethoot. It falls off… Read more »
I see your point. Your company needs to find an answer for you – a better bluetooth, if there is such a thing, or bluetooth capabilities
inside the truck. BK
I was a delivery driver for 14 years in Lancaster….going to Ridgecrest,Palmdale,Littlerock,Quartz Hill,Tehachapi,Lake Los Angeles,Pearblossom, Rosamond and Mojave…In those 14 years,never once did I use a cell phone…and in those 14 years, probably 10 times,at the most,having a reason to call my office…or for them having to call me while… Read more »
If your company expects you to be able to answer the phone at any time… then pull over and answer the phone. Complete your conversation. Safely merge back onto the road and continue on your way. No one has a right to sacrifice the safety of others for convenience. Distracted… Read more »
My blue tooth works well Trouble .. it’s a Motorola .. same reliability that goes into our two way radios. I forget it is there a lot of times, people are always like what’s in your ear? But I had one before it didn’t do too well.
putting the bluetooth on to take a call is less safe then just answering your phone with your hands. This is a bad law. There are a million things (ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration) that are as distracting or more so. Hold people accountable for their actions instead… Read more »
Thanks Sierragirl ! I now know I’m not alone.
You put the bluetooth on before you go sierragrl, not when you get a call .. I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t think there is any clear solution … people still use cell phones, probably just as much as before the law went into effect. And crack downs… Read more »
my point was to make talking on phones legal, but up the punishment for screwing up….ie. causing an accident. Hold people responsible as opposed to trying to legislate everyone’s life to death.
Benett, how come there is no reply box on your comment to me? I know you are the editor, but I think I should be able to respond directly to your question.
I don’t know, but I did get your reply and responded. Thank you, BK
Wonder if the Po-Po is going to ticket themselves. Almost every Mammoth cop is on the phone on his way to or from work!
Yet more Tea Party-sounding whining from those who hate the idea of paying taxes for: Fire Departments, Police Departments, Transportation, Education, Defense, Post Offices, Arts and Culture, Social Services, Housing, Low-income assistance, Unemployment compensation, Veterans Affair, Health, Energy, … etc., etc., etc. These Limbaughites don’t think they have to pay… Read more »
and so the name calling starts when someone has a different opinion than you….putting people in neat political boxes….name calling is a drain….it’s adds no value to the discussion dennis….please just tell us what your opinion is and leave it at that.
In reality, ad hominem is unrelated to sarcasm or personal abuse. Argumentum ad hominem is the logical fallacy of attempting to undermine a speaker’s argument by attacking the speaker instead of addressing the argument. The mere presence of a personal attack does not indicate ad hominem: the attack must be… Read more »
You’re correct. You’re a jerk. Since I did not use this to undermine your argument, it is not an ad hominem attack, by your own words. Feel better? Now, to undermine your argument, the Tea Party is completely in agreement with paying for essential government services. Which is why it… Read more »
…what empirical evidence? The rants from FoxNEWS and other conservative talking heads? And who would do what better? Maybe BP? Maybe Halliburton? Golman-Sachs? Unitedhealth Group? Corrections Corporation of America? How about contracting out our police forces to Blackwater? Would you prefer that? You really think for profit companies can better… Read more »
So what they hey is a tea bagger anyways? Sounds like a lot of bagging going on there Dennis, is that what a tea bagger is?
A” tea bagger” is a person who reveres Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Ann Coulter.( All made millions by demonizing the word “liberal.” ) They are convinced liberals (aka Democrats) are the Devil and believe they represent the “Only, true Americans.” These poor souls actually believe people like Sarah Palin… Read more »
Sounds like hog wash to me Dennis .. the same rhetoric you are describing.
Back the badge people, chances are if you we’re pulled over you earned it.
LEO’s for the most part treat people the way they want to be treated; with respect.
If most people get pulled over it’s because “law enforcement” needs you money.
LOL Wayne You must have gotten that truck when the company upgraded from wagons eh? hehe I guess it just depends on how you see it, sometimes one is driven by necessity, some people are more social. Maybe you need to come up to Bishop more often and be more… Read more »
What I don’t understand is WHY people got to talk on the cell-phone while they drive?….or for that matter,need to talk on a cell phone when you go fishing,camping,shopping,taking the dog for a walk,going to the bathroom,etc.? A couple days ago,I was at a local coffee shop to purchase a… Read more »
Wayne I pay a hundred plus dollars a month for my phone. I enjoy it. Besides no one is going to tell to sit down and shut up.
Trouble…Judging from this article,the CHP might do just that if they catch you yapping on the cell while your sitting and driving….
Wayne, just to make it clear to you, I will continue to talk on my phone when ever I want. Maybe I’ll get fined, I don’t really care. This law goes to far.
Trouble, have you ever tried a hands free bluetooth ear piece. You can talk and not be distracted by
picking up and answering a phone instrument. It’s also legal. BK
Trouble- Perhaps the next child riding their bike or pedestrian who gets hit by the distracted driver will be well known by or even a family member of yours– someone who feels they are above the law and don’t think laws are to protect the innocent from the idiots.
The coffee shop in Lone Pine sells helium balloons ?
Yes they do….The old Florista flower shop…..
Wayne- admit it, no one really calls you anyway….
Wayne,
Too bad you don’t feel the same way about computers. It would be most refreashing not to read your ramblings!
cat….Don’t read em’….
Where I am coming from is there is too many cops doing the same job at the same time. When you live in these small town communitys you know who everybody is. If they really cared about the youth and people they wouldn’t treat them like a number or statistic.… Read more »
Amen “New ERA” and in the city of Bishop there are 6 law enforcement agencies: the Bishop PD, the Inyo Sheriff, the CHP, and BLM, DFG, and Inyo NFS police…..there are too many law enforcers in Northern Inyo County all with unbridled budgets.
Wow!! As a former resident of Bishop, and are regular visitor, I can’t believe the replys. I was always very happy to see the Bishop police, CHP, and Inyo sheriff departments all doing a very good job. I have been driving for over 40 years, and have gotten along just… Read more »
…..and for someone who has driven for over 40 years I’m sure you are also perfectly fine not using an Ipod, computer, cordless phone, and don’t know how to text too; but that doesn’t mean that everyone should be just fine with it also. I’m sure if some “whipper snapper”… Read more »
John- admit it, no one really calls you anyway.
Trouble…Maybe John…and myself…kind of prefer it that way …especially when we’re driving a vehicle..and maybe we just aren’t as important and charismatic as you must be having to always be talking and communicating on a cell phone 24/7…Maybe when we want to communicate with another person,we do it the “old… Read more »
Distracted Driving is a major problem, but if they are gonna address it in ways that offers no real deliverables, Why dont we just all donate 200 dollars a year to BPD, Inyo Sherriff’s dept., CHP, because we love what and how they are doing things. Oh wait cant forget… Read more »
As a member of the “National Motorist Association,” many items discussed in this article are actually not substantiated by the facts. One fact I find interesting, in States that pass “hands free” cell phone laws the accident rate actually INCREASES, not decreases. “Highway Loss Data Institute” found that, “Insurance collision… Read more »
Perhaps the “statements” you presented from the IIHS website do not, at least on their face, appear to show the need for laws on texting and distracted driving, but a closer look at the website shows that your comments are selective, and misleading, if not disingenuous. Similar disingenuine arguments can… Read more »
Even the website you reference proves my point over and over again. It’s unfortunate that you claim to be unable to multi-task by driving and talking on the phone simultaneously. I’ve been doing it since cell phones became common place in the early 1990’s on the freeways of LA, OC,… Read more »
ESL, In covering news for 37 years here, I will tell you that distractions while driving lead to many, if not most, accidents whether it be eating, talking on a phone, texting, playing a CD, disciplining the kids, arguing with a passenger. We’ve heard it all. For safety’s sake, anything… Read more »
You’ve never been in an accident because other people were paying attention to your erratic driving and were giving you wide berth.
What do you think about the new emergency phone line the county has? They call you if there is a emergency. But the cops say the best thing I should do is not answer it. Ya right.
I read that a while back ESL, about the data showing an increase in accidents involving cell phone usage after states have enacted no cell phone and texting while driving laws. What a twist, who would have figured? One can’t help but feel it is a money maker, yet another… Read more »
They do .. cause they can … 10-4
About the only right know, is my right to free speech shall not be infringed on. Did I get that right?
Yes, but not when you are putting fellow citizens at risk because you are driving while impeded/distracted. IMHO any distracted/impeded driving is not much different than DUI! I respect your rights and had a career protecting those rights but don’t let your rights lead you into irresponsible acts.
Harry, sorry to disagree, but my right to free speech is protected and shall not be infringed open. DUI is a different matter.
You got it Trouble, and amen we have that right.
Trouble – “Free speech” as you seem to imagine it (you can say whatever you want to whomever, where ever, when ever) does not exist. There are always reasonable time/place/manner restrictions that can be placed on speech. Do you see the ACLU suing California on First Amendment grounds because the… Read more »
Dean you are likely correct, and once I saw Benetts question to me about hands free stuff, it made me see I was over doing it on this matter. But I still think this law is for the birds.
I don’t use my cell phone when I am driving my car while trying to eat a double bacon cheeseberger, frys, and drink a jumbo coke, expecially while trying to find a favorite cd to put on all the while conversing about the loss of civil liberties with my girl… Read more »
The cops are legally allowed to talk on their cell phones while driving. 99% of the time it is personal and has nothing to do with their job.
Agreed….they are humans too and I don’t recall them offering “texting or talking while driving” classes in the academy. How are they any more qualified to be able to talk/text while driving than anyone else? They have radios to use for work.
Just the Facts, “99% of the time it is personal and has nothing to do with their job.”. Please post the information and source of your “Facts”! Or change the name you use to post to Just My my Made up Facts or Just BS.
I know a lot of cops and they told me.
Well I almost agree with a strong percentage of the time it is personal, under the observation of seeing them do nothing but drive to point A to point B. And you will never make me a believer that they are that busy to be on the phone that often!… Read more »
I’ll stop talking on my cell phone as soon as the cops stop talking on theirs. Seems fair to me.
I’ve noticed that they don’t wear their seatbelts, either.
Big Rick, Bishop PD has two sets of rules. One set for them and another set for the peasants who they will ticket and fine to balance their budget.
It is just another form of taxation.
It’s a great effort, but i dont see this really giving our over inflated local cops dept. anything more to do, dang they must be bored! I guess i would seek crime also if there wasn’t anything to do. TALK ABOUT A WASTE OF RESOURCES! I mean I dont feel… Read more »