[ILQSO] Proposed Distracted Driving Legislation in Illinois

Fri Jan 27 11:52:55 EST 2012

True, but mounted and wired I would think classify it as integrated.
On Jan 27, 2012 10:48 AM, "John Geiger" <aa5jg at fidmail.com> wrote:

> Wouldn't it be ok to use your radio while in motion if you were using VOX?
> That is hands free and voice activated.
>
> 73s John AA5JG
>
> On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Bryan Todd <kc9nrb at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > If I'm reading this right. If the equipemnt is "integrated"into the
> > vehicle, (I.e. mounted, wired) then it may possibly become exempt. It
> would
> > be a long shot, but it might be a loophole.  Any thoughts?
> > On Jan 27, 2012 10:32 AM, <km9m-zig at comcast.net> wrote:
> >
> > > The below is FYI, Received from Brad Pioveson - W9FX.
> > > 73,
> > > Zig - KM9M
> > >
> > > Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:52 AM
> > > Subject: [Illinois_ARES] Proposed Distracted Driving Legislation in
> > > Illinois
> > >
> > >
> > > Ladies and Gentlemen, we all have probably, to some degree, realized
> that
> > > this was coming. The horrific Missouri school bus crash of recent times
> > > resulting from a teen texting while driving led to a great cry to ‘ban
> > > distracted driving!’ I get it, I really do. Driving down the road
> > > while reading from a tiny little screen, typing on a midget-sized
> > keyboard,
> > > and/or searching for iPod tunes cannot lead to safe drivers. We've all
> > > seen the results.
> > >
> > > Still, these activities are not, for the most part, what hams do when
> > > operating from their vehicles. We turn on a rig, dial up a frequency
> or a
> > > memory channel and talk into a microphone. There is no distraction, at
> > > least not in the same sense as texting-while-driving causes. The
> National
> > > Safety Council has no evidence indicating that the use of amateur radio
> > > gear (in
> > > general) has statistically demonstated any driving hazard or risk.
> > >
> > > The NSC notwithstanding, the Illinois Legislature, and, more
> > particularly,
> > > the House of Representatives, is set to begin consideration of two
> > proposed
> > > pieces of legislation designed to prohibit DISTRACTED DRIVING. I put
> that
> > > in CAPS because that’s what the intent of the legislation is purported
> to
> > > be. These two bills, HB3970 and HB3972, prohibit using all manner of
> > > electronic devices while one is driving unless said device is
> hands-free
> > > and/or
> > > voice-activated. Certain classes of operation are exempted from these
> > > bills including ‘persons driving emergency vehicles,’ someone reporting
> > an
> > > emergency situation, or when the operator of the vehicle has the
> > vehicle’s
> > > transmission in neutral or park and on the shoulder of the roadway.
> > >
> > > If this legislation passes as it is proposed, the use of amateur radio
> > > gear while driving will be outlawed in Illinois.
> > >
> > > Stop and read that last sentence again.
> > >
> > > It matters little if you are Democrat, Republican, Tea Party,
> > independent,
> > > or apolitical - these bills are absolutely Draconian in nature.
> > > You’re a SKYWARN volunteer you say? Sure. You can operate your radio
> > > after you get off the road and when you have the vehicle’s transmission
> > in
> > > park
> > > or neutral – but, not until. Are you thinking about becoming a
> > Rover-class
> > > participant in an ARRL or CQ-sponsored VHF contest or, or, perhaps,
> hand
> > > out a few of the more rare counties during the Illinois QSO Party? Not
> if
> > > you’re driving and in motion, you’re not! How about chasing DX while
> > > you’re on your daily 1 hour commute into Chicago? Nope. Can’t call
> > > your buddies on the local repeater while you’re driving, either.
> > >
> > > We, the ARRL team here in Illinois, will weigh in with the legislature
> > via
> > > our Stage Government Liaison, Charlie Richey, K9DUE. We are,
> > > however, to borrow a term, little more than spurious noise, to the
> > Illinois
> > > Legislature. We aren't lobbyists. If we are to continue to enjoy the
> > > freedom to pursue our avocation, to enjoy the privileges our federal
> > > licenses
> > > grant to us, then, we Illinois hams, both individually and
> collectively,
> > > are
> > > going to have to get off our duffs and get involved.
> > >
> > > Please take this message to your clubs...take it to your local VHF (or
> > HF)
> > > nets...put the info out far and wide – from Rockford to Cairo, Quincy
> to
> > > Rosiclare. Contact YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, YOUR SENATOR, AND, THE
> > > GOVERNOR’S OFFICE and let them know your feelings about this. If nobody
> > > opposes this legislation, like so many other ‘well-intended’ measures,
> > this
> > > heavy-handed and ill-conceived attempt at legislating common sense will
> > > pass
> > > into Illinois law. Then it will be law enforcement officers that decide
> > > whether or not what you’re using in your car to communicate is legal
> > > according
> > > to their interpretation of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Not many law
> > > enforcement officers know the difference between a Sprint P2T telephone
> > > and a
> > > D-Star HT.
> > >
> > > I urge you to take the time to follow the links, below, read the text
> of
> > > these proposed laws, and make yourself heard - while there's still time
> > to
> > > make
> > > a difference.
> > >
> > > http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/HB/PDF/09700HB3970lv.pdf
> > > http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/HB/PDF/09700HB3972lv.pdf
> > >
> > >
> > > 73, Brad, W9FX
> > > ARRL Illinois Section Emergency
> > > Coordinator
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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