Gaming while driving laws coming soon

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 9th 2007 at 6:30PM }

As states pass legislation to curb the distractions of drivers, we can't help but agree with one bit of anti-gaming legislation: gaming and driving laws. Considering the number of people that have either come close to, or have fully experienced, the fun of somebody hitting your car because they are on their cell phone -- we're cool with many states attempting to pass gaming and driving laws. If they try to pass coffee drinking and gaming laws there'll be some drama though.

Approximately 12 states are trying to forbid drivers from playing video games or using computers and/or fax machines while they drive. Pity the person who still faxes and fear the fool who does it driving. The New York Senate, although having a slew of crazy video game bills, did recently pass S634-C, which should stop gaming and driving. But having a law and enforcing it are two separate worlds. It is expected to be finalized when the Assembly Codes Committee comes back from summer recess.

[Via GamePolitics]

Tags: burnout, crash, drive, gaming, new york, politics

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Shagittarius @ Jul 9th 2007 6:34PM

As long as they don't finally push that 'No masturbating while driving law' through I'm golden.

Exo @ Jul 9th 2007 6:44PM

Funny, cause Id think you'd be too busy polishing sonys knob to be taking care of yourself shag.

neal @ Jul 9th 2007 6:47PM

"approximately 12 states are trying to forbid drivers from playing video games or using computers and/or fax machines while they drive."

Who the fcuk has a Fax Machine in there car??!

ackmondual @ Jul 9th 2007 9:23PM

When my GPS device tells me to turn right in 300 yards and activate Nintendo DS Lite, I'll now know it's bogus :x

.

""Who the fcuk has a Fax Machine in there car??!""
Homer Jay Simpson?
As for non-fictional people, I can see the person who has any combo of 2+ blackberries and 3+ cellphones springing for an in car fax. However, that part of law may be to cover any old 'uns who still USE fax machines

.

""Aren't there already laws that cover this? Reckless endangerment? Why do we need laws for every tiny little thing when existing laws cover situations like this already?""

they post street signs that say "stop here on red" with an arrow pointing to just before the pedestrian crosswalk, along with signs on the highway that say "do not tailgate". I'm sure every DMV manual along the US eastern coast already mentions these 2 points, but push come to shove, it couldn't hurt to reinforce what we've learned (supposedly).

Phour ZwanZig @ Jul 9th 2007 10:22PM

My old boss.. Lil small, Home Fixer Uper company

Jake @ Jul 9th 2007 6:48PM

You shouldn't be allowed to use a phone, watch TV, game, fax, computer, or do any other distracting activity while operating a dangerous piece of equipment that requires your full concentration to operate safely. TV's and laptops should possibly even be restricted to the back seat, so the driver isn't "glancing over" at his passenger's Trauma Center progress.

Ryan @ Jul 9th 2007 6:53PM

Damnmit! Now how am I suppose to send Harvey that thing while driving?

Luis @ Jul 9th 2007 7:02PM

You know how it's considered 'drinking and driving' if the key is in the ignition, does this mean I'll get cited if the key is in the ignition while I'm playing with my DS???

There are so many stupid and uneeded laws.

Ryuukuro @ Jul 9th 2007 7:22PM

I don't think cops are that dumb. If any are then judges aren't that dumb...except the one who "enhanced" himself on the bench.

SYN @ Jul 9th 2007 7:16PM

But first amendment! suddenly we can't enjoy art and drive at the same time? are you saying if the mona lisa was hanging on the side of the highway, we couldn't look at it while we are driving? even a glance from time to time? this is ludacris!!!

lol, i kid, i kid. but they should throw texting while driving into that too. i can't stand people who drive with both thumbs on a fucking cell phone.

AndrewNeo @ Jul 9th 2007 11:38PM

Who can't text with one hand?

Xanto @ Jul 9th 2007 7:17PM

Who the fuck does this?

Mr Khan @ Jul 9th 2007 7:30PM

How could anyone do this, indeed?

It would be like playing 2 games at once, which i can do, but not well (specifically Bomberman 64 and Wii Sports simultaneously, where i kept losing in both)

Rubang B @ Jul 9th 2007 7:31PM

It's about time! The day the DS came out I was playing that Wanted minigame in Super Mario 64 DS at red lights. I could've killed somebody. Since then the only game I've played while driving has been Advance Wars (also only at red lights), but hey, it's turn based. Good thing I quit driving; now I just play Advance Wars and Ouendan on buses and trains. I think the "no texting while driving" would be part of the "cell phone use while driving" laws that are already passing.

In fact, I think all of these can be under the "you must have both hands free while driving" umbrella, which allows cell phone use if you're using a headset, but somehow doesn't allow masturbation.

Phoenix @ Jul 9th 2007 7:54PM

...Wait...so there ARE people who do that?

That's new to me, to be honest.

Greg @ Jul 9th 2007 8:54PM

Why not just enforce existing laws on general reckless driving which already covers it.

BGD @ Jul 9th 2007 9:02PM

Aren't there already laws that cover this? Reckless endangerment? Why do we need laws for every tiny little thing when existing laws cover situations like this already?

arrakisman @ Jul 9th 2007 9:26PM

I have seen a cop or two playing solitaire on the laptops in their cruisers.

Phour ZwanZig @ Jul 9th 2007 10:38PM

That sucks.. no more lookin up streets on my lappy while Im cruzing down the Highway..

All I do is glance.. Normally do stop to use laptop. But really would this to include the use of GPS devices, cuz when you peel back the skin, its really a computer..

BTW.. Are paper maps illegal too..

and.. Might I add.. POLICE BEST not be EXEMPT if it passes into law.. I seen them do that alot around here, alteast the cruize with the lappy open and lit.. Plus the use the phone while driving alot round here..