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Honolulu mayor bans 'mobile electronic devices' while driving

by Alexander Sliwinski on May 6th 2009 2:15AM

Honolulu (Hawaii, not Idaho) Mayor Mufi Hannemann will soon sign a bill making the use of mobile electronic devices illegal while driving. According to the Star Bulletin, Bill 4 is aimed at stopping "text messaging and video-game playing," but the blanket law for all devices had to be done to make the bill enforceable. Officers simply need to see a driver using a handheld device to issue a citation -- hands-free devices are kosher.

So, if you're looking to game and drive to the beach, head on over to Kailua. The beaches are better and there are far fewer tourists to inattentively run over.

[Via GamePolitics]

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Tags: driving, gaming, honolulu, mufi-hannemann, texting, waikiki

Reader Comments (34)

yess, finaly some news from Hawaii!!

Good. More states need to pass laws like this. Pisses me off when people are driving, and talking/texting on their phones at the same time. PAY ATTENTION TO THE DAMN ROAD.

I hope Canada starts banning this, too. When I see someone swerving on the road I used to think they might be drunk or something... nope, just texting.

Thing is, the law doesn't change it. People still do it here in NJ.

We also have general cell phone usage banned while driving in NJ (unless we're using a hands free device), and everyone still uses their phones while driving. Unfortunately the law basically just makes talking while driving even more dangerous, because instead of just losing some control because you have a phone in your hand, you're also on the lookout for any police cars on the road.

But I agree, people really really really need to not text or fucking playing games while driving. It's incredibly unsafe.

...as opposed to using immobile electronics while driving.

So I guess desktops are still okay to use in your car.

Well it looks like I'm going to have to go back to using my car phone over my cell phone.

I honestly don't see how it's even possible to play a game or text when your life is in constant danger from operating a 2000lb+ vehicle.

meh maybe they will enforce it better than california does, hell i drive past cops all the time talking on my phone, and they just cruise by talking on theirs

Oh, I forgot Hawaii was a state.

Could say the same for Idaho

I am not sure if this entails MP3 players.

Unless it's a touch-required mp3 player, you're fine. I'm pretty sure they fall under hands-free devices.

Well having lived in Hawaii for the last 6 years (It is really good place to vacation, but living is another thing), this law was made because there was a bus driver that was playing his video games while driving the bus. (Not with one hand, but two hands). I guess does this mean the cops cannot use their laptop while driving now too right? I demand equal rights!!!

the computer is a "stationary electronic device".

See the difference?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3373389371_2bf0246396.jpg

That just means there's a market for steering wheel mounts for gaming devices! PATENT PENDING! PATENT PENDING!

I beg to differ, Ko' olina beaches are much better than Kailua.

Whatever dude. Lanikai is better than any Ko'olina beach.

You're both wrong. Idaho Beach is like, the best one ever.

That's crazy. I can understand some people talking on a phone while driving (although even that's very stupid) but actually playing videogames while driving? How is that even possible?

Driving cross country last year I saw one idiot play his PSP while driving. Apparently it's easy to do if you drive with your arms.

How is that even possible?

Duct tape

I'd say this is where most municipalities are going. Taking your eyes off the road for extended periods of time is really freaking dangerous.

No can haz eyePodz and dryve?

The same law was just passed in Ontario. It is specifically handheld devices here, including video games. Headsets and hands-free are still permitted.

Seems like a no brainer to me. Keep your damn eyes and ears on the road and your hands on the wheel.

"But what's the difference between talking to people in your car and on a phone?" The ignorant by-stander demands.

3D sound.. duh! Sound waves being distributed from within your vehicle will enter both ears and not screw with your equilibrium. Talking to a phone causes your brain to tune out everything from the other ear.. this includes everything going on in the street. Listening out of a single ear essentially causes tunnel vision.

The real question is: What's the difference between a handset and a headset? Nothing. Headsets shouldn't be permitted either.

that one requires a hand? wtflol

I got rear ended by some asshole watching a movie on his iphone. He wasnt even parking and just turning it on, we were just driving down the street and he was watching it

Haha... iPhone users are completely screwed. People with phones that have actual buttons are still going to be able to text with the phone hidden below the dash level because most people addicted to texting can text without even looking at the phone. This is extremely difficult, if not impossible for most people, to do on a touch screen.

I have tried to play Nintendo while driving and it is quite difficult. Tho, I can see being able to play some of the Rhythm Heaven songs without looking, as long as the sound was loud enough.

Good, i think that should become law worldwide.

i think cincinnati is getting that ban shortly

What about Ipods? Car Stereos (they're mobile, aren't they)? Or a laptop you may have besides you, thats turned off?

I'd veto the hell outta this, seeing how it's too vague.

And just what America needs - our government, playing nanny again.

Actually if this is being done by the Honolulu mayor it will most likely effect the entire Island of Oahu. the whole Island is the City and County of Honolulu so Kailua is more than likely going to be lumped in with the city.

Well this is half good, what about all the other devices and stuff, radios, mp3's, GPS. laptops, makeup, etc...

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Honolulu mayor bans 'mobile electronic devices' while driving

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