DeVore debated the author of the texting ban, State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) on the show to Dr. Phil’s less-than sympathetic studio audience. The debate was preceded by two segments on extreme cellphone abuse.
“Dr. Phil started with a 21-year-old nightmare from Texas who text messages some 4,000 times a month, driving down the road at 70 mph, steering with her knee while holding her BlackBerry with both hands,” DeVore said. “Next, a mother of a 17-year-old girl who was killed by a cellphone user who blew through a red light while looking up an address.”
Simitian also was behind the law banning hand-held cellphone usage in a car. DeVore voted against both bans, citing a belief that California already has laws against reckless driving.
DeVore said there is a disconnect between the new law and the good intentions behind it.
“Every proposed law starts out as someone’s good idea. But the laws are often blunt instruments,” DeVore said. “In the case of the ban on text messaging, there are some basic problems. First, California already has a tough reckless driving law with a penalty of five days in jail or, if you injure someone else, up to six months in jail. The text message ban has only a small fine and it doesn’t even put points on your driver’s license.”
Student confronts Rep. Dana Rohrabacher
Immediately after Tuesday’s blockbuster debate among the four candidates for the 46th District congressional seat held by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, OCC student Christina Scarborough confronted the 20-year congressman at the bottom of the staircase as he attempted to exit the stage.
