OHP targets drivers who "talk, change radio stations, smoke"

[patric]

Good idea to curb texting teens, but maybe a bit too broad?

http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=12777829

The trooper sets a good example of distracted driving in the video.

[Townsend]

Not that I've got anything against cops but jeez, these guys will be some of the blackest kettles on the planet each time they pull someone over for talking on a phone.

[Gaspar]

First we have to get the cops off the phones while they're driving.

[patric]

First we have to get the cops off the phones while they're driving.

But they have "special training", which seems to send the message that there is a way to safely text and drive.

I kind of doubt that, but it wont hit home until there is a tragedy:

Illinois State Police trooper Matthew Mitchell will not spend a second in jail but instead be on probation for 30 months for his role in the death of Jessica and Kelli Uhl.

Mitchell entered guilty pleas to two felony counts of reckless homicide and two felony counts of reckless driving April 16 in St. Clair County Court, in Belleville. He was sentenced to 30 months probation on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The plea deal also included provisions that Mitchell never serve as a police officer again.

Mitchell crashed his patrol car into one driven by the Uhl sisters in November, 2007 on Interstate 64 near Shiloh, Illinois, killing both girls instantly.

Police investigators found that Mitchell was driving over 120 mph in the opposite direction while responding to a canceled call when he crossed the center median and struck the Uhl's vehicle head on.

St. Clair State's Attorney Bob Haida had previously argued that Mitchell was using his laptop computer, talking on his cell phone and possibly texting when the crash occurred.

Mitchell's attorney, John O'Gara, of Belleville, said outside the courtroom that Mitchell was justified because his actions involved official police business.

Haida said the plea deal was very difficult to arrive at and added it "brings a measure of justice" and added this was the first case in Illinois where an officer during the course of their employment has been convicted of reckless homicide where alcohol was not involved.

"One of the goals of our prosecution, with the support of Kim and Brian, has been that Matt Mitchell not be a police officer again," Haida said. "There's too much in his past record, and his driving record, and with this event, that made it untenable. We made his continued employment something that we did not want to risk, so that goes a long way towards making this a positive outcome."

Mitchell was previously involved in a crash while on duty that resulted in a $17 million civil judgment.

Court documents show he was talking on his cell phone and e-mailing from the car computer. Ironically, the New York Times reported earlier this year that police and ambulance drivers may be among the most distracted drivers on the road. Modern emergency vehicles include sophisticated radios, on-board computers, navigation systems and cell phones -- and emergency responders are typically exempt from the laws prohibiting text messaging or cell phone use by drivers.

[nathanm]

It's good that we now have a usable inattentive/careless driving law. If they're going to enforce it based on what you're doing and not how you're driving, that completely misses the point, though.

[guido911]

But they have "special training", which seems to send the message that there is a way to safely text and drive.

I kind of doubt that, but it wont hit home until there is a tragedy:

Illinois State Police trooper Matthew Mitchell will not spend a second in jail but instead be on probation for 30 months for his role in the death of Jessica and Kelli Uhl.

Mitchell entered guilty pleas to two felony counts of reckless homicide and two felony counts of reckless driving April 16 in St. Clair County Court, in Belleville. He was sentenced to 30 months probation on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The plea deal also included provisions that Mitchell never serve as a police officer again.

Mitchell crashed his patrol car into one driven by the Uhl sisters in November, 2007 on Interstate 64 near Shiloh, Illinois, killing both girls instantly.

Police investigators found that Mitchell was driving over 120 mph in the opposite direction while responding to a canceled call when he crossed the center median and struck the Uhl's vehicle head on.

St. Clair State's Attorney Bob Haida had previously argued that Mitchell was using his laptop computer, talking on his cell phone and possibly texting when the crash occurred.

Mitchell's attorney, John O'Gara, of Belleville, said outside the courtroom that Mitchell was justified because his actions involved official police business.

Haida said the plea deal was very difficult to arrive at and added it "brings a measure of justice" and added this was the first case in Illinois where an officer during the course of their employment has been convicted of reckless homicide where alcohol was not involved.

"One of the goals of our prosecution, with the support of Kim and Brian, has been that Matt Mitchell not be a police officer again," Haida said. "There's too much in his past record, and his driving record, and with this event, that made it untenable. We made his continued employment something that we did not want to risk, so that goes a long way towards making this a positive outcome."

Mitchell was previously involved in a crash while on duty that resulted in a $17 million civil judgment.

Court documents show he was talking on his cell phone and e-mailing from the car computer. Ironically, the New York Times reported earlier this year that police and ambulance drivers may be among the most distracted drivers on the road. Modern emergency vehicles include sophisticated radios, on-board computers, navigation systems and cell phones -- and emergency responders are typically exempt from the laws prohibiting text messaging or cell phone use by drivers.

This case happened in my hometown and it really rocked the community. I feel so damned sad for the family.