Rich Zeoli Column: Yes, New Bill Would Fine You For Drinking Coffee While Driving In NJ
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- An operator of a moving motor vehicle shall not engage in any activity unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle on a public road or highway. (Assembly Bill 1908)
What part of the word ANY do Trenton Democrats not understand? There's been a lot of back and forth recently about the so-called drinking coffee while driving ban in New Jersey. After having the bill's sponsor, Assemblyman John Wisniewski, on my radio show, I am more convinced than ever that a police officer could issue you a $200-$400 fine for drinking coffee while driving. Or eating a big mac. Or doing ANY activity that "distracts" you.
How do I know?
Because the bill specifically uses the term "ANY activity" unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle. What does the word "Any" mean to you? Let's look at the actual dictionary definition:
"Any: used to refer to one or some of a thing or number of things, no matter how much or many."
Now, Assemblyman Wisniewski would like us to believe drinking coffee doesn't fall under the any category. One of the examples he gave me was a police officer would never give you a ticket for driving 26 in a 25 mile zone. But when I pressed him on if the officer could issue you a summons, the Assemblyman dodged my question. He also proceeded to mock my reading comprehension ability and take shots at my education. I am a product of New Jersey's public school system so he had me there.
New Jersey Banning Coffee While Driving? Not So Fast
Of course the officer could write you a summons for driving 26 in a 25 and he would be well within his rights. And if this stupid bill becomes law, a police officer could issue you a summons if you are doing any activity unrelated to the actual driving operation of a motor vehicle if it interferes (in his opinion) with the operation of the car.
Yes, that could include drinking coffee.
Could you be drinking coffee (any activity) in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle? You bet. Could you be eating a cheesesteak (any activity) in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle? If the officer feels you were distracted by trying to keep the wiz steady, here comes the citation.
This is the stupidity of allowing the state to fine you for "any" activity. Giving New Jersey that much power is absurd. A cell phone restriction is logical. It's a specific activity. A texting ban is logical for the same reason. Any activity could mean drinking coffee if the officer feels you took your eyes off the road, or swerved, or whatever else due to your sloppy coffee drinking technique.
Of course we already have careless driving and reckless driving laws in New Jersey so that would probably be covered under existing statutes.
Basically, this bill is a gigantic waste of time. But when has that ever stopped Trenton Democrats from passing ANY law that gives the state more ability to fine us for everyday behaviors?
