Back on topic, as written, ham radios are NOT an exempted use nor are CB radios. Neither has a huge following in the voice activated (VOX) category, yet both similar forms of communications have proven countless times to be life saving communications devices while rolling down the road at legal speed. Neither requires taking your eyes off the road. For those who did not read the entire articles, it was pointed out that ham radio operators are federally licensed, which gives us a modicum legitimacy. It was also pointed out that many of us are volunteers who are trained as
SKYWARN storm watchers, reporting "real time" severe weather conditions, via Amateur Radio, to the National Weather Service. We often see things that Dopler Radar cannot pickup, and this free service has countless stories about these reports getting out weather warnings that have saved many lives. Pulling over to the side of the road, putting your vehicle into park or neutral, then making your report could be a matter of life or death...the do-gooders know little or nothing of this service we do.
Federally licensed Amateur Radio operators are also involved with
Amateur Radio Emergency Services, ARES, voluntarily working with agencies such as FEMA, Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. These operations often require instantaneous communications from mobile operators, which would be illegal under the proposed law as written.
This proposed law is nothing more than pandering to a bunch of do-gooders who have no fucking idea what they are asking for. The lawmakers only give a shit about passing laws that will garner them votes to get re-elected to their cushy jobs a legitimate criminals. JMHO