Community Responds to Police's Distracted Driving Enforcement

Last week, Anne Arundel County police announced their plan to —something that was met with both thankfulness and frustration by Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch readers.

In the effort called Operation Eagle, police are hoping to address “” in its various forms, such as texting, handling pets or even eating while driving, according to a police press release.

However following the announcement, more than 50 comments flooded Patch and its Facebook page as residents expressed either frustration or happiness that police are focusing on the issue. With 365 LIKES on Patch’s article, there were a lot of opinions floating around from a variety of perspectives.

Many of those who expressed frustration said they support the enforcement but think police officers should be held to similar standards—citing occasions where they’ve seen police talking on their phones, texting or typing on their in-car computers. Some readers said police are exempt from the rule because they’re specially trained drivers, but it wasn’t a feeling that seemed to be in the majority.

An equally represented group of readers showed appreciation for the enforcement strategy, saying that distracted driving is one of the biggest problems along Route 2.

Here is a rundown of unedited comments from those who expressed frustration from the police announcement on Patch and its Facebook page.

Kristi: I love the idea of not being able to text while driving let alone talk on the phone unless you have a Bluetooth. But it would be Better if the people "cracking down" on this law would stop as well. Not a day goes by that I don't see a cop texting or talking on the phone.

Debbie Thames: But cops can be driving & on their computer...thats pretty distracting!! Ive been beside a cop & he was on facebook on his computer in his car!

Melissa Huston: How about the cops on their cell phones? or the ones driving 20mph over the speed limit? or don't use their turn signal while doing all of the above?

Nancy Szekretar Rhodes: I JUST witnessed a cop texting while driving. I guess thats OK?!

Here is a rundown of unedited comments from those who showed appreciation for the police announcement on Patch and its Facebook page.

: People not using hands-free cell phone devices is a big problem in the area also. I see numerous people holding their phones and talking every day!

: There should be more serious consequences than a $70 fine and one point on your license. Up the points on the license, and the cell phone should be confiscated immediately. PERIOD. Distracted driving is a HUGE problem!

Jess Hurley: Honestly though, I do see the point. There ARE some people that seriously need to be pulled over for distracted driving. Its just the ridiculous things they pull you over for nowadays that blow my mind. 
God help you all if I'm ever forced to drive a stick-shift. LOL ;)

Dawn McHale: It's called being responsible!

Gina DeHaven: FINALLY!!! If you have to do all those things in your car to make it to work on time, then you need to reprioritize or wake up earlier!

Police spokesman Justin Mulcahy told Patch that officers won't pull someone over for simply eating in their car. But if a driver swerves or shows symptoms of distracted driving, police can then issue a fine based on their findings, he said. 

What do you think of Operation Eagle? Tell me in the comments.