1:06 AM

Holly calls for (2) more laws in her town*...

Posted by Texasholly |

*Holly calling for (2) more laws in her town is quite a development since when it comes to laws Holly is a less is more kinda girl...

Holly doesn't like to complain but she has noticed a serious problem that plagues the roads in front of the schools in her town.

She is very sensitive to speed in the school zone. She is sensitive to the tune of $233 in the 2007 calendar year. Holly got a ticket for 8 mph over the school zone in an area that she thought the school zone had ended MILES ago.

The town that Holly lives in has 20 mph school zones within a 3 mile radius of any institution that looks like a child might have visited in the past:


Legend: fancy orange squares=school zone with a 20 mph speed limit

In 2007 the townspeople of Holly's town voted to ban cell phones in school zones.

Holly's full disclosure: Holly voted against such a thing but isn't bitter that she was not on the winning side except that she might still be a bit bitter since she is now writing this in her very own blog that you are currently reading but she wants to disclose her vote even though in the United States of America voting is a private issue but she would feel much better if you knew the way she voted since it might in some small way affect the way she views this situation.

Holly would like to add that she is in favor of children and isn't trying to hit them with her minivan while talking on the phone.

Holly would like to point out that in the town where she lives it is uncommon for children to walk to and/or from school.


Due to the school zone cell phone ban, Holly has noticed that this usually happens:


Legend: Orange bolts of lightening=slamming of brakes along with the simultaneous drop of phone into the lap

Holly has looked around and noticed that she isn't the only one with coordination problems. It appears that most drivers are finding it difficult to slam on their brakes WHILE pausing their phone conversation and dropping their phones into their laps.

Holly is concerned that this new ban has caused bigger safety issues. Holly is frightened for anyone walking or riding within a 100 yard distance of the start of a school zone.

For this reason Holly is calling for the following two zones to be added to the existing school zone. She is declaring this now so that it can be placed on the 2008 ballot for the townspeople's vote:


Legend: pink colored blocks (*)=Cell phone drop to lap zone, purple jagged line (**)=area to start the slam of brakes, fancy orange blocks=existing school zone with 20 mph speed limit

Townspeople unite! Vote for the additional "cell phone drop to lap zone" and the "slam on the brake zone"!

Holly believes that her plan will dramatically decrease the driver's multitasking panic. *cue patriotic music*

Holly realizes that each school zone would now need an additional 4 signs plus maybe a few warning signs. Holly is aware that signs like money don't grow on trees. Holly is pretty sure that Kinko's might run some sort of bulk sign deal with the town when her two additional laws are passed.

Tune in next Tuesday when Holly promises not to give advice to anyone about anything...

35 comments:

Jennifer S said...

That cell phone ban would kick my *ss. What about hands-free phones? Are those allowed?

I like your ballet propositions. If it doesn't pass (or, you know, make it to a vote) maybe you could just go out with some cans of spray paint.

Anonymous said...

I hope that the townspeople would take your side. I think it's a great idea to implement that. It's better to give at least a warning and time for people to take off their phones or hit the brakes.

Eager to hear more from this story,

Yvie

Anonymous said...

It is against the law here to talk on your mobile (cell) phone whilst driving anywhere.. there is an eighty dollar on the spot fine..

Louise said...

What? I'm sorry, but I have to say that it's beyond ridiculous to have a ban on cell phones ONLY IN SCHOOL ZONES! I personally think it's stupid to have them banned while driving anywhere (which they are where I live which I'm sure came about by being lobbied by cell phonen companies so they could sell more Blue Tooths--and who came up with that name anyway--but this is a rant for another time), but in certain zones is even more absurd. Exactly like you said, it is MORE dangerous.

This was voted by the general population????

I agree with Jennifer about the spray paint. And although I LOVE "Holly's animated life," I think that one (spray paint) might be fun blogged with real pictures!

Anonymous said...

My husband just hooked up his new bluetooth phone in his car so now, while talking on the phone (after using voice recognition command: "Call Mistress") he only looks like he's a crazy guy babbling to himself.

Courtney said...

I love your law suggestion. I think I'd be doing the same thing as you. It's just dangerous that way.

Bren said...

Oh, I'd be in big trouble if they did that here. Love your suggestions! And the spray paint idea is a good one, or maybe sidewalk chalk.

the planet of janet said...

*standing up and applauding wildly*

brilliant. just brilliant!

holly for president!

Liv said...

holly is hysterical.

thank GAWD that there is no law banning the phone in these here parts.

KG said...

I think they should just legislate to have an old woman with saggy boobs stand topless near the school zone. It would serve a variety of purposes: 1) no children would come into the school zone; 2) all drivers would drop their cell phones into their laps in horror at the sight.

It's a win/win situation. And I bet the old crone would be cheaper than printing signs.

carmen said...

*me rolling my eyes*

Some of these laws -- ridiculous! I personally think the whole cell phone ban is stupid in the first place. For the most part, driving with kids in the car is WAY more distracting than talking on my cell phone! Plus, I'm a mom. I can multi-task very well!

Love the drawings, as usual!

Ron Davison said...

I once nearly drove off the road while trying to put on my seat belt. But enough of trying to be like you ... I like the idea of "call your mother" zones, followed by "wrap up your call" zones, followed by "drop phone in lap" zone. Be careful, though, because when the local townfolk find this post, they're likely to make you mayor.

Roger Miller said...

So much for less is more, eh?

When you leave O'Hare Airport, in HUGE GREEN LETTERS it states that Chicago is a Hands-Free Cell Phone City.

Welcome.

I always liked 'The Windy City' better, but what do I know, I'm just a father and NOT a politician.

That being said, I double-dog-dare you to spray paint your new 'zones' - I might even pay for half of that fine, as long as you have video proof. :) (Okay, seriously, don't do that, I don't have any money)

EatPlayLove said...

There is a school in my backyard, we just have little flashing lights to let you know you are entering.

Honestly I try not to talk on my cell phone when driving, but that is a very strange law.

Maybe you should start a lap drop/brake class and make a little extra cash to pay for those tickets!

Dirty Laundry Diva said...

I love it! If you are not part of the solution you stink...

Way to be a problem solver Holly! Again the illustrations are icing on the cake!

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I advocate the law for other people. Me? I have no problem talking on the cell phone and driving!

Danielle said...

Sounds like Holly...who isn't at all bitter about the law of no cell phone in school zones, should run for office!

Anonymous said...

Holy Crap, Miss Holly. The only other place I've seen sentence paragraphs is in the Master and Commander series. Is there something you aren't telling us??

Um... sorry for the ticket? I think if you wear your shortie, beaver catching boots, you'll get at least half the population to vote for your initiative. Just a thought.

Manic Mommy said...

Could you please update the diagram to include the 'no applying makeup, talking on the phone, drinking coffee, breaking up an argument in the backseat, while driving stick' zones?

(You may need the Crayola 64 box with the built in sharpener).

Jennifer said...

you are sooo cool!! first of all you have an amazing artistic ability... i'm sincerely jealous of.... and second... you come up with the BEST laws!! ;)

YOU. HOLLY.... are my HERO!!! :)

xoxoxoxoxoxo's

Anonymous said...

You should send this to Holly's local paper and hope it gets printed in the Editorial section.

Eternal Sunshine said...

I'm busting a gut at this one. I had a feeling that's what would happen when they passed that law.

As always, loving the pictures!!

Madge said...

don't drop your iPhone!!! don't drop it!!1

Madge said...

don't drop your iPhone!!! don't drop it!!1

Don Mills Diva said...

Why do things have to be so complicated?!

Thank God for your easy-to-understand illustrations.

Unknown said...

You seriously made me laugh! I understand your dilemma with the speeding thingy. Darn. Once I was going 99 in a 65. Oops.

Love the new look. Have to check out your other place too. I didn't know.

Hope you're well and thx tons for coming by. We simply don't see nearly enough of each other anymore...Have a gr8 week. *huggies* oh and my giveaway post is up.

A Mom Two Boys said...

I'm in love with the new CA law that bans you from HOLDING your cell phone while driving. Hands free it is. From personal experience, I can say that it's MUCH safer to drive while NOT holding a phone you're talking on. But I like your idea too.

Anonymous said...

I think you should amend your ballot initiative to state that you get to draw all the new signs.

Anonymous said...

Yay for Holly. I would vote for you and your new additional colors on the road. Roads need some color.

You still need to lemme know about the 28th, or did you already?

Laski said...

"cell phone drop to lap zone" and the "slam on the brake zone"!

Now those are signs I get!

JCK said...

I would vote for the zone ONLY if you can do the signage.

Momisodes said...

I totally agree with your laws. Very well said and great drawings to boot.

Miss Lisa said...

That law just annoys me...I am always in a school zone and I just put the phone on speaker and I know husband is always on blue tooth then...the signs would help though!
I am happy that others have said 'oh crap, a school zone to their callers' ;)

Woman with a Hatchet said...

You are AWESOME!

I love the drawings. Always.

Ash said...

I now have 3,428 rollover minutes because of this law. No joke. I live in the epicenter of school zones; therefore I cannot use my cell phone from aprox. 7:45 - 9:15 a.m. or 2:45 - 4:15 p.m.

Which is pretty much the only time this SAHM is on the road.

My husband thanks you, City Council.

I'm counting the days until AT&T Mobile comes and claims my first dear son so that I may switch to Sprint and use my OnStar network.

Hands-free, baby!

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