Campaigning at the Keaau bottleneck

[DaVinci]

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Originally posted by Bob Orts

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Originally posted by DaVinci

Unless the activity rises to the level of shouting "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater, with regard to safety, then I think the First Amendment would apply, giving the prerogative to the politicians in question. And I think that the safety issues raised do not rise to such a level. Speech is protected in this country, especially political speech, of which these are clear examples. I think we'll just have to knuckle under and really concentrate and try to navigate that difficult stretch of highway, depsite the distractions. Happy driving!

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So long as the law applies evenly to all, it's not a violation of free speech to place safety restrictions on activities along roadways. If they ban political campaigning but allow other types, it would be a violation. However, if the reason for prohibiting individual and business activities is based on safety, it's the activity that warrants restrictions, not the message.

But as is typical in the political circles, they exclude their own activity from the rules using such excuses as free speech and political speech. Fact is, if the activity is a safety concern, what makes it safe when a politician does it?

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Agreed. I just don't think either activity (campaigning or chicken selling) rises to the level of a safety issue. To suggest that we are so susceptible to distraction while driving would open the debate to restrictions on having children in the car with you, or playing music, or allowing other vehicles to be painted bright colors...