Banning Cell Phone Use while Driving

[Magic Man]

I'm curious what others' thoughts are on passing laws making talking on a phone or texting while driving illegal.

I think texting is fairly clear. To me, that's pretty black and white. It should just be illegal. I would like to hear if someone disagrees, though.

As for talking on the phone, I'm not so sure. I can do it and pay attention, and I know that a lot of others can, too. I generally only do it when I don't have to make any turns or do anything that requires a lot of focus. I know there are a lot of people out there who can't seem to talk and drive at the same time. And I know that it causes a lot of accidents.

My problem is that it seems unfair to make it illegal across the board, considering for some people it doesn't cause problems at all. However, I can also see banning it simply because of how many problems it does cause.

What do you guys think?

 

[Sunstone]

Studies in the US and Britian have concluded that using a phone when driving impairs someone as much as being drunk while driving.

 

[darkendless]

Hands free sets are avaliable. If someone is talking on the phone with the phone in one hand don't you think their ability to prevent an accident in the case of a sudden event would be the same? Most likely not.

If a 6 year old chased a football onto the road and you were driving and talking on the phone what do you think your chances of avoiding the accident would be. Greater or less than normal (meaning without a phone and giving full attention to the road)?

$200 fine for using the phone in the state i live in (Australia).

 

[Magic Man]

Studies in the US and Britian have concluded that using a phone when driving impairs someone as much as being drunk while driving.

Very interesting point. It's just hard for me to tell some people "I know you're perfectly capable of doing this responsibly, but we can't let you do it, because others can't do it responsibly". Also, you are allowed to have a certain amount of alcohol in your system, whereas with banning cell phone use, there would be no leeway.

 

[Magic Man]

Hands free sets are avaliable. If someone is talking on the phone with the phone in one hand don't you think their ability to prevent an accident in the case of a sudden event would be the same? Most likely not.

If a 6 year old chased a football onto the road and you were driving and talking on the phone what do you think your chances of avoiding the accident would be. Greater or less than normal (meaning without a phone and giving full attention to the road)?

I think my chances of avoiding that child would be the same whether or not I was on the phone.

$200 fine for using the phone in the state i live in (Australia).

Do you agree with that, or do you think it's wrong?

 

[ChrisP]

NZ's Parliament passed a law that came into effect Nov this year. The law does not allow anyone to text or take calls while driving. (You can pull over...). If you're snapped doing it, an instant 80$ fine applies at the moment.

Buttons* just got back from the states today teh cab we caughtback from the airport had a driver with two phones who wouldn't get off them. His driving absolutely sucked when he was talking on the phone, trying to navigate in rush hour traffic. I wanted to tell him to get off the phone but instead elected to engage him in conversation about the traffic which apparently got the point across...

Yeah, completely FOR this ban here.

 

[darkendless]

I think my chances of avoiding that child would be the same whether or not I was on the phone.

One hand to hold a phone prevents the person from operating their car properly, or driving properly. If you hold the steering wheel with 1 hand how do you change gears and indicate at the same time? Do you shoulder check the same? 9 times out of 10 when im driving behind someone who's erratic theyre on the phone. The other time they're Asian or driving a volvo

Do you agree with that, or do you think it's wrong?

Yes. It has been proven that using a phone inhibits ones driving so to protect lives punishment must be dealt accordingly.

 

[TheKnight]

We made it illegal in CA and I think it works. Except that everyone still does it.

Also, there are many things which inhibit a person's driving. Most notably people doing make-up.

But, the texters are always driving around texting and almost hitting people. And it annoys me a lot.

Now it's worse, because people have to try harder to hide their phones. Before, when they could do it openly, they drove better because they didn't have to hide it. Now, they have to think about keeping it hidden and driving at the same time, which, you guessed it, makes them drive worse.

 

[Smoke]

I think if you're talking on a cellphone while you're driving, they should pull you over and take away your cellphone.

If you're texting while driving, they should pull you over and take away your car and driver's license.

No, honestly, I use the phone while driving, but I think it's unwise, and I don't have any problem at all with its being made illegal. What I do have a problem with is getting a ticket for driving without a seatbelt in a state where motorcyclists aren't required to wear helmets.

 

[ChristineES]

We have nearly been hit while driving by a cell user on several occasions. I am glad that it was made illegal here in CA. I know that some people can drive and talk on the phone, but we can't just ban some people doing it. Texting should never be legal while driving, as you wouldn't use your laptop while driving or read a book.
Hands free devices are pretty commonplace now, anyway.

 

[Smoke]

Texting should never be legal while driving, as you wouldn't use your laptop while driving or read a book.

I have seen lot of people driving while reading books, magazines, and newspapers. I don't mean looking at the paper at the red light, either, I mean going down the road at 60 mpg with a newspaper propped up on the steering wheel.

Also women looking in the rear view mirror while applying makeup, women turned completely around in the seat to face their children in the backseat, and drivers of both sexes eating and drinking. Not just sandwiches, either. I've seen people eating fried chicken and barbecued ribs while driving.

I was hit once by a kid who was looking for a CD on the floor of the car while driving, and I had a friend who was hit by a man who dropped his cigarette and was trying to find it while driving.

All of it enrages me, but I will eat, drink, smoke, fiddle with the radio and talk on the cell phone while I'm driving. You see, I can handle it. That's what everybody thinks.

 

[Magic Man]

One hand to hold a phone prevents the person from operating their car properly, or driving properly. If you hold the steering wheel with 1 hand how do you change gears and indicate at the same time? Do you shoulder check the same? 9 times out of 10 when im driving behind someone who's erratic theyre on the phone. The other time they're Asian or driving a volvo

I drive an automatic, which I think is much more common than manual these days. As far as doing the other stuff, that's why I said I avoid that kind of thing while on the phone.

Yes. It has been proven that using a phone inhibits ones driving so to protect lives punishment must be dealt accordingly.

OK, thanks.

 

[Magic Man]

So, should talking on the phone be illegal only when you're actually holding the phone, or should talking hands-free also be illegal? Just curious whether people make a distinction.

 

[Smoke]

So, should talking on the phone be illegal only when you're actually holding the phone, or should talking hands-free also be illegal? Just curious whether people make a distinction.

It's distracting either way, more than you'd think. I read an article about a study of cell phone use by drivers, and I was surprised. The brain doesn't handle multitasking as well as it seems to.

 

[Magic Man]

All of it enrages me, but I will eat, drink, smoke, fiddle with the radio and talk on the cell phone while I'm driving. You see, I can handle it. That's what everybody thinks.

I'll eat a granola bar or banana or something simple like that. I don't see anything wrong with drinking or smoking while driving. And I know it sounds like famous last words, but I can handle it. Then again, it seems the majority of people can't handle driving with no distractions at all.

 

[Magic Man]

It's distracting either way, more than you'd think. I read an article about a study of cell phone use by drivers, and I was surprised. The brain doesn't handle multitasking as well as it seems to.

I'm sure it is distracting. I'm just wondering where the line is. Is talking hands-free distracting enough to be illegal? Is it illegal in places where talking on the phone is illegal?

 

[Watchmen]

Based on the studies, the idea that you can do it "responsibly" is an illusion.

 

[darkendless]

I'll eat a granola bar or banana or something simple like that. I don't see anything wrong with drinking or smoking while driving. And I know it sounds like famous last words, but I can handle it. Then again, it seems the majority of people can't handle driving with no distractions at all.

Everyone says they can handle it until something happens.

People think they can handle speeding until they go up on a curb and end up rolling through a row of trees.

 

[Venatoris]

If you have ever been riding shotgun with a person trying to text on their cell phone you wouldn't argue with that being against the law but talking on the phone altogether, I'm kinda undecided. When you have a headset for your phone is it really any different from talking to your passengers while driving? I know that a fair number of people can still be competent drivers while on the phone. I don't have any trouble talking to people while driving but I still choose to pull over or park somewhere before returning a call just to be on the safe side. I guess I would support a blanket law against phones while driving simply because it wouldn't really affect my driving habits. Over all, I can't see it being that great of an inconvenience for most people.

 

[Smoke]

I'm sure it is distracting. I'm just wondering where the line is. Is talking hands-free distracting enough to be illegal? Is it illegal in places where talking on the phone is illegal?

Honestly, I don't like making everything that could possibly be harmful illegal. I think it's absolutely absurd that you can't smoke in a bar or buy a set of lawn darts or play poker if you want to. I sometimes feel I'm surrounded by hundreds of overprotective mommies, all of whom think they're my mommy.

I'd settle for a compromise -- like, say you can use a cellphone while driving a Volkwagen Bug but not while driving a Hummer. Approximately 90% of the drivers I see who seem completely oblivious to their surroundings are driving SUVs. They should be discouraged.