Cell Phone Use (lets try it again)

[Salty]

What laws should be passed about cell phone use?

The National Safety Council wants the Federal Govt to outlaw ALL cell phone use while driving

 

[Jon-Marc]

People should not do anything while driving except concentrate on their driving. That's why there are so many accidents, because people are too busy combing their hair, shaving, reading, talking on the cell phone, turning their head to talk to or yell at someone in the car, and numerous other things they shouldn't do while driving. I've never understood why a driver can't talk to the person next to them or in the back seat without looking at them and taking their eyes off the road.

I listen to cassette tapes in my car and have to take my eyes off the road for a few seconds while changing tapes, and I have come close to an accident more than once. That's why I usually try to wait until there are no other cars near me before doing that. My car tends to swerve to the left while I'm busy changing tapes. I've also learned not to do that while on a curve.

 

[Jim1999]

Ban all cell phones! When I am away from home or office, I don't want phone calls. People can wait until I am available.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Bro. Curtis]

My celly is great to check baseball scores when I'm not near a telly.

O don't use it driving, they can wait a bit until I'm done. But I do find it handy at times.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

"If your daddy's cell number has nothing to do with a telephone . . . you might be a redneck." - Jeff Foxworthy

 

[LeBuick]

I was on a two lane freeway today and there was a car going 40 mph in the left lane so you see everyone moving to the right to pass the car then jumping back in the left lane. When I passed the car I looked and saw a lady just chatting away on her cell and wasn't paying one bit of attention to the jam she was causing.

My wife was hit by a lady who drove through a stop sign talking on her cell.

It seems 95% can use a phone while driving but 100% will have to pay for the 5% who can't.

 

[Marcia]

A huge article just came out on this in the Wash Post. People who are talking on cell phones while driving -- even if it's handsfree -- drive almost like they've been drinking in terms of inattention and accidents. The problem is not the phone but the inattention of the driver while talking.

As I said on another thread, I've seen at least 3 people go through stop signs or red traffic lights while on a cell phone. That's all I can recall; I may have seen more. Sometimes they are driving very slowly and you think they are going to stop - but they are just on a cell phone and forgot they were driving!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011101959.html

She cited a study from the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis that found cell phone use while driving accounts for about 6 percent of crashes each year nationwide. That's 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths, she said.
Another Harvard study put the cost of cell phone-related crashes at about $43 billion a year.
A 1997 study in the New England Journal of Medicine and a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2005 found drivers who use cell phones while driving were four times more likely to be in a crash.
Hands-free devices may also cause a hazard, Froetscher added. A study by researchers at the University of Utah found no difference in driver concentration between using hand-held or hands-free devices. In fact, talking to a passenger while driving is much safer than talking on a cell phone, the Utah researchers noted.
In addition, a Virginia Tech study found that 80 percent of crashes result from driver inattention.

Also see
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120201066.html

 

[Jon-Marc]

I have what is called a one-track mind. I cannot concentrate on two things at the same time. If I'm talking on a cell phone, I won't be paying attention to my driving. I have no doubt it's the same way with others--despite some people saying they can multi-task. Maybe they can but they won't be giving their full attention to any one thing, and when driving one's full attention should be on their driving and nothing else.

 

[TC]

Common sense should ban all that cell phone use while driving. Unfortunately, common sense is in very short supply these days.

 

[Ed Edwards]

Even if your cell phone gets lodged in your brain when your air bags explode in your face cause you did not stop before you hit me - I will sue you. I recommend you carry 2Million$/5Million$/2Million$ insurance.

-- Ed the Kind & Gentle
Don't leave home without an Ambulance Chasing Lawyer on Retainer

P.S. One time a college kid tried to pass me and turn right in two blocks. After I side swiped him, nobody in either car was hurt. When the guy got in contact with the owner of the car (his girlfriend)'s Father (an Ambulance Chasing Lawyer) the guy ended up hurt. The accident (ha!) happened on the way to church on a Sunday Morning.

 

[Ed Edwards]

Common sense should ban all that cell phone use while driving. Unfortunately, common sense is in very short supply these days.

The 3G (third generation) cell phones combine TV/internet/sound recording & playback. It won't be until 8G when cell phones fold in Artificial Intelligent Common Sense (AICS)

 

[tinytim]

I am not for banning talking on the phone.. but texting, yeah...

A person that can't talk and drive at the same time should not be on the roads...

There is a thing called "Bluetooth", you know.

Pull over to dial.. but you can answer from your headset.

I don't see the difference between talking on my bluetooth than talking to a passenger..

I guess I am still young enough to multitask, and not have a problem.

 

[Marcia]

Actually, the studies show it is different from talking to a passenger.

I don't know why, but when I'm on the phone I sort of withdraw from my surroundings a bit (no comments from the peanut gallery, and you know who you are! :tongue3: ).

But talking to a passenger, my focus is still on the road. It's different from being on the phone.

 

[LeBuick]

I don't see the difference between talking on my bluetooth than talking to a passenger..

A passenger is like having a second set of eyes. They generally hit their air brake when you're not paying attention.

 

[BigBossman]

I don't think there should be a law against not using common sense. One should not be texting & driving at the same time. As for talking on cell phones, to me its no different than talking to a passenger who is riding the car with you. I have had more close calls when a passenger was with me than while talking on a cell phone.

 

[just-want-peace]

I don't think there should be a law against not using common sense. One should not be texting & driving at the same time. As for talking on cell phones, to me its no different than talking to a passenger who is riding the car with you. I have had more close calls when a passenger was with me than while talking on a cell phone.

Maybe you should let the passenger drive?!:tongue3::thumbs:

 

[chuck2336]

We need less Govt involvement not more!

 

[BigBossman]

Maybe you should let the passenger drive?!:tongue3::thumbs:

Even though I have never had a single accident, maybe you're right.:laugh:

 

[puros_bran]

I make my living on the highway... Before Cells it was newspapers and make up.. outlaw cells and 'they' will just come up with something else to do. You cant legislate away stupidity.


Having said that (sorry international bro's n sis's ) Our forefathers fought a war to be shed of a Government that was far kinder to us than the current (last 60-70 years) Federal Government. Its time to get rid of the bozo's (on both sides), let us return to the Constitution of The United States of America!

 

[Salty]

bump for new members