Posted on 02/19/2010 6:25:03 AM PST by Kfobbs
Traffic safety is typically the reason given by municipal or state legislative leaders when there is a consideration to ban the use of cell phones and texting while driving. The NCS announced in January that it estimates approximately 28 percent of all traffic crashes – or at least 1.6 million crashes each year – are caused by drivers using cell phones and texting.”
Think about that when you or your teenage driver is taking a minute while driving to text or take your attention away from oncoming traffic. It could be...
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
Some people are just plain inattentive while others are terrible drivers in the first place with no regard for the safety of others on the road.
I have concerns about anyone who cannot drive and talk as they have trouble concentrating on managing the space around them.
Why do you want him to run into you?
People that can't walk & chew gum at the same time bump their heads a lot, even when they aren't chewing gum.
Why do you want him to run into you?
It's the other way around... I want him off the phone and/or texting and looking where he's driving... so he doesn't run into me... LOL ...
“NO, but your phone number should be required to be your license plate number. So I call you and tell how bad your are driving.”
YESSSSS!!! We have a winner! Great idea.
Colonel, USAFR
I think at least some people can talk on a phone while driving fairly safely, particularly if it’s hands free.
If it's hands-free... that would be like talking to another person in the car. It's still a distraction, and I've noticed that while concentrating on a conversation (and some details in that conversation) that one can go into an "automatic mode" of driving... and that's not so good.
But, I don't think we'll be able to "manage" conversations with people in cars, so that will have to be the way it is... :-)
So, if it is hands-free, then that's probably as far as one should go with a cel phone in the car -- that is being required to be handsfree, or else, no use of it.
“Any safety-related concerns about cell phone use while driving can be addressed through existing motor vehicle statutes related to careless or reckless driving. This is nothing more than “feel-good” nonsense aimed at raising revenue for local governments.”
EXACTLY. Why is this any different that instituting a greater penalty for a “hate crime” than for mere assault - something with which I also vehemently disagree?
Colonel, USAFR
I have more worries about the people swerving in and out of traffic trying to get somewhere 30 seconds sooner. To listen to some of the people on this there are NEVER any accidents that are not caused by people using a cell.
A 2200lb. manned projectile hurtling along at 60+mph is itself inherently dangrous. Any distraction to the operator of said projectile can only increase that danger IMO. However, the libertarian in me still opposes any attempt at legally banning those distractions. A Government that will use the force of law to protect the individual from the consequences of his actions is encroaching on that individual’s liberty, and can only result in further encroachments in the future. It is up to each individual to recognize the potential consequences of our actions and to take steps, through common sense and good judgement, to minimize risk. Many will not. And many will pay dearly for it. I believe this is the price of freedom.
Indeed. There are already laws [probably in every state] against failing to pay full and complete attention to the road while driving.
There is no need for specific laws against particular distractions.
where the “turn on switch thing is”.
Technically, it’s a “thingy”, but I know what you mean. :)
Colonel, USAFR
The study might just indicate poor enforcement or that hands free cell phones aren't any better. NJ has a handheld cell phone ban but I see cops themselves driving along with a cell phone pasted to their ear. Cell phone driving is as much a hazard now as drunk driving used to be. Many drivers could really use robotic driver assist as they are no longer really driving but just responding. Safe driving requires actively predicting the future a few seconds out, and that can't be done in the middle of a conversation.
We already have laws on the books that can adequately deter this. Increase the penalty and stop adding to the reams of paper needed to print out our legal Code.
It's not the hand on the phone that's the problem . . . it's the distraction of having a conversation with someone else who isn't in the car with you.
AAA did a five year study that said only 6% of accidents were caused by cell phone use.
Is using a cell phone a distraction, sure.
Is using a cell phone more of a distraction than eating, drinking a soda, listening to the radio, a crying baby strapped in a car seat, kids fighting in the back seat, talking to your passenger - I don’t think so.
The issues is distracted driving.
You are 100% correct.
Actually, I'm convinced most accidents are caused by cigarette-smoking Muslim pit bulls with assault rifles.
From a legislative standpoint, I believe the most effective way to improve traffic safety would be to outlaw automatic transmissions, power steering and power brakes.
One big reason why people often drive in such a distracted state is that the design of a modern vehicle makes it easy for them to do it. You never would have seen this kind of nonsense when driving a car meant driving a car instead of sitting in a miniature living room with giant windows and a modern entertainment system.
Rapists and cell phone drivers are scourges of society, right below drunk drivers. Cell phones should be banned, period.
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