Should Drivers Hang Up? State Officials To Weigh In

[VietCowboy]

Yes but those studies involve actual involved conversations on a course set up for distractions. In the studies there is no "Hold on I'm in traffic" or just straight up ignoring the person on the other end while you maneuver.

No one is arguing that they can have a deep conversation in bad road conditions and traffic while on the phone having a serious discussion. Person on the line takes a far far back seat to my driving safety when i drive. If i'm not in a clear lane of road they are getting very little attention. Are most drivers like this? No they are morons. But I'm tired of being punished because other people are irresponsible morons.

I think there was a study done where they looked at participants in their everyday driving, and many people were multi-tasking like crazy (i.e. putting on make-up while driving in addition to cell phone use). Obviously the more stuff you are doing, the higher your risks. It makes sense why those "baby on board" cars also get into more accidents. Usually, the parents are attending to their probably fussy child and aren't as attentive to the road.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Person on the line takes a far far back seat to my driving safety when i drive. If i'm not in a clear lane of road they are getting very little attention. Are most drivers like this? No they are morons. But I'm tired of being punished because other people are irresponsible morons.

This is exactly the argument that all the irresponsible morons I know use.

 

[jimmy40]

The person on the phone knows I'm driving my car.

The person in the passenger seat knows I'm driving my car.

Don't get the confusion.

if the person in your car is a blind, deaf mute, then yes you're correct, the person on the phone would then have more situational awareness.

 

[Dallas]

What state officials? Someone might want to call the state legislature. They are the only ones who make the laws. It certainly isn't a bunch of blowhards from DOT sitting around trying to keep me off my OnStar phone.

Hand held use against the law - YES! I am all for that.

Putting your make-up on going down the road? YES!

Texting while driving - Durrrrr - YES

Messing with your MP3 player while driving? Pull me over and cite me, but don't think for a second Im going to not use my bluetooth or Onstar because some law says for me not to.

How do you enforce such a thing?

Cop: I saw the defendent talking BY HIMSELF in his car, sir.

Judge: Sir, is this true?

Me: Yes your honor, I was just belting out the new Kanye song.

INNOCENT !!!


Seriously! Do you even know how many cops drive down the road on his/her cell phone or LAPTOP in his/her cruiser?

Don't get me started.

 

[Faerluna]

Yes, mob mentality rules. Having other morons agree with you doesn't make you right. There is distinct difference between talking to a passanger and talking on a phone. It has zero to do with intelligence and everything to do with natural tendencies. Experts agree with me while all you have is a personal anecdote.

Case in point.

 

[Cythim]

Case in point.

Indeed.

 

[Teren_Kanan]

This is exactly the argument that all the irresponsible morons I know use.

Exactly the argument that more people need to stick to. Not having that argument is the reason why every year a little bit more of our liberties are taken away.

Alcohol consumption is the cause of more deaths (and I don't mean consumption while driving, I mean consumption in general) than phone use while driving. Why not just ban alcohol? Lets just start banning things that morons are irresponsible with. Screw the people who are responsible about things.

Overall 100,000 deaths occur each year due to the effects of alcohol.

• 5% of all deaths from diseases of the circulatory system are attributed to alcohol.
• 15% of all deaths from diseases of the respiratory system are attributed to alcohol.
• 30% of all deaths from accidents caused by fire and flames are attributed to alcohol.
• 30% of all accidental drownings are attributed to alcohol.
• 30% of all suicides are attributed to alcohol.
• 40% of all deaths due to accidental falls are attributed to alcohol.
• 45% of all deaths in automobile accidents are attributed to alcohol

(Sources: NIDA Report, the Scientific American and Addiction Research Foundation, and the CDC)

100,000 deaths. That's more than a statistic. That is 100,000 individuals with faces. 100,000 individuals with lives not fully lived. 100,000 individuals grieved by mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and children. Every year.

We could very likely save 100,000 + people a year by banning Alcohol. So why not do it? It'd save FAR more people and reduce car accidents by FAR more than banning cell phone use during driving.

 

[paladin]

I've lost too many loved ones to accidents
Seeing how driving is the most common task that we do that puts OTHER'S at risk I fail to see why anyone would want to be at less than maximum 100% focus.

Hang up the phone and drive

 

[Dallas]

Indeed.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I talked the entire 25 minutes on my bluetooth headpiece this morning, all the way to work.


Not 1 time did I ever leave my lane or get brake checked.



I might try a text tonight otw home. I'll keep you all posted.

Wish me luck. If you don't hear from me soon....send help...im probably stuck on the side of a mountain here in Alaska, cuz I couldn't get out of it's way, cuz my GF and I were discussing Taco Bell and Dexter and Weeds.

 

[baj1dallas]

I wish they would. But they don't have the guts.

 

[Kevinicus]

Exactly the argument that more people need to stick to. Not having that argument is the reason why every year a little bit more of our liberties are taken away.

Alcohol consumption is the cause of more deaths (and I don't mean consumption while driving, I mean consumption in general) than phone use while driving. Why not just ban alcohol? Lets just start banning things that morons are irresponsible with. Screw the people who are responsible about things.

Overall 100,000 deaths occur each year due to the effects of alcohol.

• 5% of all deaths from diseases of the circulatory system are attributed to alcohol.
• 15% of all deaths from diseases of the respiratory system are attributed to alcohol.
• 30% of all deaths from accidents caused by fire and flames are attributed to alcohol.
• 30% of all accidental drownings are attributed to alcohol.
• 30% of all suicides are attributed to alcohol.
• 40% of all deaths due to accidental falls are attributed to alcohol.
• 45% of all deaths in automobile accidents are attributed to alcohol

(Sources: NIDA Report, the Scientific American and Addiction Research Foundation, and the CDC)

100,000 deaths. That's more than a statistic. That is 100,000 individuals with faces. 100,000 individuals with lives not fully lived. 100,000 individuals grieved by mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and children. Every year.

We could very likely save 100,000 + people a year by banning Alcohol. So why not do it? It'd save FAR more people and reduce car accidents by FAR more than banning cell phone use during driving.

Neither driving, or talking on your phone while you drive, are rights. They are privileges. They are not guaranteed liberties.

And your alcohol argument is stupid. Being under the influence of alcohol and driving IS illegal, so whatever point you're trying to make has no legs at all.

 

[Teren_Kanan]

Neither driving, or talking on your phone while you drive, are rights. They are privileges. They are not guaranteed liberties.

And your alcohol argument is stupid. Being under the influence of alcohol and driving IS illegal, so whatever point you're trying to make has no legs at all.

Please read my whole post before you respond perhaps? My post wasn't about driving drunk, at all. It was about the deaths that drinking causes in general, even if they are non vehicle related.

Neither Drinking alcohol, getting drunk, or doing things while drunk are rights. They are privileges. They are not guaranteed liberties.

Yet those things cause far more deaths a year than talking on the phone while driving.

You want to make the less dangerous one illegal, and not the other? Please explain.

The argument here is, people want to outlaw cell phone use while driving for the reason that it "Saves lives". We can get a long fine without talking on the phone while driving.

The exact same applies to alcohol. If we banned it we could "Save lives". We can get along fine without drinking alcohol.

In the end. When I'm driving down an uncrowded highway in a straight line, I can talk on my phone without putting myself or others at risk. I don't want that taken away because others choose to use their phone at 4pm during rush hour, or in tight neighborhood streets where kids have the possibility of running out in front of them.

 

[rkell87]

Please read my whole post before you respond perhaps? My post wasn't about driving drunk, at all. It was about the deaths that drinking causes in general, even if they are non vehicle related.

Neither Drinking alcohol, getting drunk, or doing things while drunk are rights. They are privileges. They are not guaranteed liberties.

Yet those things cause far more deaths a year than talking on the phone while driving.

You want to make the less dangerous one illegal, and not the other? Please explain.

The argument here is, people want to outlaw cell phone use while driving for the reason that it "Saves lives". We can get a long fine without talking on the phone while driving.

The exact same applies to alcohol. If we banned it we could "Save lives". We can get along fine without drinking alcohol.

In the end. When I'm driving down an uncrowded highway in a straight line, I can talk on my phone without putting myself or others at risk. I don't want that taken away because others choose to use their phone at 4pm during rush hour, or in tight neighborhood streets where kids have the possibility of running out in front of them.

bingo

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Exactly the argument that more people need to stick to. Not having that argument is the reason why every year a little bit more of our liberties are taken away.

Alcohol consumption is the cause of more deaths (and I don't mean consumption while driving, I mean consumption in general) than phone use while driving. Why not just ban alcohol? Lets just start banning things that morons are irresponsible with. Screw the people who are responsible about things.

Overall 100,000 deaths occur each year due to the effects of alcohol.

• 5% of all deaths from diseases of the circulatory system are attributed to alcohol.
• 15% of all deaths from diseases of the respiratory system are attributed to alcohol.
• 30% of all deaths from accidents caused by fire and flames are attributed to alcohol.
• 30% of all accidental drownings are attributed to alcohol.
• 30% of all suicides are attributed to alcohol.
• 40% of all deaths due to accidental falls are attributed to alcohol.
• 45% of all deaths in automobile accidents are attributed to alcohol

(Sources: NIDA Report, the Scientific American and Addiction Research Foundation, and the CDC)

100,000 deaths. That's more than a statistic. That is 100,000 individuals with faces. 100,000 individuals with lives not fully lived. 100,000 individuals grieved by mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and children. Every year.

We could very likely save 100,000 + people a year by banning Alcohol. So why not do it? It'd save FAR more people and reduce car accidents by FAR more than banning cell phone use during driving.

one could argue that in reality, they have lived a full life, they just died younger than most others.

 

[Teren_Kanan]

one could argue that in reality, they have lived a full life, they just died younger than most others.

Touche salesman.

 

[JD_KaPow]

Alcohol consumption is the cause of more deaths (and I don't mean consumption while driving, I mean consumption in general) than phone use while driving. Why not just ban alcohol?

Um, are you serious?

Nobody is suggesting that cell phone use be outlawed, only cell phone use WHILE DRIVING. Guess what? Alcohol is treated EXACTLY the same way. Drink all you want - just don't get in a car while under the influence.

 

[VietCowboy]

Please read my whole post before you respond perhaps? My post wasn't about driving drunk, at all. It was about the deaths that drinking causes in general, even if they are non vehicle related.

Neither Drinking alcohol, getting drunk, or doing things while drunk are rights. They are privileges. They are not guaranteed liberties.

Yet those things cause far more deaths a year than talking on the phone while driving.

You want to make the less dangerous one illegal, and not the other? Please explain.

The argument here is, people want to outlaw cell phone use while driving for the reason that it "Saves lives". We can get a long fine without talking on the phone while driving.

The exact same applies to alcohol. If we banned it we could "Save lives". We can get along fine without drinking alcohol.

In the end. When I'm driving down an uncrowded highway in a straight line, I can talk on my phone without putting myself or others at risk. I don't want that taken away because others choose to use their phone at 4pm during rush hour, or in tight neighborhood streets where kids have the possibility of running out in front of them.

Guns kill a lot of lives too, but we have a constitutional right to bear arms. Given that prohibition was introduced and repealed, it is also legal to sell and consume alcohol.

The issue at hand as several people here have stated, is while driving. There are plenty of safety laws in place to lower the risk to the public, and I do not see why introducing a law preventing cell phone use is any different than instituting headlights at night, wearing seat belts, or not driving while drunk. All of these laws have been put into place because research has shown it reduces the risk.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Guns kill a lot of lives too, but we have a constitutional right to bear arms. Given that prohibition was introduced and repealed, it is also legal to sell and consume alcohol.

The issue at hand as several people here have stated, is while driving. There are plenty of safety laws in place to lower the risk to the public, and I do not see why introducing a law preventing cell phone use is any different than instituting headlights at night, wearing seat belts, or not driving while drunk. All of these laws have been put into place because research has shown it reduces the risk.

actually a recent study shows that banning the use while driving does nothing to prevent accidents, especially texting because now we hide our phones and text between our legs etc

I just put the phone on speaker phone and actually it is probably worse because I have to bend my head to see the key pad to dial.

Having sex while driving is probably worse but not sure that has ever been banned

 

[VietCowboy]

actually a recent study shows that banning the use while driving does nothing to prevent accidents, especially texting because now we hide our phones and text between our legs etc

I just put the phone on speaker phone and actually it is probably worse because I have to bend my head to see the key pad to dial.

Having sex while driving is probably worse but not sure that has ever been banned

IDK, I read the same study, and came out of it that if it's a lot better enforced, then there could be a reduction in accidents.

In addition to public safety, drinking and driving laws also allow for harsher punishments. If someone is proven to have been using the phone during the commission of a crime or accident while driving, then having a law in place that bans it use will allow for harsher punishments as well. I am all for that.

 

[Seven]

ban hand held use? ok
texting? yeah duh it is worse than talking cause you have to take your eyes off the road.

hands free use? no way in hell. you cant tell people they can not talk on the phone at all. plus it would be silly because you couldn't enforce it unless you ban the devices that enable you to do so.

and don't give me the safety speech because drinking and driving has been proven to kill more people this month than the article says cell phone distracted people were killed all of last year.

It isn't a safety speech. It's in addition to drunk driving. Simple math.