SHould cell phones be banned while driving?

[SUBMAN1]

I think it is about time we do ban cell phones. California already has. Why not the rest of the US? I can't count the times I've almost been run over by some lady on the phone who just decides to change lanes in her big SUV!!! Its nuts! They don't care either.

It has also been proven that cell phones are worse than driving drunk! So why do we continue to tolerate them?

Here is another road rage incident involving cell phones:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/westvalley/articles/0221wv-roadrage21-ON.html

-S

[Sailor Steve]

Last year I was walking up a street and stopped for a car coming the other way, wanting to turn into a driveway I was about to cross. There was a hole in the uphill traffic (going my way), so I waited for him. He never went. Once the hole was closed I started up the sidewalk. Suddenly he saw a tiny hole and darted in, almost running me down. I called him a "moron", and he got huffy with me. When I told him he had ignored a big hole only to try for a tiny one, he yelled at me "I was talking on my phone! I was busy! It's not my fault!"

I agree, cell phones in cars should be banned. But then, probably so should eating in cars. Back when I was driving ski vans I once saw a guy with a cup of coffee in one hand, a doughnut in the other and a magazine propped on the steering wheel! And now they have plug-ins for laptop computers in the dashboard.:dead:

[Boris]

I don't think it's even worth a debate. It's as bad as driving drunk.

[AVGWarhawk]

YES!!!
Should be banned at restaurants as well. Nothing worse the spending $50.00 on a nice meal and having to listen to some dingdongs conversation about nothing. And the talk just about anything because they are in the own little world. Things that kids do not need to hear.

[AJ!]

Hands free is the way forward.

[SUBMAN1]

Hands free is the way forward.
Hands free actually offered no benefit in tests - the driver is still distracted with the conversation.

-S

[fatty]

I agree, cell phones in cars should be banned. But then, probably so should eating in cars. Back when I was driving ski vans I once saw a guy with a cup of coffee in one hand, a doughnut in the other and a magazine propped on the steering wheel! And now they have plug-ins for laptop computers in the dashboard.:dead:

I was rear-ended while stopped at a red light last month by a woman in a minivan who claimed to be busy adjusting her radio. Cell phone use and similar distractions proven to be dangerous should be forbidden in moving vehicles.

[August]

So how do you expect this could ever be done?

Simple posession of a cell phone in the car? That's not going to fly because people will want their cell phones when they arrive at their destination/

Posession of a cell phone that's turned on? Plenty of time to turn it off between the time the blue lights come on and the cop gets close enough to see anything.

Ban handheld use? People are just going to use headsets. Since it's the use thats distracting, not just holding it up to ones head, it will not solve anything and personally I would prefer to see whether a person is using one and using a headset prevents this.

So I'm curious. How do you intend to enforce this?

[August]

Hands free is the way forward.
Hands free actually offered no benefit in tests - the driver is still distracted with the conversation.

-S

Worse, like I said above using handsfree mode makes it far more difficult for others to see whether a person is potentially distracted.

[AVGWarhawk]

It is enforcable by HEAVY FINES. I see many talking on phones. Cops see them also. They also see when a seatbelt is not on. Now, stipulate that the local government imposes a $1500.00 fine for using the phone while in motion. No going to court and hoping for a reduced fine for showing up. Full fine is imposed. That is enough for me not use it.

Heck, if you are on the side of the road and drunk, a cop does not see you operating the vehicle, just sitting with the key in the ignition, this is enough probable cause to arrest for DWI. I believe it is enforcable on the end that what will happen if you do get caught is enough of a deterent.

[XabbaRus]

We already have a law like this in the UK. It is pretty much unenforceable. I get really annoyed seeing people driving while talking on the mobile.

In fact I sometimes honk them, but only if there is no other traffic nearby. Makes them jump. Also hands free is rubbish, I have been almost hit by people chatting away on them too.

[Gizzmoe]

Hands free is the way forward.
Hands free actually offered no benefit in tests - the driver is still distracted with the conversation.

-S

What about conversations with your co-driver? Are they less distracting than a phone conversation?

[August]

It is enforcable by HEAVY FINES. I see many talking on phones. Cops see them also. They also see when a seatbelt is not on. Now, stipulate that the local government imposes a $1500.00 fine for using the phone while in motion. No going to court and hoping for a reduced fine for showing up. Full fine is imposed. That is enough for me not use it.

So they just go to using handfree mode and now neither you or the cops can see anything.

Personally i'd rather they use use their phone in non hands free mode. At least then it gives me a chance to see they might be distracted.

[August]

Hands free is the way forward.
Hands free actually offered no benefit in tests - the driver is still distracted with the conversation.

-S
What about conversations with your co-driver? Are they less distracting than a phone conversation?

Yes, because a passenger in the car has the chance of seeing a potentially dangerous situation occuring and can stop talking whereas the person on the other end of the phone can not.

[Gizzmoe]

Yes, because a passenger in the car has the chance of seeing a potentially dangerous situation occuring and can stop talking whereas the person on the other end of the phone can not.
In that case interesting radio shows/interviews should also be banned, after all the radio also can´t see a potentially dangerous situation occuring and stop talking. :)

It´s the responsibility of the driver to drive carefully and not to be distracted too much by conversations, or the radio, your co-driver, crying children on the back seat, blinking advertisements and the myriad of other things that can possibly distract you while you´re driving.

[Skybird]

Why not ban this technological annoyance of modern life altogether...? :up:

Cell phones are like hemorrhoids for ears. Lots of blabla that nobody would have missed if cell phones would not exist, and whereever you go these days it is beeping and howling and ringing and making noise, lots of noise, it is ridiculous, and nerve-killing. Makes people feeling very important, I guess, and if you don't have the latest giddy gadget, you're worth nothing. That's a problem especially with young ones. There are even services that ring you on your cell phone at a time and date you told them, so that in front of an audience you can leave an impression of being an indispensable person by letting yourself being called off via cell phone - the idiotic way of a western lifestyle for which the shiny outside is all, and inner substance does not count half as much.

When I'm not at home, I'm not at home. When I'm not at home, I'm unavailable, period. If they do not try a second time later on, it wasn't important anyway and I am glad that I escaped their call. I hate Telephones - the less phone calls I get, the better. :arrgh!: People I do value I keep in contact with in writing, and personally meeting them. Telephoning compares to that like cigarettes to pipe smoking, both are a quickie - easy, cheap, no investement, no effort. Only all-inclusive gift services are better: you don't select it, you don't write the card, you don't send it, you don't invest the slightest effort into it. Got such crap two times, both times it landed in the garbage bin - unopened, and the senders were scratched from my buddy list. Better no gift at all, that is okay for me.

[SUBMAN1]

Why not ban this technological annoyance of modern life altogether...? :up:

Cell phones are like hemorrhoids for ears. Lots of blabla that nobody would have missed if cell phones would not exist, and whereever you go these days it is beeping and howling and ringing and making noise, lots of noise, it is ridiculous, and nerve-killing. Makes people feeling very important, I guess, and if you don't have the latest giddy gadget, you're worth nothing. That's a problem especially with young ones. There are even services that ring you on your cell phone at a time and date you told them, so that in front of an audience you can leave an impression of being an indispensable person by letting yourself being called off via cell phone - the idiotic way of a western lifestyle for which the shiny outside is all, and inner substance does not count half as much.

When I'm not at home, I'm not at home. When I'm not at home, I'm unavailable, period. If they do not try a second time later on, it wasn't important anyway and I am glad that I escaped their call. I hate Telephones - the less phone calls I get, the better. :arrgh!: People I do value I keep in contact with in writing, and personally meeting them. Telephoning compares to that like cigarettes to pipe smoking, both are a quickie - easy, cheap, no investement, no effort. Only all-inclusive gift services are better: you don't select it, you don't write the card, you don't send it, you don't invest the slightest effort into it. Got such crap two times, both times it landed in the garbage bin - unopened, and the senders were scratched from my buddy list. Better no gift at all, that is okay for me.


My phone is at the bottom of Lake Washington in Washington state. I have no desire to replace it. I am much happier without that damn thing, and this is coming from a techie person no less. When I'm driving, I don't want to be bothered. I'm listening to my music , paying attention to where it is I am going and that is that.

Since that day, I do not miss my phone. Not a single day has gone by where I wish I had it.

-S

[STEED]

We already have a law like this in the UK. It is pretty much unenforceable. I get really annoyed seeing people driving while talking on the mobile.

In fact I sometimes honk them, but only if there is no other traffic nearby. Makes them jump. Also hands free is rubbish, I have been almost hit by people chatting away on them too.

Funny this subject has come up as Tony Blair is tightening up on the law, yea right. In my view lock them up for 10 years for driving dangerously under the influence of using a mobile phone. We all got on with our lives before these things came on the scene and now they are all over the place. Two thirds of calls are just plain nuts.

[Gizzmoe]

When I'm driving, I don't want to be bothered. I'm listening to my music , paying attention to where it is I am going and that is that.
Listening to your favourite music can be as distracting/"dangerous" as driving while having an important/interesting conversation on the phone or with your co-driver.

[Tchocky]

Makes sense to ban cellphones while driving, seeing as how the driver is somewhat immobile with a phone crammed on his shoulder. That's the only rationale that stands up. If it physically infringes upon your ability to drive safely, get rid of it. Use a hands-free kit.
How distracted a driver is while driving is an impossible scale to set. We'd have to ban billboards, license plate slogans, mudflaps, and of course, f*ckin dopes from getting behind the wheel.

[tycho102]

When I drive, my attitiude is the exact same as the way I trained to fly. You drive first. Period. Everything else is secondary, look around constantly while you're driving, anticipate issues before they occur. I do take phone calls when I am driving, but I do not expend concentration on the conversation. It normally amounts to "I will call you back" or "Oh hell, I completely forgot. Thanks!"

The problem with drivers is we give out licenses at 16, with absolute minimal training and no investment. I would like to see the US do something similar to what the Germans do. $3000 USD, age 21, and significant training requirements including high-speed control and emergencies. Where it takes some dedication and investment to earn and keep your license.

Our training requirements need to go up, but honestly, this is half the problem. I have friends who have gotten nailed by illegal aliens, they get arrested, and about 10 of their friends post bond then they're all out driving again. The current laws cannot even be enforced, which makes more laws and requirements pointless.

I can easily deal with a cellphone ban, but I just don't see it as the primary issue behind poor driving. It is one issue because people aren't concentrating on the road, but people do that anyway.

[SUBMAN1]

When I'm driving, I don't want to be bothered. I'm listening to my music , paying attention to where it is I am going and that is that.
Listening to your favourite music can be as distracting/"dangerous" as driving while having an important/interesting conversation on the phone or with your co-driver.

No - it requires no brain power. Myth Busters tested it recently and even with a co-driver talking, they scored well. Ask them to 'think' about something while talking on the phone, and they totally screwed up the course. It is the 'thinking' part that is the cause of the problems. They of course then made them drink beer and they scored much better while drunk! :up:

-S

[August]

Yes, because a passenger in the car has the chance of seeing a potentially dangerous situation occuring and can stop talking whereas the person on the other end of the phone can not.
In that case interesting radio shows/interviews should also be banned, after all the radio also can´t see a potentially dangerous situation occuring and stop talking. :)

It´s the responsibility of the driver to drive carefully and not to be distracted too much by conversations, or the radio, your co-driver, crying children on the back seat, blinking advertisements and the myriad of other things that can possibly distract you while you´re driving.

You asked a question and I answered it. Radio shows were not part of equation.

Now that you bring it up however a radio does not require the listener to participate conversation, hence it can be more easily ignored than a person on the other end of a phone conversation.

I agree with you about driver responsibility in general though.

[ASWnut101]

YES!!! Ban them from use in cars while the vehicle is moving or on the roads.

Infact, I was a passenger with someone in a truck, and we were in a line of cars about 4 vehicles long. The lead driver was on her cell-phone. She went for a turn, completely overshooting it, and instead of hitting the breaks, she pulls BACK out into the traffic. Nearly casued all of the people to slam like dominos into eachother. She continued to drive while talking.:nope:

[Gizzmoe]

You asked a question and I answered it. Radio shows were not part of equation.

Now that you bring it up however a radio does not require the listener to participate conversation, hence it can be more easily ignored than a person on the other end of a phone conversation.

To follow an interesting radio interview requires a fair amount of attention, for me. I think about what has been said.

I´m also the driver of a car pool, I´m new to the company and I know my co-driver for 1.5 weeks. The questions that he ask require some thinking (and vice versa), and I drive on a two-lane Autobahn that has no speed restrictions, which requires quite a bit of attention/thinking.

Just like tycho said, for me driving the car safely is priority #1, but I allow to have a conversation that distracts me a little bit. IMO a hands-free phone call is not different than having a co-driver conversation or listening to a radio interview, both can be distracting in medium/high traffic at high speed.

[Onkel Neal]

I'm going to go against the grain and say no, don't ban them. Driving while speaking on the phone is nowhere nearly as distracting as driving with kids in the car, or listening to a girlfriend or wife go on and on. I use the phone a lot while on the road, it's a life saver for busy people. I don't even have a traditional wall phone at home, who needs it? This isn't 1949, you know :D I don't carry a phone to feel "important", I carry it because it makes my life a lot easier. Some people can drive and talk at the same time. But I would go along with a law that stipulates if you have an accident, the investigator can check your phone records and if you were using the phone at the time of the accident, pull your license for a year and slap you with a heavy fine.

[U-533]

I do not see how Cell phones can be banned from use in vehicals.

It can not and will not be done...NO WAY!

Not so long as the very law enforcement themselves YACK ON THE DAMN THINGS AND GIVE YOU THE FINGER WHEN YOU BLOW THE HORN AT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I even tried to report one of the sorry officers and was told "He needs that line of communication"........:damn: :damn: :stare: :damn: :shifty: :nope:

So I have made up my mind the next time an Officer of the law is yackin on his cell phone, and tries to run me of the road because he/ she is to busy to drive ... I'm gonna hit him with my car or truck just as hard as I can then push him off the road and have a little talk!

Dont believe me?

Keep your eyes peeled for a news report.

Other than that I got no beef with them.:up:

:sunny:

[August]

IMO a hands-free phone call is not different than having a co-driver conversation or listening to a radio interview, both can be distracting in medium/high traffic at high speed.

I disagree but it's a moot point really.

[Mush Martin]

Hands free is the way forward.

A distracted driver thinking about tuesdays meeting isnt
paying attention because their mind is elsewhere not
because their hand is on the phone.

[Tchocky]

You can't ban "being distracted" behind the wheel, it's unenforceable and undefinable. I don't know why the thread's going this way. "Sorry Officer, I'm rather slow....." :p
Having one hand off the wheel/head crammed into shoulder, there's grounds for banning phones while driving.

[loynokid]

I think that cell phones should be banned for safety reasons very much :yep: but then also, What if there is an emergency and someone had to reach you or somethin. I think that it would be a major inconvienience for quite a few people, but my vote would be to ban them from the road just on the account of safety, which should always be top priority.

[Skybird]

Two facts.

First, several european countries have banned cell phones in cars if handled without free-speaking device (room micro). The statistical link between free handed cell phones whiule driving and traffic accidents was found to be highly significant/valid in several independent studies which were partially run over years.

Second, in the early nineties I remember a study that was done in Germany, concerning driving and music. Music directly influence brain activities, on a neurological level, and thus it regulates temper, emotional state, mental concentration, memories, mood. Music literally rushes to your brain indeed. Everyone of us knows that from his own experience. The most distracting music style, poison for secure driving, is German "Volksmusik" (terrible music indeed), followed by, I hope I remember correctly, American country. Hard Rock and heavy stuff also was found to be bad, because the heavy rythm and often agressiveness causes massive distraction. Best music to listen while driving is from the Jazz and Swing department, it helps to envoke a state of relaxed concentration.

Just two scientific findings. so if you want to be on the safe side, always have a solid reserve of Glenn Miller songs aboard!

[Tchocky]

No-ones banning cell phones in the car, loynokid, just talking on them while driving. Well, all except Skybird :p

[fredbass]

It's really a tough question.

We all know that some states have already banned their use. It will be interesting to see how things turn out over time.

I know it's not the only distraction, but IMO, it's a fairly severe one. There's been a number of incidents that I've witnessed where I believe the use of the cell phone was a major contributor to the accident. Now in all fairness, they'll have to ban food consumption while driving and a few other things while they're at it since the cell phone is only one contributing source.

But then again, life is a risk in itself, so lets just ban everything, just to be safe. :roll:

[XabbaRus]

Actually Gizzmoe I have to disagree with you. The parts of concentration needed for talking on the phone and following a radio show are different.

The brain can more easily flick from a radio show to what is going on more quickly than a phone conversation. It is a more passive listening. I can follow a radio show without having to turn most of my attention to it. Talking on a phone, especially if you are holding it requires greater alround concentration on the phone call.

Using the argument of 'let's ban radio shows' doesn't really help the debate. It's a simplistic argument that the its ok to use a mobile whilst driving use to justify it.

[ASWnut101]

Actually Gizzmoe I have to disagree with you. The parts of concentration needed for talking on the phone and following a radio show are different.

The brain can more easily flick from a radio show to what is going on more quickly than a phone conversation. It is a more passive listening. I can follow a radio show without having to turn most of my attention to it. Talking on a phone, especially if you are holding it requires greater alround concentration on the phone call.

Using the argument of 'let's ban radio shows' doesn't really help the debate. It's a simplistic argument that the its ok to use a mobile whilst driving use to justify it.


To add to the radio stuff,

Now, modern cars have channel pre-set buttons. All you do is (before you drive) set the pre-sets to what stations you want, and then with one quick press of a button, you can switch stations.

[moose1am]

It's not just only cell phones that cause people to drive poorly. Anything that distracts their attention to driving should be illegal. In other words if they drive recklessly then give them a ticket. If people know that the police are going to ticket them for erratic lane changes or erratic driving then maybe they will focus on driving better?

I agree that talking on the cell phone is a distraction and it's dangerous. But why limit punishment to just someone talking on a cell phone. What about someone that's weaving in and out of their lane because thier eyes are not on the road.

I do agree that banning cell phone use while driving would help though. I would just go much further in banning any behaviour that distracted a driver and causes more accidents. Drinking while driving, Watching TV while driving. Even listening to very loud music while driving... they can't hear approaching emergency vehicles sirens.

I think it is about time we do ban cell phones. California already has. Why not the rest of the US? I can't count the times I've almost been run over by some lady on the phone who just decides to change lanes in her big SUV!!! Its nuts! They don't care either.

It has also been proven that cell phones are worse than driving drunk! So why do we continue to tolerate them?

Here is another road rage incident involving cell phones:

http://www.azcentral.com/community/westvalley/articles/0221wv-roadrage21-ON.html

-S

[moose1am]

Hands free is the way forward.
I agree that hands free helps. I have a head set for my cell phone. But I have yet to figure out how to dial the number without taking my eyes off the roadway while driving.

I almost ran into my boss one day as we both approached the same job site from two different directions while talking to each other on our cell phones. We both were trying to turn onto the same street at the same time. I was heading west on A street and he was heading East on A street and we both were turning South onto B Street. I am glad that we didn't hit each other. I got rid of that cell phone after about a month and the first 350 dollar bill for just one month. And that was back in the days when cell phones where as big as walkie talkies. ie brick size. I remember the first cell phones that came out that were huge and heavy. We got one of those big things while on a job site up at Indianapolis, IN one year. 1991.

[moose1am]

What I would suggest is a higher fine if the police see you driving erraticly and in possession of a cell phone. Some police dept in some cities will give you a ticket if they see you talking on a cell phone while driving.

Now if you pull over to the side of the road to talk that's different.

I said above in another post to just ticket those who drive reclessly. If you are not staying in your lane or fail to yield the right of way and run into somone or you fail to stop in time and rear end someone then add more penality to the fines due to the use of the cell phone. You can easily look at my cell phone's log and see when it was last used and for how long. Combine that with the time of the accident and you have proof of use.

Some newer cell phones even record where you were using gps inside the cell phone.

So how do you expect this could ever be done?

Simple posession of a cell phone in the car? That's not going to fly because people will want their cell phones when they arrive at their destination/

Posession of a cell phone that's turned on? Plenty of time to turn it off between the time the blue lights come on and the cop gets close enough to see anything.

Ban handheld use? People are just going to use headsets. Since it's the use thats distracting, not just holding it up to ones head, it will not solve anything and personally I would prefer to see whether a person is using one and using a headset prevents this.

So I'm curious. How do you intend to enforce this?

[loynokid]

No-ones banning cell phones in the car, loynokid, just talking on them while driving. Well, all except Skybird :p

Did you read the thread or just my post. Its seems to me that I am not the only one that thinks cell phones should have restrictions when it comes to driving and talking. And also, as I stated, I think it would be a pain to not be able to use a phone while driving, but it would improve safety :yep:

[loynokid]

What I would suggest is a higher fine if the police see you driving erraticly and in possession of a cell phone. Some police dept in some cities will give you a ticket if they see you talking on a cell phone while driving.

Now if you pull over to the side of the road to talk that's different.

I said above in another post to just ticket those who drive reclessly. If you are not staying in your lane or fail to yield the right of way and run into somone or you fail to stop in time and rear end someone then add more penality to the fines due to the use of the cell phone. You can easily look at my cell phone's log and see when it was last used and for how long. Combine that with the time of the accident and you have proof of use.

Some newer cell phones even record where you were using gps inside the cell phone.

So how do you expect this could ever be done?

Simple posession of a cell phone in the car? That's not going to fly because people will want their cell phones when they arrive at their destination/

Posession of a cell phone that's turned on? Plenty of time to turn it off between the time the blue lights come on and the cop gets close enough to see anything.

Ban handheld use? People are just going to use headsets. Since it's the use thats distracting, not just holding it up to ones head, it will not solve anything and personally I would prefer to see whether a person is using one and using a headset prevents this.

So I'm curious. How do you intend to enforce this?


I kinda like that, its a good way to go about the cell phone safety thing.. lol

[flintlock]

I'd love to see them banned whilst driving. When another driver blatantly cuts me or another driver off that requires evasive action, or does some other erratic, thoughtless or dangerous manoeuver -- nine times out of ten the driver is gabbing on a cell phone.

[ASWnut101]

I do not see how Cell phones can be banned from use in vehicals.

It can not and will not be done...NO WAY!

Not so long as the very law enforcement themselves YACK ON THE DAMN THINGS AND GIVE YOU THE FINGER WHEN YOU BLOW THE HORN AT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I even tried to report one of the sorry officers and was told "He needs that line of communication"........:damn: :damn: :stare: :damn: :shifty: :nope:

So I have made up my mind the next time an Officer of the law is yackin on his cell phone, and tries to run me of the road because he/ she is to busy to drive ... I'm gonna hit him with my car or truck just as hard as I can then push him off the road and have a little talk!

Dont believe me?

Keep your eyes peeled for a news report.

Other than that I got no beef with them.:up:

:sunny:


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/volusia/orl-bk-return022307,0,2114586.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

:up: :sunny:

[NefariousKoel]

I used to think there were a lot of idiots on the highway causing problems while using their cell phones.

Shortly thereafter my road rage notified me that there are so many idiots who can't properly operate a motor vehicle, much less operate a phone at the same time.

Hence, we should should start killing people over the age of 60 with a driver's license. Increasing the lower limits of legal retardation tests would help too.:yep:

[U-533]

YES!!! Ban them from use in cars while the vehicle is moving or on the roads.

Infact, I was a passenger with someone in a truck, and we were in a line of cars about 4 vehicles long. The lead driver was on her cell-phone. She went for a turn, completely overshooting it, and instead of hitting the breaks, she pulls BACK out into the traffic. Nearly casued all of the people to slam like dominos into eachother. She continued to drive while talking.:nope:

I thought that driving in NYC was bad!

But I have to say that I-4 and I-95 are the worst driving experiences I ever have.

I love Orlando, my wife and I enjoy Mickey's World every year, but I-4 is a real treat....:sunny:

ASWnut101 hang in there man, I'll say a prayer for you.

[jpm1]

I think it s not a concentration problem but more like the fact of having the hands free especially in the case for example of an emergency stop where the fact of changing down could be crucial in France phoning while driving is forbidden since several years can t say if it comes from that because there was a policy of automatic radars installation too but the number of deads drops regularly since several years

[August]

What I would suggest is a higher fine if the police see you driving erraticly and in possession of a cell phone. Some police dept in some cities will give you a ticket if they see you talking on a cell phone while driving.
That will just force people to use hands free which is just as distracting. Like I said I'd prefer to see them using it so I know to beware of them. That's not possible if they use hands free.

I totally agree with you about pulling cell phone records when driving though, provided of course that was the cause of the crash...

BTW the worst distracted driver I ever saw was a guy talking on a cellphone while reading a newspaper propped up on the steering wheel, at the same time also using both hands to peel an orange. This was on Rt 128 in Massachusetts during rush hour, easily the busiest most dangerous road in the entire state.

[Tchocky]

That will just force people to use hands free which is just as distracting. Like I said I'd prefer to see them using it so I know to beware of them. That's not possible if they use hands free.
Hands-free is just as distracting than hand-held. However, with hands-free the driver has both hands on the wheel, and is better equipped to react to situations. These are the only grounds I can see for getting rid of hand-held use while driving, because "distraction" as a reason is too vague and subjective. Physical reaction ability is a much easier way to getr morons to put the phones down.
BTW the worst distracted driver I ever saw was a guy talking on a cellphone while reading a newspaper propped up on the steering wheel, at the same time also using both hands to peel an orange. This was on Rt 128 in Massachusetts during rush hour, easily the busiest most dangerous road in the entire state.
I remember once on the I-5 near San Jose almost losing control as a guy in an SUV sailed past. He was on the phone, but he had it on his shoulder. One hand was on the wheel, the other was in the passenger seat, icing a cake.

[Penelope_Grey]

In the UK mobile phones are already banned but hands free are still legal. Yet loads of people still use mobiles when they are driving. Its crackers.

The other thing bugs me are people who smoke in the car when they are driving along that really annoys me. Wish they wouldn't do it. You got to concentrate that is the whole point of driving. In the hands of a wrong person a car is a deadly weapon.

[baggygreen]

We got the same problem as U533.

Its officially an offence here, but how the hell are we meant to discourage it when you got blokes who are meant to be setting the example, doing precisely the wrong thing!

Example - on the way to work, coppa goes flying past, yackin on the phone, changed lanes without indicating, cut off a truck, and then went through a just-turned-red light. 2 sets of rules i suppose.

I have 2 bumper stickers on my car (well 4 but 2 arent for this topic) they say the following:

"I brake for tailgaters!"

and

"The closer you are, the slower I drive"

i like em:rock:

[STEED]

I saw one the other day on her mobile phone, I called out that's against the law and was met by some very strong verbal abuse. :nope:

[KevinB]

What's worse than cell phones in a car is four women. The driver has to always look at the person they are talking to.
My God have I just said something sexist?

Alright officer I'll come quietly.:damn:

[jpm1]

A little correction to what i said in France phoning while driving is only forbidden if you hold the phone in the hand hands free kits are authorised if you are taken in the act of infringement you incur a 35E fine and the loss of two points on the driver license which contains 12