SHould cell phones be banned while driving?

[loynokid]

I think that cell phones should be banned for safety reasons very much 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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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/w...rage21-ON.html

-S

[moose1am]

Originally Posted by AJ!

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.

Originally Posted by 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?

[loynokid]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

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

[loynokid]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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"........

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.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...home-headlines

[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.

[U-533]

Originally Posted by 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.

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....

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