Cell Phones @@34(&#

[Quinton]

Tulsa needs to pass a law with severe punishment for using a call phone while driving.It is getting really bad.[!]

[GG]

I agree

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by Quinton

Tulsa needs to pass a law with severe punishment for using a call phone while driving.It is getting really bad.[!]

You must have had the same lady in the black Honda change lines on ya on the BA while on her damn phone.  She about took out a guy in a truck.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

quote:Originally posted by Quinton

Tulsa needs to pass a law with severe punishment for using a call phone while driving.It is getting really bad.[!]

You must have had the same lady in the black Honda change lines on ya on the BA while on her damn phone.  She about took out a guy in a truck.

which day?  There was a black honda on the BA on Thursday doing that.

[Conan71]

As I was leaving work this afternoon I watched some dude rocket talk on his cell phone as he tooled past on his motorcycle.

I thought to myself, "There goes a future road pizza"

I got behind some other dumbass this morning in midtown who thought having his cell phone to his ear meant he doesn't have to use turn signals and can cut across two lanes of traffic.  Total Darwin material.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by Quinton

Tulsa needs to pass a law with severe punishment for using a call phone while driving.It is getting really bad.[!]

OHP's lobbyists were pushing one that, not surprisingly, exempts them (on the grounds they are better at texting while driving?)

Im for some moderate regulation, but not creating privileged classes in the process.

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by Quinton

Tulsa needs to pass a law with severe punishment for using a call phone while driving.It is getting really bad.[!]

OHP's lobbyists were pushing one that, not surprisingly, exempts them (on the grounds they are better at texting while driving?)

Im for some moderate regulation, but not creating privileged classes in the process.

I try to remember to take my Bluetooth w/me if I know I need to use the phone while driving.  Handsfree is so much safer....

[Red Arrow]

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by Quinton

Tulsa needs to pass a law with severe punishment for using a call phone while driving.It is getting really bad.[!]

OHP's lobbyists were pushing one that, not surprisingly, exempts them (on the grounds they are better at texting while driving?)

Im for some moderate regulation, but not creating privileged classes in the process.

I try to remember to take my Bluetooth w/me if I know I need to use the phone while driving.  Handsfree is so much safer....

Handsfree is not the only issue. Some people just pay too much attention to their phone and not enough to their driving.

[swake]

quote:Originally posted by Red Arrow

quote:Originally posted by Hoss

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by Quinton

Tulsa needs to pass a law with severe punishment for using a call phone while driving.It is getting really bad.[!]

OHP's lobbyists were pushing one that, not surprisingly, exempts them (on the grounds they are better at texting while driving?)

Im for some moderate regulation, but not creating privileged classes in the process.

I try to remember to take my Bluetooth w/me if I know I need to use the phone while driving.  Handsfree is so much safer....

Handsfree is not the only issue. Some people just pay too much attention to their phone and not enough to their driving.

As opposed to make-up, children or their McDonald's cheeseburger?

[Steve]

I agree with all comments in favor of banning cell phone use and texting while driving.  I don't understand how a hands-free phone can be much safer.  If your concentration is on a phone call and not safe driving you are still an accident waiting to happen.

Funny, we never had so much to talk about to each other before cell phones, now people say they can't live without them.  What slays me is the cell phone conversations I overhear in the grocery store, people discussing such monumental decisions like which brand of detergent to buy, or "Hi wattcha doin'?  Not much, you? Not much.  Well bye!"  I suspect 95% of cell phone conversations are useless; people now just can't stand the possibility not not being "connected."

Technology comes along with a new gadget to drain our pocketbooks and has done a very good job of convincing us it is something we can't live without.  I've never had a cell phone, and would only have one if an employer required it and paid for it.  What I have never had, I certainly don't miss.  I never much liked talking on the telephone anyway, let alone while driving or out in public places.

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

I agree with all comments in favor of banning cell phone use and texting while driving.  I don't understand how a hands-free phone can be much safer.  If your concentration is on a phone call and not safe driving you are still an accident waiting to happen.

Funny, we never had so much to talk about to each other before cell phones, now people say they can't live without them.  What slays me is the cell phone conversations I overhear in the grocery store, people discussing such monumental decisions like which brand of detergent to buy, or "Hi wattcha doin'?  Not much, you? Not much.  Well bye!"  I suspect 95% of cell phone conversations are useless; people now just can't stand the possibility not not being "connected."

Technology comes along with a new gadget to drain our pocketbooks and has done a very good job of convincing us it is something we can't live without.  I've never had a cell phone, and would only have one if an employer required it and paid for it.  What I have never had, I certainly don't miss.  I never much liked talking on the telephone anyway, let alone while driving or out in public places.

Handsfree is way better than the alternative.

My typical use of the cellphone in the car is limited to pre departure or times when I know I won't be moving in traffic.  Or when I'm a passenger.

Since I don't text even out of the car (I cannot see the reason for texting someone when you could call them) then that's a moot point for me.

[Quinton]

quote:Originally posted by Quinton

Tulsa needs to pass a law with severe punishment for using a call phone while driving.It is getting really bad.[!]

Perhaps a $500.00 fine for the first time ?I also ride a motorcycle and it scares the hell out of me.

[cannon_fodder]

I use my cell phone all the time while driving and I have for well over a decade.  I've never been in an accident and I've only had one ticket in my life.  My driving record while on the phone is far better than most people's record otherwise.

Furthermore, studies have consistently indicated that it is the mental capacity utilized in conversation that causes the distraction.  NOT the cell phone.  It is just as distracting to be in a conversation with a passenger or even intently listening to the radio (book on tape, ball game, etc.).

Hands free devices only limit the risk when some idiot is dialing, searching for their phone, or looking at their screen while driving.  All activities that would not be enforceable if a ban on cell phones was implemented (it is hereby illegal to search for objects in your car or look at a cell phone while driving.).  Mandating their usage has been a ploy of manufacturers and cell phone companies (to mitigate the impact) and has been dubbed a failure.

Age restrictions are simply not practical as an officer is not a carni adept at age guessing.  And why is it more or less distracting for them?  If anything, they are better prepared to use a cell phone while doing something else compared to a 65 year old - but never has it been proposed that a 65 year old not be allowed by a 16 year old allow.

On top of those contentions, cities that have implemented such a ban have seen no appreciable improvement in safety and police departments have found it nearly impossible to enforce.  

While apt, a ban on texting would not be enforceable 90% of the time.  

On the whole, it's just not practical and the effectiveness is limited at best.  Distractions happen while driving and we can not ban them all.  Conversations, radio, music, CBs, police radios, eating or oogling pretty girls on the side walk.  There are laws in place that say you must be paying attention while driving, if you are not then you are liable in a crash.  I'm afraid that's really the best we can do.

It really does come down to people paying too much attention to their conversation and not enough to the road.  Either when talking, or looking at it (same is true of people going through their glove box or otherwise NOT watching the road) - driving has to be #1 and everything else down the list somewhere.

Ban cell phones in cars if you want, but don't expect the problem of bad and/or distracted drivers to improve.

[Red Arrow]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I use my cell phone all the time while driving and I have for well over a decade.  I've never been in an accident and I've only had one ticket in my life.  My driving record while on the phone is far better than most people's record otherwise.

Furthermore, studies have consistently indicated that it is the mental capacity utilized in conversation that causes the distraction.  NOT the cell phone.  It is just as distracting to be in a conversation with a passenger or even intently listening to the radio (book on tape, ball game, etc.).

Hands free devices only limit the risk when some idiot is dialing, searching for their phone, or looking at their screen while driving.  All activities that would not be enforceable if a ban on cell phones was implemented (it is hereby illegal to search for objects in your car or look at a cell phone while driving.).  Mandating their usage has been a ploy of manufacturers and cell phone companies (to mitigate the impact) and has been dubbed a failure.

Age restrictions are simply not practical as an officer is not a carni adept at age guessing.  And why is it more or less distracting for them?  If anything, they are better prepared to use a cell phone while doing something else compared to a 65 year old - but never has it been proposed that a 65 year old not be allowed by a 16 year old allow.

On top of those contentions, cities that have implemented such a ban have seen no appreciable improvement in safety and police departments have found it nearly impossible to enforce.  

While apt, a ban on texting would not be enforceable 90% of the time.  

On the whole, it's just not practical and the effectiveness is limited at best.  Distractions happen while driving and we can not ban them all.  Conversations, radio, music, CBs, police radios, eating or oogling pretty girls on the side walk.  There are laws in place that say you must be paying attention while driving, if you are not then you are liable in a crash.  I'm afraid that's really the best we can do.

It really does come down to people paying too much attention to their conversation and not enough to the road.  Either when talking, or looking at it (same is true of people going through their glove box or otherwise NOT watching the road) - driving has to be #1 and everything else down the list somewhere.

Ban cell phones in cars if you want, but don't expect the problem of bad and/or distracted drivers to improve.

Banning cell phone use while driving could be useful in proving "distracted driving" after the fact in case of an "accident".  

Some distractions are easier to ignor than others.  When I see someone poking along causing other traffic to take evasive action, there is frequently (but not always) someone on a cell phone with their head proped up next to the window. I sure there are some drivers that can operate a cell phone while driving successfully, just as there are plenty of drivers that are legally intoxicated that have never had a wreck or ticket.

[cannon_fodder]

How does banning cell phones prove anything?

Murder is illegal, it doesn't help prove the case against the murderer.  

Do you mean you want a law that talking on the phone while getting into a car accident raises a presumption of negligent driving?  As far as I'm concerned, distractions are distractions.  If I'm on my phone or not and you pull out in front of me... your fault.  If I pull out in front of you... my fault.

The action resulting from the distraction is proof enough in most instances.