National Ban on Cell Phones While Driving

[Hayabusa Rider]

It isn't the act of holding the phone that's distracting, it's the peculiar way that the human mind goes about talking to someone who's not there. Basically we do it by forgetting where we're at in order to put the conversation on another plane.
When talking to someone who's in the car, your mind is still in the car. When talking to someone on the phone your mind is elsewhere.

I have the opposite problem. I'm always focused on what's going on so a cell phone is not problem for me driving, but holding a conversation is difficult, so if I do it it's short and to the point.

 

[dmcowen674]

What about eating or drinking while driving, is that illegal?

New law that went onto effect is anyone under 21 it is illegal to eat in the car.

Fine and suspend license for 6 months if caught.

 

[dmcowen674]

You should not have to memorize different laws for the 10 or so states you may frequent.

The whole thing is stupid. Many people SAY they will do the right thing, but the facts are, too many don't and that is why we have the National Nanny.

Negatory, you must comply with all state laws.

For example when I ride my motorcycle I take a list of the states that require a helmet vs the states that don't. When I get to the border I pull over look at my list.

Now since I got a smartphone I just look it up on the Internet.

 

[cubby1223]

I've talked on a phone ever since I began driving 15 years ago, and will continue to do so.

And I don't have any fear of other people who talk on cell phones.

I'm still alive. Everyone I know is still alive (well, those who have not died from other causes).


I once was behind a man & woman physically fighting each other in the car, while driving 30mph and swerving all over the lanes on an interstate. No cell phones involved.


I think I will advocate for driving bans for everyone except myself. This will guarantee my safety on the roads 😛

 

[cubby1223]

If someone drives while distracted, banning cell phones, that person will switch to another distraction while driving.

The only useful solution is Futurama transportation tubes.

 

[Moonbeam]

It isn't the act of holding the phone that's distracting, it's the peculiar way that the human mind goes about talking to someone who's not there. Basically we do it by forgetting where we're at in order to put the conversation on another plane.
When talking to someone who's in the car, your mind is still in the car. When talking to someone on the phone your mind is elsewhere.

Perhaps that's why, when my driver drives, I talk to the phone in my hand and not the person on the other end. Maybe it's my driver who would visualize folk if he weren't driving instead.

 

[Moonbeam]

Please take your meds.

Of course you're envious and need to insult. While either one of my heads is likely superior to your one, two heads are definitely better. I talked this over with my driver and he totally agrees. Naturally he couldn't say so, he just beeped.

 

[xj0hnx]

I've talked on a phone ever since I began driving 15 years ago, and will continue to do so.

And I don't have any fear of other people who talk on cell phones.

I'm still alive. Everyone I know is still alive (well, those who have not died from other causes).


I once was behind a man & woman physically fighting each other in the car, while driving 30mph and swerving all over the lanes on an interstate. No cell phones involved.


I think I will advocate for driving bans for everyone except myself. This will guarantee my safety on the roads 😛

Of course, everyone is a great driver, at least in their own minds. I've been run off the road twice now by morons on their phones, and can't count how many times I've had to lay on the horn because the idiot in front of me is too involved in their conversation to notice the light turned, or forgot they were at a stop sign. People survived for decades without having to be on the phone while driving.

 

[rayfieldclement]

Is it illegal to talk to another person in the vehicle one is driving?

What about eating or drinking while driving, is that illegal?

What about reading a road map, or a book while driving, is that illegal?

What about getting a BJ while operating a motor vehicle?

Besides this is mostly a local issue.

Why are we trying to control every single moment of everyone's lives?

It should be illegal at the state level for a driver to do anything but drive and talk during driving.

 

[Moonbeam]

One conservative type solution to this might be public floggings for using a phone while driving carried out in town squares on rotating days of the week where folk would be invited in to jeer and cheer as the guilty are lead in and the lashes start to fall.

 

[Doppel]

Hands free is a total waste of time. We know this. there does need to be a ban but banning it without any way to enforce it is useless. There needs to be a mechanism in place to ensure compliance, such as cell phone record auditing after any accident as a matter of policy. If records of cell use near time of accident prove it was used, huge penalties.

 

[cubby1223]

Of course, everyone is a great driver, at least in their own minds. I've been run off the road twice now by morons on their phones, and can't count how many times I've had to lay on the horn because the idiot in front of me is too involved in their conversation to notice the light turned, or forgot they were at a stop sign. People survived for decades without having to be on the phone while driving.

Let me buy you a roll of bubble wrap to protect you from the big bad nasty world out there

 

[alkemyst]

texting is the real problem...no one wants to tackle that.

 

[xj0hnx]

Let me buy you a roll of bubble wrap to protect you from the big bad nasty world out there

Protection? No, morons to pay attention to the fucking rode? Yea.

 

[cybrsage]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/27/usa-driving-idUSL2E8FQOK820120427

Good luck with that. Although I think that cell phone use during driving should be stopped and only hands free should be allowed, it isn't going to happen on a national level. The feds don't have the authority except perhaps if you are driving on an interstate. Oh right, another opportunity to abuse the commerce clause.

Besides, in most places that have already passed laws banning cell phone use during driving, they are doing a horrible job enforcing it from what I can see. You have to be dumb enough to be using it while a cop is looking. Although I guess that probably happens more than you might think given the intelligence of the average U.S. driver.

The feds should be allowed to force people to buy cell phone plans and then regulate when you can use them. Oh, and fine you if you do not buy the plan.

But yes, I agree with you completely. I want it stopped, but it is not the role of the fed gov to do it.

 

[Ninjahedge]

Yeah, you are trolling. Nice try.

Oh, that hurt.


Phlogging: -1

 

[Ninjahedge]

Negatory, you must comply with all state laws.

I was not saying you shouldn't.

For example when I ride my motorcycle I take a list of the states that require a helmet vs the states that don't. When I get to the border I pull over look at my list.

Or you could just wear a helmet. OR, it could just be a national law and you would not have to worry about what state you were in.

Now since I got a smartphone I just look it up on the Internet.

While riding? :duh: