I actually have some Libertarian beliefs. That said, I do feel that laws make sense when the common sense of the people fails to prevail... as is the case with soccer moms yapping on the phone whilst doing 45MPH in the fastlane on the freeway (or 95MPH in the merge lane).
Exactly. I haven't read beyond chambersc's post, but he nailed it on the head:
It's a dumb thread, as the question needs much qualification.
moshquerade
No Lifer
- Nov 1, 2001
- 61,504
- 12
- 56
this is true. that is why i support it and it's also a law in NYS. no cellphones while driving unless they are handsfree.
moshquerade
No Lifer
- Nov 1, 2001
- 61,504
- 12
- 56
Because in the context of the poll it's not relevant. That's why it's a bad poll.
If I had to make a choice between allowing cell phones while driving or banning cell phones while driving - with no optional provisions - then I'd still ban them in a heartbeat.
But if there were a third choice - to allow cell phone use only when accompanied by a hands-free kit - then I'd probably allow it.
DougK62
Diamond Member
- Mar 28, 2001
- 8,035
- 6
- 81
Yes, it is analogous. If you need the use of your cell phone hand for an emergency purpose how long does it take you to drop the cell and get your hand where it needs to be? A second? That seems like the same amount of time to get your hand back in position if you were fidgiting with the radio, digging in your purse, waving your hands at the kids, etc.
It's the same.
Since I live in a state where talking on cellphones is banned I'm used to it, and honestly I agree with the law. Too many times I've seen idiots on their cell phones veering into other lanes on the highway, missing stoplights etc. I now there are people who can talk on the phone and drive at the same time, I do it myself from time to time, and find myself dropping the phone to my lap whenever I see a cop. Hands free sets are a good idea and should be mandatory, they arent that expensice/cumbersome/annoying. And considering the idiots that are given license to drive in this country I'd much rather have their eyes and thoughts on the road in front of them. Personally I've never really had a situation where I had to talk while driving and couldnt either pull over or call the person back when I stopped or got to my destination etc...
He was referring to the fact that most people hold the phone to their ear while talking on it... i dont usually have my finger on the volume while i drive. and those few seconds of time from dropping the phone to grabbing the wheel etc could be fatal. and yes if im adjusting the volume at that exact second it will take just as long as if i had a cell. but the chances of my hitting the volume adjust at that exact moment arent very big. but if im talking on the cell for a long time, the chances increase
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,595
- 992
- 126
If it were the same, we wouldn't be having this discussion. There's a reason cell phones have drawn far more attention than radios and passengers. It's not like a bunch of people got together one day and said "you know what, we're jealous of all the people with cell phones... let's fsck with them."
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,595
- 992
- 126
No they aren't. Ever see someone talking on a cell phone? They are a huge distraction with those tiny little buttons and the fact that you have to hold it in your hand to talk to someone. Hands free devices help but unless your phone supports voice commands you still have to take your attention off the road to dial and answer it (I am okay with allowing handsfree devices though).
I do think BMWs iDrive should be banned though. That thing is a horrible mess and requires scrolling through menus to adjust pretty much any setting from A/C to the radio.
yes i do, radios may be loud and can affect hearing, but generally most people arent blasting their music and usually the radio is background noise. It doesnt take a whole lot of attention to listen to a song, whereas in a conversation i have to think about what im saying to the person, listen to them, keep up with the conversation etc. i guess its the same if i just held the phone to my ear while the person on the other line hummed a tune. Do you honestly think listening to music and having a converstation take the same amount of concentration?
DougK62
Diamond Member
- Mar 28, 2001
- 8,035
- 6
- 81
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
No they aren't. Ever see someone talking on a cell phone? They are a huge distraction with those tiny little buttons and the fact that you have to hold it in your hand to talk to someone. Hands free devices help but unless your phone supports voice commands you still have to take your attention off the road to dial and answer it (I am okay with allowing handsfree devices though).
I do think BMWs iDrive should be banned though. That thing is a horrible mess and requires scrolling through menus to adjust pretty much any setting from A/C to the radio.
And radios don't have tiny buttons?
My point is really simple, but people keep tip-toeing around it. Cell phones take attention and (in many cases) a free hand away from the driver. Yelling at the kids, playing with the radio, etc, etc also take attention and (in many cases) a free hand from the driver. So my computer science programmed brain says that these are the same.
Well cant argue with the truth, but you have to understand that having my cell phone in my hand for 30min while i drive increases the chance ill not have that hand for an emergency. I might play with the radio for a total of 2min in a 30min span in the car. so the chances of me not having that hand are still slimmer. Both are equally unsafe if u are doing them at the exact instance of an emergency, but cellphones are an item that is constantly used whereas the radio is not constantly adjusted
New? I don't know about you but I've had a cell phone for about the last 12 - 15 years, give or take.
Exactly
Yep. Adjusting the volume takes a few seconds. Dialing a phone number takes much longer. On top of that, operating a cell phone and operating a car stereo are different things. The cell phone requires much more attention.
Again, these two things aren't even remotely analogous... I don't even know why we're comparing the two.
I adressed the whole hitting the button while driving thing in a different response above, I just decided to look at ur argument from all possible angles. And after doing so I still think talking on a cellphone increases the chance that ur hand is occupied during an emergency when compared to the radio.
talking with hand held to head for 15-30min or adjusting the radio in 5 seconds
obviously there is a greater risk with the cellphone simply because the amount of time that hand is occupied
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,595
- 992
- 126
Originally posted by: DougK62
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
No they aren't. Ever see someone talking on a cell phone? They are a huge distraction with those tiny little buttons and the fact that you have to hold it in your hand to talk to someone. Hands free devices help but unless your phone supports voice commands you still have to take your attention off the road to dial and answer it (I am okay with allowing handsfree devices though).
I do think BMWs iDrive should be banned though. That thing is a horrible mess and requires scrolling through menus to adjust pretty much any setting from A/C to the radio.
And radios don't have tiny buttons?
My point is really simple, but people keep tip-toeing around it. Cell phones take attention and (in many cases) a free hand away from the driver. Yelling at the kids, playing with the radio, etc, etc also take attention and (in many cases) a free hand from the driver. So my computer science programmed brain says that these are the same.
They do but they are always in the same place. I can find the buttons on my radio without taking my eyes off the road. A few hours in any car and I can familiarize myself with where things are so it doesn't take much attention to fiddle with the settings. Also, my steering wheel has radio controls on it so I can change the station and adjust the volume without taking my hands off the wheel.
Children can be a big distraction but only if you let them. When my son gets demanding I just tell him that I cannot look at what he wants me to because I am driving.
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