POLL: Would you support a ban on using cell phones while driving?

[DougK62]

Just FYI, I refuse to use a cell phone in my car and don't even let passengers do it. Let me say it again:

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.

But this is just me - maybe I'm crazy.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

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.

Fair enough. But the buttons on your cell phone are always in the same place. Many people can dial without looking at the keys, and most people have frequent numbers in their phone that can be dialed quickly. You know this.

So you're good with your son in the car. Great. Most people aren't.

So what I'm seeing is that a cell phone could MAYBE be a distraction to SOME people. I think that the same could be said for radios and passengers. Is this not a fair argument?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I go out of my way to cut off or slow down quickly while in front of distracted cell users.

Now add a carputer, GPS, video games or TV into the mix and it's really insane.


...Galvanized

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

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.

Fair enough. But the buttons on your cell phone are always in the same place. Many people can dial without looking at the keys, and most people have frequent numbers in their phone that can be dialed quickly. You know this.

So you're good with your son in the car. Great. Most people aren't.

So what I'm seeing is that a cell phone could MAYBE be a distraction to SOME people. I think that the same could be said for radios and passengers. Is this not a fair argument?

Yes, it is a fair argument. I think it's probably closer to a MAJORITY of people though. I have numbers programmed into my phone but it takes time to scroll down through them to find the one I'm looking for. I think it takes much more attention than fiddling with the radio.

I don't think it's nearly as bad as drunk driving but it definitely can be a huge distraction.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
I go out of my way to cut off or slow down quickly while in front of distracted cell users.

Now add a carputer, GPS, video games or TV into the mix and it's really insane.


...Galvanized

We bought a GPS unit for my wife's car. We only fiddle with it while stopped though. Once you input your destination you just listen to the voice commands directing you where to go and that's it. Messing with it while driving would definitely be a distraction though.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: DougK62
Everyone in favor of cell phone bans in cars must also be in favor of banning car radios and talking to passengers. Those are just as dangerous...

That's odd... the research doesn't support your conclusion.

Re: rights and the constitution... WTF do you think they make laws?!
"You know, according to the constitution, I have the right to drive through red lights. Show me where in the constitution it says I don't have this right."

Unless the consitution specifically gives you a certain right, example: right to free speech, then laws can be made which will stop you from carrying out particular activities.

In the case of cell phones, research has shown that driving while using a cell phone - either hand held or hands free - can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Sure.... we're going to hear from people who say "yeah, but I can drive good while talking on the cell phone, it's only some of the people." Well, to that I answer, "I know several people who can down a 12 pack of beer and still drive just fine. And, I know a couple of people who do it all the time." Why don't they get caught? Because they're not swerving all over the place, they're going the speed limit, they're not stopping abruptly... etc.

Thus, have a huge fine for driving while using a cell phone... but enforce it when the person is observed driving in a less that excellent manner.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

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.

Fair enough. But the buttons on your cell phone are always in the same place. Many people can dial without looking at the keys, and most people have frequent numbers in their phone that can be dialed quickly. You know this.

So you're good with your son in the car. Great. Most people aren't.

So what I'm seeing is that a cell phone could MAYBE be a distraction to SOME people. I think that the same could be said for radios and passengers. Is this not a fair argument?

Yes, it is a fair argument. I think it's probably closer to a MAJORITY of people though. I have numbers programmed into my phone but it takes time to scroll down through them to find the one I'm looking for. I think it takes much more attention than fiddling with the radio.

I don't think it's nearly as bad as drunk driving but it definitely can be a huge distraction.

It could very well be a majority. I happen to think that the majority of accidents are caused by people paying too much attention to their passengers and not the road, but cell phones are more fun to put in the limelight. Easy target.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: DougK62
Everyone in favor of cell phone bans in cars must also be in favor of banning car radios and talking to passengers. Those are just as dangerous...

That's odd... the research doesn't support your conclusion.

Re: rights and the constitution... WTF do you think they make laws?!
"You know, according to the constitution, I have the right to drive through red lights. Show me where in the constitution it says I don't have this right."

Unless the consitution specifically gives you a certain right, example: right to free speech, then laws can be made which will stop you from carrying out particular activities.

In the case of cell phones, research has shown that driving while using a cell phone - either hand held or hands free - can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Sure.... we're going to hear from people who say "yeah, but I can drive good while talking on the cell phone, it's only some of the people." Well, to that I answer, "I know several people who can down a 12 pack of beer and still drive just fine. And, I know a couple of people who do it all the time." Why don't they get caught? Because they're not swerving all over the place, they're going the speed limit, they're not stopping abruptly... etc.

Thus, have a huge fine for driving while using a cell phone... but enforce it when the person is observed driving in a less that excellent manner.

Show me reasearch on accidents relating to car radios and preoccupation with passengers.

 

[Thraxen]

Cell phones suck. Period. That's all anyone really needs to know.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I oppose cell phones in general, so naturally it follows that I oppose them even moreso in cars.

And for the people who say that they drive "just fine" while talking on their cell phone. Don't you think it's as likely that you're too distracted to realize just how much your driving ability diminishes while on the phone?

 

[LeoDioxide]

Great flame war. No, Really.

I whole-heartedly support a ban on cell phones while driving. It makes the road safer, period. Want a study? See mythbusters: Cell Phones vs. Drunk Driving. http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_killer_brace_posit.html Don't skew the results, using a cell phone can be as distracting or even more so than being drunk, but like the article states you can ditch the phone and resume concentration.

 

[DrPizza]

Oh, and since some of you haven't read any of the real research, "fiddling with the buttons" wasn't the main concern. It was the conversation that was taking place via a cell phone. The conversation caused the distraction.

And, I suppose one of you is going to say "my computer programmer brain tells me that having a conversation on a cell phone and a conversation with a person in the car is the same thing." Well, I'm sorry that your brain tells you incorrect information. When a passenger is in the car, they automatically slow or stop the pace of the conversation at points where the driver needs more concentration such as making turns in heavy traffic. The same isn't true of the person on the other end of the cell phone... they don't know when to shut up.

 

[PingSpike]

That would be treating the symptom, not the problem. All people other then me should be banned from driving.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: LeoDioxide
Great flame war. No, Really.

I whole-heartedly support a ban on cell phones while driving. It makes the road safer, period. Want a study? See mythbusters: Cell Phones vs. Drunk Driving. http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_killer_brace_posit.html Don't skew the results, using a cell phone can be as distracting or even more so than being drunk, but like the article states you can ditch the phone and resume concentration.

Straight from your quoted website:

A British study that asked subjects to do memory tests, reasoning, and mental arithmetic, found that cellphone use did hurt driving. The study also compared it to drunk driving, though Adam didn't describe the exact results of that comparison.

For this mythbusting, they wanted to focus on the talking aspect of cellphones, instead of dialing, as drivers would some sense to them would dial when the car was not moving.

So if all they're focusing on is talking then what's the difference between this and talking to a passenger? So talking to passengers is similar to driving drunk? So we should also ban talking to passengers?

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: PingSpike
That would be treating the symptom, not the problem. All people other then me should be banned from driving.

Exactly. Banning cell phones is treating the symptom and not the problem.

 

[FoBoT]

everyone else but me

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Oh, and since some of you haven't read any of the real research, "fiddling with the buttons" wasn't the main concern. It was the conversation that was taking place via a cell phone. The conversation caused the distraction.

And, I suppose one of you is going to say "my computer programmer brain tells me that having a conversation on a cell phone and a conversation with a person in the car is the same thing." Well, I'm sorry that your brain tells you incorrect information. When a passenger is in the car, they automatically slow or stop the pace of the conversation at points where the driver needs more concentration such as making turns in heavy traffic. The same isn't true of the person on the other end of the cell phone... they don't know when to shut up.

Hah - that's the most ridiculous idea in this entire thread.

EDIT: So you think children do what I bolded?

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
it gets worse everday. yesterday i was stuck for about 10 minutes behind 2 cars traveling side by side on a 4 lane highway, both going the same speed so that no one could pass. they were both on cell phones. god damn.:thumbsdown:

They may just be inconsiderate pricks who would have done the same without a cell phone.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
I wish there was a law that if you HIT a car that's operator is talking on a cellphone at the time, you are not held responsible. You wouldn't believe how many time these morons almost got hit by me because they stop in the middle of an intersection or brake in the middle of a turn for no apparent reason.

That would be great until some bottom feeder sees you on a cell phone in your Mercedes/BMW/.... and decides he wants some of your money and side swipes you and injures himself.

Great idea.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: lokiju
FVCK NO!

Just because some people can't drive and talk at the same time doesn't mean my right should be taken away.

Now a ban on cell phones in movie theaters I'd support, but never for in my OWN car.

Maybe we should ban in car conversations or tending to the yelling kids in the back seat or changing the radio station while the car is in motion?

Maybe we should just by default take away all rights since someone some where can't handle them properly??

Agreed (except for the movie thing - taking one right away is no better than taking another).

Kids are far more distracting to drivers than a cell ever will be.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: LeoDioxide
Great flame war. No, Really.

I whole-heartedly support a ban on cell phones while driving. It makes the road safer, period. Want a study? See mythbusters: Cell Phones vs. Drunk Driving. http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_killer_brace_posit.html Don't skew the results, using a cell phone can be as distracting or even more so than being drunk, but like the article states you can ditch the phone and resume concentration.

Interesting. I was thinking of things that would take your eyes off the road as more dangerous. Still, when I'm talking on the phone people generally aren't asking me questions like the verbal puzzles in the article. It's more like, "what do you want to do for dinner" or "how was your day" type questions. Still, food for thought.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: LeoDioxide
Great flame war. No, Really.

I whole-heartedly support a ban on cell phones while driving. It makes the road safer, period. Want a study? See mythbusters: Cell Phones vs. Drunk Driving. http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_killer_brace_posit.html Don't skew the results, using a cell phone can be as distracting or even more so than being drunk, but like the article states you can ditch the phone and resume concentration.

Interesting. I was thinking of things that would take your eyes off the road as more dangerous. Still, when I'm talking on the phone people generally aren't asking me questions like the verbal puzzles in the article. It's more like, "what do you want to do for dinner" or "how was your day" type questions. Still, food for thought.

Yeah, it's definitely interesting, but the truth is that you could run a test like that doing MANY things that people commonly do in cars and the results would be the same. Have someone on a course and then with a loudspeaker tell them to tune into certain radio stations, switch out a CD, etc. They'd still do poorly compared to them NOT doing the activity.

They're loaded tests.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Oh, and since some of you haven't read any of the real research, "fiddling with the buttons" wasn't the main concern. It was the conversation that was taking place via a cell phone. The conversation caused the distraction.

And, I suppose one of you is going to say "my computer programmer brain tells me that having a conversation on a cell phone and a conversation with a person in the car is the same thing." Well, I'm sorry that your brain tells you incorrect information. When a passenger is in the car, they automatically slow or stop the pace of the conversation at points where the driver needs more concentration such as making turns in heavy traffic. The same isn't true of the person on the other end of the cell phone... they don't know when to shut up.

Hah - that's the most ridiculous idea in this entire thread.

EDIT: So you think children do what I bolded?

No, children don't. AND, there are a significant number of accidents caused by the driver losing attention while dealing with the kids. In fact, a relative's car was hit by a lady who turned around to yell at her kids.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Oh, and since some of you haven't read any of the real research, "fiddling with the buttons" wasn't the main concern. It was the conversation that was taking place via a cell phone. The conversation caused the distraction.

And, I suppose one of you is going to say "my computer programmer brain tells me that having a conversation on a cell phone and a conversation with a person in the car is the same thing." Well, I'm sorry that your brain tells you incorrect information. When a passenger is in the car, they automatically slow or stop the pace of the conversation at points where the driver needs more concentration such as making turns in heavy traffic. The same isn't true of the person on the other end of the cell phone... they don't know when to shut up.

Hah - that's the most ridiculous idea in this entire thread.

EDIT: So you think children do what I bolded?

No, children don't. AND, there are a significant number of accidents caused by the driver losing attention while dealing with the kids. In fact, a relative's car was hit by a lady who turned around to yell at her kids.

Uh...so what's your point again?

Conversation on cell phone = distraction
Conversation with passenger = distraction

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Are you suggesting you curb my FREEDOM!? OPPRESSOR!!!!

COMMIE PINKO!