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

[SlitheryDee]

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.

I see people talking on their cell phone WITH kids in their car all the time.

People, THIS is your dangerous driver.

 

[BAMAVOO]

I would never make it to my destination, if I had to pull over to talk on the phone.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: DougK62

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.

Do you change the radio station while going around turns in heavy traffic with 3 lanes all turning and you're in the center lane? Most people wait until they're in easier driving conditions to do such as change the radio station. Furthermore, most people who have been driving for more than a couple of years can do so without staring at their radio for extended periods of time. Heck, last I knew, during driver's ed, you were supposed to be able to adjust the volume and change the station without looking down at all. (I could check with my school's drivers ed teacher, but I won't see him til September, other than passing him with a load of kids on the road.)

I don't have time right now, but this evening while I'm doing some other research and am in the correct "channels", I'll glance around for the research you seem to believe doesn't exist. Seriously though, are you that naive to believe that in the last several decades, no one has thought of researching the degree to which the car radio distracts drivers? Especially during the last decade with all idiots making opinionated claims about it??

But, of course, since none of us have copies of that research in our own personal libraries, that must mean such research never existed. :roll:


Oh, and in your example above, it's the person with the loudspeaker who is causing the majority of the distraction to driving, not the actual activities.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO
I would never make it to my destination, if I had to pull over to talk on the phone.

Oh just quit worshiping the little flashy thing and it's magic voices already.

 

[T9D]

I dont want to read all the replies. But if it hasnt' been said it's already Illegal in Oregon to talk without a headset. Or maybe you meant all together. All I know is at least 5 or more times a day I get behind some jack tard that is on the phone and driving retarded. I want to kick em in the nards and tell them to get off the damn phone and drive.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: 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.

It doesn't mean that talking on cell phones isn't a major distraction that causes accidents though. Hell, people put DVD players in their dash and override the lockout that prevents it from playing DVDs while the car is being driven. You'd have to have rocks in your head to drive with a DVD playing where you can see it...not to mention that it's illegal.

You can't ban people from driving around with their children so why that's being brought up I don't know.

Would there be fewer accidents if we banned talking on cell phones while driving? Yes. I don't think there is any disputing this.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
Topic Title: POLL: Would you support a ban on using cell phones while driving?

Perfect solution.

Ban everything.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: 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.

It doesn't mean that talking on cell phones isn't a major distraction that causes accidents though. Hell, people put DVD players in their dash and override the lockout that prevents it from playing DVDs while the car is being driven. You'd have to have rocks in your head to drive with a DVD playing where you can see it...not to mention that it's illegal.

You can't ban people from driving around with their children so why that's being brought up I don't know.

Would there be fewer accidents if we banned talking on cell phones while driving? Yes. I don't think there is any disputing this.

I'm definitely not disputing that cell phone use can cause accidents. My point is simply that the other activities mentioned are on the same playing field.

 

[ebaycj]

Bluetooth over the car stereo FTW !!!

 

[Ramma2]

Compare alcohol, smoking, and cell phone related death statistics. Then you tell me which ones should be banned.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: DougK62

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.

Do you change the radio station while going around turns in heavy traffic with 3 lanes all turning and you're in the center lane? Most people wait until they're in easier driving conditions to do such as change the radio station. Furthermore, most people who have been driving for more than a couple of years can do so without staring at their radio for extended periods of time. Heck, last I knew, during driver's ed, you were supposed to be able to adjust the volume and change the station without looking down at all. (I could check with my school's drivers ed teacher, but I won't see him til September, other than passing him with a load of kids on the road.)

I don't have time right now, but this evening while I'm doing some other research and am in the correct "channels", I'll glance around for the research you seem to believe doesn't exist. Seriously though, are you that naive to believe that in the last several decades, no one has thought of researching the degree to which the car radio distracts drivers? Especially during the last decade with all idiots making opinionated claims about it??

But, of course, since none of us have copies of that research in our own personal libraries, that must mean such research never existed. :roll:


Oh, and in your example above, it's the person with the loudspeaker who is causing the majority of the distraction to driving, not the actual activities.

Hahahahahahah. You're so far beyond reasoning that it's quite funny.

 

[DrPizza]

The majority of parents don't have involved conversations in the car with their 3 and 4 year olds who are sitting in the back seat while driving in traffic. The majority of conversations in a car flow at a different pace dependent upon road conditions than do conversations on a cell phone. In extreme driving conditions, passengers typically shut up. The person on the other end of a cell phone simply says "are you there? are you there?" causing you to concentrate on two things at once.

Seriously, you'd be stupid to think that no research has ever been conducted on the other factors that may distract a driver. Why do we only hear about the research directed at cell phones? Is it a national conspiracy where the researchers hate the cell phone companies? Heck, last night I drove home while eating pizza and steering with my knee on an otherwise deserted straight road. But, I was able to anticipate going around a few sharp bends or deal with oncoming traffic with their bright lights on and put the pizza down and concentrate on driving. People having cell phone conversations simply don't put down the phone and end the conversation - "it's rude to have 30 second pauses in the conversation." But, 30 second pauses in the conversation are routine among passengers in a vehicle.

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: DougK62

I'm definitely not disputing that cell phone use can cause accidents. My point is simply that the other activities mentioned are on the same playing field.

The radio is the closest you've got to a legit argument and even it's pretty clearly not as bad. Driving with other passengers (kids or otherwise) is simply a necessity, so using that a basis for allowing cell phones (which are not necessary) is not going to get you anywhere.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
The majority of parents don't have involved conversations in the car with their 3 and 4 year olds who are sitting in the back seat while driving in traffic. The majority of conversations in a car flow at a different pace dependent upon road conditions than do conversations on a cell phone. In extreme driving conditions, passengers typically shut up. The person on the other end of a cell phone simply says "are you there? are you there?" causing you to concentrate on two things at once.

Seriously, you'd be stupid to think that no research has ever been conducted on the other factors that may distract a driver. Why do we only hear about the research directed at cell phones? Is it a national conspiracy where the researchers hate the cell phone companies? Heck, last night I drove home while eating pizza and steering with my knee on an otherwise deserted straight road. But, I was able to anticipate going around a few sharp bends or deal with oncoming traffic with their bright lights on and put the pizza down and concentrate on driving. People having cell phone conversations simply don't put down the phone and end the conversation - "it's rude to have 30 second pauses in the conversation." But, 30 second pauses in the conversation are routine among passengers in a vehicle.

DrPizza was eating a pizza while driving? :laugh:

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: ebaycj
Bluetooth over the car stereo FTW !!!

I have that in my car. It's sweet!

Still, I'd say that 95% of the time I'm in the car I'm not talking on the phone.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Amused
Your poll is absurd. Just because someone may oppose a ban does not mean they "do it everyday" or even at all.

 

[BlancoNino]

Oh yes, we need more laws based on a few idiots. Let's legislate based on the lowest common denominator some more! Yay for more laws!

/sarcasm

 

[Stuxnet]

I will state that if you're on a cell phone, you better be paying attention. If you're peddling along at 50MPH in the fast lane and I'm stuck behind you, I will WAKE YOUR ASS UP as soon as I can get around you. You're in for the brake check of the century.

Flame on.

 

[daveshel]

I'd support any ban on cell phone use. Public transportation, restaurants...

 

[Stuxnet]

Me too, but one step at a time .

 

[MBrown]

NO!!!!!!!!!

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Wapp
A couple weeks ago I was at a stoplight with one car in front of me. The driver was on his cellphone. We still had a red light when the left turn lane received a green arrow. D-bag in front of me just sees green and takes off. All the cars turning in front of us had to hit their brakes almost causing a multiple vehicle accident thanks to this clown and his oh so important conversation.

IMO, at least require people to use hands-free.

I've seen this a handful of times. They sit on red lights, drive under the speed limit with nothing but space in front of them, drift lanes, zip right through red lights, etc, etc. Some people just can't talk on the phone and do something else at the same time and it's not just driving. I've seen morons talking on their phone step out between cars without paying attention to traffic.

I don't think they should be banned while driving just because of the dumbasses though. Maybe just put a traffic law in place where an officer can write a ticket if the person is obviously causing a traffic hazard while on the phone? Get too many in a certain timeframe you no longer are allowed to use a cell phone while driving ever again. Maybe then people would either limit the use and/or pay attention.

 

[LeoDioxide]

The straw man arguements plaguing this thread are disturbing. The cold truth is that cell phones attribute to accidents and dangerous driving. Given that fact, would you support a law that bans cell phones?

Yes, I see accidents and dangerous driving as a threat to myself and others, I try hard but I can't always look over my shoulder to see if you're about to rear-end me because you aren't paying attention.

Cell phones are popular amongst teenagers, this is common sense.

http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=3530886

Teenagers don't have much time behind the wheel, most people can agree that one or two years is not really experienced in the driving world. Some stats: http://www.rmiia.org/Auto/Teens/Teen_Driving_Statistics.htm

http://parentingteens.about.com/od/teendriving/f/fatal_crashes.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/teenmvh.htm

Here we have an extremely distracting device coupled with an inexperienced crowd that is the heaviest user of said device. The math isn't hard, but you can draw your own conclusions.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Yes, I ride my bike to work a couple times a week. It just takes one distracted idiot and my son grows up without a father.

That's what life insurance is for

Ausm

 

[BoomerD]

Hell yes. No one is so important that they can't pull over to make a call...they should be banned in restaurants and movie theaters too...people just lose sight of where they are when the phone rings and talk loud and often, about stuff that really shouldn't be discussed in public...(personal problems, fights, etc.)
WAY too many accidents are caused by stupid people on cell phones. One hand holding the phone, the other waving around like they are talking to the other person "in person"...