Nationwide Hands free Cell Phone Ban for Drivers Urged

[NT1440]

Well see I work for an answering service and we deal with a lot of A/C technicians and what not and sometimes people will call to get their A/C fixed and the techs hop in the truck and go, then the person will call back and cancel the call, so I have to call them while they're on the road, the smart thing to do would be pull over and answer the call, but the companies would then get upset cause of wasted time if it was another person calling to get their A/C fixed, but if they drove all the way to the job and found out when they got there the call had been cancelled then that's more wasted time, so in that situation you're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Again I'm still thinking this over just wanted to give you some food for thought.

I'd pull over every time, and if it cost me my job, then they'd get a nice lawsuit for trying to put my safety, as well as others, at risk and essentially forcing me to break the law.

I live in CT where cell phone use while driving is illegal. Not well enforced, though noteable, but still illegal.

No one forces me to put my safety in jeopardy, no one.

 

[JNB]

This is all so unbelievably off-target, it's hilarious.

It's not the activity, it's the driver. The level of incompetence and lack of skill that is allowed on the road causes most collisions. The little extra activities that amplify said lack of skill merely points out that these people should be off the road, not that the activities are inherently the problem.

If we actually required a sensible level of competence behind the wheel I'd venture that we'd lose about 75% of those on the road today. Instead, the standard approach is to make the cars and the rules more idiot-proof, knowing full well that idiots will find a way to do themselves in anyway.

 

[.Andy]

It's not the activity, it's the driver. The level of incompetence and lack of skill that is allowed on the road causes most collisions. The little extra activities that amplify said lack of skill merely points out that these people should be off the road, not that the activities are inherently the problem.

Let me guess. You'd classify yourself in the adept driver category?

 

[dukebound85]

Well see I work for an answering service and we deal with a lot of A/C technicians and what not and sometimes people will call to get their A/C fixed and the techs hop in the truck and go, then the person will call back and cancel the call, so I have to call them while they're on the road, the smart thing to do would be pull over and answer the call, but the companies would then get upset cause of wasted time if it was another person calling to get their A/C fixed, but if they drove all the way to the job and found out when they got there the call had been cancelled then that's more wasted time, so in that situation you're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Again I'm still thinking this over just wanted to give you some food for thought.

and yet when i worked for an oil services company, some policies they had were:
1) no talking on cell phones unless pulled over
2) no driving between 10pm-6am
3) must wear seatbelt
4) must drive no faster than 60 and 10 mph less than posted otherwise(monitored by a black box)

all of these were enacted for safety purposes. if caught violating one, you could lose your job. if you didnt wear your seatbelt, you did lose your job. on of my managers at the time was fired due to this

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I'd be fine with both if there is evidence that it reduces accidents and road fatalities. In fact I can't remember the last time I ate while I drove. Eating is one of the greatest pleasures in life - why wouldn't one stop off in a park or cafe for a feed? Is anyone seriously that busy that the only place they car eat is their car whilst driving?

For me I tend to rarely eat in my car. Drinking something (like a coke) is a fair bit more common. But for the eating part is tends to only happen when I am driving long distance and in between big cities and very little traffic so the require attention on the road is greatly reduced.

The reason I think cell phones are being targeted is A takes 37% (as the study showed) off the road. A passager generally is aware of what is going on around them in the car and in traffic or other things pick up they tend to follow it as well and react accordingly.

But the reason they are being targeted is going to go to down to likely hood. What is the most common distraction you see while driving. Answer CELL PHONE. You see it in heavy traffic. Eating I tend to see more commonly on long distance drive. Also people tend to eat more often in things like that. So likely hood of a wreak being cause by a cell phone is a lot greater than others. Just because we know it greatly increases the chances and to top it off a lot of people do it.

Of all the times I almost been hit cell phones seems to be one of the most common things. Eating hardly ever.

I say all this knowing that I break the rule quite often and talk on my cell phone while driving. Hands free and with out hands free does not matter to much. I also tend to make judgment calls based on traffic. If it is heavier I end the call. Also I will not do anything that requires writing things down. Yes I know this is all bad stuff to do.

 

[FrankieTDouglas]

sorry if i value my life over another persons phone call. some people...

If you really valued your life, you wouldn't be riding a motorcycle, period.

Even when I'm not on a phone, seeing a motorcyclist coming is definitely harder than seeing a car coming. It's the simple fact of oncoming mass is connected to the probability of visibility. This is even worse when someone on a motorcycle guns it when the light turns green. It just doesn't have the size to signify the velocity it is moving towards you with.

Last time I was in Paris, it was amazing to see a motorcyclist weaving inbetween cars at stop signs or even in moving traffic. How does this activity prohibit accidents?

 

[NT1440]

If you really valued your life, you wouldn't be riding a motorcycle, period.

Even when I'm not on a phone, seeing a motorcyclist coming is definitely harder than seeing a car coming. It's the simple fact of oncoming mass is connected to the probability of visibility. This is even worse when someone on a motorcycle guns it when the light turns green. It just doesn't have the size to signify the velocity it is moving towards you with.

Last time I was in Paris, it was amazing to see a motorcyclist weaving inbetween cars at stop signs or even in moving traffic. How does this activity prohibit accidents?

Just because you see some people doing it doesnt mean all of them do. In fact Id wager I see more reckless driving than I do on motorcycles, percent wise.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

If you really valued your life, you wouldn't be riding a motorcycle, period.

Even when I'm not on a phone, seeing a motorcyclist coming is definitely harder than seeing a car coming. It's the simple fact of oncoming mass is connected to the probability of visibility. This is even worse when someone on a motorcycle guns it when the light turns green. It just doesn't have the size to signify the velocity it is moving towards you with.

Last time I was in Paris, it was amazing to see a motorcyclist weaving inbetween cars at stop signs or even in moving traffic. How does this activity prohibit accidents?

Just WOW.....

most motorcycle drivers DO NOT weave in and out of traffic. MOST of them are very safe drivers. Very few do the stupid things you list.

As for drivers I see to many of them pick on them. Ride the motorcycles rear tire and harrase them. One time I had to intervene by getting in front of the harasser to protect the rider. I am in a car so A if they did hit me I am a lot safer in my car than they are. B it gave the rider time to get away because I slammed on my brake hard.

As for see them I will admit motorcycles are hard to see because they are smaller in size but as a driver of larger vehicles we should watch out for them and give them some extra room.

I am on his side. He values his life more than a phone conversation. You frankie talk tough but if you hit some one on a motorcycle and either killed them or seriously hurt them you would have a lot of trouble forgiving yourself.

 

[SkyBell]

I don't think this should go through. My dad really needs to use a cell phone while driving, to talk to customers, the office, employees, etc.. Basically, he is consistently on his phone throughout the entire day. If he had to pull over every time he got a phone call, he wouldn't leave our driveway, and wouldn't be able to get any work done.

I'm sorry, but talking and driving is a necessity for some people. I'm not saying it isn't dangerous, it's just that for some people, their line of work requires it.

 

[NT1440]

I don't think this should go through. My dad really needs to use a cell phone while driving, to talk to customers, the office, employees, etc.. Basically, he is consistently on his phone throughout the entire day. If he had to pull over every time he got a phone call, he wouldn't leave our driveway, and wouldn't be able to get any work done.

I'm sorry, but talking and driving is a necessity for some people. I'm not saying it isn't dangerous, it's just that for some people, their line of work requires it.

Just asking, but does you dad use a headset? I know the studies dont support it but I still feel that maintaining two hands on the wheel is much more preferable if you HAVE to talk.

If not, get him one for fathers day, it shows you care about him and his safety.

 

[.Andy]

I don't think this should go through. My dad really needs to use a cell phone while driving, to talk to customers, the office, employees, etc.. Basically, he is consistently on his phone throughout the entire day. If he had to pull over every time he got a phone call, he wouldn't leave our driveway, and wouldn't be able to get any work done.

I'm sorry, but talking and driving is a necessity for some people. I'm not saying it isn't dangerous, it's just that for some people, their line of work requires it.

You'd put the convenience of your dad's work over his personal safety and the safety of other road users? There are most definitely other options for your father that ensure safety and the continuation of his work.

 

[chainprayer]

lol at least its safer than texting and driving. i once saw a kid texting while riding his bike... almost ran onto the road in front of a car

 

[MacNut]

What about people walking with tunnel vision. They are on their phones and forget about everything else around them as they walk into the street without looking.

 

[NT1440]

What about people walking with tunnel vision. They are on their phones and forget about everything else around them as they walk into the street without looking.

What does this have to do with the topic other than it involves cellphones, if a pedestrian cannot take their own safety in their hands thats their fault. If they get hit its only them getting injured vs a car that can hurt many.

 

[dukebound85]

What about people walking with tunnel vision. They are on their phones and forget about everything else around them as they walk into the street without looking.

soooooo supporting that this is a good ban then while driving? lol

 

[MacNut]

What does this have to do with the topic other than it involves cellphones, if a pedestrian cannot take their own safety in their hands thats their fault. If they get hit its only them getting injured vs a car that can hurt many.

If we are talking about how dangerous cell phones are and putting restrictions on everything we do lets just ban them all together to keep everyone safe.

 

[NT1440]

evidence this is a good ban? lol

no, a strawman that has nothing to do with the topic, for some reason hes talking about pedestrians now as some sort of twisted logic that phones should be allowed in cars....

Unless i missed the point, which is known to happen

Edit: nope, just a strawman.

 

[MacNut]

no, a strawman that has nothing to do with the topic, for some reason hes talking about pedestrians now as some sort of twisted logic that phones should be allowed in cars....

Unless i missed the point, which is known to happen

Edit: nope, just a strawman.

I saying that if the reasons are to keep people safe where do we stop.

 

[iToaster]

Just to throw my opinion out here, some people aren't good with moderating their own behavior. I don't make a habit of talking on my phone while driving, but based on the traffic situation around me I can make the decision wether it would be safe to answer knowing that the call should be from a source that has a need to know my whereabouts. I have no problem with letting ring and go to voicemail if I don't feel it to be a pressing matter. Number of times I've talked on my phone in my car last year: 5, each conversation being about 30 seconds in length and only mentioning where I am and that I am occupied. Outlawing cell phone use while driving would be a good idea, partly because it would lower the number of accidents, but also because I'd have a more concrete reason for not answering. That said, I do like to listen to the radio, drink, and eat when the situation permits it. The radio never changes stations, I have it set to exactly where I want it so it doesn't need to be fooled with. If I have a passenger in the car the radio is off. I'll generally have a Pepsi in the cup holder for drinking in favorable conditions (stopped traffic or few cars around), and I've got a tin of crackers in the passenger seat for snacking if I want to. For consuming foodstuffs I don't ever take my eyes off the road and everything is placed where I can reach it without considerable distraction. I try to be a safe driver in every way possible, but eating breakfast in slow traffic or sipping on a soda are not quite as involved as chatting on a phone. Statistics will be skewed, there are more people that eat or drink in their car (I eat inside whenever possible) than those who talk on their cellphone.

 

[dukebound85]

no, a strawman that has nothing to do with the topic, for some reason hes talking about pedestrians now as some sort of twisted logic that phones should be allowed in cars....

Unless i missed the point, which is known to happen

Edit: nope, just a strawman.

which is completely different as a person running into another person or a wall or whatever wont kill anyone else. a car on the otherhand, that weighs 3000+lbs going 40+mph is a bit more dangerous to others.........

I saying that if the reasons are to keep people safe where do we stop.

when that persons actions proceed to increase their chances of killing others is a pretty good line to go by when prohibiting certain activities

 

[.Andy]

^^^^Argh beaten by Duke .

If we are talking about how dangerous cell phones are and putting restrictions on everything we do lets just ban them all together to keep everyone safe.

People who are walking around on the phone usually don't have the inertia that a 1+ tonne car has.

 

[NT1440]

I saying that if the reasons are to keep people safe where do we stop.

I stop participating once the classic "slippery slope" argument comes up.

Goodnight all, and good luck duke.

@ .Andy - The keyword being USUALLY =P

 

[MacNut]

which is completely different as a person running into another person or a wall or whatever wont kill anyone else. a car on the otherhand, that weighs 3000+lbs going 40+mph is a bit more dangerous to others.........




when that persons actions proceed to increase their chances of killing others is a pretty good line to go by when prohibiting certain actions

Unless that person is on the phone and walks into the street.

Lets say I am driving watching where I am going and not on the phone, and a pedestrian not looking talking on his phone walks in front of my car.

 

[.Andy]

Unless that person is on the phone and walks into the street.

Lets say I am driving watching where I am going and not on the phone, and a pedestrian not looking talking on his phone walks in front of my car.

If you're reduced to hypothetical arguments you've nothing more to add.

 

[dukebound85]

Unless that person is on the phone and walks into the street.

Lets say I am driving watching where I am going and not on the phone, and a pedestrian not looking talking on his phone walks in front of my car.

do you really not see the difference here?

is this pedistrian killing others by his actions in this case? no just himself

is a car driver on phone increasing the chances he can kill others as a result of his actions? yes.....why should others be killed as a result of some person's call?


ill repost what i wrote

when that persons actions proceed to increase their chances of killing others is a pretty good line to go by when prohibiting certain activities

I stop participating once the classic "slippery slope" argument comes up.

Goodnight all, and good luck duke.

@ .Andy - The keyword being USUALLY =P

night!