On July 1st, a new California law prohibits using handheld wireless phones while driving. Motorists aged 18 and over may use a hands-free device to talk on the phone.
I’m sure after a few years there will be similar legislation across North America.
I dont know if its just me, but whenever i use a hands free device, I seem to pay less attention to my driving. The fact that I dont have to hold onto a phone makes me get so much more into the conversation. Maybe im the only one who knows.
There has been talk about that in Jersey for a while. About a year ago they could pull you over for using a cell phone IF you were doing something else wrong. NOW, even holding a cell phone will get you a $200 ticket… I believe its $200.
Crazy. I have to admit. They are a huge distraction. But I still use mine every day. People are used to “hold on… cop”. and a drop of the phone.
It’s unconstitutional. There are stupid drivers no matter what. Millions going to legislation for something that is probably no more responsible for accidents than vehicle manufacturing and safety flaws that never get recalled. Make more laws so we can fine more people so we can afford more laws so we can fine more people…
[COLOR=“Purple”]"Oh, and lets tax them on it. "[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Red”]“Yeah thats a good idea…”[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Purple”]“How about we put cameras in public toilets and if they don’t flush, fine them.”[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Red”]“Ohhh, thats a good one…”[/COLOR] (It’s a law in Singapore. Look it up)
Life, Liberty, Property. Wasn’t that the idea?
It is a criminal offense sleep with a virgin in Oregon, even if you are married.
You can get a fine for calling Arkansas “ARE-KANSAS”.
Horse theft is still a hanging offense in Texas.
Sodomy is illegal in lots of places. Oral sex is under that defination. (LET THEM COME FOR ME AND MY WIFE!. THEY’LL NEVER TAKE US ALIVE!!)
Just a few silly laws millions were spent making.
No drinking on Galveston beach before midday! I remember that one!
We’ve had laws against mobile phone usuage whilst driving for a few years now. Those hands free kits are crap - I couldn’t recommend any. At your slow speeds over there, I can’t really see the point of it.
Neither can I.
Perhaps so, but "inattentive driving is a major cause of collisions: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that it’s involved in at least a quarter of all crashes.
Cell phone use by drivers has become very common: According to NHTSA, at any given moment of the day, 500,000 drivers of passenger vehicles are talking on handheld cell phones.
Handheld phones aren’t the only culprit: The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that use of hands-free phones also contributes to inattention.
Legislation to address the perceived hazard of cell phone use behind the wheel has been passed in many places. Australia, Austria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Russia, and Switzerland have all restricted cell phone use by drivers.
In the United States, bills to restrict cell phone use in cars have been introduced in both the House and the Senate. Among the states, only New York has passed a law banning the use of handheld cell phones for drivers, although other states are considering similar laws. In California, Nevada, and Utah, bills to ban cell phone use while driving have failed."
It appears to be a public safety issue.
Thats a pretty small list of countries! You forgot Spain & the UK for starters. Infact I think all EU members have the mobile-free law when driving. We need it here though, too many idiots not enough bullets.
The fatality rate in a car accidents in the USA has increased less than 2000 since 1997 when cell phones were not so prevalent. 40% of fatal accidents are alcohol related. It (cell use) doesn’t seem that it is such a huge contributer to warrant the millions we will spend in legislature.
( Based on Data Compiled by the US Federal Government. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA))
I am 100% for every state to ban hand helds. To say that “stupid drivers are stupid drivers” is silly. I myself went through a red light while putzing with my phone 2 years ago and came an inch away from a bad accident (I have been hands free ever since) I have never been in a accident or even close any other time in my life.
I don’t know about any of you, but I am on the road a lot. I can always tell when people are on the phone by how slow they go, how long they sit at a green light, their merging into traffic. Ever notice those things only to see them on the phone?
I have NEVER had a problem with a hands free (it helps not adding another blind spot, no?)
Ban them all and ban them now!
I posted a quote.
I will concede that it can be a distraction, but it is my right to speak on my phone while i’m driving and be a dumb-saa if I choose. Not that I want to be distracted, I just don’t want the choice not to be mine.
[COLOR=“Blue”]“Hello?”[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Magenta”]“Babe! huf huf I’m in huff huff labor. The baby is coming now!! OWWWww”[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Blue”]“Crap, I’m getting pulled over. I’ll have to call you back when I can pull over at the Exxon up the road.”[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Blue”]“Yes officer.”[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Red”]I saw that you were using your phone whild driving. I’m going to have to write you a ticket."[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Blue”]“But my wife is in labor!”[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Red”]“That’s what they all say.”[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Yellow”]“Seven Adam twelve this is dispatch. We have a 420 in progress two blockes from your location.”[/COLOR]
[COLOR=“Red”]
“Sorry, I’ve got to write this ticket. Call H50. They are at the donut shop.”[/COLOR]
[QUOTE=CFP;8503] I myself went through a red light while putzing with my phone 2 years ago and came an inch away from a bad accident (I have been hands free ever since) I have never been in a accident or even close any other time in my life.
QUOTE]Was this the fault of someone else using a cell phone?
Because YOU almost caused an accident, and it scared you, All phones should be banned?
You are right, not all people who caused accidents are stupid. Not all people who use phones and drive cause accidents.
Sometimes smart people cause accidents too.
I don’t think it is a right to be able to be a reckless driver and to endanger the general public while driving. I was always under the impression that having a license to drive was a privilege not a right.
I’m not necessarily for or against the banning of driving while on a cell phone. I would however be all over much more stricter requirements to obtaining a drivers license in the first place.
I agree. Reckless is reckless. Phone or not.
On my way home tonight, I watched a woman who was talking on her cell phone with her hands (maybe she is Italian) pull her Lexus out in front of an ambulance, sirens screaming, all lights flashing and forced the ambulance to screech to a stop while she continued her conversation…appearing to be oblivious to anything around her…
I have been out on my motorcycle and more than once pulled up beside some clueless wonder and yell, “get off the phone and drive the car!” at them because their conversation was making them drive erratically…
I am completely in favor of the law…I have a hands free phone and I can take/make calls while on my motorcycle
Is it possible that we mostly only notice that someone is on the phone if they are being careless? How many more go unnoticed who are using their phone and driving safely?
I’m just sayin’. Reckless is reckless. Responsibe is responsible. I don’t want the “bad seeds” making up my choices.
When I am out on my motorcycle, I try to make eye contact with every driver around me. When I am behind or beside them I am watching them in their mirrors and I look directly at them when they are coming at me…I DO notice who is on a phone, because I have close calls almost every day with someone who is yakking on a phone and not paying attention to their surroundings and they cut me off, pull out in front of me, merge into me…
You will never convince me that talking on a handheld cell while driving is safe…Try it for yourself…hop on a bike and get out in traffic
I am not trying to convince anyone that it is safe or not. What I am defending is my right to choose to answer or ignore my phone. I rode a bike for years. In Houston. Houston is the 7th worst traffic city in the nation.
I do not mean disrespect to anyone. When I have a day when I am really missing my sons, I want to call them when I am going home.
