Driving with cell phones

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

So there's yet another study saying that driving with cell phone is more dangerous. I don't think it will be long before it will be illegal. Man that makes me angry, I hate the idea of the government telling me what I can and can't do inside my car. Of course it takes away from your attention, what's next, no radio? No talking to your passenger? Some level of risk is worth the benefits. You could eliminate all auto related deaths by getting rid of autos. arghhhh!!

Some poll said 70% of people think that driving with cell phones should be illegal, yet everyone I know uses their own while driving.

What do you all think?
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WEED

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Here in New York it is already illegal to use a cell phone while driving if not used in hands-free mode. In other words, if they see you holding the phone up to your ear, they can pull you over and ticket you.

As the only time I use my phone in the car is to make a quick, unexpected call, I break this law once or twice a month. I figure that it would be more of a distraction to get out the hands free stuff and hook it up and get the earpiece in than it is just to make the call really quick and say "I'm going to be 1/2 hour late, bye."

I think the most danger comes from dialing the phone, and you still have to do that when you are hands free anyway.

However, I think that if someone is on a cell phone and because they are paying more attention to their conversation than the road, and they cause me to be late or they cause traffic to slow down, you should be able to force them off the road and break their phone.

I don't like the gov telling me what I can do either, but if they make a point that it is an unacceptable danger to others on the road..... I think NY's hands-free law is an attempt at a compromise.

Chukee_R · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 8:16 am Post subject:

I use mine and I haven't had problems yet Smile

Leggester · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 9:19 am Post subject:

There are already laws for Distracted Driving. They should suffice.

We don't need MORE laws on DUI/Cells/Seat Belts/Air Bags... ...

We don't even inforce the ones already on the books.

BTW, the study I saw showed that cell phone users were 4 times more likely to get in an accident than a drunk driver. How 'bout them apples?

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

Just another example of the "MAN" holding the people down. The government is overstepping thier boudaries here.

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

A lot of studies aren't really that useful. You can create a "study" to get almost any result you want. Most of the DUI studies are based on actual accidents, the problem is they don't know how many people make it home safe drunk. To do a real study, you'd have to randomly select a bunch of people across the nation. Randomly put them into the drunk and sober groups, and then make them all drive the same number of miles. note: I think drunk driving is bad and causes accidents, just using it as an example of a flawed "study."

Are you really 4 times more likely to get an accident with a cell phone then when your drunk? yeah right, I like to see how they did that study.

Nick

Jester · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 10:04 am Post subject:

Who cares about statistics, most people CAN'T DRIVE with the cell to their ear as well. If you don't believe it you don't drive much or people in your town don't use their cells while driving. Out here, people go 50 on the freeway, lag at green lights, & swerve constantly while talking on their phones. If they get outlawed that's fine by me, people don't need help being bad drivers.

Funkster · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 10:12 am Post subject:

I think it is illegal here in Seattle to. I think you should have to pass some kind of test to make sure you are capable to talk and drive at the same time. It might sound funny but some can do it better than others..ha ha

Bo Coppinger · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 10:23 am Post subject:

Most people can't walk and chew gum at the same time. Why would talking on a cell phone be any different? There are those of us who can, but I know we have all followed someone in traffic talking on a cell phone that caused a wreck or almost caused a one. I like the test idea, see how many things we can do and still drive safely.

OttoNP · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 848 City: MI

I don't know, I find that my drive home is far more entertaining avoiding all the people chatting on their cell phones. It makes the whole driving thing more challenging...
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Video review

taylor z · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 137 City: new braunfels

man thats gay...ppl get lonely and have problems to take care of! uh! oh well nothin i can do thats for sure hahaha

Jam · Outlaw Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 141 City: Indy

Their is nothing I hate more than driving in the fast lane and comming up on someone that might be driving faster than the speed limit, not passing anyone, talking on a cell phone. But now that I think of it I kind of like it. It gives me yet another reason to see how close I can cut them off and if they drop their phone to start driving.

orzech · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 2:38 pm Post subject:

NYS laws are gay

Sean_Brinston · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 2:45 pm Post subject:

I think they were trying to make it ilegal in Toronto too

marcg · Addict Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 944 City: Salt Lake City

Some Jackass ran right through a stop sign full blast and almost hit us this weekend, we look over and the MFer is just yapping away on his F ing cell phone not even aware of what he just did.
This was one of those huge stop signs too.

Kai · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 287

here if you get into a car accident and your on a phone its automatically your fault even if it really wasnt. i think they can be a problem but get that loud speaker thing then its pretty much like talking to someone that is in the car with you

Jello John · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1936

I would prefer that they made them illegal, unless you are using a hands free thing. I just don't feel safe driving near people using them.

ohsix · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 4:26 pm Post subject:

RUSSIAN · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 4:40 pm Post subject:

Making it ok with a hands free kit is dumb. Its not the little phone next to your face thats distracting, it's the conversation. I think your an idiot if you can't talk and drive at the same time, unfortunatly the idiots make up a larger part of the human race Crying or Very sad

JHrod · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3144

don't be insulting to me and my fellow peeps---some of are kind can't drive(i have no lisence so this doesn't apply to me) and talk while others don't use common sense and some are a little slow when it comes to everything.....but this isno excuse for insults

DaveBrowning · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 5:00 pm Post subject:

Before I had a cell phone (when I was driving) I thought that it would be dangerous to talk and drive at the same time. Now that I have one, I use it all the time and don't see anything wrong with it. What about the radio... lots of people including me turn it way up and sometimes sing to it... that's just as much of a destraction!!!

RUSSIAN · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 5:58 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry if I insulted your kind Josh Laughing

heliboy911 · Guest

I think you should have to go for a licence and get a sticker on your bumper or something in order to drive with a celly.

Premier135Chick · Guest

I use my phone while driving and I probably shouldn't. I am a scary enough driver when I am paying attention!!

Jello John · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1936

Aubs · Motorboat Queen Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9167

there's not one for "If i was old enough to drive I'd use my cell phone and it should be legal"...

no worries tho because that changes FRIDAY!!! 3 days - yay!!!

RUSSIAN · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 8:25 pm Post subject:

I'm just saying that people get caught up in there conversation and don't pay attention to the road, I don't think that a hands free kit solves that. Holding a phone to your face is not the reason why people cause accidents, it's the screaming spouse, boss, child on the other end that does.

Kai · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 287

so u sayin you shouldnt talk to people in the car that ride with you too? cause its pretty much the same thing

RUSSIAN · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 8:33 pm Post subject:

ya, just tell em to shut the f up Laughing

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I think it IS holding the phone up to your face that couses accidents. Otherwise, NYS would have banned cells completely in the car, and not allow them in hands free mode. Does anyone know if it is illegal to eat while driving? Seems like that would be as dangerous as talking on a hand-held cell.

As far as conversations with a passenger, well, at least there is another pair of eyes in the car to go "dude, red light!"

Boardbrat · Posted: Jan 29, 2003 11:22 am Post subject:

As sad as it, I do not own a cell phone and I am 34 yeras old. I have no friends is the problem.........lol
Both hands on the wheel, foot on the gas, shove your cell phone up your arse. J/K !!

EmoKid · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 145 City: Arlington, WA

anybody that drives and has to use a cell phone should have to have one of those earpeices, that's all I'll use.

J_DOGG · Posted: Jan 30, 2003 9:57 am Post subject:

I drink Power aid, eat Pringles, chew gum, talk to my passenger, put eye drops in, change the radio station, look for CD's, flip people off, drive fast, take chances, look at every interesting thing I see on the side of the road, shift gears and drive with a cell phone in one hand when ever the F I want. So, why haven't I gotten into an accident in over 13+ years?

I KNOW HOW TO DRIVE, THAT'S WHY..

PEACE

ohsix · Posted: Jan 30, 2003 10:13 am Post subject:

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Wow J dogg, you must be the most talented drivers ever!

Can I have your boat and board when you become a quadriplegic?