Full ban on cell phones while driving a car?

[Moonlit_Angel]

Originally Posted by Jive Turkey

It's been shown that seatbelts could cause more harm than good on school buses

Oh, really? Interesting. I assume it has to do a bit with what I mentioned earlier, about people being trapped if the bus crashes? Or are there other, bigger reasons?

I just found it strange school buses don't have seatbelts given how strict the laws are about them in general and how much demand has come down for them over the years by people.

Originally Posted by financeguy

I'm not convinced of this argument at all, I'm afraid. There is evidence that wearing seatbelts causes people to drive faster, for example. In other words, it's potentially dangerous to put too many restrictions on driving behaviour, as it potentially causes drivers to think of themselves as almost invincible - which is presumably the opposite of the intended effect.

I fully understand that argument, and think it definitely has merit.

But something should be done, because if you want to risk your own life by not wearing a seatbelt in your car, for instance, that's your deal. But when you drive, your actions do affect other people around you. And I'm not really in the mood to get in a car accident because someone's text couldn't possibly wait until after they stopped driving, or someone couldn't wait until they got home to have a few drinks, or whatever. Like I said, I agree a flat out ban isn't going to solve a problem, banning stuff never does. But I'd like to know that there would be some sort of consequence for people's stupid actions.

I don't expect to solve the problem completely, you'll have idiots no matter what we do. But if it can change someone's mind and make them realize they aren't invincible and they could find themselves in a tragic situation, it'd be a start.

[KhanadaRhodes]

Originally Posted by the iron horse

Like, yeah, driving and talking/texting while driving is not safe.

I could be killed or kill other people.

so wait...seatbelts are bad and we shouldn't have them in our cars, but people shouldn't be allowed to talk on cell phones while driving? what about personal freedoms? i pay attention to the road while talking on my phone, honest.

 

in case anyone can't tell, i'm joking in that last sentence. i never talk while driving. it's unsafe.

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[Headache in a Suitcase]

i don't quite understand why a hands free device is banned yet devices pre-installed by the manufacturer are a.o.k.

what's the difference?


i used to text and drive all the time before i switched to a touch screen phone. that's just damned impossible.

so perhaps the 12 people on the earth who still have a blackberry can be allowed to still text and drive.

[moiph]

I'm not sure about that. I think hands free sets should not be banned, but fiddling with the phone itself/texting while driving is just plain dangerous. I have a hands free system and sometimes when I'm stuck in traffic (bumper to bumper) I like to call my fiance and talk to her. Since nobody really goes over 10mph in these traffic jams it's not as if I'm endangering anybody else. It's a tough call though because so many people are stupid about it. I think a lot of people would do it anyway even if it was banned.

I think at the very least, if you were texting and it got you into an accident the accident should count as at fault.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Obviously you're at fault.

Just like if you hit somebody because you're turning the station on your radio its your fault, or if you're eating a cheeseburger it's your fault.

[Liesje]

Except in no-fault states *sigh*

[mikal]

when people complain about texting while driving, does that include going on the internet and playing games (checking Facebook, Twitter, Angry Birds, etc) as well?

[Headache in a Suitcase]

i don't see any reason why you can't play angry birds and drive on the highway at the same time.

[mikal]

Sweet. I'll keep doing what I'm doing. My favorite thing to do while driving is playing Need For Speed.

[Vincent Vega]

Hot Pursuit I guess?

[corianderstem]

You guys don't sext while you're driving?

Pfft.

Amateurs.

[mikal]

Originally Posted by corianderstem

You guys don't sext while you're driving?

Pfft.

Amateurs.

It's what I call "checking my blind spot".

[Achtung11]

Originally Posted by deep

The new recommendation, if adopted by states, would outlaw non-emergency phone calls and texting by operators of every vehicle on the road.
It would not apply to hand-free devices or to passengers.

This is so stupid. Why make an exception for emergency texting? I can understand emergency calls, but texting??

Maybe they should allow emergency drunk driving too.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Originally Posted by corianderstem

You guys don't sext while you're driving?

Pfft.

Amateurs.

Hands free!

[moiph]

Originally Posted by Headache in a Suitcase

Hands free!

My car incorrectly reads incoming texts to me in a robotic voice.

[Liesje]

Originally Posted by Achtung11

This is so stupid. Why make an exception for emergency texting? I can understand emergency calls, but texting??

Maybe they should allow emergency drunk driving too.

I read that as a ban on non-emergency calls and a ban on texting.

[deep]

any 'emergency' exception is just plain stupid

people call 911, (the emergency number) when they are locked out of their cars, when there is a power outage, and for other stupid reasons

[BoMac]

Crash victim's boyfriend releases final texts - Montreal - CBC News

For anyone that can read French, here is the actual Facebook post with the text messages:

Log In | Facebook

[MrsSpringsteen]

Saw this on the news last night, couldn't believe it. People actually download apps while they're driving? Gee, I didn't even notice that HUMAN BEING there.



Police say hit-and-run driver was using phone
By TIM BUCKLAND
New Hampshire Union Leader
Published May 22, 2012 at 11:06 pm (Updated May 22, 2012)



PLAISTOW — A local man told police that he didn't realize he'd hit a man with his van because he was distracted while downloading an app to his smart phone.

John Sheehan, 30, was arrested Tuesday on a felony hit-and-run charge that he hit a man while driving east on Forrest Street on Sunday night, then drove away, police Lt. William Baldwin said.

When officers tracked down the van, which had damage to its front end, and Sheehan, “He said, 'What did I hit?'” Baldwin said. “He later said that he thought he'd hit a tree and freaked out and went home.”

Baldwin said Sheehan told officers he didn't notice that he'd hit someone — Baldwin said the “thump” was heard by residents on Forrest Street — because he was distracted by his phone. Baldwin said he didn't know which app Sheehan was allegedly downloading at the time of the accident.

Baldwin said the injured man, whose name was not released, was “alert and conscious” when emergency responders arrived at the scene of the accident. The man was taken to Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, Mass., then flown to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where he was in critical, but stable, condition Tuesday night, Baldwin said.

Sheehan was being held Tuesday in Rockingham County jail, Baldwin said.

[ladyfreckles]

Originally Posted by MrsSpringsteen

PLAISTOW — A local man told police that he didn't realize he'd hit a man with his van because he was distracted while downloading an app to his smart phone.

John Sheehan, 30, was arrested Tuesday on a felony hit-and-run charge that he hit a man while driving east on Forrest Street on Sunday night, then drove away, police Lt. William Baldwin said.

He should know better, he's not some dumb teen that just got their license.