I know I'm opening up a can of worms with the question I am about to ask. This was prompted by an article in today's newspaper. It has been suggested that the use of cell phones, both talking and texting, be federally banned. Opinions, please. Personally, I think texting should be banned, talking from personal experience with my run in with a texter while driving. But talking, especially if you have a handless device, I don't know. So many things can be distracting while driving, why only talking on cell phones?
mortb wrote:I know I'm opening up a can of worms with the question I am about to ask. This was prompted by an article in today's newspaper. It has been suggested that the use of cell phones, both talking and texting, be federally banned. Opinions, please. Personally, I think texting should be banned, talking from personal experience with my run in with a texter while driving. But talking, especially if you have a handless device, I don't know. So many things can be distracting while driving, why only talking on cell phones?
you can be distracted either way.....back when I first was learning to drive, it was taught that you keep your eyes on the road, and while there were classmates of mine that were in car accidents, I can only imagine that these numbers have drastically increased considering how many teenagers live with their phone glued to their hand or ear. Society believes that the if you aren't on your cell phone, then your life is worthless....that you have to update facebook or twitter while mobile posting every single thing you do - "hey look I just did a # 2 #howawesomeisthat' or whatever other crazy thing people can come up with that they feel they must share with the world.
sorry but considering the amount of 'almost' wrecks I have been in because people are paying more attention to their phone rather than the stop sign/light or yield sign they just blew through, or the kid they almost hit driving through school zone doing 45 while reading a text message from their BFF about how the neighbor stepped on her part of the sidewalk in front of her house.
banning the use in a car would be a smart idea, and I would like to think the punishment would be enough to discourage the use
droidsw wrote:
Cellphones should be banned. There is no argument.
How many times have you been cut off, or passed someone weaving and driving carelessly and noticed that arm up and hand next to their ear?
Even hands-free devices should be banned. True, they don't take a person's eyes off of their driving, but instead take their attention (thinking) off of the task of driving.
Ban cellphones? What then? People crossing four lanes of traffic to hit the next exit to get to a parking lot to stop and take/make a call? People stopping on the side of the road, or highway? You know they would.
People going to extra measures to hide their phones while calling/texting while driving, causing them to be even more distracted?
Not to mention the radio, GPS, laptop, kids, makeup, burger, cat, dog, ipod, smoking, etc. that also distract drivers.
The main reason that this topic will get people all excited will be claims that the "the Government" is intruding on their "rights".
Seat belt laws are a good idea. So are DUI laws.
It's a catch-22. A lot of things distract drivers.
Where do you draw the line?
I think you're right, it's a catch 22. I would hate to see a time when you have to drive alone, with no radio and no way to find out where you are going. I think the main issue is that people don't understand well enough about how dangerous a car can be, and no amount of legislation will ever change that. Not to mention, an all out ban on cellphones would be virtually non-enforcable. Unless someone is blatantly using one (at the ear, holding it to see the screen, both already illegal), how would they know. If you had it plugged into your stereo, or gps running, there is no way to even tell from outside the vehicle. Regardless, I think it's stupid.
Drinking and driving carries severe penalties, up to and including prison and that hasn't eliminated it.
Cellphones should be banned, but so should all distractions. Impossible.
Another point is with tinted windows, you sometimes can't even see inside some vehicles.
Wholeheartedly agree. Are we going to go to the point only one person per vehicle. No radio or music to distract the driver. Government intrusion is bad enough. I agree with no texting and cellphone use, but hands free should not be a problem with the voice activated systems they have these days.
Its like everything else... people need to respect driving, not everything else in the car.
I talk on the phone with my wife every morning on the way to work, and every night on the way home. I drive an hour each way. When the kids were home, she would fill me in on what is going on with the kids, but the kids are all out, we talk about different things, like if she wants me to pick up supper on the way home because her knees are hurting, or what is coming up. But when traffic starts to get heavy, I terminate the call. My wife understands.
I never text and drive. IF someone texts me when I am on the road, I wait until I stop either at my destination, or at a rest stop.
Its all about personal responsibility. There are a lot of people on the road that should not be, and adding cell phones to their driving makes them even worse drivers.
mortb wrote:I know I'm opening up a can of worms with the question I am about to ask. This was prompted by an article in today's newspaper. It has been suggested that the use of cell phones, both talking and texting, be federally banned. Opinions, please. Personally, I think texting should be banned, talking from personal experience with my run in with a texter while driving. But talking, especially if you have a handless device, I don't know. So many things can be distracting while driving, why only talking on cell phones?
Well mortb this question can have many spins an turns on it. Do we take it away or leave it alone!
But one thing we all should know when we are at the wheel were in charge of the biggest an deadliest wepon there is. And 100% of our focus should be the Road an unfortunatly this is'nt always the case. An some how it needs to be Balanced for the safety of everyone.
But this is not going to be a easy thing to fix as every one lives with there phones it's a part of life an for the ladies out there being on a cellphone is no different than tending to the Kids , puttin on Make up, or fixing there hair. For the guys its slightly different but still in a way it's the same.
But if Uncle Sam has his way an most of the time he does cellphones use in newer vehicle's especially "Semi Trucks" as we know it may become a thing in the past. or may be Limited for use only when the vehicle is in a parked position. An for older cars that's on the road they could totaly ban cellphone use in them unless a device can be installed in them to do as the same as what would be in a newer vehicle's setup.
This what i wrote to some might be hogwash but the accidents that could have been prevented from talking or Texting or ones in the future! way heavy on should there be a ban. it's your choice to decide but think about the next time you strap your self an your Children in your vehicle an your driving down the road an you get a phone call do ya wanna answer it while driving or do i want to wait till i can safelly pull over. Then Take the Call...
Happy Holidays to all an Happy new year.! B33
I definitely believe that texting should be banned for everyone. I was T-boned by a person who not only ran a stop sign, but was driving with knees instead of hands. Age...older than a teen. Sex...rather not say. This person begged me not to call the police; however, I did. The police cited the texter for several things, one of them for not having insurance and driving (if you want to call this driving) with a suspended license. I'm glad that my insurance company helped me financially to fix my car. Yes, I truly believe that texting, at least texting, should be outlawed. I know that enforcement will be difficult, but so isn't DUI laws.
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