Cell phones: Should drivers be banned from using them while behind the wheel?

8/11/08

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My cell phone came with a hands free device that I use every time I am in my car. I don't make calls while I am driving, but I do receive them. With the hands free, it's no different than talking to someone sitting in the car with me. I never use my cell phone in the car without the hands free. I have bought 4 phones from the same provider, one three years ago, a new one for me after we changed plans at the beginning of the year, then a new one for hubby, and one so far for one of my kids. All of these phones came with hands free devices.

There was an accident here in Wisconsin just last week where a woman driving an SUV, excessively speeding, and talking on her cell phone killed herself, her teenage son, and another teenage passenger. Apparently she was not using hands free.

I see people all the time using their phones, drivers of cars and big trucks, without using the hands free devices, and it drives me nuts. Even if your phone didn't come with one, which it most likely did, they can be bought for about $15 for a corded one, and starting at $30 for a blue tooth if your phone is capable of using blue tooth.

I had someone ask me, since I use to drive truck, if talking on the cell phone while driving was any different than using a CB while driving. I said "Yes it is, because a CB mic isn't plastered to the side of my head, and I can drop it real quick if I need to. I'm also not holding the thing constantly while I'm listening."

Unfortunately, common sense and personal responsibility have gone out the window thanks to law makers who want to regulate everything and lawyers too happy to sue someone for millions because they didn't know the coffee they bought at the drive up window was going to be super hot.

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I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was going to blame you.

Dynamite comes in small packages, Nitro comes in smaller ones, take your pick!

Hands free are nice. However, I have tried many and cannot hear them clearly in the truck.

Now as to drivers using hands free and being safer, Maybe.

I have seen some that are on hands free and still talking with their hands or taking notes. If I receive a call that requires too much attention, I advise them I will call them back when I stop.

Hands free or not, I see alot of people with lack of concentration on their driving. Make it illegal and there will be no change. People just need to learn their limits.

I have a hands free device. Works great, nice and and clear.
I have found that this is ok for some conversations.
I have also found that it does not matter if it is hands free or not, in some cases. The more emotionally involved you are in the conversation, the less of the road you will notice.
So now my phone stays off while I drive.

The problem with driving while on a cell phone is related more to paying attention to the call rather than not being able to use two hands.

Ban their use in moving vehicles.

I have had the experience of running team for the last year. I have had co-driver who used cell phones while driving. The experience has not been good.

As mentioned above it is not the absolute issue of hands on the wheel.
Consider the driving that you do everyday and the moments it takes for a car even a truck to cut you off, get in your way and hide in your blind spot.

This is solely an ATTENTION ISSUE. As also mentioned above ( a conversation with someone in the car ) Again attention. When having a conversation the thought process requires attention to listen, address and respond. When driving this is the same thought patterns that are required to drive safely. Watch, assess, react, make decissions, drive defensively and proactively make corrections as needed.

I have had co-drivers miss exits, cut-off people in the blind spot and drive miles out of way do to the intensity of the conversation.

To not over verbalize this issue, these are facts and studies have shown how this attention deficit is affecting our driving and the safety of ourselves and others.

Do yourself and everyone around you and don't talk on the phone while driving...............

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Just my few words-----or not................J

Life is too short, try to enjoy it.....
Maybe we should drive buses

Better yet, if it's an attention problem, then all ADD people shouldn't be allowed to drive, either? Let's see you get that one passed. Just take the licenses away from the dumbarses and we'd all be better off!

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Wen

Yes, it is more of an attention thing, but then again, I can walk and chew gum at the same time. I have no problem paying attention to my driving while talking, but that conversation takes a back seat when traffic starts getting stupid. I never try to write things down while I am driving, and don't talk with my hands. Do I always have both hands on the wheel - no. Maybe I'm not normal - I can talk and drive at the same time, and the only accident I have ever been in was sitting at a stop light (I was a passenger), and some bonehead (playing with his sterio) rearended the car behind us, so on . . . If it is rush hour traffic, I tend to stay off the phone, and conversation is limited, but not eliminated. My focus tends to drift more if I do not have music playing or am carrying on a conversation with whoever is in the car with me. I don't have to look at them while talking. I know my limits, and when those limits are reached, I change things as needed.

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I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was going to blame you.

Dynamite comes in small packages, Nitro comes in smaller ones, take your pick!

I use hands free bluetooth. Hear great..there are good brands. If you can't afford it then you need a different job. Charge it every day, the good ones last for 5 hours or more of talk time. I am all for states restricting cell phone use. I'd rather see someone with no seat belt on(always wear seat belt) than talking on cell phone.

I don't use my cell when I'm driving, but I don't think using a hands-free device is any different than talking to someone in the passenger seat.

Personally, I think the biggest distraction -- aside from texting -- is having kids in the back seat. I was fortunate that my kids behaved when they were little, but I've ridden with people whose kids fought and argued continuously... and required mom's frequent intervention while driving. That can be nerve-wracking!

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