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Federal Ban on All Cell Phone Use While Driving Proposed For US

I recently read a report that 87% of all drivers think they are above average or excellent drivers[1]. Now in this thread I read that there should be no ban on cell phone use because all of those above average drivers can compensate for their cell phone use by turning up their above-averageness. In other words, people are deluding themselves into thinking that they are great drivers who can compensate for their cell phone use by amping up their delusions.[2] That's very safe for all of us, I'm sure.

If I was a religious man, I'd pray to the Good Lord for protection from all of those extra-super-duper "above average" drivers and their cell phones. But I'm not, so I'll happily work with my fellow citizens to support sensible laws. So, yes, I support the proposed ban and further support making it the law in all 50 states. That way otherwise law-abiding citizens can't say "well it isn't the law in every state so it can't be that important!"

[1] I can't find the study I was recalling, but here is an example where the number comes in at 93% The myth of the above-average driver - Sep. 22, 2011 If you google "driving" and "the lake wobegon effect" you will find plenty more.

[2] Not that I blame them. Driving is the number one cause of death among people from age 1 up until 55 or so, when a lot of diseases kick in (mainly caused by lack of exercise, I suppose). It is the most dangerous thing most of you will do today. And we live in a society where driving is considered nearly mandatory. No wonder people are deluded about it.
 
I recently read a report that 87% of all drivers think they are above average or excellent drivers[1]. Now in this thread I read that there should be no ban on cell phone use because all of those above average drivers can compensate for their cell phone use by turning up their above-averageness. In other words, people are deluding themselves into thinking that they are great drivers who can compensate for their cell phone use by amping up their delusions.[2] That's very safe for all of us, I'm sure.

If I was a religious man, I'd pray to the Good Lord for protection from all of those extra-super-duper "above average" drivers and their cell phones. But I'm not, so I'll happily work with my fellow citizens to support sensible laws. So, yes, I support the proposed ban and further support making it the law in all 50 states. That way otherwise law-abiding citizens can't say "well it isn't the law in every state so it can't be that important!"

[1] I can't find the study I was recalling, but here is an example where the number comes in at 93% The myth of the above-average driver - Sep. 22, 2011 If you google "driving" and "the lake wobegon effect" you will find plenty more.

[2] Not that I blame them. Driving is the number one cause of death among people from age 1 up until 55 or so, when a lot of diseases kick in (mainly caused by lack of exercise, I suppose). It is the most dangerous thing most of you will do today. And we live in a society where driving is considered nearly mandatory. No wonder people are deluded about it.

What some of us are talking about has nothing to do with driving ability, and everything to do with the ability to keep your focus where it belongs, and that's not a delusion, or some sort of superiority complex. It's like a conversation with a person face to face. Your mind is either focused on it, or wandering elsewhere and only halfway listening, doing just enough to keep up. You can be a horrible driver, but if you're careful, still avoid accidents. You can be the most skilled driver in the world, and still let yourself get distracted and rear-end someone. Also, the study you linked (which I know isn't the one you were trying to find) was discussing students/teens, so is a tad skewed. That age-group was the worst even before cellphones.

The quote at the end of that article sums it up well for what some of us are trying to communicate:
One fault common to motorists of all ages is driver distraction. It isn't surprising: Driving is simple and boring much of the time, so drivers do other things while they are behind the wheel.


If you don't let yourself get complacent, you'll have fewer accidents. Cellphones might be a vehicle (pun intended! ;)) that takes you to complacency faster, or keeps you there longer, but they're not the underlying problem.

edit: to clarify, I'm talking about using a cellphone, not just texting... texting is bad, but where do you draw the line if you ban texting, b/c lots of things you do in a car take your eyes off the road...
 
Hi Guys. Here in OZ we are allowed to talk on our mobile/cell phones while driving BUT you Must use either a handsfree setup or bluetooth through your cars stereo. Now this is no more distracting than talking to someone sitting next to you so what is the big deal. I absolutely agree with NO TEXTING while driving that is just plain ridiculous and stupid on any drivers parts. These laws down here work a treat but there are still a lot of IDIOTS who think they are Superman and can't get distracted if they text. Well obviously the $300 plus fine and loss of points off your licence here is not enough well then maybe after the accident a wheelchair or death might be better huh?
I totally agree with any law for your safety in OZ or the States. Think about it guys. Isn't Life better than no life at all
 
r
Extremist nonsense.

All the federal government has to do is pass a law which ties federal highway funding to a cellphone ban. How do you think the 55 MPH speed limit lasted so long?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Droid Forums
Er, no, it's the legal position.

Those that think it's lawful to restrict a right are the extremists, much like Europeans, no guaranteed rights.

I don't advocate cell phone use, and certainly not texting, but will NEVER permit a government to restrict cell phone use for any reason. Advocating a punitive government reaction to cell phone use means you're willing to kill to enforce that. I'm opposed to government violence.
 
fastpat said:
rEr, no, it's the legal position.

Those that think it's lawful to restrict a right are the extremists, much like Europeans, no guaranteed rights.

I don't advocate cell phone use, and certainly not texting, but will NEVER permit a government to restrict cell phone use for any reason. Advocating a punitive government reaction to cell phone use means you're willing to kill to enforce that. I'm opposed to government violence.

Wow.

I think that is what I was talking about when I wrote "extremest nonsense"...

"Oh my God officer, why did you shoot him?!?"

"Sir, its the law. He was (insert random vehicular violation here)."

I do believe the pills are wearing off...

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Droid Forums
 
I get your point but feel its a little extreme. Texting is a no no for certain. Using handsfree is something that most drivers should be able to do. Like I said before, children in the car a much greater distraction. If you cannot use a handsfree device and drive safely then maybe you shouldn't be driving at all. Bluetooth devices now days are extremely user friendly and talking to someone on a handsfree device is just like talking to someone sitting beside you or behind you.
A little extreme?
Try getting hit by someone using the cell phone when they're driving 45 mph when you're waiting for a green light. I can use a handsfree device - what's the point? How is it so important that you need to talk on the cell at all when you're driving? Before cell phones were popular or used by the consumer, what did you do? Go to the nearest phone booth at every other block to make a call to see how someone's doing? You shouldn't depend on cell phones like their part of you body. People are getting more & more attached they won't know what to do if a catrostrophy happened. "oh my, what do I do, I don't have anymore signal - well i may as well kill myself since my cell phone doesn't work anymore". Think about it.
 
I would totally support a federal ban on cell phone use while in a car. I would even support a law that mandated that cell phone makes incorporate a GPS function, that if the phone is traveling at more than 15mph, that it will not let you call or text unless you are connected to a hands free device.

As an avid rider, I have nothing better to do when riding than to watch "cagers" and all the nutty stuff that they do. I cannot even begin to count the number of times I have been cut off, almost hit, etc... because some idiot is playing with their phone instead of driving. People have had the chance to use their heads and do the right thing, and the reality is that the average person cares more about updating their facebook page from the car than making sure that they don't kill someone. If people won't police themselves, we leave the government no choice but to do it for us.

It isn't the government's fault that society is too lazy to do the right thing. We bring this stuff on ourselves.

I don't mind people talking on Bluetooth, as that isn't much different than them talking to someone in the car. But when people sit there holding their phone to their head, their attention to driving goes out the window. They don't even have a free hand to use turn signals and they cannot turn their heads to check for other vehicles.

If people won't police themselves, we invite Big Brother to do it for us.

And if they do pass such a law, I think that it needs to be a very pricey ticket. None of this $50 stuff. Make the ticket $500. Make it so painful that people simply won't do it. And if someone has an accident, I also think that as part of any investigation, they should be able to pull a phone record to see if the person was on the phone or texting at the time of the accident, and if so, they are automatically at fault and should have their license suspended for 6 month.

Sound harsh? So is being hit by an inattentive driver and dragged under the back of his truck through a bank parking lot as he didn't even realize that he hit a motorcyclist. I know first hand how much that sucks.
 
I would totally support a federal ban on cell phone use while in a car. I would even support a law that mandated that cell phone makes incorporate a GPS function, that if the phone is traveling at more than 15mph, that it will not let you call or text unless you are connected to a hands free device.

As an avid rider, I have nothing better to do when riding than to watch "cagers" and all the nutty stuff that they do. I cannot even begin to count the number of times I have been cut off, almost hit, etc... because some idiot is playing with their phone instead of driving. People have had the chance to use their heads and do the right thing, and the reality is that the average person cares more about updating their facebook page from the car than making sure that they don't kill someone. If people won't police themselves, we leave the government no choice but to do it for us.

It isn't the government's fault that society is too lazy to do the right thing. We bring this stuff on ourselves.

I don't mind people talking on Bluetooth, as that isn't much different than them talking to someone in the car. But when people sit there holding their phone to their head, their attention to driving goes out the window. They don't even have a free hand to use turn signals and they cannot turn their heads to check for other vehicles.

If people won't police themselves, we invite Big Brother to do it for us.

And if they do pass such a law, I think that it needs to be a very pricey ticket. None of this $50 stuff. Make the ticket $500. Make it so painful that people simply won't do it. And if someone has an accident, I also think that as part of any investigation, they should be able to pull a phone record to see if the person was on the phone or texting at the time of the accident, and if so, they are automatically at fault and should have their license suspended for 6 month.

Sound harsh? So is being hit by an inattentive driver and dragged under the back of his truck through a bank parking lot as he didn't even realize that he hit a motorcyclist. I know first hand how much that sucks.

Well said, I ride my bike a lot to save gas, I see this all the time, its a damn epidemic.


Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 
Well said, I ride my bike a lot to save gas, I see this all the time, its a damn epidemic.


Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Politically, I am very Libertarian and think that the government is too big and that 75% of what it does it has no real Constitutional Authority to do... That said, some things I do agree with and public safety is one of them. I don't care if people hurt themselves, we should let Darwinism do it's proper work. But when people are killing other people in droves over something stupid like facebook, texts and yapping with their stupid friends about nothing important, I think that if people won't correct themselves, then the government can and SHOULD step in and force people to.

If that means a nationwide ban and a $500 ticket for a first offense and a 6 month suspension of your license after that, so be it. It would all but obliterate this problem.

I can hear people now, crying, "what if I lose my license and so I lose my job and can't support my family, this isn't fair!"....

My response is, "then put down your phone, stupid. No call or text is worth losing your license or job over, and it certainly isn't worth killing another motorist over"....

But people are so entitled that many people just won't see it. They see it as their RIGHT to text and drive, no matter who it hurts. So the only way to get them to stop, is to force them to by making the penalty so painful that it will get through even their thick skulls.
 
Squire you bring up really good points... and I don't disagree with you.

My only hangup, again, is how do you regulate something like this, and where do you draw the line? Not everybody texts/updates FB (sigh at FB... ) with the phone up on their steering wheel. What if I drop something in my lap and I have to look down briefly or "fiddle" a little down there (no comments!) to get whatever I dropped? It could look like I'm texting, or whatever, and bam... $500 (hypothetically), when my phone is in my work bag next to me the entire time (like the officer will believe that). What if my wife sends me a text saying there's an emergency at home, I see it popup without even touching my phone, then calls me right after (this has happened to me). My bluetooth earpiece is dead and charging b/c I've been using it so much more. Yet I can't pickup the phone b/c I see a police officer, and I'm worried about the $500 fine. Should I not be allowed to pickup the phone and talk to her, even if just for a second?

For every scenario that includes an idiot who can't prioritize what he should be doing in his vehicle, there's another one on the other side of that spectrum where legitimate and important usage occurs and doesn't cause any problems - you just never hear about those situations.

We can say all day that we survived fine without cellphones before, but then you're getting into an entire paradigm shift in the way we live today. Maybe that's possible, and maybe that would be good for all of us, but it's not realistic IMHO.

I get the problem, and I wish people would use their brains more and not give a crap about texting or updating FB or having long drawn out conversations in their cars - but to punish those that don't do that stuff when they actually need the technology is unfair, and again, seemingly impossible to regulate in my opinion.
 
The entire thread is arguing over the "RIGHT" to use a cell phone when and where you want, specifically while driving a car.

OK then, let's get back to the basics.

Driving a car or any lic. vehicle is a "PRIVILEGE" not a "RIGHT." Surprisingly a majority of individuals feel it's the other way around. To get that privilege you must submit to certain rules, regulations and laws. If you have a license, you agreed to those rules, regulations and laws to receive the PRIVILEGE. With me so far? 67% say no. I'll continue any way. When you got that license and signed your name you agreed to all of that stuff. You did, you really did. You say, But I never ....., but you did, you agreed.

Now that we all agree and you know we do, I'll continue. Now here is where I can't be 100% sure, comfortable thinking so though, it's written in every drivers manual. Part of yours and my responsibility having been given the PRIVILEGE to drive (operate a motor vehicle, car, truck, etc.) is to do so SAFELY and RESPONSIBLY. Hmmm, the seatbelt issue came up here and yes it is the law to wear one while operating a motor vehicle, not motorcycles for those on the left coast. We do this without thinking for the most part, again giving special consideration to those mentioned previously about thinking. It's proven that wearing seat belts do save lives. I see another argument coming on that one.:mad: Save it people, this is about cell phones.:p Oh, seat belt use is a Federal Law, go figure. They did it without you knowing it. Told the states, you want highway money, make it happen. So the states passed laws so to speak. Great cover up on it's own.

Now the Federal Govt. wants to make cell phone use while driving against the law. I for one agree with it, go figure. Now think about this for a moment, "If you have a license you agreed", to the laws. An easy solution for those of you that feel your rights are being taken away, give back your license. Your cell phone is more important, right!

I for one have witnessed and we all have and gotten mad about it, far to many incidents of drivers not focusing on driving while talking on the phone and doing other things, primarily the phone.

Now here is where it gets fun so to speak.

Those with the ABOVE AVERAGE driving skills are driving in a city, small town or rural area and smack they run over your kid or theirs, grandma, a disabled vet, you get the picture, all because they have to be on that cell phone for something that is life or death. Seems in this case the latter is more likely. Or maybe it was me, actual professional driver, that does the dirty dead to them. Talk about *****ing to high heaven about me being on the phone and not paying attention to my driving, I don't understand why.

Another thing to consider. Your in an accident, the state your in has a law of no cell phone use while driving, and you are on yours. Hit me or cause an accident with me involved and I guarantee my lawyer will be asking for and receiving a copy of your phone records. Oooops, if you were on your phone at the time of the incident, you have a bit of a problem. And, the longer you were on the the call the worse it looks for you.

Folks thinks about it, I mean really think about it.

Is using a cell phone while driving really worth a LIFE?

I hope that it never happens to anyone, the odds are that it will, again is it really worth a LIFE?
 
Squire you bring up really good points... and I don't disagree with you.

My only hangup, again, is how do you regulate something like this, and where do you draw the line? Not everybody texts/updates FB (sigh at FB... ) with the phone up on their steering wheel. What if I drop something in my lap and I have to look down briefly or "fiddle" a little down there (no comments!) to get whatever I dropped? It could look like I'm texting, or whatever, and bam... $500 (hypothetically), when my phone is in my work bag next to me the entire time (like the officer will believe that). What if my wife sends me a text saying there's an emergency at home, I see it popup without even touching my phone, then calls me right after (this has happened to me). My bluetooth earpiece is dead and charging b/c I've been using it so much more. Yet I can't pickup the phone b/c I see a police officer, and I'm worried about the $500 fine. Should I not be allowed to pickup the phone and talk to her, even if just for a second?

For every scenario that includes an idiot who can't prioritize what he should be doing in his vehicle, there's another one on the other side of that spectrum where legitimate and important usage occurs and doesn't cause any problems - you just never hear about those situations.

We can say all day that we survived fine without cellphones before, but then you're getting into an entire paradigm shift in the way we live today. Maybe that's possible, and maybe that would be good for all of us, but it's not realistic IMHO.

I get the problem, and I wish people would use their brains more and not give a crap about texting or updating FB or having long drawn out conversations in their cars - but to punish those that don't do that stuff when they actually need the technology is unfair, and again, seemingly impossible to regulate in my opinion.

What did we do in the old days when we had to make a call? We pulled over and got on a pay phone. If you don't have or cannot afford a BT headset, or your car doesn't have it, or you left it at home, then you simply pull over into a parking lot and make the call. People survived for thousands of years without being able to make phone calls when driving.

As for the rest, well, if the cop sees it and pulls you over, I guess he could ask to see the phone. If he sees that a call or text was made at the minute that he sighted you and pulled you over, bam, ticket.

Just because there could be exceptions doesn't mean that the overall premise and goal is not worthwhile. We are talking lives here, lots of them, because people don't have the discipline to do the right thing and pose a danger to others. If people knew enough to not drink and drive, we wouldn't need DUI laws. Same applies here. If people didn't text and drive and call and drive and cause tens of thousands of accidents per year, many of them fatal, nobody would be proposing such laws.

And the people that will kick and scream the most about these laws, will undoubtedly be the ones that are most guilty of doing this stuff in the first place and they don't want to be held responsible or punished. people that don't text and drive, won't care because the law won't affect them....

If you can afford a phone and monthly plan, and the car, insurance and gas, then you can afford the one time $30 expense for a BT earpiece.

Anyone that says that they cannot afford a $30 headset, is living so close to the edge financially that they have no business having a cell phone in the first place, IMHO...
 
jntdroid said:
Squire you bring up really good points... and I don't disagree with you.

My only hangup, again, is how do you regulate something like this, and where do you draw the line? Not everybody texts/updates FB (sigh at FB... ) with the phone up on their steering wheel. What if I drop something in my lap and I have to look down briefly or "fiddle" a little down there (no comments!) to get whatever I dropped? It could look like I'm texting, or whatever, and bam... $500 (hypothetically), when my phone is in my work bag next to me the entire time (like the officer will believe that). What if my wife sends me a text saying there's an emergency at home, I see it popup without even touching my phone, then calls me right after (this has happened to me). My bluetooth earpiece is dead and charging b/c I've been using it so much more. Yet I can't pickup the phone b/c I see a police officer, and I'm worried about the $500 fine. Should I not be allowed to pickup the phone and talk to her, even if just for a second?

For every scenario that includes an idiot who can't prioritize what he should be doing in his vehicle, there's another one on the other side of that spectrum where legitimate and important usage occurs and doesn't cause any problems - you just never hear about those situations.

I get the problem, and I wish people would use their brains more and not give a crap about texting or updating FB or having long drawn out conversations in their cars - but to punish those that don't do that stuff when they actually need the technology is unfair, and again, seemingly impossible to regulate in my opinion.

How do you regulate it...actually it is quite easy and the ones who are the most careless and irresponsible are the ones who will get caught...because they are so oblivious as to what is going on around them that you can observe them for quite awhile frantically texting or using their phone. I know...I see it everyday. Police cruisers are equipped with video, click on the video and, bam, gotcha!

Is your wife's call an emergency (she may think so)? What do you do? You pull over to the side of the road when you can safely do so and call her back. If it is an emergency, she needs to call 911.

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How do you regulate it...actually it is quite easy and the ones who are the most careless and irresponsible are the ones who will get caught...because they are so oblivious as to what is going on around them that you can observe them for quite awhile frantically texting or using their phone. I know...I see it everyday. Police cruisers are equipped with video, click on the video and, bam, gotcha!

Is your wife's call an emergency (she may think so)? What do you do? You pull over to the side of the road when you can safely do so and call her back. If it is an emergency, she needs to call 911.

Sent from my DROID RAZR Maxx using Droid Forums

Yup. I am betting that less than 1% of the calls we make or receive are actual emergencies.
 
Y'all bring up a good point about pulling over, that's ultimately the best solution. I threw that incident in there to play devil's advocate a little bit.

I lol'd when I saw this on my Facebook timeline just now (I follow a guy who is all about embracing technology, but keeping it in check and not letting it run our lives, etc... called "the off switch"). He just posted this:

If You've Ever Sent A Text While Driving, You Have To Watch This Video Right Now

Here's the video:
[video=youtube;HbjSWDwJILs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbjSWDwJILs[/video]

The irony of the timing of this and that it was in my FB is almost too much... ;)

That test might not be scientifically identical to real life as they're taking a test, driving through unfamiliar cones, and having to listen to instructions at the same time, but it gets the point across regardless.
 
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