The problem is, where does it stop? Driving while drinking coffee is distracting and I bet 80-90% of the members here have their cuppa on the way to work in the AM. Driving with kids is distracting. Driving with somebody else in the car is distracting. You gonna ban that too? Heck, driving while fooling with the radio is distracting.
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David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment. -
Passengers are usually passengers for a reason (they're going where you're going). The coffee and radio are distractions, and aren't related to the prime directive (getting from point A to point B). BUT, I don't think they're (coffee or radio) any where near as distracting as talking on a cell phone.
So to answer your question, it stops at the cell phone for now.Comment
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For someone to split their attention between piloting a one ton projectile at highway speeds, and blabbing away on their cellphone, one has to assume that the phone call must be very important. My question is, how in the world did we ever function without cell phones?"I know it when I see it." (Justice Potter Stewart)Comment
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By entering a vehicle you are at risk. As my father always said - back before cell phones were affordable - "I'm not worried about what you're doing, I'm worried about what everyone ELSE is doing."And, Anna. That was my point. talk on a cell phone by holding the phone or hands free - and you are at risk. Period.Comment
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I know people who can't talk and drive, PERIOD. (My father)
In my state, they do have restrictions on how many kids can have in the car when a teenager is driving. This is in part, due to all the chatting/distracting that goes on in those instances. One needs to learn their limits.
That said, the WORST one I saw, was a person with a drink in one hand, holding up his cell phone, UNDER HIS HELMET, on his motorcycle while driving..........
I backed WWWWAAAAAAYYYYYYY away from that (censored).She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
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It's been illegal to use a cell phone while driving in the UK for some time now, but hands-free sets are still OK. For all the difference its made, we might just as well have not bothered. Enforcement hasn't really taken off (more important things to worry about, apparently).
Ray.Did I offend you? Click here.Comment
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The guy that rear ended my truck last week was using a cell phone at the time, and was stupid enough to tell me he was arguing with his boss when the accident happened.
I lost 2 days work, and my truck is totalled. Not to mention being too sore to do anything.
I guess I could be forgiven for telling him to shove that thing up his " you know where"Comment
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That does sound completely nuts. I commute by motorcycle 99% of the time and consider the lack of on board distractions a major plus. There are actually versions of the helmet I've got that allow bluetooth cellphone access, music hookups, etc. That's stuff that I definitely don't need while on a motorcycle...Comment
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Two recent folks seen using a cell phone,:
Visually impaired person walking in a busy downtown area with a guide dog.
Person hopping onto a motorized scooter/shopping cart at Wal-Mart and motoring off to do their shopping.
I am starting to get nervous about being pulled over for NOT talking on the phone while driving.
Hang up and drive,
RussComment
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I don't agree or dissagre with any of you on this subject. I just need to put my 2cents in here. I have seen a number of local law enforcement officers in our area using their cell phones while driving, so how does it get enforced?????
"The power of kindness is immense. It is nothing less, really, than the power to change the world."Comment
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Single officer, or pairs in the car?
While I have been on the talking end to one (relatives in law enforcement), I know they get a LOT more training then us (I also have a friend who was/is a Secret Service trained consulate driver). That said, several of the ones I have seen also have to do with calls to a site, where the subject mater, has and listens to a scanner (ran out 5 drug houses in my neighborhood).
I do understand, and have seen good emergency uses for them (person in labor, cops dealing with bad cops, etc)She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
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I have been reading through this thread and many things hit me. I have three kids, two who are 12 and know that they don't argue and fight in the car when I am in traffic. The two year old is pretty good in the car. And I do use my phone while I am in the car, for reasons to talk with Mark about the shopping or directions to where I am going or something that I need to call my parents for. I also have a speaker phone and will use that if I am in traffic. I know that some of you don't agree with this either but I know what my limitations are and if I think I am over those then I hang up and call back or just tell them to hold on and I will get back to them.
And I know someone said something about riding with passengers in the car and that they should be able to take visual cues. This is true but I had to laugh. This past weekend I was driving over in the Seattle/Tacoma area and was on the way home and chatting with my grandmother who, is legally blind and can not see clearly, she has Macular Degeneration (sp). Well with her in the front seat there is no way she could take "visual" cues.
I think that person using the phone has to know their limitations and not go beyond that. That is just my opinion.Mrs. Wallnut a.k.a (the head nut).Comment
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I am by no means militant about the issue. And again, I'm not saying I never talk on the phone. I really don't want to outlaw cell phone use while driving. I just want people to be reasonable. Limit the call to a minute or less and then hang up and concentrate on driving. If you need to talk more than that, pull over somewhere.
In terms of knowing your limits, I think most people make that determination based on driving conditions. But driving conditions can deteriorate quickly. An animal (or small child) could run in front of your car at any moment. Something could fall off a truck in front of you. You could have a tire failure.
What struck me and started the rant was seeing several people that never once stopped talking on the cell. For twenty minutes, in congested traffic that was moving 50+ MPH.Comment
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How dangerous is a lack of concentration or inattentiveness while driving?
An average 3200 LB family sedan traveling at 60 MPH covers 88 FT/second. To stop from 60 MPH requires about 130 FT. Just do the math.
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Mrs. Wallnut
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