The truth about driving and talking on the cell

Oh, this should be really good for everybody. I can see it now. Law Enforcement now goes after cell phone users (coffee drinkers, eye shadow applicators, burger chompers, you can keep on getting distracted and not get pulled over!). Meanwhile, thugs, rapists, murders, robbers, molesters, terrorists all have a hey day since we all know there aren't enough police to even come close. I can see it now...in 10years we'll turn on the TV and there'll be a new report...stating that crime has risen to new levels over the last 10 years...they'll blame the current president for this and go on their merry way.
What imbeciles! Think people think!!!

Talking on a cell phone "hands free" is the lesser of the two evils. When one is on the phone and driving, a percentage of the mind's attention is being used for the conversation. Talking hands free allows the hands to be on the wheel, but that said percentage of the mind remains elsewhere.

i hope this goes thru.im tired of seeing people on cell phones while theyre driving .whats so important that cant wait till you get home and use your phone.do you really need to let you other stay at home moms that im just leaving starbucks with my latte,or i just had a play date with the poolboy.it can wait ,like it waited before there was cell phones.it has nothing todo with it being the same as if talking to someone else in the car alot of things arent that important for you to be on the cell all damn day. try it.

I can't believe law makers are really trying to ban cell phones...99% of people drive with one hand on the wheel regardless of what they are doing even if its just driving its self.....

So whats next, some new research gonna show that people that smoke cigarettes are twice as likely to have a accident than none smokers so you can't smoke in your car either?

Honestly America.........30 years ago police protected us from killers and rappists, now they are to busy lookin for people with no seat belt or talkin on a cell phone....I think we can take care of ourselves so why are we inacting laws to protect ourselves from ourselves...........

You dont give up freedoms for protection.....If we wanted to play it safe america would be communist. I can't possibly be the only one who sees how this is wrong.

DISTRACTIONS!!! Let's take the radio's out too. Just listening to a Liberal talk show host makes me want to ram someone in the rear-end.

I drive around all day, here, there and everywhere. I work as a Realtor and spend a lot of time on the road. I have recently noticed that when I am on my cell phone I tend to miss exits for streets that I am very familiar with. There is no logical reason that I should have missed the turn on Route 190 for an exit I take all the time. Ah but I was on the cell phone! So you see I was distracted on ROUTE 190/ROUTE 290. So, if I can miss a familiar exit in a split second while distracted by a cell call, how long do you think it's going to take for me to have or cause an accident? NOT LONG AT ALL! So I have been noticing more the number of drivers talking while driving and smoking at the same time. They are at intersections, on the highway, downtown, EVERYWHERE.

So I have made a promise to myself and my 17 year old daughter who would like to see her Mom around for many years. I will no longer talk on the cell phone while I drive. If I need to answer or make a call I will pull over on the side of the road. It's not worth losing my life or causing the death or harm to someone Else life. I think that cell phone usage by the driver of the vehicle should be banned even with a "hands free" device. It's just too distracting.

Agreed that holding a cell-phone in hand and driving is distracting, if listening to someone on the phone with hands-free or bluetooth is also considered distracting, then listening to radio/cd/ipod, using GPS, etc. should also be banned. To be more cynical, driving is dangerous in itself that should be banned too.

I understand the concern about talking on the cellphone and driving. However, do we plan on focusing on the other dangers while driving as well? For example, I don't know about you, but I would outlaw pets riding in the owners lap while driving too! That's just as distracting if not more, than talking on your cellphone. Or texting while driving? I'm not saying we shouldn't be concerned about talking on the phone while driving, but there are other things that we should be focusing on as well.

I WISH THEY WOULD BAN THE CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING PERIOD. I DRIVE IN CHARLOTTE, N.C.
TRAFFIC IN THE AM. YOU SHOULD SEE HOW MANY ARE ON THE PHONES-MAKES YOU WONDER IF THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED FROM SOMEONE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ROAD BECAUSE OF TALKING TO SOMEONE ON THE CELL. I HAD A YOUNG DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME THIS MORNING JUST TALKING AWAY AND DRIVING WAY BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. ITS BAD ENOUGH TO DRIVE IN THE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR-BUT COULD WE JUST PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND DO OUR TALKING ON THE CELLPHONES THEN. I REALLY DON'T THINK THE HANDS-FREE WILL BE ANY BETTER. NIKE HAS A SAYING "JUST DO IT". MY SAYING IS "JUST DRIVE". THANKS FOR LISTENING.

Hey,
I am a school crossing guard in Spencer, IN and on March 12th 2008 while helping two kids cross the street. Some jerk on a cell phone disregarded the light and flashing stop sign I was waving and nearly ran me and two 10 year old kids over. Not only did he fail to yield to pedestrians in the intersection, but he did not see me waving a big red flashing sign at him. I have since had to have surgery from the impact of the vehicle hitting the stop sign and will be returning to work in a few days.
This jerk is a newly elected member of the Spencer Town Council and now I have to wear a neon vest so people can see me better. This is rediculous! Normal people while crossing the street don't have to wear neon vests. If the incompetent ass hadn't been on that phone I probably would not have to be going through all this.
I think if you cause someone to be injured by your decision to be irresponsible. You should be held criminally responsible. Needless to say he didn't even get a ticket.
I realize not only me but those two little boys could have been killed. I really don't know how anyone could live with themselves after doing something like that. Please think before you answer that phone.

while you - the cell phone user - are too wrapped up in your own life, and being distracted and then cause your car to run into mine because you are too important to stop for a minute and then talk on the phone.. then I do have a big issue with you on your cell phone.

IF YOUR GONNA USE YOUR CELL PHONE, PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND USE IT.

It is a biological fact that you cannot think 2 thoughts at the same time.

I agree fully to the hands free cell phone use but banning talking on a cell phone at all while driving. Lets get real!!! Moms can drive, calm down two arguing children in the back seat and put a pussier in the mouth of a crying baby in the back seat facing backwards and have a talk with her teenager in the front seat regarding grades and still drive safely. So what makes you think she can't talk on the phone reminding her husband to stop and pick up milk on his way home from work. Cell phones are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I talk through my blue tooth going to and coming from work and accomplish so much in that time frame.

Hands free talking, yes.....Driving with a phone in your hand to your ear, eating a bagel and smoking, NO.

I believe that the idea of banning even the hands-free talking is a really bad idea. It does not matter what the distraction is on the road, they exist every where. I was a school bus driver trainer and that is on of the things we taught our new drivers. Distractions cause crashes. It could be an animal crossing the road, a car on the side of the road, a flash of sunlight..the list could go on and on. I think that if any state wants to pass a law that bans the hands-free devices then they should at least give the driver that utilizes one the opportunity to prove that they are drivers that have excelled in defensive driving. Like we have endorsements for big rig, motorcycle and whether or not we are an organ donor, why not have a minimal fee to have an endorsement to use hands-free devices while driving.

Cell phone usage is just too distracting for a driver. I am guilty of talking on the phone while driving and have missed many a turn that I take on a regular basis because I was distracted by my cell phone and conversation. It's just my opinion, but I think that a ban on cell usage by a driver is a good thing and I don't think the old "hands free" will suffice. Talking on a cell while driving is a bad idea and I use well over 2000 minutes each month.

I have made a promise to my daughter that I will no longer talk on the cell phone and drive. I think that is a wise choice. Hopefully it will prolong my life and the life of someone else. What started as a "business tool" has become a hazard on the road. One dear friend of our family had the misfortune of killing a young 10 year old boy on his bike due to the fact that she was talking on her cell and just didn't see him. I don't think she talks and drives anymore. Yes, it was an accident, but maybe, just maybe it could have bee avoided if she were focusing on the road and not the conversation. NO DRIVER SHOULD USE A CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE EXCEPTION OF AN EMERGENCY. Just my opinion.

So then we're not allowed to carry on a conversation with passengers either then eh?

Until recently (I retired) I drove approx. 100,000 miles per year for business and pleasure. I can assure you that talking on a cell while driving should be outlawed. That goes for applying makeup and reading. I couldn't tell you of the thousands of drivers I've seen doing these things and weaving all over the road, driving erratic speeds etc. They are completely oblivious of what is happening around them. You can't have that kind of a mental lapse driving on an interstate at 80mph which many do, or, get in the passing lane and drive 80, slow to 50, then 60, 80, etc. I've seen them completely shut down the traffic on several interstates.

My experience from using them tells me why. I was required to be available on a moment's notice therefore I had a cell and used it. I was very aware of what I was doing usually, BUT, even when trying to do your best you can lose sight of what is going on around you. I have been in an involved conversation and suddenly realized I didn't remember anything for the last 30 miles. I was on autopilot. Even though I am an expert driver that scares the you know what out of you. I went all hands free in all of our vehicles, which helps, but you still lose awareness of your surroundings. I do not talk on a cell in a car now unless I am stopped. They are dangerous.

Whats next? We will not be allowed to talk, such as carry a conversation with passenger(s) in the car?

So then we're not allowed to carry on a conversation with passengers either then eh?

Hey lets add more stupid restrictions in society, pretty soon our free country will be not so free. Using a cell phone while driving is the least distraction on the road. For example ( billboards:what no reading while driving, bright signs for restaurants: what is the mcdonalds sign too bright!, more more more road construction: sometimes I cant find out where im going!, Oh ive got it: how about a GPS i can watch while driving simultaneously changing the radio station or CD. ONE MORE BEFORE I FART: HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KEEP TRACK OF MY SPEED: im not watching the road! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!

This laws are BS. Next, they will pass a law against picking your nose while driving. Anything to be able to generate revenue for the state and cities.

Why don't they pass a law against lawmakers doing nothing about high energy bills and against taking kick-backs from all the interest groups. As far as I am concern, law makers should be bar from getting paid or receiving corporate money....see if they stay in office. First it was seat belts, which can cause as many deaths as lives saved. Then....Camera's giving you tickets......plus outrageous parking meter fees.....now cell phones.....next, smoking in your car.....then watch out...you may not be able to listen to the radio soon.....or even fart in your own car.

I have driven and talked on a cell phone for years...my first cell phone was a 'brick'. I have not been in a accident, had one caused by me, or even a close call. I have managed to drive the speed limit, left plenty of room between myself and the car in front of me, havent set through a signal light or stop sign or delayed people behind be by missing when it turned green, Heck I can even walk and chew gum at the same time too!! That being said, I have been behing someone using a cell phone going 15 miles under the speedlimit, moving over into my lane, talking through the light and looking at me funny when I interupted thier call when I honked :-), I have also been next too or behind that person eatting a bowl of cerial, putting on eyeliner, reading a book or newspaper, and even changing clothes...that being said I am more than willing to use a 'hands free' set or even give up using my phone while driving if it will get the few that cant 'walk and chew gum at the same time' to pay more attention. Have a great day all and a safe trip home.

all this banning stuff makes me worried . maybe we should ban the people who do studies because they have us thinking of what is bad for us while we drive .... now according to the article some people with passengers weren't paying attention . so now what . no more passengers riding in your car . whelp !!! there goes our green planet efforts turn on your radio and sing at the top of your lungs like your on American idol . nope not allowed ... its distracting, especially if your windows are open :)

truth is lots of things are distracting but we as responsible people have to make the conscious effort to pay better attention . not take away liberties

Ok I get that having a phone in you're hand while driving isn't safe........but COME ON!! Will the ban be on speaking to the person in the passenger seat next??? Tell me the difference!!!

and pretty soon it won't matter where the person is your talking too, on the other end of you ear piece or the other end of your car seat! if talking is distracting, isn't just as distracting if not more to be talking to the person next to you/ you have to look at them when your talking to them, but you don't have to look at the person on the phone! WHAT a bunch of idiots these so called experts are! and I used to have high regard to the hwy safety people.
of course, I'm not the only one that thinks this way.

how is talking on a hand free set any differnt from talking to a passenger?
if all this is distraciting, wouldnt your radio be as well?
whats going on here is it just me or has everyone gone crazy
i dont even talk on my phone in the car unless its important, just cause juggling a phone while driving stick is a bit hectic, but even i think that this whole "talking on the phone is distracting" is stupid, so is all the other @!$%# that goes on in your car.
Seriously why are we giving the cops more reasons to pull us over on the side of the road and ticketing us for are money, when they should be out there stopping real crime?
what has the world come to?