Total Cell Phone Ban While Driving?

[totallyfrozen]

Excellent advice to those who are worried about talking on the cell in the car. I applaud any individual who makes this determination for themselves and practices this approach.

But don't make that decision for me. I'm an adult with good judgment, just like you.

^^THIS^^
If you're not capable of safely driving and talking at the same time, then ride the bus, take a cab, or pull over. Some of us have been safely using phones while driving for years. If you can't do it...don't, but don't put your limitations on me. I may be capable of more than you.

 

[MatticusMania]

That's understandable. If everyone were aware of their own impairments there'd presumably be a lot less of them.

Ask someone to objectively observe your driving when you're on the phone and when you're not.

See, thats kind of hard to do, because if there is someone else in the car with me, I wont answer the phone, but rather hand it to them to field the call.

Im aware of my limits enough not to text while driving, for sure, and is the reason I dont do it, even before legislation was passed banning it. I realize that not all people are aware of their limitations, but I dont think that passing legislation in order to protect people from their impairments is the right way to go in this case. Mostly because I think those who would be impaired by the act are going to continue the behavior.

 

[GregC]

^^THIS^^
If you're not capable of safely driving and talking at the same time, then ride the bus, take a cab, or pull over. Some of us have been safely using phones while driving for years. If you can't do it...don't, but don't put your limitations on me. I may be capable of more than you.

A lot of people say that. And a lot of people who drive drunk say that, too. And a lot of people who drive 90 and weave in and out of traffic say it, too.

I'd wager that in many cases, they in fact aren't more capable and they've just been lucky. Lucky that they haven't quite screwed up enough to cause an accident. And lucky that there are other, more responsible drivers out there watching out and avoiding them.

 

[totallyfrozen]

Most other drivers would probably place themselves there, also.

Let's face it: everyone's a fantastic driver. It's everyone else who's terrible.

Actually, it's not simply a matter of opinion. It is quantifiable. It's a matter of looking at a person's driving record and their driving history. Eveyone might THINK they are a great driver, but it's the drivers who have not been in auto accidents who actually EARN the right to use the title.

It's a cheap shot to call good drivers lucky, IMO. Some of us have been driving in very bad weather on very bad roads for decades without accidents. I don't accept that as "luck". Comparing an experienced, safe driver with a clean driving record to a drunk with impared judgment...really?

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Mostly because I think those who would be impaired by the act are going to continue the behavior.

That's very likely. If bans are imposed, perhaps they will at least have a disincentive.

 

[MatticusMania]

A lot of people say that. And a lot of people who drive drunk say that, too. And a lot of people who drive 90 and weave in and out of traffic say it, too.

I'd wager that in many cases, they in fact aren't more capable and they've just been lucky. Lucky that they haven't quite screwed up enough to cause an accident. And lucky that there are other, more responsible drivers out there watching out and avoiding them.

Well, thats just conjecture. It very well could be that some of us are perfectly capable of driving and fielding a phonecall.

I dont drive drunk. I dont drive 90. I dont weave through traffic. And I rarely talk on the phone when driving.

I know we've all seen bad drivers on their phone on the road, but that doesnt mean that every driver out there is incapable.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Actually, it's not simply a matter of opinion. It is quantifiable. It's a matter of looking at a person's driving record and their driving history. Eveyone might THINK they are a great driver, but it's the drivers who have not been in auto accidents who actually EARN the right to use the title.

I know plenty of folk who haven't been in crashes (or who have, but it wasn't their fault), but that doesn't make them good drivers.

All the number of auto accidents on someones record quantifies, is the number of auto accidents a person has been in (and reported)!

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Actually, it's not simply a matter of opinion. It is quantifiable. It's a matter of looking at a person's driving record and their driving history. Eveyone might THINK they are a great driver, but it's the drivers who have not been in auto accidents who actually EARN the right to use the title.

Perhaps. But one shouldn't let a lack of accidents (is that been in accidents, or been at fault in accidents?) bring on a case of driving hubris. Believing yourself to be such an exceptionally fine driver that you can start cutting yourself slack is a good way to become less-than-great.

 

[MatticusMania]

That's very likely. If bans are imposed, perhaps they will at least have a disincentive.

Thats the only legitimate reason I can see for the proposed ban.
It won't stop everyone, but Im sure some will be dissuaded by the potential fines.

 

[GregC]

Actually, it's not simply a matter of opinion. It is quantifiable. It's a matter of looking at a person's driving record and their driving history. Eveyone might THINK they are a great driver, but it's the drivers who have not been in auto accidents who actually EARN the right to use the title.

It's a cheap shot to call good drivers lucky, IMO. Some of us have been driving in very bad weather on very bad roads for decades without accidents. I don't accept that as "luck". Comparing an experienced, safe driver with a clean driving record to a drunk with impared judgment...really?

I spoke generally, I'm not taking personal shots. You may very well be an excellent driver. But study after study has shown drivers' inflated opinions of their abilities. Going back to the OP, I seem to recall that a bunch of the drivers who caused accidents had never done so before.

 

[GregC]

Well, thats just conjecture. It very well could be that some of us are perfectly capable of driving and fielding a phonecall.

I dont drive drunk. I dont drive 90. I dont weave through traffic. And I rarely talk on the phone when driving.

I know we've all seen bad drivers on their phone on the road, but that doesnt mean that every driver out there is incapable.

There has been a ton of conjecture in this thread from all sides. I'm pretty sure the law of averages supports the proposition that not all people who haven't caused accidents are above-average drivers. Yes, some probably are perfectly capable. But again, most of the people who claim they are? I seriously doubt it.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I spoke generally, I'm not taking personal shots. You may very well be an excellent driver. But study after study has shown drivers' inflated opinions of their abilities. Going back to the OP, I seem to recall that a bunch of the drivers who caused accidents had never done so before.

Hmm. My guess is that there are more safe drivers than dangerous drivers out there. The dangerous few are easy to remember because they stick out, but how often do you see a guy passing you and think, "My, what a wonderful and safe driver. I'm happy to be sharing the road with him."

 

[tastybasslines]

Hmm. My guess is that there are more safe drivers than dangerous drivers out there. The dangerous few are easy to remember because they stick out, but how often do you see a guy passing you and think, "My, what a wonderful and safe driver. I'm happy to be sharing the road with him."

LOL, yet another argument from you. You REALLY think there are more safe drivers than drivers with smart phones putting people at risk?

I swear, you live to argue.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Dude, can you please go back into hibernation?

When I sit at a left hand turn light in second position and cant get through on an arrow because the person in front of me is texting on the phone while the light is green and then jets through on the yellow only after people honk is not a problem?

If there was a beautiful naked women in your passenger seat, would you be able to keep your eyes on the road?

You sir, are not even close.

Invalid Link Removed

And one more thing...texting takes your EYES OF THE ROAD, even buzzed that doesn't happen as much as texting.

There is no doubt that drinking while driving is less dangerous than texting while driving.

Look, the Govt will soon tell the cell phone makers to do it and make them unusable while in motion. At the end of the day, this convo will mean nothing.

Good. I hope all mobile phone device usage is disabled in cars. It's a terrible disease and dangerous.

No. You shouldn't.

There would be no way to enforce the safety of the general public otherwise.

Is your "right" as passenger more important than killing someone? Because it's happening all the time.

LOL, yet another argument from you. You REALLY think there are more safe drivers than drivers with smart phones putting people at risk?

I swear, you live to argue.

And you don't

I'm beginning to think you have a crush on me. You've done this sort of troll post at least four times now, and each time I have told you to PM me if you have any beef. You've yet to take me up on my offer and have continued this trolling behavior despite me asking you to stop.

I'll ask you again - stop this petty BS. If I wronged you in some way in the past then I'm sorry. If the manner in which I conduct myself offends you in any way then block me. But for you (a grown man of at least 40) to continue to do this is just juvenile. Grow a pair and grow up.

 

[Sav'nBass]

I can see banning texting etc .. or talking - a hands free device.. but banning cell phone use period is a waste of time and a guaranteed cash cow for any city.

 

[aborgman]

A lot of people say that. And a lot of people who drive drunk say that, too. And a lot of people who drive 90 and weave in and out of traffic say it, too.

...and a lot of people who eat in the car say that, and a lot of people who adjust the radio or climate control in the car say that, and a lot of people who have conversations with a passenger say that, and...

Of course evidence shows talking to a passenger is much more commonly a factor than talking on a cell phone, and cell phone use is a factor only slightly more often than eating.

 

[Skitch it!]

I dunno, I'm surprised no-one called the Whambulance a while back though.

 

[electracoyote]

That's understandable. If everyone were aware of their own impairments there'd presumably be a lot less of them.

Ask someone to objectively observe your driving when you're on the phone and when you're not.

The fact that you are so sure so many of us are piss-poor drivers just slays me. Are you always this arrogant and insulting, or do you save it all up for the internet?

I've gone the last 35 years without an accident, but you're sure that if someone else observed my driving they would find fault with it. Hilarious logic.

You've allegedly been hit from behind by people talking on cell phones, twice in your life. The odds are astronomically against something like that happening, it's like you were hit by lightening. You should call Ripley's or the Guiness people, maybe there's an entry for your unique experience.

But your bias is way too obvious and obviously skews your opinion.

Bottom line: The relative rarity of cell-related mishaps combined with how many other similar distractions potentially plague drivers makes a ban on safely using a cell phone in the car an infringement on a freedom that is also both a convenience and a safety measure in its own right.

Laws should be designed for the greater good and not unduly punish the majority. The vocal minority, sometimes the tiniest sliver of society, wins in these situations way too often.

 

[electracoyote]

Of course evidence shows talking to a passenger is much more commonly a factor than talking on a cell phone, and cell phone use is a factor only slightly more often than eating.

Logic will get you nowhere in this thread.

 

[electracoyote]

What sentiment do they express?

Paranoia