Shouldn't cell phones be illegal to use while driving?

Jan

Most certainly>!!!! Think about it you get into a heated discussion with a loved one or worse you get very devastating news while driving, where is your mind going to be at? Not on your driving. We are blessed that we can now stay in contact with the world because of modern technology but modern technology has not been put into our way of thinking and controlling the way we drive. We need to stay focused. Driving is a very dangerous way of life. Wouldn't you feel awful if you caused injury or even death because you were busy yakking on the phone and not paying attention to the way you were driving. What if a small child happened to run out in front of you while you were busy laughing with a friend on the phone while driving. It happens often enough when we aren't talking but your reflexes would be much faster on the brake because you are focused on your surroundings...There are no good reasons to be on your cell while driving. Even if you happen to be lost pull over for directions. You couldn't write and drive anyhow and you will get a much better perceptive of where you are if you are stopped. Yes cell phone are a way of life but there is not room in our lives to be driving and talking on them.

avonfromstubby

Here's an outline of some state regulations:

Five states (California, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Washington) and the District of Columbia have enacted a jurisdiction-wide ban on driving while talking on a handheld cellular phone.

Washington state has also enacted a jurisdiction-wide ban on text messaging while driving.

Six states (Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) allow localities to ban cell phone use. Localities that have enacted restrictions on cell phone use include: Chicago, IL; Brookline, MA; Detroit, MI; Santa Fe, NM; Brooklyn, North Olmstead and Walton Hills, OH; and Conshohocken, Lebanon and West Conshohocken, PA.
Eight states (Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Utah) prohibit localities from banning cell phone use.

Thirteen states (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas) and DC prohibit the use of all cellular phones while driving a school bus.

Fifteen states (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia) and DC restrict the use of cellular phones by young drivers.

All but seven states with cell phone bans have primary enforcement laws. New Jersey's ban is a secondary enforcement law for everyone except school bus drivers and learner's permit and intermediate license holders.

Colorado, Maryland, Nebraska, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia have secondary enforcement laws. Secondary enforcement laws may only be enforced when a driver has been stopped for another infraction.

Utah's law defines careless driving as committing a moving violation (other than speeding) while distracted by use of a hand held cell phone or other activities not related to driving.

Uncle Red

The fact here is that is is a prolonged distraction. and watch folks that are on their cells, Some even use their turnsignals and take extra care but some (who you hear about) are in their own little world, not on the roadway. I think if the GPS detects that the car is averaging over 20 MPH then the time limit on the phone is 3 minutes a call regardless if you are the passenger or not.

whyme?

Where I live use of hand held cell phones is illegal while driving but hands free cell phones may be used as it is deemed no more distracting than talking to a passenger or telling the kids in the back seat to sit down and be quiet. What I think is more dangerous is smoking when driving. What is the first reaction when that hot ash drops in your lap ?

MIKE S

being a native from illionois,where cell phone driving is illegal.there so many violaters the cops tend to only write tickets,when resulting in accidents.when in most cases is already, to late someone is killed or mamed.the ticket,should result in a stiffer sentence than 75$.when an innocent person is hurt.

The Mr. Pine

No.

fideux

Yes. Easy call. I teach driver education, and we recently got hit at 55 mph by a guy who was on his cell phone.

philipscown

European research (sorry, don't know the source) has found that drivers on a phone will take bigger risks, and are more likely to misjudge the width of a gap (e.g. when passing). So making it illegal sounds good to me, and that's before you consider the distraction and use of hands...

ccgriffin1972

YES as well as the GPS
Ipods
make up
coffee
and driving tired

Peter Griffin

I don't think talking on the phone is a bigger distraction than eating, etc. You should be able to use your cell phone while driving...but you shouldn't use it to text people...that is just common sense. But a bunch of idiot people went out, got in accidents, and in some states and areas throughout the US, the use of cell phones has been banned while driving. Where I live, there are no laws about using cell phones while driving, but give it time...let a few more idiot people get in accidents while talking, or texting and I am sure that there will be a ban on using a cell phone while driving.

It only takes a few dumba**es to mess things up for the rest of us.

Gir

Cells usage while driving is a TCWD violation. Talking on Cell While Driving. I often wish I was a deputy and could give people citations for such violation. Cops should get cited too. Some of them are just as bad as we are. Running their mouths just like us, not paying attention, running people over and they have the nerve to flash their lights just to get through a traffic light and then turn their lights off. Like our time isn't precious too.

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