What do you think of people talking on cell phones in a car?

Vince M

It is my personal belief that, while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, there is NOTHING more important than maintaining 100% contol of that vehicle for 100% of the time.

In spite of what many people claim, no one can do multiple things at one time. Some ARE better at "switching" from one activity to another in rapid fashion, but, the mind can only do one thing at a time. Even if for a moment, a driver who talks on the phone, changes a radio station, lights a cigarette, or, even, has a conversation with a passenger, for that moment, the driver's attention is NOT on driving.

Research has shown, again and again, that people that attempt to multitask end up doing neither function as well as they would if they were doing only a single activity. Either, the conversation falters, or the driving suffers. A distraction does not ALWAYS result in a collision, but all it takes is one false move, and, perhaps, another driver who cannot get out of the way in time, to cause a very serious problem on the road.

Speed just makes things worse, but, even at stop and go speeds, two tons, or more, of uncontrolled steel can do a LOT of damage. Ten miles an hour can cause hundreds of dollars of damage. It can be FATAL to a human body caught between two vehicles.

There is no excuse for anyone who is not in complete control of his vehicle. Driving should be a FULL TIME activity for a driver.

headsiwin

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I think it's very sociable....

...but only if you're a passenger!

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bluff mike

It doesn't matter when. If you are on a cell, your full attention is not on driving, which is what the National Safety Council says is the main cause of wrecks. I think cell phone users are no better than someone who fires a bullet into a crowd.

kelly_f_1999

sooner or later they will weed them selfsleves out.... not so smart

kenbgray

They are all stupid.

Thorbjorn

The people on the phones are NOT thinking about driving. Worse than "Freebird"!

North of 49

They are not paying attention to their driving and that is why more State and Provincial Laws are making it illegal to drive and talk on your cell phone at the same time.

dirtytricksracing@sbcglobal.net

Those kind of people should be removed from their car and strung up on the nearest pole and flogged severely.

wrapperjrracing

Not only is it dangerous, it is also illegal depending on which state you live in. I've heard some people claim it is more dangerous than driving while drunk.

ja133

very dangerous

jumpguy92

Very dangerous. I usually have to cycle on main roads for long trips here in Ireland, and on a particularly long cycle I'd say I saw a good 10 people on a phone while driving. It disgusts me how irresponsible grown adults can be. And it's illegal here in Ireland!

UCANTCME

The driver is not only putting their life in danger, they are harming everyone else on the road as well.

With kids and usually the radio on, there are already way too many distractions, let alone trying to watch out for these "phone junkies" that run red lights and stop signs because they just "didn't see it"

Jack B

I think all of this cell phone mania is overblown. I've been driving for 16 years and the only accident I've been in was when I was doing nothing but changing lanes and my tire blew out. I have eaten entire meals while driving, which a lot of commuters do. This seems infinitely more dangerous than talking on a cell phone. I've had fights with my passenger (usually my wife) while driving too, which is also certainly more distracting than holding a device up to my ear. I listen to music and think about what song I want to hear next. I've even read while driving. Watch this level of "danger": I eat, scroll through my iPod, AND text people on my cell phone simultaneously EVERY DAY while driving with my knees, and it's no problem (I also commute on the 91 fwy in Riverside/Orange/LA Counties in California--a freeway that AAA had deemed the most dangerous freeway in the state). I don't see what all the fuss is about. People put on makeup while driving, eat, argue with passengers, reach back and smack their kids, change radio stations, sing along with their favorite songs, etc. Should all of these things be outlawed too? What a ridiculous notion! I haven't been in accidents because I AM able to pay attention while doing all of the things I do on my daily drive. Some people are just not mentally astute; that doesn't mean everyone else should suffer. And, if talking while driving is distracting, how is using a headset or bluetooth going to be any LESS distracting, so the laws don't seem to make sense. Isn't putting my arm on the armrest in my car while singing along to the radio tantamount to talking on a cell phone. Absurd, these laws!

nymamiyankee

dangerous, not necessary...should be TOTALLY outlawed..i dont think the lil earth growth bud thing helps..ppl are still talking and not paying attention..almost everytime i see someone weaving, or not stayin in their lane...or going way below the speed limit, they are on the phone...i saw a woman today..on the phone, reading some papers, trying to drive..thats crazy..especially since she had a passenger in the car...i just dont get whats that important that you need to drive and talk at the same time

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