What do you think about banning cell phones while driving?

diggity

It is in CT. They just upped the fine from $100 to $250 yesterday. I think it should be illegal, though I'm guilty of doing it. It makes bad drivers worse. And makes good drivers bad. Its as easy as buying a $15 handsfree set.

Blitzhund

And what is the alternative? Actually driving whilst you drive?

Insanity I tell you! How dare they try and take away our distractions whilst driving a 2 ton petrol death machine at 70mph down the motorway!

MeanKitty

I think using cell phones are dangerous while driving.

they are banned in NY state. soon to be NJ.

it should be against the law if the talker is stupid and can't drive and talk at the same time. you know who you are.

Java Jive

actually yes, there are so many drivers who think they can multi task and they really can't. your attention needs to be on the road, not what new gossip needs to tell you. if the call is that important than pull over, thats what i do

some ****** tried to switch lanes while on the phone, and i know he didnt see me he didnt even indicate. what an A*** if he wasnt on the phone he could have looked. and if you are on here reading this, get off the d*** phone!

and dont blame the teens i see older people on the phone!

jezbnme

i think so. i am guilty of doing it and i notice the difference in my attention or lack of while talking and driving.

shannonscorpio

I drive and talk all the time and shouldn't. So as much of a drag it is, yeah, it probably should be illegal. Although lots of people can talk and drive just fine, I've had so many times when someone nearly side-swipes me, is driving too slow, etc. and you look over to see them chatting happily away on the phone. Talking with a handset for sure should be illegal.

Pfo

Only if using a handset, hands free is fine. Yes, it does impair driving. Some studies have shown it is equivalent to 1 or 2 beers.

s_h_a_r_k_k_y

I think it should be against the law for anybody under the age of 18. In most states you have to be 16 to get a license. I think you should have at least 2 years of experience under your belt before being allowed to drive and talk.

mrs. smutty aka sodachix

i think if you want to drive and talk on a phone while putting on make up and eating mcgriddle then you deserve what happens to you. then law does not need to step in cause after enough time nature will.

jxt299

I do think it should be against the law to drive and talk on a cell phone. I have seen so many people sail thru stop lights or stop signs while chatting on their cell phones. There was a study that showed that people chatting on cell phones were actually much worse drivers than drunks, so if drunk driving should be illegal I can't think of any reason why chatting on cell phones while driving shouldn't be illegal, too. Is it really that horrible to pull off the road if one wants to have a conversation?

Hold on a sec...

I'm typing this from my blackberry in traffic...

Elizabeth Howard

There was a study that showed people on cell phones while driving were more dangerous than drunk drivers. They lost concentration, even though some denied it. How often have you seen a driver perform a dangerous maneuver or miss a change of lights or do something stupid while on the phone? Those who say it doesn't affect them are the worst offenders simply because they don't even think about anything but talking on the phone. And why are the calls so important that they are prepared to risk other peoples lives? I discount the danger to their lives as losing them would increase the average IQ of the human race.

Ben B

Good luck inforcing it.

Aegis of Freedom

No. Anything can distract you while you're driving. Eating, playing with the radio, talking to passenger, kids, etc. You can't ban everything that could distract you.

A better solution is to increase punishments. If you cause an accident because you are distracted (no matter what from) then you should loose your license. People will either pay attention when they are driving, or never drive again. Simple, elegant, effective.

Yes. I have encountered too many people on the road that do stupid things while talking on the phone. I mean, what did we do when we couldn't talk to someone in the car? Unless it is an emergency, no one HAS TO talk on a phone in the car while driving.

-----JAFO----

Its the same as driving drunk ,It severally impairs your ability to operate a car truck or motorcycle properly . Current accident information being compiled around the nation is showing how dangerous driving and cell phone use really is .

vrandolph62

well, my idea would never fly. i have always felt that people should be required to take an intelligence test before being granted a drivers' license. if they can pass the intelligence test, they can handle talking on the phone while driving, sort of like chewing gum and walking at the same time, don't you think? ultimately, the government has way too much control over us "for our own good," in the form of smoking bans, seat belt laws, helmet laws, etc. i realize it's for the betterment of those who are not at fault but can become the victims of those who are inept or just careless in whatever they do, but still, it's just too intrusive on our rights to privacy and freedom. thanks for the points, and for the soapbox too!!

ranya j

Those who have car accident record should be prohibited from using cellphone while driving and those with children or elderly with them as well.

knightwing992000

AS long as they use a hands free handset then they should be ok.

If you beleive in the ban. Then you should ban driving while eating. Having people talk to you in the car or playing music. They are distracting each in their own way.

Deez

as much as some people need to be banned from talking on the phone while driving I don't see it happening. Next they will ban talking to passengers in your own vehicle.

The_Cricket: RIP Allecat

I'm in complete agreement with illegalizing it. People should only be allowed to use hands-free sets while driving.

Amy F

It is a great step fowards. Using a phone whilst driving increases think and stopping distance dramatically. People tend to ignore traffic signals and lights and also fail to see motorcyclists and pedestrians in time. A good friend of mine had his neck broken in 3 places (he is fine now) when he was hit by a driver using his mobile. IT IS NOT SAFE. Whatever people may argue against such a ban, it really is in the public interest, and if a phone call is so important, you should pull over. Is really worth arguing against such a law when it has the potential to save lives?

cs r

Connect your cell phone to your Radio/stereo mike and speaker,with audible level of sound. This will help you to switch it on and have your conversation without having to hold the mobile set in hand or be seen speaking into a Headset.Let the ban on use of handheld sets remain .it serves for the safety of the driver and other occupants of the vehicle.

tom

Cell phones and cars do not mix. Ban them immediately.

RER6789

IMO it's a great idea, along with eating, putting on make up, lighting a cigarette and talking to the passengers in the car. But that's just me.

Barrett G

I think when you take the driving test their should be a driving while talking on the phone portion that you have to pass to be able to do it.

They should not ban it.

I think it's the right decision. Coz when you drive you have to consantrate on the road. Otherwise you might cause an accident. I am not sure about making this against the law. First of all people have to get and understand this consciousness. They should be sensible. There are car kits for mobile phones. They should use them instead of holding the fone on their ear.

kveryeffective

I know we like to think that cell phones are the big bad evil thing.
I just make it more simple inattentative driving.
I have seen women try to put on make up, men reading the paper, etc.

So have cops start busting people for all that and than some we be better.

We don't need more laws just enforcement.

Like the DUI laws Clinton pass the feel good law about 0.08 well not a law but states lose their federal funding if they don't lower it to 0.08. To me that is black mail but that is another story.

Mean while the reality is those causing most of the accidents and deaths are much much greater than 0.08 and repeat offenders.

I say go after those who are doing the crime not the guy who had two beers on his way home.

fillerdevoids

it should NOT BE AGAINST the LAW...I understand the problem with this but at most, it should be something that the person using it while involved in an accident gets written a ticket for it....in the amount of $100

U.S.Veteran

Great idea!

Everyday I see people just sitting at green lights and doing other stupid things because they are talking on their cell phones instead of keeping their eyes on the road ahead of them.

.

micaela

i think people want to show that they have mobile too, so they start with calling. but some other people need mobile phones because they call their friends,families and... so it's only about how to use mobile phones.

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