New D.C. Law Bars Hand-Held Cell Phones While Driving

[CShine]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Driving through the nation's capital is about to mean putting down your cell phone. Under a law taking effect Thursday, drivers will be allowed to hold telephones only to make emergency calls, begin calls or turn their phones on or off. Otherwise, they must use a handsfree device if they want to talk on the phone while at the wheel.

"A lot of accidents are caused by people driving while distracted," said Chief Charles H. Ramsey of the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department. Throughout July, officers will issue warnings to drivers found violating the district's new Distracted Driving Safety Act. In August, they will begin issuing citations that carry fines of up to $100.

To be in compliance with the law, motorists must use an ear piece and microphone or some other form of handsfree technology with their cell phones. The simplest devices cost about $15; more elaborate systems can cost hundreds. School bus drivers and people with learner's permits may not use cell phones at all while their vehicles are moving.

Councilman Harold Brazil, who spent three years building support for the restrictions, said, "It's like drunk driving. You see people cutting you off and driving crazy and they've got this cell phone up to their head."

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBUY77E2WD.html

[PaDUer]

1. The microphones mount

easily into your car. It's pro and con..It's a good idea for the microphones so the driver keeps their hands on the wheel, but not good if whoever has a passenger in the car and a call comes in that you consider private. There's so many people who lose focus while on the phones. Two of my sons were injured in an accident due to a guy talking on his cellphone and wasn't paying attention.

[Longhorn]

2. I'll be on board

as soon as they outlaw eating in the car, changing the radio station, babies in the backseat, conversations with passengers, and listening to talk radio, all of which can be just as distracting as using a cell phone.

[progressivebydesign]

3. Cool with me!

I've used an earpiece phone thingy for a few years.. I swear by it! I notice that the people with the phone in their hand seem more distracted.. for some reason.. perhaps it's the tactile thing. Now.. if only they'd ban people READING while they drive! That's one I could never understand, but I see it all the time. frightening!

Oh.. and phone companies would do their industry a great service by providing hands free sets with each new phone... it's a small cost for them, and a large benefit in keeping their industry from being totally whacked.

[Hotler]

4. Good! I wish they would do that here in

Colorado. They also need to make reading, writing, and speaking English a requirement for a license.

[justjones]

5. Please, can we implement this in California. Please!

If you are on the road, especially the freeway, and someone is going 15 mph slower than everyone else, there's a 95% chance the person is talking on a cell phone. I'm sure it increases our already problematic traffic....

[rooboy]

6. Been law over here for a few years now...

and the fine is pretty steep if you get caught. Unfortunately, the accident rate is apparently still quite high even with hands-free phones, because the bigger issue is concentration rather than having a hand free to drive.

[hightime]

7. When involved in an accident with someone on the phone you can

subpoena their phone records in some states as proof that they were distracted at the time. Many times you can show in court that the person who was involved in an accident and then called 911 was on the phone moments before.