Michigan is wimping out on cell phone law.

[caty]

On the "scolling news" I saw on TV this morning, it stated that the cell phone law will only apply when the driver is pulled over for another traffic violation. So, I guess that means that you won't be ticketed for using a cell phone unless you first run a stop sign, run a red light, or cause an accident while using your cell phone. Isn't that like locking the barn door after the horses get out? (as my old grandpappy used to say) I'm disappointed that this law doesn't show any more "cuhawnas" than that!

http://www.ucomics.com/dougmarlette/

Did I spell "cuhawnas" correctly? It's the first time I ever tried to spell that word out.

[MercutioATC]

1. "Cojones"...it's a Spanish word.

[caty]

2. Thank you.

I'll write that down somewhere in case I want to us it again.

[MercutioATC]

14. I use a Bluetooth headset and I intend to keep using it.

(unless it becomes a primary enforcement issue)

I'm perfectly capable of multitasking while driving.

[TranZam]

3. Good. I think the new law is too restrictive too.

If I'm talking on my phone while driving, how does that make me more dangerous than some dude fiddling with his CD player, or some guy watching women on the side of the road, or some woman putting lipstick on, or some guy sneezing and failing to see that the driver in front of him has stopped.

[Madrone]

4. Amen.

I almost *never* use my cell phone while driving. I almost never use it period - BUT, if I need to use it for a few brief moments while driving and am comfortable enough in my environment (traffic, type of road I'm on, etc) to make/take a call I don't want the "law" telling me I can NOT because some people are idiots and don't know how to use good judgement.

[democracyindanger]

13. Try holding a phone conversation and watching a movie at the same time

You can't do both at the same time well.

Welcome to DU. ;)

[caty]

5. There was a time when I would have agreed with you.

I was at a red light when I saw a woman talking on a cell phone coming from the opposite direction. She ran the red light, swerved, and hit the car that was passing in front of me on the green light. If he hadn't been passing in front of me, she would have hit me almost head on. Now, I agree that talking on a cell phone is no more distracting than putting on make-up, messing with the the CD player, etc. But---I see a lot more people talking on their cell phones. When you have a close call or an accident, whether it's because someone else was using their phone or perhaps you were---maybe you'll change your mind.

[lildreamer316]

6. SIMPLE SOULTION!!!here:

sorry for the yelling;my problem is that we are not looking at the basics of the problem

GET A HEADPIECE!!!!/EARPIECE!!

I have one; lifesaver in every way.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. They are saying that earpieces don't really help.

The problem is a driver is distracted by the conversation, not just by holding the phone.

[northzax]

9. yup, it is the conversation

holding a phone is no more dangerous than holding a coffee mug, bagel, cigarette or fiddling with the radio. Is is the distraction of talking to someone that is dangerous.

[lildreamer316]

10. Personally;

I think that could be true; but it's a matter of personal responsibility.I make a mental note to pay more attention to the road than the convo; and tell everyone that I'm driving. They are just going to have to put up with my distractedness. Some ppl can juggle both; some can't. Just not sure a law is the best soulution;I think technology will fix the problem eventually.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. I don't know how technology can make your brain work differently

That is the problem; it is pretty hard for a driver to concentrate on driving and talking on the phone at the same time. Not ALL drivers, but enough that it really IS a danger.

[caty]

12. Can technology fix the problem

of people being so wrapped up in a conversation that they don't see the stop sign, the red light, or you stopping in front of them? We put our lives in the hands of these distracted people every time we drive.

[LeftyMom]

7. That means it's secondary enforcement

The problem with secondary enforcement is that people tend to violate those rules. For example states where seat belt violations are secondary have much lower compliance rates than states with primary enforcement.

Did you happen to see the Mythbusters episode where they compared driving while talking on the cell phone to driving while intoxicated? I'm sure Discovery will replay it soon, it was amazing how much talking on the phone impaired driving, it was comparable to the effect of driving drunk.

[pinniped]

15. For every person who says they can successfully multitask,...

there are probably 10 morans who can't. And these are the 10 morans I see on a near daily basis.

In time, after more road carnage, I expect these laws to be corrected.