There should be a law for cell phones

[Deja Q]

Use the things while driving and get thrown in the slammer for 50 years.

Fucking bastard runs a red light to turn left; turns left, then can't make up his mind which lane he wants to be in so he decides to, without looking, swerve into MY lane and just about hit me.

Coming home... 2 more drivers swerving back and forth.

These fuckers can kill themselves for all I care. Just let the good people live without higher insurance premiums because you're an inconsiderate cretin, please.

Thank you.

[MercutioATC]

1. No, there should be a law for bad drivers.

Some of us multitask quite well, thank you.

[Deja Q]

2. So you'd rather there be no law? Well then...

I hope they slam into your car and kill your child then.

(how do you feel about such a law now? For it? I thought so.)

Sometimes the good of the many IS more important than the selfishness of a few; I don't give a fuck how well you can multitask. OTHER PEOPLE CAN'T. I managed to avoid the accident because I can. How about two drivers that CAN'T?

Please try and think. You're not BeOS, so you can't multitask all the time either.

Sorry to be so harsh... but try to think of others, please.

[MercutioATC]

3. Maybe require handsfree (I use an earpiece)

I'll admit that driving while holding the handset is a little more difficult.

My basic stance remains the same, however. I think it's a bad thing to write laws to the level of the least competent.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Least competent?

Try reading a book and watching a movie at the same time and keeping up with both each and every second. Competence decreases when the brain is tasked. Kill my family while driving with a cell phone to your ears and I will get totally medieval.

[MercutioATC]

9. I'm an air traffic controller. I multitask well.

I know that not everybody does, but it IS a multitasking issue.

I'm sure ANY distraction is potentially dangerous. Let's outlaw car radios....

[BOSSHOG]

12. While multitasking

your brain is not thinking of two things at once. You are bringing two or more aircraft into land safely and many other things that air traffic controllers do professionally on a daily basis. But not once is your brain thinking of two things at once. Period. Chat on the phone. turn left. accelerate to pass, bullshit on the phone. what's happening? I don't know, what's happening with you? Stop at a redlight. Avoid the kid on the bike. Observe the truck pulling out of the weigh station.

NOT ONCE IS YOUR BRAIN THINKING OF TWO THINGS AT ONCE. And that's the way it is.

[MercutioATC]

13. Actually, it is...

I'm answering land lines (from a dozen or so different facilities), giving clearances over the frequency, sorting through flight strips, and placing my lunch order amidst a sea of dozens of voices...of which I'm trained to pick out only those which apply to my sector.

That's a slow day.

Add in dealing with weather deviations, bitching at Flow Control for not giving me timely weather reroutes and the little Cessna pilot who needs an IFR flight plan (that I have to enter into the computer) and you're working an an average shift.

At my sector I have 7 monitors, two keyboards, two keypads and two trackballs that I operate simultaneously.

...my brain IS occasionally "thinking of two things at once".

[BOSSHOG]

14. I love ya shipmate

but brains cannot think of two things at once. Multitasking is not thinking of two things at once. Its the way we are made. You do an incredible job that I don't want anything to do with but you never think of two things at once. Go ahead. Prove it to yourself.

Your post is an awesome description of your days work but each task is dealt with one at a time by your brain. You shift from thought to thought, to task to task but never two or more at the same time.

Thanks for your job as an ATC, as a time to time flyer I certainly appreciate your efforts on my behalf.

[MercutioATC]

16. Thanks, and I didn't mean to jump in your face about this.

Whether the brain thinks of more than one thing at a time or it just transitions really quickly from one thing to another, I think that it IS possible to carry on a conversation while driving. I do much more demanding work on a daily basis (and I haven't killed anybody yet).

I completely agree with making it a secondary offense. If you're pulled over for something else, they can also cite you for cellphone use while driving.

Otherwise, I feel there are already laws that cover bad driving. If you're weaving or blowing through red lights, there are existing traffic laws that deal with that. I just don't feel that carrying on a conversation while driving should be illegal.

[KTM]

28. Ahem

I know a woman who types TWO documents into TWO computers at the SAME time, using one hand on each keyboard. Don't tell me there is no multitasking.

[Skittles]

37. I've known plenty of people who say that

believe me, they don't

[BOSSHOG]

4. Roger that Hypno Toad

One cannot multitask (driving and chatting on a cell phone at the same time without something bad happening). If you must "multitask" get off the road and do your taskings. The human brain cannot think of two things at once (driving and talking on the phone) with a great deal of success. Multitasking does not occur in a moving vehicle while the driver is chatting on the phone. The chances of death, destruction and despair increase. Thank you very much. And chatting on the phone while driving is nothing more than a selfish act; so hang the fuck up and help me make my next birthday.

[VelmaD]

6. So what exactly is the difference between...

talking on the phone if you're using a headset...and talking to another passenger in the car? Are you gonna pass a law that the person driving can't talk to anyone?

[alarcojon]

10. Another passenger in the car is generally also

watching the road while you speak.

[MercutioATC]

20. So we can't talk to blind people in the car?

THEY'RE certainly not watching the road.

See how silly it is? ANYTHING except actual driving is a "distraction"...eating french fries, drinking a Coke, listening to the radio...

What we should be dealing with is bad drivers, not people who can talk and drive at the same time.

[alarcojon]

21. Do you support drunk driving laws?

I'm sure there are people out there who can drive fine while legally intoxicated. So why have those laws? After all, if they are driving drunk and actually pose a menace, then we can catch them running red lights, weaving, or otherwise driving recklessly.

I grant that this is a problematic comparison, but pretty much everyone agrees that drunk driving increases your risks of harming yourself and/or others behind the wheel. The evidence is rapidly accumulating that cell phone use while driving, even with hands-free units, may increase your risk of an injury requiring hospitalization (of yourself or someone else) four-fold.

A person using a mobile phone when driving is four times more likely to have a crash that will result in hospital attendance. Sex, age group, or availability of a hands-free device do not influence the increased likelihood of a crash. In this study, we measured the seriousness of crashes by participants' injuries; almost all had at least one injury and almost half had two or more.

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/331/7514/428?ehom

I would be in favor of a moderate fine for this, together with a serious public service campaign to educate people about this very real risk. Not that I think such a law would be enforced very much, but it might get some people to think twice before using their cell phone while driving.

[Darth_Kitten]

40. Right. Anything except driving is a distraction.

No lighting cigarettes.

No arguing with the kiddies in the back.

Grandma, shut your yap while I'm driving.

No snacking on a bag of chips.

:)

[MercutioATC]

41. Yes, Ma'am!

:hi:

[Darth_Kitten]

44. LOL

Okay then. :)

[BOSSHOG]

11. I'm not suggesting any laws be passed

Driving requires responsibility. I don't need a homeowners association to make me a good neighbor. I am a good neighbor, not because of laws, but because I know how to be a good neighbor (mowed lawn, noise to a bare minimum, pay my bills). But when fucking idiots endanger my life because they want to know what their friend is doing and must find out via cellphone and when they fail to use turn signals because their ear is on a cell phone and when they fail to move when the light turns green and when they are totally fucking oblivious to life around them, its time to set the phone down. No laws are needed, just common sense. Now wasn't that easy.

[alarcojon]

8. I seem to recall a study

that concluded that cell phone users are four times more likely to get into an accident while driving, and the result held even for hands-free models. I can't find it right now, but I'm pretty sure I saw it on DU not too long ago.

[no name no slogan]

15. i saw one that concluded cell phone users were as bad as DUI drivers

the impairment level was remarkably similar. and judging by the number of assclowns i get stuck behind/next to/in front of who are busy yapping on their phones, i'd have to say it's true.

:grr:

[bliss_eternal]

23. A girl on a talk show lied and said her accident was because she

was drunk. She later recanted and admitted that she was actually reaching for a cell phone while driving. :grr:

Admittedly, some people are awesome multi-taskers, most are not. Most are the ones that you see swerving or creating hazards to other drivers, while they stop to dial on the phone, or my personal favorite--the guy driving, talking on the phone AND talking to another passenger...lovely.

[Darth_Kitten]

39. Bravo!!!

I'm tired of nearly being hit by idiots on cellphones. I won't die because Tina has to tell her dumb husband to pick up lettuce for dinner, or Tiffany needs to tell her boyfriend that she'll be at his house in 3 minutes, no wait 2 minutes 58 seconds, or Roger is closing some "deal".

Someone who hurts me, or mine, or some other innocent out there is going to see a tiny gal go absolutely bat-shite. :mad:

[DawgHouse]

7. Saw a lady eating a bowl of cereal the other day

while we sped along at 45 mph in heavy traffic. She was weaving all over and crowding my lane. That's how I noticed what she was doing. There are some real idiots out there.

[RC]

18. At least she was not reading the morning paper also.

Or was she?
I have observed drivers reading books propped up on the steering wheel.

[DawgHouse]

19. No, but after she finished her cereal

she whipped out a hair brush and proceeded to style her hair in the rear view mirror.

Yes, I've seen people reading the newspaper too. That's very dangerous.

[mykpart]

26. My niece used to put on her eye makeup while driving!

Sometimes I wonder how she survived. Many states have laws about driving while talking on the cell phone. But there should be an extra penalty if you have an accident while talking on the phone.

[billyskank]

31. "I was so shocked I nearly spilled my coffee..."

"...all over my emails" :D

[DawgHouse]

33. LOL!

How did you know ;)

[SOteric]

17. In a lot of places there is a law.

And while I certainly think being thrown into prison for 50 years is out of proportion to the crime, I'm not heartbroken to know that they'll pay hefty fines if caught.

[bliss_eternal]

22. I agree with you--are you ok?

Many times while driving in SoCal, I have wished for that very thing!

This area was one of the first parts of the country to have cells on the road--due to the entertainment industry. Years ago, when driving on the westside, if a car was waaaaay slow, swerving or practically stalled in the middle of the road, chances are it was someone on a cell. (In those days, the phones were HUGE, and very easy to see from another vehicle).

[enigmatic]

24. One on a cell phone almost got us a few weeks ago

turned right into our lane as we were going down the street; she was yakking away and didn't even see us. Our car was totalled, and we were pretty banged up. She was cited and has to pay our bills, thank bukowski.

I agree w/ you completely.

[txradioguy369]

25. Just make sure that if one of these cell phone morons

ever hits you that you find out what phone brand he uses and where he bought it from so you can sue both places as well as the crappy driver for your injuries and medical costs.

All it will take is one big payout to someone like that to make the government do something about all these folks that insist on talking on the phone while they're driving.

[billyskank]

27. In the UK now it is criminal to drive while talking on a mobile

Handsfree sets are allowed, but it is suggested that talking on one of those is just as distracting to the driver as using the phone without one. The only benefit is that you keep both hands free; although you Americans mostly drive automatic cars so even that isn't such an issue.

For some reason, talking to another occupant of the car is nowhere near as distracting as talking on a phone, although I don't know why.

Bottom line: you shouldn't make phone calls while driving. The two activities are incompatible.

[gollygee]

29. This was on Mythbusters

the TV show

The drivers were impaired even when using a hands-free cell phone.

I agree. It's dangerous and I've come very close to being hit by someone on the phone too.

[Elidor]

36. NPR mentioned recently

A study found that cell phone users - hands free and otherwise - are four times more likely to cause a serious accident.

If one of them hits me, he'd better hope he doesn't survive the accident, because he WILL be going to the hospital.

[KTM]

30. I disagree, but...

I dont like people who blab on their phones AND drive like idiots... you are correct MOST people can barely concentrate on driving.. I'd wager to say that most of the shitty drivers I've seen on cell phones are just as incompetent when NOT talking.

I ocassionally make calls on my cell in the car - never more than a minute though, I dont like to yap & drive. Ask anyone who I talk to while in the car - I'm terse, short, rude even. But I would not support a total ban.

But be realistic..

It should be illegal for women to do their makeup while driving. Makes me want to bumper-tap them just so they eat some lipstick. Tell me THEY are concentrating.. they arent even looking at the road.

[Niccolo_Macchiavelli]

32. such laws are allready in place where i live

you pay a handsum sum fine when you are caught. some 300$ or so (could be mistaken though.

i favor the law for the same reasons i support the ban of intoxication while driving

[bigwillq]

34. Umm, no there should not.

If so, then you would have to have laws for anything and everything else that people do in their cars while driving.

[Left Is Write]

35. Exactly. There are already laws against inattentive and aggressive

driving. There are laws against careless driving, reckless driving, speeding, and running traffic lights. Those should absolutely be enforced, and the asshole who ran the red light and jumped lanes should have the book thrown at him.

I have a feeling that guy would be a careless, asshole driver with or without his cell phone.

I do agree that talking on a cell phone while driving is a potentially dangerous distraction, and so are myriad other activities (searching for a CD, changing the DVD for the kids, putting on makeup, changing eyeglasses, reading a map, smoking, eating, etc).

[Darth_Kitten]

38. Well, people should be able to put others in danger....

I mean, they HAVE to be on the phone, everything they utter is of such life altering importance. :mad:

Why are there so many stupid, stupid people with cell phones. Personally, I hate the gadgets. :( They are so misused.

[Maestro]

42. What I don't understand is that people can not separate

themselves from their cell phones. I am an administrator at school and I continually will have a few teachers that will walk around the school with their cell phones connected to their hips talking on the phone in the hallways taking students to different areas of the school. Needless to say they get a talking to from me.

Then in public there are these people walking around with all sorts of headgear talking to the air. Yes, I know they are talking on the phone, but really, is it that necessary that they talk in public like this. It's look ridiculous. I gave up my cell phone years ago. My wife has one that she uses in cases of emergency and to call long-distance. My job will probably require me to get a new cell phone but I won't use it like some people do.

[kwassa]

43. Cell phone users are often oblivious to conditions around them

They settle into a lane, often the left lane, and just cruise, holding up traffic for miles behind them while they yack.

Basically, they stop checking their mirrors and observing the conditions around them. This is pure selfishness.

The most outrageously bad drivers that I have encountered in the past few years have always been on cellphones.

I saw one guy stop halfway through a turn in an very busy intersection. I thought his car had broken down! He was in such a heated conversation that he just stopped driving!

A women in a sports car in the middle lane of a three-lane side of a road was driving about 25 mph slower than the flow of traffic, causing people to swerve all over the place, causing many near accidents. She never even looked up from her conversation, or was aware of the danger she was causing.

I was almost hit walking through a parking lot by a woman pulling out of a space who was too busy talking on her phone while turning and backing to look. I yelled at her.