Secretary of Transportation LaHood: We’re Looking Into Technology To Disable Cell Phones In Vehicles

[Purveyor]

By Jeff Winkler - The Daily Caller 10:49 AM 11/16/2010

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said using a cell phone while driving is so dangerous that devices may soon be installed in cars to forcibly stop drivers — and potentially anyone else in the vehicle — from using them.

“There’s a lot of technology out there now that can disable phones and we’re looking at that,” said LaHood on MSNBC. LaHood said the cellphone scramblers were one way, and also stressed the importance of “personal responsibility.”

The hosts of Morning Joe pushed the secretary about the possibility of requiring scrambling technology installed in vehicles.

“I think it will be done,” said LaHood. “I think the technology is there and I think you’re going to see the technology become adaptable in automobiles to disable these cell phones. We need to do a lot more if were going to save lives.”

LaHood’s appearance coincided with the transportation department’s launch of the “Faces of Distracted Driving,” an online campaign aimed at scaring drivers safe. The awareness initiative features videos of people who have been injured by distracted drivers.

MORE...

http://dailycaller.com/2010/11/16/secretary-of-transportation-lahood-were-looking-into-technology-to-disable-cell-phones-in-vehicles/print/

[Beetwasher]

1. Sorry, But That Would Be Stupid

Yes, they are dangerous to use while driving, but passengers should be able to use them and I should be able to use one in my car when I'm NOT driving.

[hlthe2b]

4. Agree. How anyone can justify denying emergency use....

to a driver of a disabled car or prevent them from dialing for help in the event of a carjacking or similar crime amazes me.

Disabling the technology is NOT the way.

[Vincardog]

2. Are we going to outlaw drivers from TALKING to passengers too? Are FEAR and intrusive regulation the

only way these people have of dealing?

Is my cell going to be disabled if I am in an accident and need to call for help?

[Vincardog]

3. dupe

[appleannie1]

5. If you break down or need help, that could be a foolish or even deadly move.

I don't talk while driving but have used them to report accidents and once to call a tow truck when my car broke down on an interstate.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

6. it just gets ridiculouser and ridiculouser all the time...

the nanny-state is rolling on...un-fucking-believable what this country has come to...

sP

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. WHAT?

OK, now, that's just too damn much.

How dare they?

Time to put the brakes on Mr. LaHood.

:grr:

[Little Star]

8. What are we all 3 year olds now?

[malaise]

9. He should merely disable texting in a moving vehicle

[HereSince1628]

10. What do I do if I'm kidnapped and thrown in the trunk like this guy?

Text Message Helps Save Kidnapped Man
Updated: Tuesday, 29 Dec 2009, 9:35 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 29 Dec 2009, 8:03 PM CST


SALLY MACDONALD
Reporter
A text message and a calm dispatcher helped Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office deputies locate a 28-year-old man who was kidnapped at gunpoint and forced inside the trunk of his car.

FOX 26 has obtained the 911 call that helped lead deputies to the victim and two teenage suspects.

The victim, who moved to the Houston area from Taiwan two years ago, asked not to be identified because he fears for his safety.

Around 7:50 p.m. on Christmas, the man was leaving his apartment in the 10500 block of Fountain Lake Drive in Stafford to go to a friend's house.

He says two men with a gun demanded money. The victim says he offered the suspects his wallet and his car, but they wanted him to withdraw more money.

The suspects, identified as Jeremy Baguero, 17, and his 16-year-old brother forced the victim into the trunk of his 2009 Toyota Corolla

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/weird/091229-text-message-abduction

[Initech]

11. So why can't the passengers be allowed to use them? That's just stupid.

[HereSince1628]

20. Because citizens cannot be trusted.

And it seems mama government is dead set on protecting us from the untrustworthy.

My guess is they want this because insurance companies want it.

[Edweird]

12. I think they should deal with cell phone use the same way some states deal with DUI:

If you are talking on a cell phone and get into any kind of accident you are automatically 100% at fault.

[htuttle]

13. Does he realize how many commercial fleets use cell phone data communication nowadays?

Of course he should realize this -- he's the Secretary of Transportation, right?

So how can he actually suggest something like this?

:wtf:

[spin]

22. Because he is a fool. We seem to have a lot of fools in government today ...

it must be something in the water.

[AspenRose]

14. That's disturbing.

[somone]

15. Stupid idea

[NightWatcher]

16. Can we get a pat down for somone, I think they're a terrorist sympathizer

better dead than, er a terrorist right?

[ladjf]

17. How far can our Gvt. go with this terrible "we want to err on the side

of caution"? What is the difference between hands off cell phone conversations and conversations with passengers?

[ladjf]

18. This is too stupid even for our stupid government. nt

[frylock]

19. brilliant fucking idea, einstein..

so, how about that cop in the run-away lexus? i guess he should've just pulled over to the side of the road to make his call, huh?

[damntexdem]

21. Hey, put the TSA on the case.

They'd probably come up with rocket-propelled grenades to do the job.

;-)