Cell Phone ban... Philisophical speaking???

[Squantodog]

Lately I have a read a few articles about a nation wide (usa) ban prohibiting phone talking and texting while driving. I know, this obviously has a long way to go before it is implimented, if it ever is!!!! However, I see many holes in this way of thinking. The big oversite and problem is...is the Omnia really just a phone or a multimedia device? The answer is the Omnia is a multifunctional device - it is a GPS receiver and a music player (like an ipod) and much more, that I can use in my car too. I don't see them banning the old day-planner books or reading news papers, or putting makeup on in the car (btw -not my cup of tea), or using an iPod, etc. So why try to put such restrictions on cell phones for talking and texting? Because if the restictions go in place as some would argue is safer, how does it get enforced for devices like the Omina? How does a police officer pull you over and KNOW you were not using it for something else like changing a tune, or checking the GPS location? Also how would an officer KNOW if your texting or changing a tune. And how would they know if it is a cell phone or a music player? My point is this: Let us have our freedom to do as we like reasonably, even if there are idiots on the road that can't muti-task. (they also probably don't own an omnia anyways).

Thoughts? Cheers? Jeers? Questions?

[bikeandestroyx]

Both are already in effect in california =\

[syrguy1969]

Already in effect (for years now) in New York, and it is worded as being on the phone, or (and this is the newer part) texting. As long as your on a hands-free device, or using the GPS (can't think of other useful apps to run while driving off-hand, but you get the idea) as you mentioned, your OK. Also, seeing as it is aimed at the driver only, I don't see it as an inconvenience at all, and a good ruling. I know a lot of people can mulit-task, but lets face it...when faced with a split-second decision, that extra time to take your hand away from the phone, or to look up from a text can be disastrous!!!

I don't care for texting to begin with, and with a hands-free device, it is like talking to another pasenger.....not bad in my book!!

[Dr.8820]

you can thank brooklyn hts.,ohio for all of this because they were 1st in the nation to have this ban.it makes sense to not drive and text,but how many people actually drive thru brooklyn hts.,ohio?

[02840]

Originally Posted by syrguy1969

<snip>

I don't care for texting to begin with, and with a hands-free device, it is like talking to another pasenger.....not bad in my book!!

I agree with you on this, but unfortunately the proposed new "ban" would eliminate all cell phone usage whether hand-held or hands-free.

States should ban drivers from using hand-held and hands-free cell phones, and businesses should prohibit employees from using cell phones while driving on the job, the congressionally chartered National Safety Council says, taking those positions for the first time.

And I still say more accidents are caused by people eating, drinking, and performing their personal grooming while driving then by cell phone use. Anything that distracts you while you're driving is bound to lead to unpleasant circumstances.

[syrguy1969]

I don't think a ban of using hands-free will ever happen, and even if it does....how in the world would they enforce it? BT devices are so small you can't see them in an ear (especially if the user has long hair), and there are always the BT devices that work as speaker phones...there is NO way of catching that one...unless they want to drive next to you for a while and watch you talk (but officer...I was singing along with the radio).

I think the auto industry would have something to say as well...with more + more cars being equipt with BT and on-star-type communication, it is a given there will be a way.

Now...if a company wants to ban their employees from talking on a cell phone while in a car, that is their perogative seeing as the employee is on company time, but again...there is no way in the world they can monitor it.

P.S. I agree with 02840 about anything distracting the driver is a bad thing, but again....even when it is seen, there is hardly any enforcing, I can't even remember the last time I have NOT seen a police officer on their cell phone while driving!!!

[wtherrell]

Originally Posted by ibmxx187

Both are already in effect in california =\

CA allows use of hands-free devices last time I checked. Don't know how you text hands free unless they have Dragon Naturally Speaking for cell phones. Come to think of it, it's about the same thing as Visual Voice Mail, isn't it?

[wtherrell]

Originally Posted by mr8820

you can thank brooklyn hts.,ohio for all of this because they were 1st in the nation to have this ban.it makes sense to not drive and text,but how many people actually drive thru brooklyn hts.,ohio?

Maybe we should have to pass a "I'm not Stupid" test in order to get a driver's license. Actually, most people on a cell phone conversation do Zone Out much more than they do with a casual conversation with a passenger. I see them sitting thru green lights, slowing to 50mph in a 65mph lane and such. Don't know about the "You kids better stop that! Don't make me have to come back there!" distraction, though.

[devinc]

I know of people killed because a driver was adjusting the radio dial. Another because a driver was bending over to pick up something that fell on the passanger seat.

You cannot legislate away stupidity or distractions. They are a part of life.

Devin

[syrguy1969]

Amen to that devinc....there will always be something to distract a driver. From a cell phone to another passenger in the car, from a radio to passing an event/situation you can't help but to look at, from reading what exit to take to billboards along the road.....we are human, and banning one thing won't all of a sudden change statistics overall.

Let's be honest here...how many of these statistics are even close to accurate? What driver will actually go on record (even anonamously(sp) ) saying they were at fault for an accident because they were on the phone, watching a girl jog down the road, or falling asleep?

I 100% agree with hands-free, but I really think that is as far as they will/should take it!! (either that or ban CD radios as well.....wouldn't that kinda inhibit the police, fire dept., ambulance, + truck drivers as well....oh...that's right there will always be exceptions to laws...what was I thinking LOL!!!