Driving and Cell Phones/PDA's

[Purplehood]

I can't imagine how they would word the legislation.

I personally only buy cars that use hands free technology for phones, so it is not that much of an issue for me. But I do sit in front of my sons HS waiting for him and operate my I-Phone to watch YouTube, play games and text...all with the motor and AC idling. As I understand it, I am technically "operating" a Motor Vehicle at that time, but am most certainly not doing anything that endangers anyone else.

I object to driving an automobile while using a hand-held phone, but I don't object to doing it while sitting in park.

Come to think of it, this is an example of legislating another thing that probably doesn't deserve legislating, simply because it is observed to be an "unsafe" practice by some. Society has, does and will continue to find issues like this which those of us who are "safety-aware" and love big government use to create laws to protect ourselves from ourselves.

When I use a gun in an unsafe manner, I violate the law. However, simply using a gun does not mean that I violated the law.
When I drink and drive, I violate the law. When I am drinking at home, I am not necessarily violating the law.
...and on and on.

[G26ster]

I dislike drivers distracted by their cell phones immensely, but I also dislike targeting one form of driver distraction over others, and legislation against any form.

A 2002 Virginia State Police analysis of distraction related accident's showed:

"Rubbernecking was responsible for the largest number of accidents reported (16%) followed by driver fatigue (12%), looking at scenery or landmarks (10%), passenger or child distractions (9%), adjusting the radio, tape, or CD player (7%), and cell phone use (5%)."

I realize that was 8 years ago, but cell phone use was still massive in 2002. So after cell phone use is illegal, when will it become illegal to use radios tapes, CDs, GPSs, or have kids in the car? Will we adopt the FAA's "sterile cockpit" rule for drivers too?

[PRO]

To me, this is a dangerous subject. I could argue for both sides.

On one side, I think we have enough laws limiting our freedoms; however, driving is a privilege, not a right and not a freedom.

Is driving distracted a danger? If you’re reaching in the glove box, changing the station or talking on a cell and the distraction causes no injury or damage to another, then no. You’re only putting yourself at risk. If your distractions cause you to run over my mother in a cross walk. Then yes, you have abused your privilege and others are affected by your choice.

Are others affected by our choices? Many times they are. If I wish to fire my weapon on my own property where it is legal, that’s my choice. If one of my rounds leaves my property and hits another or something that belongs to another, then I’ve committed a crime.

I draw the line at personal freedoms when the acts of one interfere with the freedoms of another. Thus, IMO, if society cannot discipline themselves to not drive distracted then I have to lean toward limiting what is allowed while society is engaged in the privilege of driving.

[mr surveyor]

To me, this is a dangerous subject. I could argue for both sides.

On one side, I think we have enough laws limiting our freedoms; however, driving is a privilege, not a right and not a freedom.

Is driving distracted a danger? If you’re reaching in the glove box, changing the station or talking on a cell and the distraction causes no injury or damage to another, then no. You’re only putting yourself at risk. If your distractions cause you to run over my mother in a cross walk. Then yes, you have abused your privilege and others are affected by your choice.

Are others affected by our choices? Many times they are. If I wish to fire my weapon on my own property where it is legal, that’s my choice. If one of my rounds leaves my property and hits another or something that belongs to another, then I’ve committed a crime.

I draw the line at personal freedoms when the acts of one interfere with the freedoms of another. Thus, IMO, if society cannot discipline themselves to not drive distracted then I have to lean toward limiting what is allowed while society is engaged in the privilege of driving.

we have a winner!

[The Annoyed Man]

For the record, I'm not advocating legislation. I'm just saying that I would prefer that people didn't do it. I would also prefer they don't smoke around me either, but I'm not advocating for giving smokers tickets or throwing them in jail.

I would simply prefer that people be mature enough to realize when their actions adversely affect others, and be adult and courteous enough to modify their behavior accordingly. Obviously, the person who smokes around me and will not take measures to keep their smoke from blowing into my face hasn't a leg to stand on and object if I go over there and fart in their beer.

Similarly, the person around me on the roads who is texting while driving has no leg to stand on if I keep honking my horn loud and insistently at them until they put the phone down.

I actually wouldn't do any of those things because they are escalatory, although I might want to; but that is because I think I am a better person than the kind of person who doesn't control where their cigarette smoke goes, or who puts other drivers at risk with thoughtless behavior.

[ELB]

Just in time...


Texting And Driving May Not Lead To More Crashes

An article on an interview with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's top auto safety expert, and some of the IIHS findings.

Highlights:

... the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety laid out its case that new state bans on hand-held cellphone use and texting while behind the wheel hadn't led to a reduction in crashes,..."

"Is this [cell phones and texting] adding to their distractions, or is it merely substituting for other kind of distractions? If it's only the latter, it suggests we shouldn't see too big an increase in crashes, and indeed we haven't."

"We've also had GPS coming into cars and a lot of other technology, and we don't see an increase in crashes. We need to be a little humbled by this and reevaluate the way people are using this technology in cars. We need to remember that distracted driving didn't begin with cellphones."

"We've also had GPS coming into cars and a lot of other technology, and we don't see an increase in crashes. We need to be a little humbled by this and reevaluate the way people are using this technology in cars. We need to remember that distracted driving didn't begin with cellphones."

"The DOT is absolutely right that distracted driving is an issue, and we need to address it. Our problem is when we look at laws, they don't seem an effective strategy for addressing it."

GRTWT.

[The Annoyed Man]

I think I read that same article yesterday. That's why legislation is not called for. But, I'll bet that lots of accidents are probably caused by this kind of stuff in which the offending driver is the precipitator, but not involved in, the ensuing accident - picture the woman who is swerving in her lane while putting on makeup. Another car swerves to avoid her swerve, and his swerve triggers a reaction in a third driver whose maneuver results in an accident. The accident cause never gets traced back to the swerving woman and her makeup mirror.

[magillapd]

Texting and Driving is dangerous. I speak from experience. I have quit doing this when I ran a red light and almost hit someone. Very scary as I am normally a "safe" driver. As for talking on a phone, that's no where near as bad as texting.

[Cobra Medic]

There are many drunks who make it home safely too.

I'm not suggesting a law against driving while texting, although it's no less dangerous than speeding, but I am suggesting more aggresive enforcement against drivers who cause wrecks though negligence, especially wrecks where other parties are killed or seriously injured.

[Charles L. Cotton]

As noted, I'm opposed to any legislation on this issue. I think the current "anti-texting" TV ad campaign that involves parents talking about their kids killed in auto accidents while texting is a far better approach. As another member posted, traffic laws don't often change behavior, but when you change someone's mind, as with the above-referenced public safety commercials, people will change their own behavior.

Chas.

[C-dub]

I would like to see GPS and other pertinent information displayed up on the windshield like a HUD. And vehicles equipped with bluetooth would also display incoming caller information there.

[Oldgringo]

To me, this is a dangerous subject. I could argue for both sides.

On one side, I think we have enough laws limiting our freedoms; however, driving is a privilege, not a right and not a freedom.

Is driving distracted a danger? If you’re reaching in the glove box, changing the station or talking on a cell and the distraction causes no injury or damage to another, then no. You’re only putting yourself at risk. If your distractions cause you to run over my mother in a cross walk. Then yes, you have abused your privilege and others are affected by your choice.

Are others affected by our choices? Many times they are. If I wish to fire my weapon on my own property where it is legal, that’s my choice. If one of my rounds leaves my property and hits another or something that belongs to another, then I’ve committed a crime.

I draw the line at personal freedoms when the acts of one interfere with the freedoms of another. Thus, IMO, if society cannot discipline themselves to not drive distracted then I have to lean toward limiting what is allowed while society is engaged in the privilege of driving.

we have a winner!

...if society cannot discipline themselves to not drive distracted then I have to lean toward limiting what is allowed while society is engaged in the privilege of driving.

Actions have consequences and there must be accountability. Is anything or anybody so important that courteous safe driving practices and consideration for others should be overlooked for the pleasure of the one? I think not!

[pbwalker]

Yesterday, sorry to say it an irresponsible witch was doing her make up while commuting. I watched with amazement for like 10-15 mins and she did not stop with her make up thing. I am sure the make up will never make her beautiful nor attractive. I wished if I had a cam and had the chance to report her.

I see that quite a bit...I usually just get alongside of them and wail on the horn. The reactions I get are priceless...

[lonewolf]

I am not in favor or legislation. I am in favor of the "Three C's", as I call them:

1. Common courtesy
2. Common Sense
3. Consideration of others

For example, I am a smoker. I don't smoke in my own house. I smoke in the garage. When I am around others, I either refrain from smoking or make every attempt to stay downwind. I know that some smokers take extra breaks at work to smoke. I do not. I smoke during my authorized breaks and lunch in a designated smoking area.

On rare occasions I do talk on the phone while driving, as previously admitted. I do not text. Its my choice, my responsibility.

Now, to flip the coin over, what about youngsters that have only begun to master the art/technique of safe driving..... have they truly developed the situational awareness and skills necessary for them to operate a vehicle safely while being so focused on their little handheld toys? My children know that answering their phones/texting at the dinner table will lose them their phone. Same for answering while I am having a conversation with them. Its amazing how many of their little friends will call/text them repeatedly until they get an answer. The generation of immediate gratification. One of my children told me not long ago that I made little so-and so mad at them by not allowing them to answer. I've never even met little so-and-so.....

Emails are another source of aggravation at times. I once had a boss who expected an immediate response to every email he sent out. I'm trying to do my job and complete my work. If its that important, call me or come by my office. Or ask me to come see you. Or schedule a meeting with the people involved. Don't expect me to be sitting on my haunches waiting eagerly, staring at my screen, drooling every time your name pops up in my inbox......

Bottom line in my life is this: I may not check my personal email for a week. If its important, please feel free to call me, and if I don't answer, rest assured I will respond to your voicemail as soon as I have an opportunity to do so. Yes, leave a message. BEEEEEEEEEP!!

[cbunt1]

As noted, I'm opposed to any legislation on this issue. I think the current "anti-texting" TV ad campaign that involves parents talking about their kids killed in auto accidents while texting is a far better approach. As another member posted, traffic laws don't often change behavior, but when you change someone's mind, as with the above-referenced public safety commercials, people will change their own behavior.

Chas.

Well said, as always, Charles.

If we're intellectually honest (there's that term again), as many have pointed out already, we have to take a hard look at many factors--the cars we drive today by their very NATURE are distracting. Heck, mine talks to me, nags at me about oil changes, and while most of the knobs and switches on the dash LOOK cool--nothing's where it ought to be...and I just drive a basic pickup truck.

You can be "distracted" just trying to figure out whether your headlights or on or off in some cars...

My point being, that we should forget about 'distracted driving' (and a lot of other artificial crimes, IMHO, but that's a "whole 'nother subject")...and focus on RECKLESS driving.

I personally don't care if you're talking on the cell phone, texting, changing the radio station, eating a Big Mac, have just poured hot coffee in your lap, or have had (gasp!) too much to drink...if you're driving recklessly, and not in control of your vehicle and the space around it...THAT'S the issue--and THAT'S the part that should be punished...you punish behaviors, regardless of the root cause.

Of course, now we're talking about yet another "judgment call" for the LEO on the street. Not the best position to put them in, nor us for that matter.

So I suppose I'm back where I started with no answers...but maybe new light on the questions?