Driving and the cell phone.

[achris]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Little did I realize, when I posted this topic, how polarized people are on this subject.

The reason I started it was seeing a story on Oprah about it. They also had some people who said they texted and talked all the time on the phone while driving, and they had 'mastered the art'. Oprah had a driving specialist there and had them do some simple driving while talking or texting. At the end they were all ashen-faced at how badly they did. One of the tests was a simulation of a car/truck/bus stopping in front of them. They ALL 'ran into it'.... All of them crossed the centre line while trying to text, even the ones who 'didn't take their eyes off the road'. and 60% of them 'hit' simulated pedestrians.

Personally I used a hands free kit ONCE and found it far too distracting....

In Western Australia, it is illegal to use a cell phone in the car. One girl was even booked when she pick up the phone, she says to check the time.... That how hard they are on it here.

Chris.........

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Well I am old school,I just use mine for a phone I was at the lake and a 16 year old look at my phone and ask if I knew I could get the internet (didn't have a clue) but I will take a call but rarely call out while driving

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Only talk on the phone with hands free.

The same people that say that using their phone for texting allows them to still drive safely are the same people that say they drive just as fine drunk.

Just ask the 25 people that died in the Chatsworth Metrolink crash in CA where the conductor was texting at the time of the accident.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-ntsb-chatsworth-train-crash,0,7549837.story

here is a good video for 642MX to watch

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyl...l_change_minds_about_texting_and_driving.html

 

[achris]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

....here is a good video for 642MX to watch

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyl...l_change_minds_about_texting_and_driving.html

Bruce,

Thank you so much for linking that in here.... I saw a news article about it on TV (in Australia) when it was released in UK... But to see it again and when I could focus fully on it... it is truly scary and emotive.

On the downside I believe that the people who still do it (text/talk and drive) believe they are better drivers than the girl in the film, and THAT'S where the problem is. It's the old 'it won't happen to me' syndrome.

I also like the final paragraph of the accompanying newspaper story...

In the same article, the Times cited studies which stated that drivers talking on a cell phone are as likely to cause an accident as those with a .08 blood alcohol content. Hands free devices may not make much difference in accident risk because it is the act of talking on a cell phone, not holding it, that is distracting.

 

[achris]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

..Some of us who travel extensively for business can't afford to be unavailable for 3-4 hours a day while driving.....

What did you do before cell phones?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Only talk on the phone with hands free.

In reality, it's just as distracting as using a hand held phone. And you must dial both.

We have had a law in Wa State for a few years that makes talking on a "hand-held" technically illegal.....but it is secondary. That is, you must be "pulled-over" for something else first.... Then you can be cited if you are also talking on the phone.

Just last week the Wa leftistslature passed a bill that makes talking on a HH phone a primary offense. Now the cops can ticket you just for talking and driving.

Of course every time I see a cop driving, he/she is talking on a HH phone......I guess that won't change.

What did you do before cell phones?

Well, us "Hams" used VHF or UHF radios either in the car or hand-held radios... that hooked up with "Autopatch Repeaters". They could be connected to the phone lines automatically or other repeaters.

Now that everybody has cell phones, they're not so big a deal anymore ..........but they were pretty cool in the 70's!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

In reality, it's just as distracting as using a hand held phone.

I kinda agree with that. I typically only talk when on the freeway with no traffic.

And you must dial both.

I just use voice recognition to call.

Whenever I see a car weaving or driving really slow, its either an old person or someone talking on the cell phone with it held up to their ear. Have never seen this occur with a hands free.

http://www.drivinglaws.org/washington.php
Looks like using a hands free in Washington State is totally legal.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Getting tough on it here.
Now illegal, with instant fine and demerit points....no excuses, no arguments.
Also, in accidents they check all mobiles of drivers.
Been a few fatals attributed to talking or texting lately. Having a friend dispose of the phone doesn't work either....they get banged for tampering with evidence.
Talk of insurance companies treating accidents related to using phones same as Drink-driving ones....no insurance payouts.
Good I say.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

The same people that say that using their phone for texting allows them to still drive safely are the same people that say they drive just as fine drunk.

Thank you!

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

What did you do before cell phones?

Used pagers and pulled over to find a phone.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Used pagers and pulled over to find a phone.

Ah, pagers. The ultimate proof of subservience. They pay nothing to beep you, you pay to call them back for 20 minutes.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Mostly for business calls. I use the Blackberry visor clip bluetooth speaker phone. Great device and can be found online for around $45 ($75 list).

I also tend to read an incoming text and occasionally send one.

In NY the law is hands free only, but it's a joke cause everyone uses their cell without regard for the law. And everyone hand dials the number anyway which is the most dangerous part of making a call.

Like another poster has said already he used to think the person in front of them was drunk when they were driving like 45 mph in a 55 mph zone or all over the road. Sure enough when you pass them they are on the phone without a clue to what's going on around them.

I wish the law would be zero cell phone use in a cars with the motor running. The law should be if you get in an accident while on the cellphone you lose your insurance for a certain period.

I for one am well aware that when I talk on the cellphone while driving my driving is more by reflex and too much of my focus is on the call instead of the road.

Should be illegal to send or receive a text in an auto with the motor on too!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I think they should build some sort of cell signal blocker in every vehicle that blocks the signal if the car is in gear.
Everyone drives with a dang phone glued to their head or are texting on the freeways at 80mph.

I'm tired of having to avoid accidents from these idiots drifting into my lane while they text away.
I had a woman yesterday cross all 3 lanes without even looking to get off an exit.Phone was stuck to her head...

They passed laws against it but i still see everyone doing it.Even the cops!

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I agree and thanks for the concern. Not many folks can text without looking at the phone, but for me, its as easy as grabbing the shifter to upshift or downshift without looking at the shifter.

My phone allows me to send text messages with voice recognition. for example all I have to say is "text the wife, I am running late" and it will send her a tex message with that in it. It is actually pretty accurate too. I can also send emails this way, without ever touching my phone. The power of Iphones!

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Yeah, texting and driving is probably about the most dangerous thing you can possibly do. I do talk on the phone however, with my job I wouldn't get anything done or I'd never get anywhere. I use a bluetooth headset most of the time and if I need to take notes on something, I ask the caller to email me or text the info and I get to it later.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Should be illegal to send or receive a text in an auto with the motor on too!

You show me how blocking text messages is possible and I'll show you a guy who never receives any texts, ever! The cell phone companies do not allow blocking texts.. after all, they get to charge you for them, even the ones you didn't ask for (which is ALL of the them with me). I wish phone IM never existed.

 

[avimgod]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Where is the send / recieve e-mail option in this poll...

Or the Browse the internet / watch youtube options?

I can honestly say I have done several of the above while driving in the last week... but I'm not telling which ones!

 

[642mx]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

My phone allows me to send text messages with voice recognition. for example all I have to say is "text the wife, I am running late" and it will send her a tex message with that in it. It is actually pretty accurate too. I can also send emails this way, without ever touching my phone. The power of Iphones!

I'm waiting on Verizon to get them. From what I heard, AT&T's contract with the iphone is up and Verizon customers should be able to get them shortly... hopefully this rumor is true!

 

[642mx]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

That's assuming that you HAVE TO "communicate when you are cruising 40 MPH with the wind in your face"...

Heck yeah! I've got about a half dozen people we meet up with on the river and I'm an hours run to the local hot spots... I got to stay in contact to see where everyone is.

Sometimes I text, drive the boat and drink a beer all at once! Don't flame me for being talented!!

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I'm waiting on Verizon to get them. From what I heard, AT&T's contract with the iphone is up and Verizon customers should be able to get them shortly... hopefully this rumor is true!

Unfortunately this rumor is not true, At&t just renewed there contract with apple for another 4 years. Sorry, I switched from verizon for this reason.