If you've ever lived in a state were cell usage was banned and enforced you'd understand.

No ban in TX and the problem is out of control here.

Ummmm, no.

+1

Seriously, do you people really enjoy having this crap forced down your throats?

I can spot a cell phone using driver from a mile away. They wander just like drunks, are usually driving 10-15 miles below the limit/flow of traffic, they sit at green lights, they make sudden lane changes sometimes multiple lanes without signaling, they tailgate, they slouch in their seats like they are at home on a couch, they are completely oblivious to anything going on around them.

Hardly anyone disputes that driving while using a cell phone is just as bad as driving drunk.

Do you think DUI laws are crap that is being forced down our throats?

You don't get to put me and my families lives at risk cause you are too self absorbed/important/indifferent to pull over and make your call.

If people don't want crap shoved down their throats then maybe they should use some common ****ing sense.

I think a lot of people can talk on the phone and drive (including me).

The problem started with smart phones. It takes two hands, you have to look at it to dial, plus all the app crap.

I have a phone that is a phone. I can dial with out even looking at it and with one hand. 3K+ min a month no problem.

Change the law to no smart phones or texting.

There are a lot of distracting things people do when they are driving besides talking on the phone that aren't illegal.

I remember doing some things, when I was younger and before I got married, that were really distracting.

You are generalizing here. Not all cell phone-using drivers behave like this. You have a brain, right? Then use it and stop being my nanny.

What if stomachmonkey is good looking?

Actually you need to back up a bit.

You may think you're the exception but these laws are driven by what is actually happening on the roads.

Sure they are... just like all laws really make sense, right?

So you think you drive the same while on the phone as off? OK, I'll play, you drive just as well while on the phone as off. That means that everyone else does as well?

In my opinion I drive just as well drunk as sober, so we should abolish DUI laws because I can handle it?

Ditto. In fact, I'm more careful when I drive after a few drinks, as I especially don't want to attract police attention then. I was hit on the highway while on my bike by a girl texting on her Blackberry. I have had many, many near misses caused by such idiots. They should be in jail. Luckily, they're usually easy to spot from far away....which should make it easier for the cops to arrest them.

IMHO The laws are designed to keep the roads as safe as possible.

How many people die on the roads every year? It's just crazy...
During the Vietnam war more people died on Australian roads than the Australian soldiers fighting in a frigin war zone.

And yet people argue that cops give tickets to people to raise revenue. It's just not true.

I have seen major car accidents first hand and believe me it's horrible.
When you see a beautiful girl of 21 mangled and dead in her car it changes you perspective forever. (and her cell phone was on the floor still connected to her mothers land line when I got there)

Without a doubt, I drive worse while talking on my cell phone. Sometimes, I drive under the speed limit by a few MPH, and sometimes I even wander out of my lane, and my tires make that BRRRRRPPPPPPP sound when they drive over the dots. OHHHHHH that's awful!!! I should be arrested and be put in jail, at least according to Rick! So when did a CCW toting guy like Rick decide it was OK for the govt to put me in jail when I wandered out of my lane while driving? Are you guys really that comfortable with other people controlling your lives to that extent? I mean, that's OK with you? Personally, I appreciate a little leeway, and a little faith that I have half a brain in my skull that allows me to survive another day. Yes, I know the vast majority of the unwashed masses have no brains in their skulls, because, yeah, they don't own a Porsche and aren't as smart as we are. I get it.

Originally Posted by BeyGon
Like Australia?



Isn't Australia one of those other countries we should be like?
More speed laws, more cameras, no phones/texting while driving stricter DUI laws.
Which European countries are more lax than the US on these?

Its the 80/20 rule. Nothing any of us can do about it. And laws are never going to have any effect on that 20%.

Well, when it comes to speed enforcement in the US, it IS about revenue. However, they could easily raise far more revenue by going after the real dangers on the road like texters, cars with ALL brake lights out, not using turn signals and other forms of driving while distracted, which are currently legal. I don't know why they don't do it. It'd be like shooting fish in a barrel and it'd make the roads a lot safer than busting the guy in the nice car who's going with the flow of traffic, but which is well over the posted speed limit. If they wanted people to drive slower, they wouldn't hide to run radar traps. They'd wear dayglo vests and stand on the side of the road with their lightbar flashing.

Maybe you should move to Sweden then.

Australia Yes Banned in all states - fines vary though.
Austria Yes Fines vary - up to US$22 per incident
Bahrain Yes Offenders face fines - possibly prison
Belgium Yes Phones can be used without a hands-free unit when the car is stationary - but not while in traffic (such as at traffic lights)
Brazil Yes Ban imposed Jan. 2001
Botswana Being debated The attorney general is drafting the legislation
Canada Variable Banned in Newfoundland (Dec2002) fines up to C$180 - Banned in Québec (Apr 2008) fines up to C$100.
Chile Yes
China Yes Reported to be covered by general "good driving practice" legislation.
Czech Republic Yes
Denmark Yes Ban imposed July 1998 - US$60 fine for infringements
Egypt Yes Fines of about US$100 per offence.
Finland Yes Ban imposed January 2003 - US$55 fine for infringements
France Yes Banned 2003, EUR40 fine per infraction
Germany Yes Ban imposed Feb. 2001 - usage allowed without a hands-free unit only when the engine is switched off. Fine of €40 per infraction
Greece Yes
Hong Kong Yes
Hungary Yes Not often implemented by the police
India - New Delhi Yes New Delhi - Ban extended to ban all use of cell phones when driving, including use with a hands-free unit - July 2001
Andhra Pradesh - Ban now enforced with prison sentences
Ireland Yes Banned, with a US$380 and/or up to 3 months imprisonment on a third offence. Handsfree kits allowed, although that is subject to review.
Isle of Man Yes Banned since July 2000
Israel Yes
Italy Yes Fines of up to US$124 per infraction
Japan Yes Ban imposed Nov. 1999
Jersey Yes Ban imposed Feb. 1998
Jordan Yes Ban imposed Oct. 2001
Kenya Yes Ban imposed late 2001
Malaysia Yes
Mexico Partial Ban in Mexico City
Netherlands Yes Fines up to €2,000 or two weeks in jail
New Zealand Being debated Under debate - consultation being sought from interested parties
Norway Yes Fines of over $600 per infraction
Pakistan Partial Banned in Islamabad
Philippines Yes
Poland Yes Fine of PLN200 ($100) - can be higher if contested.
Portugal Yes
Romania Yes
Russia Yes Ban imposed by Prime Minister - March 2001
Singapore Yes
Slovak Republic Yes
Slovenia Yes
South Africa Yes
South Korea Yes Ban imposed July 2001 - US$47 fine + 15 points on the license.
Spain Yes
Sweden No
Switzerland Yes
Taiwan Yes If the driver is using a reflective screen on the car, local privacy laws forbid stopping the car for violating the ban.
Thailand Yes Bill proposed in May 2000
Turkey Yes
Turkmenistan Yes Signed into law with effect from May 1st 2003, by President Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy
UK Yes Banned from December 2003
Zimbabwe Yes Ban imposed in Sept 2001, announced via official news agency only though, so not confirmed

Europe is all F&(&*(&ed up. Who said anything about Europe? Try central or south america.

Sorry Rick. I disagree... I have seen the carnage.