State bans teens driving while talking on cell phones

[FrayAdjacent911]

State bans teens driving while talking on cell phones.

Personally, I think it's a good idea. I'm pretty dang conservative, but when it comes to the laws of the road, I think that anything that risks MY safety due to other's behaviors can be legislated and banned.



Discuss.

[widebody911]

Yeah, but is the offense eligible for the death penalty?

[bryanthompson]

driving standards in general need to be bumped up a few notches.

Death penalty for talking while driving? nah... save that for drunk drivers.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Originally posted by widebody911
Yeah, but is the offense eligible for the death penalty?

Where'd that question come from? Who's talking about a death penalty anywhere?


I figure in this particular instance, a nice fine would be in order. For multiple infractions, suspension of the kid's driver's license would be in order.

It's true our standards of safety and diligence in regards to driving, as a nation, have declined. People don't view driving as an activity that can KILL you or someone else, and just nonchalantly use driving time to do things they shouldn't really be doing (talking on the phone, eating, putting on panythose/makeup, reading books/newspapers [yes, I've seen people driving with freaking NOVELS in their hands, trying to read!!]).

[bryanthompson]

fray, look up one post before mine. Thom mentioned it... i think he was joking, though.

Driving is serious, it's not a phonebooth, beauty parlor, restaurant, or library. Why can't people just drive??

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by widebody911
Yeah, but is the offense eligible for the death penalty?

Depends on who catches them first, their dad or a cop. And how much damage they do to the car. Cops tend to be too lenient.

[Teutonics]

Why just cell phones? And why just teens?

[88BlueTSiQuest]

Originally posted by Teutonics
Why just cell phones? And why just teens?

Ditto.....

I don't see teens as the only group driving around with a cell phone glued to their ears.....





Take it with a grain of salt, or not.

Mythbusters did a test of which was more dangerous, talking on the cell phone while driving, or being under the influence of alcohol and driving....

They actually got worse results with the cell phone.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

People in general observed driving with cell phones ought to have them crammed up their keisters - sideways.

The average idiot out there barely has the technical aptitude necessary to operate a doorknob, to say nothing of a 7,000-pound SUV they "need" to toodle around town in while prattling on about their yoga classes or whatever. . .

[FrayAdjacent911]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
People in general observed driving with cell phones ought to have them crammed up their keisters - sideways.

The average idiot out there barely has the technical aptitude necessary to operate a doorknob, to say nothing of a 7,000-pound SUV they "need" to toodle around town in while prattling on about their yoga classes or whatever. . .

amen

[M.D. Holloway]

They should ban teens from driving - make it 21. Let the punks take the bus or train.

[island911]

Originally posted by Teutonics
Why just cell phones? And why just teens?

That's right . .. no conversations, what-so-ever for the driver. Talking & listening is dangerous.

Seriously; we need to up the education level, not more laws.

[86 911]

Finally they do something about it!! But why just teens? Why not everyone. I mean, I'm tired of people (usually soccer moms in SUVs) crowding into my lane while talking on cell phones. If they want to talk, they should pull over to the side of the road.
-Lubemaster, why ban all teens from driving until 21? Why not just make the driving tests harder and longer? I mean it's so easy to get a license now. I understand your point, but why all teens?

[M.D. Holloway]

For several reasons. Harder tests would not reduce the number of teens getting on the road. Most teens are not dumb and if given a challenge would pass most any test with the proper incentives. The problem is that the teenage brain is really not completely developed to understand the ramifactions of actions. They have a minimal fear factor and act rather rash and impulsive. The stats suggest that many accidents that are fatal in nature are teenagers. Almost everynight there is another kid on the news that has died in a crash. Why? Teens have better reflexes and coordination than anyone else. They should be able to control the car right? Well, it has more to do with the things mentioned above.

The savings that could be had are large not only in carand health insurence but also fuel savings.

[Teutonics]

Originally posted by island911
Talking & listening is dangerous.

In itself, no... but when they are piloting a Cadillac Escalade EXT and blow right through red lights because they are catching up on some juicy gossip or arguing with their spouse on who is going to pick up junior from day care, yes it is. Some people (you may be an exception) are not very good at "multi-tasking". At least when the other party to the conversation is in the car, there is a second set of eyes, ears (and other body parts like a brain) in the car to hopefully keep the driver "in check".

"Piloting" is a key word here... as in being in control of the vehicle. Would you want a pilot gabbing on a cell phone about some trivial nonsense while he/she is landing the plane in which you are a passenger? Maybe an extreme example, but is there really a difference?

[widebody911]

Make it idiot-proof, and they'll make a better idiot.

Now that talking on the cell phone and driving is passe' - almost a god-given right nowadays - they have to come up with something more dangerous: yup, the big thing now is texting while driving. I've had a few close calls in traffic with idiots trying to type while driving.

I seriously want to hard-wire a jammer in my car.

[island911]

Originally posted by Teutonics
...
"Piloting" is a key word here... as in being in control of the vehicle. Would you want a pilot gabbing on a cell phone about some trivial nonsense while he/she is landing the plane in which you are a passenger? Maybe an extreme example, but is there really a difference?

So then; NO TALK at critical times, like on landing approach?



Yeah, we need to ban those headsets those pilots talk to the tower with. . ..damn dangerous pilots; communicating when they should be flying.

Seriously, drivers need better schooling. NOT MORE LAWS. Make the drivers test/training much more like a pilots.

Actually, just as there is a seperate license stamp for motorcyclists, there ought to be a separate stamp for city driving. (with com as a tested skill)

[artplumber]

Originally posted by Teutonics
Why just cell phones? And why just teens?

The implication from the article that I got is that it is easiest to restrict the people with the least power (they couldn't get a broader law passed). Just like all the have/have not issues - those that have make it harder for the havenots to get (look at Medicare issue). The teens probably can't even vote in the elections against those making the new rule.

Politicians just unable to halt cellphone use among those with voting capabilities.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by widebody911
I seriously want to hard-wire a jammer in my car.

Now you got me thinking. What would it take to jam cell phone communications? Of course, then the idiots would probably spend more time fiddling with the keypads on them, trying to figure out why it won't work. I think we are relatively safer when they are talking than when they are dialing.

[1967 R50/2]

States should ban ANYONE from talking on cellphones while driving.

...in fact just ban CELLPHONES. I am not kidding.

I am tired of people in the supermarket shouting in to an earbud microphone "What?...I can't Hear you....WHAT?.....No...WHAT?"

The one sided conversation makes them sound insane. It's completely rude to the people around you.

As a motorcyclist I am especially upset by people driving with cellphones. THEY NEVER do a head check before changing lanes.

THERE IS NO REASON YOU CAN'T WAIT UNTIL YOU STOP TO MAKE A CALL!!!

And for those people who say:" I need it to contact my office." Gee, well they've got you on a leash. Screw the office!!! Stop it and drive.

And for those of you who think a handsfree phone is better, you are wrong.

Studies have shown that it is the conversation that is the problem. And unlike a person who is in the car with you...who can see what is going on in and outside the car, a person on the other end of the cell phone does not know what the situation is. Therefore they don't know when to shut up, but continue to distract and demand attention. A passenger instinctively knows when they should stop demanding your attention. THAT is why cellphones and driving don't mix.