Should cell phone use while driving be banned?

[Par911]

The DC ban on cell phones really needs to hit VA, and MD. Its a mess in this area already without all the distractions.

[hytem]

I can see keeping a cell phone in the car when driving--but turned off. Should be used only when the car is stationary. It can be helpful, obviously, in emergencies.

I had a scary experience in my neighborhood recently: a few weeks ago, a neighbor had her cell phone stuck in her left ear, and took a left turn from a stop sign right across in front of me--she never looked to her left--never saw me. I was going 5 mph, so I just stopped and looked at her. I haven't seen her again, but when I do, she is going to get a lecture--she could have been broadsided and killed if I was going faster.

How can the politicians be so dumb about not banning cell phones while driving. It should be a federal law.

[VINMAN]

I have friends of mine that if they dont have their cell phone, its the end of the world. I dont get it. Guys are turning into a bunch of women with these things. Constantly having to call someone just to yap. I wanna know who they are talking to at 5:00 in the morning while they are driving??

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I still say the market for these things has been created largely by the perception that driving is a waste of time and impacts negatively one's productivity. Change that perception, eliminate the "need" people feel to yap on the phone all the time.

How 'bout this:

Let's have all the illegals become chauffeurs/drivers for all the self-important individuals that simply can't be out of reach at any time. This gets the unsafe behavior off the road, doesn't cost the businesses very much (since they don't have to pay these guys much) and it helps bring the illegals "out of the shadows" into a legitimized industry where they can pay taxes and all that. Problemo solved.

[StevoRocket]

M3 motorway UK truck driver hits another truck stopped - off the motorway, trouble is he's carrying gas cylinders - propane - crash- cylinders ejected all over the motorway - dies while talking to his boss.

One reason why its illegal without a hands free kit in UK. Not that the plonkers take any notice.

[David]

While I agree talking on a cell phone while driving is more dangerous than not, most folks can do it with relative safety. There are some that can't.

For those that can't, I think Gallager had the solution. Every driver carries a rubber suction dart gun with banner darts that read "*********". Anyone that's caught with 3 darts on their car gets pulled over and gets a ticket.

[StevoRocket]

Better idea is every driver is videoed and loses their licence for 2 years.

[StevoRocket]

Average cellphone conversation

Where are you
Im at work
Kevin has been dreadful at school
Thats not my problem since we divorced
We wouldnt be divorced if you had cared
I didnt care? You sh**ged your boss
Are you picking him up from school
I thought your mother was
Dont involve my mother in this
Anyway way its your turn
I'm in Ohio this week
F**k you - you always were an ***hole.
Yada yada yada....

So this is so important you want to sacrifice your safety?

[Rick V]

Originally posted by Par911
The DC ban on cell phones really needs to hit VA, and MD. Its a mess in this area already without all the distractions.

Lets not throw the entire state of VA in there. I live in the country and most of my driving is on secondary highways. Very few intersections, most people going the same way at the same speeds. When I am in traffic or in town I usually don't talk on the phone and when I do it is quick. The comment "I need gears" is my way of letting people know I need to go. What is wrong with people just realizing that there is no "one size fits all" answer to the question. In my neck of the woods the phone isn't a problem, in the larger metro areas I can see a problem.
Where do we draw the line to be fair to all?

[onlycafe]

it is another terrific probable cause to pull over and issue a revenue enhancement bill to the more foolish members of society.
kind of like seatbelt tickets, common sense would dictate correct behaviour in a more sensible world. the fact that a tax on foolishness is being reaped is not all that much of a surprise.
i would personally like to see throwing cigarette butts on the road as actionable . as well as extra loud boompa cars with ear shattering bass speakers. i guess that i would like to take literally the expression "quiet enjoyment" but that's just me being old and cranky

[StevoRocket]

The ideal cellphone conversation - if you really have to have one.

Hello - I'm driving - I'll call you later.

[StevoRocket]

[svandamme]

Originally posted by teenerted1
nothing bettter than 3am drunken phone calls to an ex-girlfriend, lost on a back road somewhere

so true.
that's the price she pays for moving on
and will keep paying till you moved on.

[fastpat]

We do not need further government intrusions into our lives, particularly one that is unenforceable under any circumstances.

That goes for helmet laws, seat belt laws, and any number of other nanny-state laws that we've been "blessed with" by various do-gooder groups.