Thread: Cell phones and driving

From today's NY Times: "Long before cellphones were common, industry pioneers were aware of the risks of multitasking behind the wheel, but still marketed its product to drivers."

We know that cell phones, even when used "hands-free" are a distraction while driving. This begs the question: Shouldn't cell-phone use be outlawed while driving?

Here in New Zealand a ban's recently come into law on the use of cellphones while driving. However, this ban only covers the use of handheld cellphones while driving (i.e. use of a handsfree cellphone while driving is still ok), which is an extremely weak effort by our government. Psychological studies and experts have shown that distractor tasks such as holding a conversation on a mobile phone negatively affect one's reactions and accuracy in tasks such as driving, making you more likely to have an accident or near-miss.

Personally, I believe that cell-phone use while driving, hands-freee or otherwise, should be banned in the interests of the safety of roadusers everywhere.

Its banned in the UK as well. You get a £60 fine if you get caught.

I think it should be illegal to hold one but not to use a hands free. After all, talking to your passenger is like using a hands free!

Same here in the UK as in NZ. Hand helds have been banned for a few years now, but not the fixed hands free jobs.

Not that you'd notice by the number of drivers I see using their mobiles whilst driving, I've nearly been hit by a few at roundabouts and junctions. Nearly knocked the razor out of my hand and spilled the coffee I was holding between my knees...

OK, I'll get my coat!

Seriously, they are lethal when driving.

Gareth

Originally Posted by Stubear

I think it should be illegal to hold one but not to use a hands free. After all, talking to your passenger is like using a hands free!

IIRC tests done a couple of years ago demonstrated that there was a difference between mobile phone conversation and passenger conversation. Passenger conversation was usually far less distracting than the mobile phone. Hands-free kits don't reduce the distraction factor at all.

Having the telecon while holding the phone is illegal in my state and the states surrounding CT. I agree with Mosely. It is the conversation that is the problem and I disagree with Stubear, talking to a passenger in the same car is not even close to being as distracting.

First of all, cars are designed to be driven with one hand. We shift gears, fiddle with the radio and use the cup holders. Holding the telephone has little effect on one's ability to operate a car. Having a conversation with someone in the car is not a problem simply because that person is in the car. When something happens on the road in front, the passenger will typically stop talking or at least adjust the conversation somehow to allow for safety. Sometimes (I know I've done it myself) the passenger will exhibit physical reflex actions in recognition of a driving event that may appear hazardous. Who hasn't reached for the dashboard and/or slammed your right foot to the brake pedal we wish was at our feet as a passenger in some folks' cars? Meanwhile the person on the other end of the cellphone call will keep right on demanding the attention of the driver.

Originally Posted by MichaelP

IIRC tests done a couple of years ago demonstrated that there was a difference between mobile phone conversation and passenger conversation. Passenger conversation was usually far less distracting than the mobile phone. Hands-free kits don't reduce the distraction factor at all.

Well, in that case using any form of mobile device whilst driving should be outlawed. I revise my previous statement..!

Originally Posted by Galopede

Hand helds have been banned for a few years now, but not the fixed hands free jobs.

No doubt they will be soon. Receiving attention from your passenger in that way is definately a recipe for disaster.

No, I don't think cellphone use while driving should be specifically outlawed

Originally Posted by MichaelP

IIRC tests done a couple of years ago demonstrated that there was a difference between mobile phone conversation and passenger conversation. Passenger conversation was usually far less distracting than the mobile phone. Hands-free kits don't reduce the distraction factor at all.

Hm. I can assure you that talking to my wife in the car is as distracting as using the mobile phone hands-free.