kelpdiver 2 #26 April 7, 2009 QuoteBeing a rider, I really hate it that people can't shut the fuck up long enough to drive their car. Are we so codependant that we can't be alone for even our daily commute? That being said I see your point. Question... If the data did show an increase in accidents, would you support banning cell phones while driving? It's not codepedency - it's spare time in a short day that could actually be used productively. Or merely to say that traffic on the bridge sucks/is great, I'll be home late/early. I biked 60k miles between 95 and 99 when cell use was still scant. There were still frequent close calls from sloppy driving. It's not worse now. You deal with the problem by punishing people who get in accidents, be it for incompetence, distraction, stupidity, whatever. We have plenty of code in CA already - mandating use of headlights in the rain (total failure) for example. Every new reg thrown in that is ignored and unenforced tends to further contempt for new ones. I don't see a problem with the unnecessary law saying don't text. Seems like a nobrainer, and falls under reckless driving. Similar is the ban on a TV in the front area. Duh. But funny enough, we still have a growing number of people with GPS units, which is a beautiful combination of TV and a texting device. Still legal too. Personally, I'm not convinced that using both a cell phone to dial and an awkward ear piece is an improvement on the hand held phone. I was able to talk, hold a super gulp, shift gears, and turn without problems. It's not that hard to put down the phone when needed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #27 April 7, 2009 QuoteQuoteCould it be that people just plain lie after they've had an accident? So they don't mention the fact that they were using their mobile phone at the time of the accident, but rather blame the other person involved,. for example. People can lie about why. But we're talking about the number of accidents, not the cause. Since cell phone use doesn't remove the other causes, if it is a new risk, it should result in more accidents. BTW, cell phone records would indicate usage. Quotethe average number of deaths in skydiving has been about the same but the reasons have changed. Same goes for accidents on the road. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #28 April 7, 2009 QuoteIt's not codepedency - it's spare time in a short day that could actually be used productively. Productively? Really? Sorry but I have to laugh at that because I can think of nothing more productive than actually paying attention to your driving not to mentions others' driving as well. Personally, I can drive while doing all those things as well but I am a far better driver when I'm focused on driving and only driving. EVERYONE is. So I keep my distractions to a minimum because I owe it to not only myself, but my passengers and other random people occupying the roads around me. That being said, you have convinced me legislation is not the answer.www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 333 #29 April 7, 2009 Quotethe ongoing problem with these studies conclusions is that they're not backed up by real data. If cell phone use was so distracted and dangerous, we should have seen a massive increase in accidents in the past decade. We have not. So if cell phone usage isn't increasing the accident rate, why did you say that you think this woman should go to jail? I have found that the hands-free law makes thinks worse -- the voice recognition for dialing doesn't work well enough through my Bluetooth connection, so I now have to actually look at/key the cell phone to make a call. Maybe a wired headset would work better? Once connected, the freedom to look over your shoulder without holding the phone is an improvement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #30 April 7, 2009 QuoteYou deal with the problem by punishing people who get in accidents . . . And hopefully punishing people for driving poorly, before they get in accidents. Give a hefty fine to the guy who is swerving all over the road while texting (or swerving all over the road for whatever reason) and maybe he'll change his behavior before causing an accident. But I agree that it makes more sense for the punishment to be about the reckless driving rather than about the texting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #31 April 8, 2009 Quote So if cell phone usage isn't increasing the accident rate, why did you say that you think this woman should go to jail? Reckless driving, leading to a death. You don't need a law against texting to convict someone for vehicular manslaughter. I don't think we have a law against reading a book to your kid either, but if you crash doing that, you should face multiple charges. Quote I have found that the hands-free law makes thinks worse -- the voice recognition for dialing doesn't work well enough through my Bluetooth connection, so I now have to actually look at/key the cell phone to make a call. Maybe a wired headset would work better? Once connected, the freedom to look over your shoulder without holding the phone is an improvement. Up until the touch screen units came along, phones were well designed for eyes free use. The BT stuff is too small to make ergo sense. I have to keep pressing down on my piece so I can hear well - doesn't seem better. Wired with a boom would probably be best by far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lurch 0 #32 April 8, 2009 I just checked out that link about "ban all phone use." Just to prove how incredibly fucking stupid banning cellphone use while driving would be, if they ever outlaw talking on the phone while driving I will buy a cheap phone, gut it, install the guts in a CB radio chassis, hook up an old-school CB mike to it, and talk on the phone while driving all I want, in a manner that has not been outlawed yet. I I want to get hyperliteral about complying with the letter of the law I'll build a repeater out of a phone and a CB and mount it in the trunk and talk to it through an unmodified CB radio transmitting the 5 feet to the box in back so that I am literally not talking on a phone at all, just on a CB whose intended recipient is a CB thats hooked to the phone network via standard phone hardware. Oh, no, hes evading the law, ban CB radios! Christ, people are stupid. -BLive and learn... or die, and teach by example. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
klingeme 1 #33 April 9, 2009 QuoteI see this ALL the time driving on the freeways even though it's illegal. I still see people with phones up to their ears as well. I don't understand it. Not to mention the cops you see with cell phones on their ears......not to mention the laptops they are typing on while driving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
klingeme 1 #34 April 9, 2009 QuoteQuoteIt's not codepedency - it's spare time in a short day that could actually be used productively. Productively? Really? Sorry but I have to laugh at that because I can think of nothing more productive than actually paying attention to your driving not to mentions others' driving as well. Personally, I can drive while doing all those things as well but I am a far better driver when I'm focused on driving and only driving. EVERYONE is. So I keep my distractions to a minimum because I owe it to not only myself, but my passengers and other random people occupying the roads around me. That being said, you have convinced me legislation is not the answer. So Radios should be banned too? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,453 #35 April 9, 2009 QuoteThat being said, you have convinced me legislation is not the answer.Nope. A cell phone jammer, preferably that I control, would be best. Or, kind of like the breathalyzer steering wheel, one that's installed in your car if you get a ticket for driving while cell phone impaired. Yes, it penalizes your passengers as well, but, ya know -- one's driving while impaired often penalizes others, right? Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #36 April 9, 2009 QuoteQuoteThat being said, you have convinced me legislation is not the answer.Nope. A cell phone jammer, preferably that I control, would be best. Or, kind of like the breathalyzer steering wheel, one that's installed in your car if you get a ticket for driving while cell phone impaired. Yes, it penalizes your passengers as well, but, ya know -- one's driving while impaired often penalizes others, right? Wendy W. Quotethe jammer would be an easy install on most modern cars. plugged into the body control module it could activate anytime the car is moving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtnesbitt 0 #37 April 9, 2009 QuoteNope. A cell phone jammer, preferably that I control, would be best. You can buy them online. However, let me ask you this: What is more dangerous; someone driving next to you talking on their cell phone...or someone driving next to you trying to figure out why their cell phone either dropped the call or isnt working?"If this post needs to be moderated I would prefer it to be completly removed and not edited and butchered into a disney movie" - DorkZone Hero Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #38 April 9, 2009 QuoteQuoteQuoteIt's not codepedency - it's spare time in a short day that could actually be used productively. Productively? Really? Sorry but I have to laugh at that because I can think of nothing more productive than actually paying attention to your driving not to mentions others' driving as well. Personally, I can drive while doing all those things as well but I am a far better driver when I'm focused on driving and only driving. EVERYONE is. So I keep my distractions to a minimum because I owe it to not only myself, but my passengers and other random people occupying the roads around me. That being said, you have convinced me legislation is not the answer. So Radios should be banned too? Where did I suggest banning anything? My problem is people don't take driving seriously. This is a personal responsibility thing to me. People just need to STFU and drive. Is that too much to ask?www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #39 April 9, 2009 QuoteQuoteThat being said, you have convinced me legislation is not the answer.Nope. A cell phone jammer, preferably that I control, would be best. Yes, because what we need are more assholes deciding what other people should be allowed to do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,453 #40 April 9, 2009 Ah, but you have to remember -- mother always knows best Wendy W. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuna-Salad 0 #41 April 10, 2009 Only 6 years? She should of been crucified for sheer stupidity alone...Millions of my potential children died on your daughters' face last night. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #42 April 12, 2009 QuoteIf cell phone use was so distracted and dangerous, we should have seen a massive increase in accidents in the past decade. 10 years ago: "That asshole just cut me off !!!" Today: "That asshole talking on his cellphone just cut me off !!!"Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #43 April 12, 2009 If they really wanted to take a big bite out of asshole driving, they'd ban pickup trucks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #44 April 12, 2009 QuoteIf they really wanted to take a big bite out of asshole driving, they'd ban pickup trucks. I drive a pickup. But I don't talk on cell phones. Does that make me half-assed?Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
