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As long as people use hands-free devices, I don't see the difference between a cell phone call and talking to the passenger. Hell, I can fly a plane, talk on a radio, and talk to my student all at the same time
LaHood's quote later in the article made it seem like LaHood wanted to research hands-free usage and then decide whether there should be a ban, which is much more reasonable than implying he just wants to outright ban it.
"We found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit” of 0.08 percent, which is the minimum level that defines illegal drunken driving in most U.S. states, says study co-author Frank Drews, an assistant professor of psychology. “If legislators really want to address driver distraction, then they should consider outlawing cell phone use while driving.”
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The study reinforced earlier research by Strayer and Drews showing that hands-free cell phones are just as distracting as handheld cell phones because the conversation itself – not just manipulation of a handheld phone – distracts drivers from road conditions.
Driving while on the cell phone, even with a hands free device is just as bad as drinking and driving. Studies have been done. I've seen people run red lights and get into crashes just because they were on the cell phone..including those using hands free devices. Despite that many people think that they can multi-task and talk on the phone being one of them the evidence has shown otherwise. Even before you get on that phone you are already multi-tasking. Or should be if you're a good driver. A person can only multi-task so much.
University of Utah - Drivers on Cell Phones Are as Bad as Drunks
I support bans on cell phones while driving.
Driving while on the cell phone, even with a hands free device is just as bad as drinking and driving. Studies have been done. I've seen people run red lights and get into crashes just because they were on the cell phone..including those using hands free devices. Despite that many people think that they can multi-task and talk on the phone being one of them the evidence has shown otherwise. Even before you get on that phone you are already multi-tasking. Or should be if you're a good driver. A person can only multi-task so much.
University of Utah - Drivers on Cell Phones Are as Bad as Drunks
I support bans on cell phones while driving.
Motorists who talked on either handheld or hands-free cell phones drove slightly slower, were 9 percent slower to hit the brakes, displayed 24 percent more variation in following distance as their attention switched between driving and conversing, were 19 percent slower to resume normal speed after braking and were more likely to crash. Three study participants rear-ended the pace car. All were talking on cell phones. None were drunk.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he believes motorists are distracted by any use of mobile phones while driving, including hands-free calls, as his department begins research that may lead him to push for a ban. LaHood, whose campaign against texting and making calls while driving has led to restrictions in 30 states, says his concerns extend to vehicle information and entertainment systems such as Ford Motor Co.’s Sync and General Motors Co.’s OnStar.
IMO this is more big government trying to control more of our lives.
The police talk on radios all the time while driving, don't they?
The problem with this is that such a ban would be extremely difficult to enforce. How do you prove someone was on their cell phone while driving? You can always just put it on speakerphone and set it down somewhere that the cop can't see it.
The problem with this is that such a ban would be extremely difficult to enforce. How do you prove someone was on their cell phone while driving? You can always just put it on speakerphone and set it down somewhere that the cop can't see it.
I'm sorry, I don't have the article off hand, but I read a report about a study done a few months ago that showed in the provinces of Canada where cell phone use is banned while driving, there has not been a significant reduction in car accidents.
We've got a ban in place where I live. It's actually increased the number of accidents due to cell phone use, as now people hide the phones in their laps which makes texting especially dangerous.There should absolutely be a federal ban on texting while driving.
I've seen studies that prove that texting-while-driving laws have actually increased accidents-- because they motivate people to hold the phone below the dashboard, where police can't see it, and thus are taking their eyes off the road for even longer.
This is more abuse. I use a headset that is blue tooth. A ban on hand held and texting I agree with.
As a trucker that uses a headset bluetooth as well, I have little distraction while talking and driving, I also have SYNC in the new Fusion we bought. Very cool system.
j-mac
Yeah see, I don't buy this. My 6 yr old nephew doesn't know when it's "okay" to talk to me based on the traffic. Neither does anyone else, really. The only time people shut up is when I tell them to. LOL And my dog certainly doesn't as he bounds from window to window.The difference is that someone in your car sees and knows when it is and is not appropriate to be talking to the driver -- for example if heavy trafic is stopping and going a lot, might not be the best time to be talking to them... depending on how bad of a driver they are of course -- while someone on the phone does not see what the driver is seeing.
The police talk on radios all the time while driving, don't they?
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he believes motorists are distracted by any use of mobile phones while driving, including hands-free calls, as his department begins research that may lead him to push for a ban. LaHood, whose campaign against texting and making calls while driving has led to restrictions in 30 states, says his concerns extend to vehicle information and entertainment systems such as Ford Motor Co.’s Sync and General Motors Co.’s OnStar.
“I don’t want people talking on phones, having them up to their ear or texting while they’re driving,” LaHood said in an interview this week. “We need a lot better research on other distractions,” including Bluetooth-enabled hands-free calls and the in-car systems, he said. Even without a ban, which would have to be implemented by individual states, LaHood’s escalating campaign may limit the growth of vehicle features such as Sync, being added by automakers to attract younger buyers. His push also may reduce calls made from vehicles and the revenue of mobile-phone companies such as Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc.
I have OnStar and constantly take work calls from my car with far less distraction than kids, food or any other of the 100s of distractions drivers face every day.
IMO this is more big government trying to control more of our lives.
LaHood Weighs Urging Ban on All Driver Phone Use in Cars - Bloomberg
Cops, ambulance drivers and pilots are forced to use their radios or phones while driving. It's necessary. Course, they have a lot of training to go along with the extra risk. Still a risk, though.
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