Hang up phone or be fined? (CA)

LA Daily News ^ | 26 AUG. 2006 | STEVE GEISSINGER,

[radar101]

Motorists would be banned from using handheld cell phones - a problem blamed for thousands of vehicle crashes and fatalities - under a bill expected to be approved by the Legislature next week. Modeled after a New York City law, Senate Bill 1613 would fine drivers using handheld cell phones $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses beginning Jan. 1, 2008.

It would not apply to drivers using hands-free models and would exempt motorists using handheld cell phones in emergencies. And the legislation would remain in effect only until July 1, 2011, unless renewed.

"Cell phones are the No. 1 cause of distracted-driving accidents in California," said Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, who authored the bill as well as five previous versions.

"Accidents by drivers using handheld phones outnumber those driving hands-free by a ratio of 25 to 1," he said. "The difference between hands-free and handheld is life and death."

If SB 1613 is approved during the last week of the legislative session, it would go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for consideration.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Darrel Ng said Friday that the Governor's Office "is actively working with the author on the bill."

In working on the bill for the past six years, Simitian has managed to eliminate most of the opposition to the measure. The exception is Sprint Nextel, which issued a statement saying the bill "fails to address the real public issue of inattentive driving."

[ThePythonicCow]

"Accidents by drivers using handheld phones outnumber those driving hands-free by a ratio of 25 to 1,"

I'll bet that the ration of drivers using handhelds to hands-free is also 25 to 1, or thereabouts.

If more people use handhelds, more accidents will happen while people are using handhelds.

I remain convince that it's the lack of mental concentration on one's surroundings while talking on the phone, not the lack of use of one hand, that is the culprit here.

[ThePythonicCow]

Just make sure that you don't eat in your car, drink in your car

I doubt that eating and drinking, or even talking with a passenger in the car, distracts as much as a conversation with someone not physically present.

When I am talking with someone on the phone, part of my mind that keeps unconscious track of my surroundings tends instead to be imagining the surroundings of the person I am talking with.

That's the same reason that it is more annoying to be in line at the shop with someone on a cell phone than it is with a couple of people talking to each other. The couple are still participating sub-verbally in their surroundings. The cell phone user is rudely not present mentally.

[mkjessup]

"Ask yourself how you would feel about your airline pilot on any commercial flight, talking away on a cellphone while transporting you from point A to point B at about 35,000 feet? You want him talking, or do you want him flying?" As a pilot I say your full of s**t!!!! We don't use cell phones but are talking on the radio constantly, if we refused we would lose our licences.

Easy my FRiend, you're engaging in an unnecessary case of premature exasperation.

I am WELL aware that pilots are frequently engaging in radio traffic for the duration of the flight, and I have only the highest respect for their (and your) professionalism.

However, I'm sure you will agree that ALL pilots confine their radio conversations to items related to the safe operation of the flight, am I not correct?

In other words, you're not talking to your Aunt Tilly about whether or not you should fire up the barbeque this weekend, or to a bookie about how many points you can get on a particular football game, my comment was meant to illustrate (and perhaps it did so too well) that the flying public would not tolerate pilots who engaged in the sort of conduct that I observe in the driving population each and every day.

You guys (pilots) are charged with operating equipment safely and transporting hundreds of thousands of people on a daily basis, and your jobs haven't gotten any easier, and yet you do those jobs damn near flawlessly every time you get behind the controls.

It is my contention that we "ground pilots" in our motor vehicles would do well to emulate your fine example.

[mkjessup]

"The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws."
- Tacitus, Roman Senator and Historian (A.D. c.56 - c. 115)

What calling plan did Tacitus have? ;)

[mkjessup]

Some folks just have an irrational hatred of those who use cell phones, and want to lump everyone; responsible or not, into one catagory.

I think not. I would suggest re-reading the post prior to your own (#37), which I consider authoritative on the subject.

[freedumb2003]

Leave it to Nanny Cops to discover a new way to Tax

When most people demonstrte they are incapable of being trusted with personal responsibility, society must take steps.

I am tired of idiots in SUVs who think their silly-ass little cell call is more important than my life. They drive erraticaly, drift into my lane and generally are as dangerous or more than DUI.

[freedumb2003]

That's fine. Just make sure that you don't eat in your car, drink in your car, argue with kids in a car, get to engrossed in a radio or CD in a car, etc... Some folks just have an irrational hatred of those who use cell phones, and want to lump everyone; responsible or not, into one catagory.

Different parts of the brain are used for all other activities. Cell phones and driving cause are unique and deadly combination.

[newzjunkey]

Driving is a gov't-granted privilege with major safety responsibilities. I have no problem with prohibiting cell phones. Just last week I watched a woman drive up a hill to a stop light with no hands on the steering wheel because she was holding the call in one hand and making speaking gestures with the other!

Over time I've also seen the applying makeup, reading newspapers, maps, novels, changing on clothes on Southern CA roads. At least some of that was in bumper-to-bumper freeway traffic, but not all.

[Publius6961]

I have mixed feeling about this. Now I won't be able to identify the reason crummy drivers are driving erratically.
My belief is that lousy drivers (or totally clueless ones) are the ones attracted to using cell phones while driving.

[Publius6961]

All forms of distracted driving should be prohibited. Why single out just one type?

Because there had been a sharp and clear increase in fatal and non-fatal accdents since DWY (driving while yakking) has become the latest recreation craze...

[newzjunkey]

Newsflash: You're in Iowa. This is about CA.

[ThinkDifferent]

It would not apply to drivers using hands-free models

Thus proving this is feel-good legislation that will accomplish nothing other than possibly revenue generation. Multiple studies have shown that it's not holding the phone that causes distraction, it's the conversation with another person who doesn't share your environment.

"Accidents by drivers using handheld phones outnumber those driving hands-free by a ratio of 25 to 1," he said.

I'd like to see a source for this. I wonder what the percentage of hands-free users is...about 4 percent I'd guess.

[Publius6961]

And I pay 100 percent of my attention to driving when I'm behind the wheel.

As do I. Be prepared to be accused of knowing that you are incompetent, thus being extra careful>
The delusional don't have a common-sense gene, and aren't really in a position to make judgements.

[dalereed]

Not totally true, we talk to other pilots and get airport, and other information that isn't redially available, current wind conditions, weather condition etc.

I've chit chatted with controlers that I know when transiting their area and even sometimes get special treatment as to routing.

Keep in mind that every instruction from a controler you write down and repeat back to them so the communication is a lot more complicated than a cell phone.

Also when in the airport service area you are not only constantly changing direction and altitude/ instruction, but communicating.

[ThinkDifferent]

When I am talking with someone on the phone, part of my mind that keeps unconscious track of my surroundings tends instead to be imagining the surroundings of the person I am talking with.

Exactly. Of course few people want to admit this, just like almost everyone thinks they're an above-average driver.

[Publius6961]

1. Was there a cell phone in the car?
2. Was the Cell phone in use?
(Better not lie on this one. Plaintiff's attorneys subpoena your phone records--which have a time-stamp)

Please tell me that there is a way to discover if a lie to question #1 makes question #2 irrelevant.
My gut feeling is that 99% of the idiots using cell phones and involved in an accident will attempt to lie about owning any cell phones.

I never worry because I always have a cell phone while driving, but it is always off unless there is an emergency to deal with (grass fire, drunk or tired truck drivers, accident, etc.).

[John Jorsett]

All forms of distracted driving should be prohibited. Why single out just one type?

California law already prohibits distracted driving.

[radar101]

My gut feeling is that 99% of the idiots using cell phones and involved in an accident will attempt to lie about owning any cell phones

No, right there, right after a crash, people are frank and truthful. They will say "Of course, I have a cell phone!" They usually deny using it at the time of the crash, but there are impartial records which can verify that.

[ladyinred]

Knew this was coming sooner or later.

[HereInTheHeartland]

"You're in Iowa."
Brillant logic... I guess that means I wouldn't have an opinion on cell phone usage?

Maybe you should get out a bit....

And by the way I lived in the Bay area for awhile, nice place but no thanks.....