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Data withheld on dangers of using cell phones while driving
WFAA.com ^ | 07/21/2009 | CYNTHIA VEGA

Posted on 07/21/2009 12:41:54 PM PDT by devane617

Driving and using cell phones - we all know the dangers.

But now, new evidence suggests it's not only dangerous, but deadly.

Federal officials have long had the evidence that shows drivers on the roads, who are talking on a cell phone, hands free or not, are running the risk of getting involved in a deadly accident.

Officials recommend talking on a cell phone while driving should only be done in an emergency.

However, this evidence never saw the light of day.

A long-term study the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggested to fully assess the threat was never done.

It was squelched instead; the reason - politics.

Agency officials say they didn't want to anger Congress at the time which reportedly feared offending two groups - a growing number of voters using cell phones behind the wheel and to a lesser extent, the cell phone industry.

Critics say it could be a problem as bad a drunk driving. Hundreds of pages of research remained under wraps for six years.

Critics say such action has cost Americans their lives and allowed a culture of multitasking behind the wheel to blossom, as cell phone use has doubled since then.

Not only that, critics say it could be a problem as bad a drunk driving and it has gone unchecked because of a government cover-up.

Today, due to the Freedom of Information Act, that information is becoming available.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: accidents; cellphone; cellphonedriving; cellphones; codeofsilence; coverup; dwi; impaireddriving; tx; vehicularhomicide
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FYI....
1 posted on 07/21/2009 12:41:54 PM PDT by devane617
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To: devane617
It was squelched instead; the reason - politics.

The Republicans and K street!!!

2 posted on 07/21/2009 12:45:27 PM PDT by org.whodat (Vote: Chuck De Vore in 2012.)
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To: devane617
Critics say it could be a problem as bad a drunk driving.

Quite possibly much larger. Even here in the boonies, I see far too many idiots with their cell phones in their ear disobeying laws, and displaying dangerous habits. It's a matter of time before one of them gets nailed or nails someone else.

3 posted on 07/21/2009 12:47:46 PM PDT by bcsco (I'm a Constitution defender!)
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To: org.whodat

how can you ‘withold data’ on something everyone with any common sense already knows?


4 posted on 07/21/2009 12:47:50 PM PDT by WOBBLY BOB (ACORN:American Corruption for Obama Right Now)
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To: devane617

Whenever I see an idiot on a cell phone behind me, I move over. Whenever I see an idiot on a cell phone in front of me, I expect a low speed, a lot of brake light flashings and a wreck waiting to happen, so I move over..

I guess the idiots who drive while talking on a cell phone are getting their way!?


5 posted on 07/21/2009 12:50:12 PM PDT by bareford101
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To: devane617

My neighbor got hit two days ago by a young high-school grad that ran a traffic light. When the officer ask the young girl if she ran the light, she replied, “What light?” They were standing a the street corner entering our neighborhood in front of the traffic light, and apparently the kid had never put down her phone.


6 posted on 07/21/2009 12:53:29 PM PDT by devane617 (Republicans first strategy should be taking over the MSM. Without it we are doomed.)
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To: devane617

Please tell me why we need the government to tell us that not paying attention while you are driving JUST MIGHT BE DANGEROUS!!! And withholding this incredibly OBVIOUS BIT OF HASH is THE WORST SIN EVER COMMITTED. Cause after all, who woudaa thunk it!!!


7 posted on 07/21/2009 12:55:04 PM PDT by Oldpuppymax (AGENDA OF THE LEFT EXPOSED)
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To: devane617

We had a teenager killed near here recently. She was texting while driving, ran off the road, rolled and died.


8 posted on 07/21/2009 12:56:31 PM PDT by bcsco (I'm a Constitution defender!)
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To: devane617

Heck, let’s have another law.

A national one, perhaps, banning talking on cell fones while driving.

Municipalities could use the cash, and we’re all safer for it. Best way, no jail, illegal, with a fine. That way, the future potential revenue stream is preserved.

What’s not to like.


9 posted on 07/21/2009 12:56:49 PM PDT by swarthyguy (MEAT, the new tobacco. Your right to eat meat ends where my planetary ecosystem begins.)
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To: devane617
Data?!? We don't need no stinking data! We all know there are some...no, alot of stupid people out there, but what do they think that even the stupidest can't get this. Cletus: "Hey Erline. I just heard the darndest thing down at the store. Them scientific fellers done studied folks using their sale phones. N they're a sayin' that its dangerous!" Erline: "Shoot! Them college boys ain't atellin' us nuthin! Even Scooter knows that, n he's bout as dum as that there stump." Our tax payers dollars at work. That was a shovel ready project.
10 posted on 07/21/2009 12:59:21 PM PDT by oneamericanvoice (Support freedom! Support the troops! Surrender is not an option!)
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To: devane617

The groups they don’t want to offend are the liberal chicks who have those damm things glued to their ears.


11 posted on 07/21/2009 1:03:55 PM PDT by HIDEK6
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To: bcsco

We have laws here in the state, no text, does not stop or stop the accidents.

We have laws here in the state, no drinking and driving but still people die from accidents every day.

No law can replace common-sense and maturity at the levels of life you are suppose to be at.


12 posted on 07/21/2009 1:06:08 PM PDT by edcoil (If I had 1 cent for every dollar the government saved, Bill Gates and I would be friends.)
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To: devane617

If it really is “sooooooo deadly” why is law enforcement, politicians, firefighters etc. “exempt” ??


13 posted on 07/21/2009 1:08:37 PM PDT by xcamel (The urge to save humanity is always a false front for the urge to rule it. - H. L. Mencken)
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To: devane617
Federal officials have long had the evidence that shows drivers on the roads, who are talking on a cell phone, hands free or not, are running the risk of getting involved in a deadly accident.

Both common sense and personal experience tell me that talking to a passenger while driving also decreases the driver's attention to the road and increases the risk of an accident. Should this be banned as well? How about eating or drinking coffee?
14 posted on 07/21/2009 1:09:44 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: AnotherUnixGeek

>>talking to a passenger

Women have a LOT of trust in men drivers, that’s why they begin serious conversations in cars.


15 posted on 07/21/2009 1:11:40 PM PDT by swarthyguy (MEAT, the new tobacco. Your right to eat meat ends where my planetary ecosystem begins.)
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To: WOBBLY BOB
how can you ‘withold data’ on something everyone with any common sense already knows?

Not just that, but that jewel comes out after **A long-term study** was done. Study done? I will do a study to see if the sun comes up in the east if they pay me enough.

16 posted on 07/21/2009 1:13:02 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Jimmy Carter - now the second worst POTUS ever. BHO has #1 spot in his sights.)
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To: devane617

I got stuck behind some jerk in the left lane in a 55mph zone and he was doing 40mph.

I finally find a hole in the right lane to pass him. As am passing him I see him holding his phone up in front of his face TEXTING!!

I paced him so I could watch him for a few more seconds then LAID ON THE HORN!!!.

His reaction was hilarious. Phone flying, finger flying, LOL! Yeah, I’m bad but it felt so damn good to finally get one in on these idiots.


17 posted on 07/21/2009 1:20:10 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici (ABC-AP-MSNBC-All Obama, All the time.)
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To: xcamel
Amen! I never cease to be aggravated when I see a police office in a marked car riding along with a cell phone shoved up against their ear with one hand and driving with the other. It would be much easier to convince the rest of us to obey the laws on speed and cell phone usage, etc. if the police would set a good example.
18 posted on 07/21/2009 1:26:59 PM PDT by jwparkerjr (Palin Must GO! to the white house)
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To: devane617

Why is this NOT a surprise?


19 posted on 07/21/2009 1:36:04 PM PDT by 2harddrive (S)
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To: devane617
Okay, everyone who can't walk and chew gum at the same time, please raise your hands.

Damn little napoleonic, tinpot, dictator wannabes! Always minding somebody else's business. But it's the way the typical fascist liberal mind works; their life sucks, and they want everyone else's life to suck just as bad. As soon as they get this law passed, they'll be on to their next big urgent busybody quest in life, one that no human being, going back to the dawn of time, ever saw a need for. Conservatives should keep that in mind before jumping on that train with these b***ards.

Hey, I can talk on a cell phone and drive. I can drink a Pepsi and drive. I can talk to passengers in my car and drive. And I can listen to my radio and drive. All safely. And you guys can, too. America's been doing it for almost a century, with not a peep out of anyone -- until the busybodies came along and began massaging the data and otherwise lying with statistics.

20 posted on 07/21/2009 1:37:44 PM PDT by LibWhacker (America awake!)
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