Safety group: Ban cell phones while driving

http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1372463,w-cell-phone-driving-ban011109.article ^ | 01/11/09 | AO

[TornadoAlley3]

WASHINGTON — A national safety group is advocating a total ban on cell phone use while driving, saying the practice is clearly dangerous and leads to fatalities.

States should ban drivers from using hand-held and hands-free cell phones, and businesses should prohibit employees from using cell phones while driving on the job, the National Safety Council says in a new campaign.

[facedown]

(As a side note they always have to go - now).

It is an amazing phenomenon defying all modern medical wisdom.

[Big Giant Head]

Thanks for saying what I was gonna.

[mysterio]

I don’t support a nanny state. This is just another law designed to enable cops to pull over motorists to search for “drugs.”

[Sybeck1]

Just ban crashes. Millions talk on their cells daily and don’t crash.

[eyedigress]

And no pretty girls allowed out on the streets.

That nearly cost me dearly about 26 years ago. She was fine and the Tiger Paws held-up.

[stylin19a]

What a pant load. How is your personal freedom abridged ?
Driving is a privilege, conferred by the state...not a right. We're a nation of laws.
you don't like the law ? don't drive.

[stayathomemom]

I think some people, my husband for example, can not drive and talk about something important at the same time. He slows down, misses turns, etc. Driving competently takes more concentration than people realize. This us what should be stressed. My daughter was rear ended by a guy driving a huge Dodge pick up. She saw him checking his cell phone just before he hit her and rammed her Beetle into an old Chevy Caprice. (I think) Fortunately she was only bruised by her shoulder harness. She hates to drive now, or be driven for that matter. That said.... I would love for her to be able to call me for directions or help if she is driving through a dangerous area without feeling she has to pull over to the curb.

[TornadoAlley3]

I believe many companies do ban hand held, this group wants govt to ban hands free, their intent is to get it included in the highway bill as the feds did with the DUI limit. States do not go along, no money.

[Sacajaweau]

The biggest distraction is probably “thinking” of something in addition to driving.

[Rammer]

Given that so many people have endangered my life with this behavior, I’m fully in support of banning the use of cell phones while driving.

[yooper]

The latest PS ad I've heard from our esteemed federal government says that anyone under 4 foot 9 inches needs to be in a car seat. That would include several dozen kids in my 15 year old's freshman class.

Anyone doubt that there are employees in DC who need to be put to work on a road crew, where they can actually do useful work?

[DariusBane]

Your welcome. I know that I will never win the personal freedom argument in this country. My neihbors want more and more guarantees on their safety. Therefore more cops, more laws, less freedom. Here Free Republic (a very ironic name) their are lists and lists and lists of members who will agitate for guarantees on personal safety, and will take away my freedom at the point of a gun if necessary to secure the guarantees. It makes me weep.

[BookmanTheJanitor]

I really hate Safety Groups.....

I do to. I noticed the head of this group, Janet Froetscher, became the head of National Safety Council this year. Before that she was head of the United Way in Chicago. Prior work experience includes founding an executive search firm and sitting on a board at the Aspen Institute.

Which brings in the question...how the hell is the woman a safety expert???

[KevinDavis]

Good question..

[pointsal]

ban cars.... either walk or take the train....

[DariusBane]

Pant load?

The biggest pant load is the genius who figured out a way to circumvent due process by turning driving into a social contract. For me I choose Freedom and Responsibility. You want guaranties of safety. I don’t want guarantees of safety. You want to impose your will on others through a legislative and judicial process. I want to be left alone, and I am willing to leave you alone.

Pant load...?

You sound like a Statist Thug looking for his mommy to keep him from hurting himself.

It’s only a pant load to overly compliant slaves who don’t value being a free man. This is a necessary discussion, and I am quite aware that my neighbors don’t want what I am selling. I am quite aware that the majority in this country want to live in a highly controlled environment. Sad? Yes. Pant Load? Yes.

[DariusBane]

I would suggest that you drive defensively and actively avoid drivers who do that. Driving awake and aware will keep you far safer than enacting yet another law.

[Balding_Eagle]

What you said.

Generally, women are more willing to trade freedoms away for greater safety than men are.

[DariusBane]

Sir, with all due respect the men in this country don’t act like men anymore. They act like they have spent the last 60 years in government schools being taught compliance and safety in a highly controlled environment. Oh wait...

[SoCalPol]

You don’t get it.
My transportation is public trans & walking using my forearm crutches.

Car or no car, a red light means stop, not drive through it because you are on the phone.