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.

[Zeppo]

While they're at it, they should ban the even more dangerous distractions that threaten the public safety such as police officers operating radar guns while driving, police officers listening to and responding to radio dispatchers while driving, police officers viewing or operating data terminals while driving, etc.

Watch 'em squeal when you propose those "safety" improvements...

And no, before anybody goes off half-cocked, the use of the word 'squeal' in the paragraph above does not suggest in any way, shape, or form that I am equating police officers with 'pigs'.

[razorback-bert]

Janet Froetscher was appointed chief operating officer of the Aspen Institute in August 2001. She had previously served as executive vice president for seminars and communications. Ms. Froetscher joined the Aspen Institute in October 1999 as senior vice president, revamping and greatly strengthening its leadership development programs. Moreover, she devised promising new approaches to the integration of these programs with the various policy programs of the Institute. On January 1, 2000, she was elected executive vice president and was given the additional responsibility of heading up internal and external communications. Since May 2000, she has also overseen the Institute’s strategic planning and implementation initiative. Her earlier experience includes six years in corporate finance and seven years as executive director of a subsidiary of the Commercial Club of Chicago and its Civic Committee. Among her many accomplishments there, she worked actively with the Mayor’s Chicago School Reform Board of Trustees when they first took control of the school system. In 1996, Ms. Froetscher was named by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of “Chicago’s Most Influential Women” and one of its “40 under 40” leaders. She holds a BA with highest distinction from the University of Virginia and an MBA, also with highest distinction, from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Ms. Froetscher currently serves as a member of the School Board in Glencoe, IL, where she resides with her husband and two children.

[Churchillspirit]

Driving while talking on a hand helded cellphone is already against the law here in CA.

[deport]

Texas will have legislation proposed in the upcoming session that if enacted could be the strictest ban in the nation or so it’s claimed...

snip

http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/010709kvue_cell-phone-ban-cb.144ff39.html
AUSTIN, Texas—Some Texas lawmakers are trying to ban drivers from talking on their cell phones while on the road – even if they’re using a hands-free device.

If the lawmakers get their way, it would be the strictest cell phone ban in the nation.

They are expected to introduce bills for the ban when the legislative session begins next week.
end snip

[DariusBane]

A red light does mean stop. The responsibility portion of the equation is that everybody is responsible for their actions. That means protecting you walking through intersections. Being hammered civilly, judicially for hurting somebody else. You also have a responsibility to protect yourself as best you can. That is reality in life. Don’t expect somebody else to do it for you. You will be disappointed. Don’t expect me to support additional laws. The laws are already in place to protect you. The laws on the books today will not protect you. New laws will not protect you. God may, and you can protect yourself as best you can.

[AntiKev]

I was sure, but now you have me doubting myself. I’ve searched the most recent incarnation of the Highway Traffic Act and there’s nothing. And I also can’t find any listed amendments on the provincial government website.

[goldfinch]

I was stopped in traffic when a woman chatting on a cell phone rammed her car into mine. I spent several months in physical therapy and still have some problems caused by the ‘accident’. I favor banning talking on cell phones while driving.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

No eating or drinking while driving.

I never drink and drive. I always pull over and finish my beer.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Hmmm. I've almost been hit by drivers going through red lights while NOT talking on cell phones. Maybe we should ban driving.

[JudyinCanada]

Well, I thought I was sure but now I am doubting as well. I have looked here and there and can’t see any date mentioned either. If time permits, I will check it out tomorrow at work. If I am wrong (and it’s been known to happen) then I retract my comment about people not obeying.

[SoCalPol]

Laws are different here in the big city.
There have been several people killed at my corner over the years because out of staters who don’t understand
they are in a large state, a large city don’t have a clue.

[SkyDancer]

My insurance company State Farm says just about the same amount of traffic accidents happen with cell phones as with drunk driving. I can't recount how many times I was almost hit with some idiot talking on a cell phone.

Listening to talk radio is not the same as trying to concentrate on talking to someone on a phone while driving.

[DariusBane]

Well how does adding another law protect you from an already illegal act?

[DariusBane]

Great, lets just elect State Farm as titular head of government. That way scientific actuarial standards can take the place of actual human actions. So cause your insurance company says... That is reason enough to agitate for another law to be enforced at the point of a gun... Great.

[DariusBane]

So paul51. Cause you are annoyed you want to agitate for a new law. This law will be enforced by people who have guns. You want your will to translate ultimately into deadly force. Cause you are annoyed. That is the most infantile, self absorbed and selfish thing I can think of. I on the other hand want to be left alone. I want to leave you alone. I don’t want to force my will on my neighbors with the threat of deadly force.

[Myrddin]

I work from home. No commute. That leaves a gasoline budget for "fun" things...or not. My "fun" vehicles get from 42 to 73 MPG.

[SkyDancer]

All I was saying is what was written in the newsletter I get from State Farm. OK?

All they were doing was comparing DD accidents with cell phone use and accidents.

There will never be a law that would prevent idiots from either killing themselves or others.

[DariusBane]

There will never be a law that would prevent idiots from either killing themselves or others.

Thank You SkyDancer, that’s the smartest thing I have seen anyone say on this thread thus far. Everybody wants a new law, to address an irritation, to be enforced at the point of a gun, by a paid government employee.

[cva66snipe]

I think we should ban straight shift cars. Anything that takes even one hand off the wheel and requires multi-tasking while driving should be outlawed /sarcasm. Any bets the NCS has heavy Big Insurance Company backing or is under their direct control as far as membership goes?

[SoCalPol]

Cell phones are in use in cars in mass ijust in recent years, thus new laws.

Just as more and more elderly live longer and drive there has to be oversite on their continued driving.

San Diego’s population exceeds that of your state.
Plus we have millions of tourists a yr., commuters, etc.
You don’t function here the way others do in the boondocks
or it would be chaous.