Posted on 12/14/2011 8:21:25 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
Texting on a cell phone and driving might be banned nationwide.
(CNN) -- The National Transportation Safety Board's big, bold stroke encouraging all states to prohibit drivers from using cell phones faces a long, tortuous process in the nation's statehouses, experts said Wednesday.
This political reality stands out: Since states began legislating distracted driving or cell phone use in 2000, none has gone so far as to impose a complete ban on mobile devices behind the wheel, and only one state -- Alaska -- has considered such a blanket prohibition, just this year, said Anne Teigen, senior policy specialist with National Conference of State Legislatures.
Barbara Harsha, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, said opponents don't like big government intrusions and savor their personal freedoms.
"This is a controversial issue so you can assume it's not going to pass right away," Harsha said. "It's going to take a long time for legislatures to pass laws, and a long time for states to begin to enforce the laws, and then a long time for behavior to start to change.
"The first seat-belt law was passed in the mid-'80s, and we're now at 84 percent of drivers who are buckled up nationwide," even though all states now have laws requiring drivers and passengers to wear seat belts, Harsha said.
"People like to be connected. They like to respond to e-mails and voice mail," Harsha said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
My worse problem while driving is sneezing. Not only do I have to reach for the Kleenex, but I sneeze so hard I actually close my eyes. And the worse of it is I spray my windshield down with snot!
Lucky I have never sneezed in an officer’s face while he was giving me a ticket. However, with all the years I have driven, I have never got a ticket or had an accident that was my fault. And AAAA . . . AAAAaaaa . . . AAAAACHOOOOOOOOO . . . that’s nothing to sneeze about!
“Anyway - somehow, the vast majority of us managed to do rather well throughout the 20th century without a damn phone glued to our faces 16 hours a day.”
Yep. That pretty much sums up my feelings. Had a female 911 disspatcher one day that she would die if she didn’t have her cellphone. Said she just didn’t know how she survivied before. I just walked off.
Zero Tolerance. Another fine idea brought to you by Progressive Democrats. Known the world over for being, well, Progressive Democrats.
We lost kids in my neighborhood trying to get too school before the tardy bell rang. So I guess we need laws to ban school bells so no kid will rush to school. One classmate of mine was killed on a motorcycle. Should we ban them? Cell talkers don't bother me especially adult drivers. People who drive with the foot on the brake annoy me and they cause wrecks. BTW how many officers have you dodged while driving? I'm curious because they are among the highest users of cell phones plus have a C.A.D. Computer in plain sight. I'd say GPS systems are more dangerous than cell phone talking as they require taking eyes off the road. What about ONSTAR? Do you have ONSTAR in your car?
Multitasking while driving is not that difficult. Truckers have done it for decades. The key too it is where you position things you use. Put things where you do not take your eyes off the road. Another biggie few people even thing about is equipping your vehicle with red inside lighting for night. Truckers have done this for years. You can see the inside of the vehicle and not affect your night vision in the least.
Most teenagers wreck due too several things. Driving way beyond their skills, SPEEDING, INEXPERIENCE, TAKING RECKLESS CHANCES, and distraction of friends. Their driving experiences and recognition of road dangers are not that of a seasoned driver.
I'm in my mid 50's. When I was in high school in the early 1970's win a rural area we averaged one traffic death per year per high school sometimes two. The same persons who say no cellphones would likely think nothing though of allowing their teenager behind the wheel of a vehicle with way too much power. I drove bigger cars like Fairlanes with small {289} V-8 engines or a six banger.
Kids are also getting slaughtered in today's vehicles simple because you can total them at a 20 MPH crash. This is due to federal mandated standards for mileage and emissions. Name me even one government agency addressing that one. More of my classmates would have died had they been driving the same type cars MANDATED today. Most of my classmates drove vehicles made in the early to late 60's. They were solid built.
My husband was in a head on collision in June, with a kid texting and turned in front of my husband at an intersection! The kid said my husband was speeding but witnesses told another story... The Kid was texting and was charged with 4 violations! My husband just finished therapy a week ago! Id hit him so hard the air bags deployed!
I drive daily on the local hwys and have to watch every step due to idiots on phones! It was the same when we lived in NJ. I am personally sick of it!
I have to use my phone in the car for work, and I use my ear piece and only talk a few seconds.
Just this afternoon and elderly man in a truck was on his phone in front of me merging on the hwy and he was bobbing all over the place doing about 25 mph. He almost caused a pile up, but we all swerved and lived!
So I am one for common sense here.. Stay off the damn phone while driving..
Kids are the worst too!
As you can tell this issue really pisses me off! I can't wait til January when the PD can give $500 tickets and then take licenses after the 2nd offense!
I think too own a gun you should have too take a mandatory weapons training course and register your weapon. You should not be able to carry it where it might possibly harm others. If someone is with you then you can not have your weapon. If kids are in your home you should not own a weapon either. You should be arrested if you do so. Guns should be built with mandatory built in trigger locks requiring several complex steps to fire including a key.
Please no one flame me. Of course I do not believe or support this. Nor do I support Nanny State Laws. Sometimes people think it's just peachy too take things away things from others because they themselves have no use for it.
I carry a cell because in case people haven't looked lately there are no public pay phones to be found. I carry it so I can leave the house and run errands and can be reached for medical reasons of several family members ASAP whereever I happen to be. It replaced a pager when pay phones disappeared.
As for addressing the issue of those who talk and can't drive? Hey I got a news flash for you they can't drive after they hang up the phone either. If you follow them you'll see them doodling down the interstate and a whopping 45-50 MPH. They will be the ones also even when not talking sitting on a green light for 5 seconds then slowly pulling out. They will also while trying to merge onto the interstate stay in the merge lane at 45 MPH till the very end despite any and all attempts you make too let them in. Then they decide too merge with you beside them. Again this is with or without cell phone.
A person who lacks the multitasking skills to drive and talk safely really should not be driving to start with. They have more danger issues than simply using a cell phone.
Neither can the government. If you think government gives even one shred of care about your well being you are mistaken. It is another step toward a Police State which is the end goal. Hey I have no issue with a cop pulling over a talker going all over the road. There is a great and effective law actually several to cover the offense. Reckless Driving and Failure to maintain control. Now do you not think if it was about safety alone that they would only use reckless driving to someone actually driving reckless?
It's the same thing as seatbelts. I loathe seatbelt laws. I think seatbelts are true life savers though. I do not support mandatory usage by an adult. I am also among a few who simply can not tolerate wearing a shoulder harness. I can't even wear a buttoned too the top two buttons shirt not a tee shirt.
My state has a two tickets policy and revocation follows upon second in your entire lifetime offense of not wearing a seat belt. So far I've been lucky I haven't gotten caught.
I think you’re on the right track. Automobiles are entirely too dangerous to be entrusted to mere humans, who have proven time and time again to be.....imperfect. We simply cannot expect people to employ common sense and take responsibility for their actions.
Take your observation regarding children for example. Studies have shown that even with a pacifier children can exhibit agitated and/or cranky behavior that can distract the driver. Now I’d hate to have a young child pounded up my azz for having caused an accident, therefore to only prudent thing to do is prohibit the transport of kids unless they are properly anesthetized.
Actually, when you consider all the accidents they cause, automobiles are too complicated for human use. I’d hate to have an F-350 pounded up my azz for having caused an accident, so we should outlaw them entirely.
It’s for the children, doncha know...
If anyone supports the free, unrestricted use of handhelds while driving then if they have an honest bone in their body, they should support repealing all the drunk driving laws.
It has been shown time and time again that handhelds are far, far more dangerous than a couple beers.
And you are MUCH more likely to have someone driving near you that has a handheld than has had a six pack.
If states can ignore immigration laws the why not Federal Laws on cell phone use?
Your first sentence raised the red light....dodging the rest of the post...you revealed your stupidy right from the get go.
Next Step, Fed bans:
Talking to passengers while driving;
Looking in rear-view mirror at infant in car seat (while driving);
Putting on makeup using rear-view mirror;
Shaving with electric shaver by driver;
Eating a sandwich while driving;
drinking coffee while driving;
eating ice cream while driving;
drinking anything while driving.
At work it use to be you'd see them on the phone the minute they were out the door....you'd watch people trip on the curbs not watching where they were going....now they have the phones in one hand while putting their coat on with the other...amazing addiction!
I actually had a customer yell at me when I told her I'd wait til she was done with her call. Funniest thing ever as she began yelling at the person on the phone that I wouldn't do business with her while she was on the phone...she could not get off her phone long enough to do the transaction!
Good Post.
I agree with you on the change in phone styles being a problem.
15 years ago if you had a car phone, it was an in place receiver usually mounted on the floor between the seats. Just a few large buttons on it. Ditto for those portable Nokia phones that were the main type from about 1998-2003. Big buttons. Only a phone.
The problem with the current smart phones is that they are impossible to use unless you look down at the screen. And when you look at the screen you usually see all your emails, text messages, etc which further distract you.
I’m completely fine with a cell ban. As you noted, if you are in sales (which I am), your employer simply picks up the cost of a voice unit for you to use.
Unlike all the nanny state stuff that prevents “one death out of millions” this cell stuff is meaningful with tens of millions of cars and trucks on the road 24/7
Sorry about your husband....I can imagine your frustration over this thread. They just do not want to see they might have to be unhinged while driving....and that’s really the issue.....the “air” time where they are disengaged. The dang phones are like a pacifier.
Uh No I didn't. I put in bold this part afterward.
Of course I do not believe or support this. Nor do I support Nanny State Laws. Sometimes people think it's just peachy too take things away things from others because they themselves have no use for it.
I just had to use guns to put it in terms you might possibly understand. We as a nation are well on the way to living in a police state as subjects no longer a free people. Each day either a lawmaker or a state or federal agency thinks they need yet another deeper intrusion and control over our lives. Sad too say some in FR cheer them on.
The solution to those who can not use a cell and drive safely is very simple. Cite them for reckless driving if they are not driving right. No new laws needed. BTW LEO's are very heavy users of both cell phones while driving and radios while driving.
You can bet they will be exempt just as they are driving patrol cars too work at 20 MPH over the posted speed limit. You may enjoy government micromanaging every aspect of your life others however do not.
BTW just curious ever see a Honda Accord hit a 78 Chevy K-5 Blazer before at about 15-20 MPH? The Honda will have to be towed off likely totaled & the Chevy can be driven and if hit in the rear will not even have a dent in the bumper. I know because my last accident many years ago before cell phones involved a Honda rear ending my Blazer when I stopped for a stale {meaning had been so for several seconds} red light and the Honda driver behind me didn't. Car designs are killing kids and adults. The government is distracting you and others from that fact with it's cell phone campaign.
Cell phone users have been found to be 5.36 times more likely to get in an accident than undistracted drivers.... Other studies have shown the risk is about the same as for drivers with a 0.08 blood-alcohol level.
OH and you completly blew off the lowered standards of vehicle manufacturing for government requirements which has brought more injuries and deaths in vehicles than cell phones ever will. You are saying that the same government that demands cars be built from coke cans is concerned about safety? It’s about REVENUE! More revenue tools. Get it?
Fail...but easy to understand why you would whine about it...hard for people to imagine being un-engaged ...wonder how many have their phones wired to their heads when they’re sleeping?
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