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Experts: States will continue to put brakes on cell phone bans
CNN ^ | Wed December 14, 2011 | Michael Martinez and Zohreen Adamjee

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 ...


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To: caww
I have a phone for medical reasons otherwise I wouldn't need one. I'm a careful driver and I have too be. I am sensory imparied. Single eye vision, half deaf now, and a few other sensory issues. My last wreck was in 1994 and I was rear ended at a dead stop at a red light. I have been charged in only one wreck in my life and that was due to brake failure. I'm now 54 and I started driving at 16. I was also a truck driver at one time. By that I mean 18 wheeler. I likely drive more alert and safer than you even on the cell with my headset {headset because I can't use bluetooth with hearing aids}. I have a defensive driving pattern of obervation I follow closely in all driving conditions.

You just seem to have a hatred for phones in general period. Whats a matter you have no family or friends who ever want too talk too you? From your post I wonder.

61 posted on 12/15/2011 3:40:19 AM PST by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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To: caww

BTW what about the mandated lowered manufacturing standards which made vehicle accidents far more likely to involve serious injury and death? I think that is the reason for injury increases and fatalities.


62 posted on 12/15/2011 3:42:54 AM PST by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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To: cva66snipe
BTW what about the mandated lowered manufacturing standards which made vehicle accidents far more likely to involve serious injury and death? I think that is the reason for injury increases and fatalities.

Got any data to support your proposition that accidents today are "far more likely to involve serious injury and death", or are we just supposed to take your word for it?

63 posted on 12/15/2011 5:57:01 AM PST by Conscience of a Conservative
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To: MinorityRepublican

Texting and driving should be banned. Yeah, I’ll say it. Not sure how such a law could be enforced. That said, Siri might help...


64 posted on 12/15/2011 6:03:29 AM PST by Paradox (The rich SHOULD be paying more taxes, and they WOULD, if they could make more money.)
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To: djf
It has been shown time and time again that handhelds are far, far more dangerous than a couple beers.

Many of the so-called "drunk driving" laws go way too far and should be repealed.

There are some people who are incapable of any sort of multitasking while driving. They have trouble not just with cell phones, but with myriad other things they may be trying to do or think about. There are others who have no difficulty giving maximum 'priority' to driving-related tasks, and adjusting the amount of mental effort given to other tasks. I'd have no problem if cops with camera-mounted cars ticketed people who drive badly with cell phones, subject to the following standard: if the driver in the video were blurred out so one could just see the car in relation to its surroundings, would someone examining the video regard the driver's conduct as objectionable?

65 posted on 12/15/2011 6:12:57 AM PST by supercat (Renounce Covetousness.)
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To: supercat

For years, I drove 50 miles each way to work. But that was back in the days before cell phones were so ubiquitous.

From what I saw, I can say who seemed to me to be the MOST distracted drivers which probably amounts to the most dangerous ones making the most mistakes. Changing lanes without signalling, drifting in and out of their lanes, sudden stops, traveling in the wrong lane depending on the traffic conditions, you name it.

The NUMBER ONE most distracted drivers?

Mothers with kids in the car in a hurry to get to soccer practice or whatever...


66 posted on 12/15/2011 6:21:59 AM PST by djf (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2801220/posts)
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Comment #67 Removed by Moderator

To: The Antiyuppie

You are correct. Headphones should be banned. Actually, they should not allow radios in cars, especially those boom boxes. Those keep people from hearing emergency vehicles. I did not think of that one. Definately adding it to the list. Thanks.


68 posted on 12/15/2011 8:52:19 AM PST by gunsequalfreedom (Conservative is not a label of convenience. It is a guide to your actions.)
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To: The Antiyuppie

You are correct. Headphones should be banned. Actually, they should not allow radios in cars, especially those boom boxes. Those keep people from hearing emergency vehicles. I did not think of that one. Definately adding it to the list. Thanks.


69 posted on 12/15/2011 8:52:49 AM PST by gunsequalfreedom (Conservative is not a label of convenience. It is a guide to your actions.)
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To: rockrr

My best friends wife was decapitated by a teenage girl texting while driving and the devastation to the family was unspeakable.

I hav ezero sympathy for folks like you that think it is your “right” to unsafely operate a 4,000 lb. piece of equipment. Just as I do not have any sympathy for drunks driving those same 4,000 lb. cars, just like the one that killed my grandmother 40 yrs. ago.

I do not give a crap if they kill themselves and only themselves but when the do so to others is when it is an invasion of their rights.


70 posted on 12/15/2011 9:34:25 AM PST by biff (WAS)
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Comment #71 Removed by Moderator

To: biff
I hav ezero (sic) sympathy for folks like you that think it is your “right” to unsafely operate a 4,000 lb. piece of equipment

Blanket assumptions like yours make you look foolish FRiend. You automatically assume that I do not practice discretion regarding distracted driving and am indifferent to anyone except myself. You are wrong.

My objection to this proposed rule has to do with the inappropriateness of the federal government insinuating itself into a matter better left to individual states.

That's the correct conservative POV on this issue - not turgid emotion-based hand-wringing or juvenile threats.

72 posted on 12/15/2011 10:01:50 AM PST by rockrr ("I said that I was scared of you!" - pokie the pretend cowboy)
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Comment #73 Removed by Moderator

To: Los Angeles Conservative

Thanks. It is the sheer ignorance of these people that think their rights trump my rights. If their argument was tenable then we might as well get rid of speed limits, stop signs and lights, licensing of drivers and cars as well as all traffic laws. Hell, lets just get rid of all laws. How about legal murder, manslaughter, bribery, robbery, and burglary.


74 posted on 12/15/2011 10:56:37 AM PST by biff (WAS)
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To: Conscience of a Conservative
Got any data to support your proposition that accidents today are "far more likely to involve serious injury and death", or are we just supposed to take your word for it?

Who needs data when the evidence is obvious. Anyone who is 50 years old knows older cars took accidents better thus you chances on non injury were higher and chances for death were lower. In 1960's and early era cars most of them a man could stand on the hood. Today a kid sitting on a car hood leaves a dent.

75 posted on 12/15/2011 11:00:33 AM PST by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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To: cva66snipe; Conscience of a Conservative
Got any data to support your proposition that accidents today are "far more likely to involve serious injury and death", or are we just supposed to take your word for it?

Who needs data when the evidence is obvious. Anyone who is 50 years old knows older cars took accidents better thus you chances on non injury were higher and chances for death were lower. In 1960's and early era cars most of them a man could stand on the hood. Today a kid sitting on a car hood leaves a dent


2008's highway deaths were the lowest since 1961. The numbers for 2009 look like they're going to be the lowest since the early 1950s. You can see the data in this PDF from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
76 posted on 12/15/2011 11:07:26 AM PST by aruanan
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To: gunsequalfreedom
You are correct. Headphones should be banned. Actually, they should not allow radios in cars, especially those boom boxes. Those keep people from hearing emergency vehicles. I did not think of that one. Definately adding it to the list. Thanks.

Maybe you need your guns removed from you for the safety of all? I use headphones because I can not use Bluetooth. I can not use the Bluetooth due too wearing hearing aids. I have yet too miss hearing or seeing an ambulance or LEO with light bar and siren even with the radio on. Most headphones for phones are for One Ear.

How about this. Use proper driving methods including constantly scanning your surroundings front, back, and to the sides? Use your mirrors. Do you have Vote for Obama bumper sticker on your car? You should. He too thinks government should rule all aspects of our lives. I bet you love CFL bulbs in your home and think no one should have incandescents. LOL

77 posted on 12/15/2011 11:30:09 AM PST by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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To: aruanan

As a 5 year old in the back of a 55 Chevy I survived a high speed impact without serious injury even without a seatbelt that would have completely destroyed a car of today. In 1994 I drove my 78 Blazer off and the Honda Accord was totaled by a low speed rear end collission cause by the other driver. My Blazer had a very small nick in the bumper. What does that tell you? I really don’t trust government data on this matter nor should you.


78 posted on 12/15/2011 11:39:07 AM PST by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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Comment #79 Removed by Moderator

To: MinorityRepublican

I purchased this for my 2 teen drivers cell phones...it works extremely well and I have piece of mind. A small price to pay for such important things in my life....

http://phoneguard.com/default.aspx


80 posted on 12/15/2011 12:22:35 PM PST by oust the louse (Obama approval ratings are so low now, Kenyans are accusing him of being born in the United States.)
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