To the editor:
The National Transportation Safety Board has adopted a recommendation for all states to ban motor vehicle drivers from engaging in electronic activity, even talking on a cellphone with a hands-free device. That made me reflect on what is the difference between banning a driver from talking on a cellphone using a hands-free device and talking with a passenger in the vehicle.
An NTSB spokesperson said their recommendation was motivated by the desire to save lives lost in fatality accidents where drivers are distracted by electronic activity. Safety is, of course, always the goal, and the loss of freedom is always, of course, the best solution. If banning a driver from talking on a cellphone using a hands-free device makes sense, then it makes sense for the same driver to be barred from talking to anyone in the vehicle.
Actually, I would favor making it illegal for a drivers to talk with themselves as well because conversations with yourself are also not protected by the First Amendment.
Comments
mustrun80 2 years, 4 months ago
Why the hell can't the cops just treat this stuff under the laws of reckless driving?
There's no law against using a labtop while driving, nor does their need to be one. If some idiot is doing that they get charged with reckless driving.
Having a cell phone connected to your audio system is hardly more dangerous than applying make up or eating - should we have laws against those specific forms of reckless driving too?
God I hope anyone who reads this answers no - I'm afraid many on here will not.
Flap Doodle 2 years, 4 months ago
I'm astounded how many people are offering their necks for the iron collar of tyranny. (may contain hyperbole) {from a source}
Richard Heckler 2 years, 4 months ago
Esso/Exxon ban the use of mobile phones by their drivers world- wide
http://www.driveandstayalive.com/articles%20and%20topics/crash%20causation/cell-phone-dangers.htm
I believe the City of Lawrence also prohibits cell phone use on the job....
Richard Heckler 2 years, 4 months ago
Countries that ban cell phones while driving/ States also
http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/
worthlessljworldposter 2 years, 4 months ago
Saw a bloke on the turnpike after dark passing me at 80+ mph with his dome light on and a book propped on his steering wheel! Books On Tape, mate.
Getaroom 2 years, 4 months ago
The mathematical consequences of having an accident while calculating the odds of having a potential accident are simply a matter of substituting the covalence of the square root of the hypothetical angle of the trimetered intersection, divided by the variance of principles of potential error. Margin of error = + or- 2 tents of 1%. Roughly equivalent to all the wealth of the 46 % of the world, if you figure in 1.4444444444444444 nano meters for the dog leg of an equilateral triangle.
Thusly class, having arrived at the final calculations of Accidental Economics:
Keep your mind on your drivin' and your hands on the wheel. Keep your filthy eyes on the road ahead, were havin' fun, sittin' in the back seat, huggin and a kissin' with Fred -- dudumdum....
Warning!!! Falling Text ahead!!
its_just_math 2 years, 4 months ago
Michael makes a good point. How many times have you been in deep thought or maybe a bit distraught about something and you miss your turn or do something bone-headed------if not even just forget to use your blinker?
Other than that, I've seen people:
...and I'm sure the list could go on.
Benjamin Roberts 2 years, 4 months ago
"If banning a driver from talking on a cellphone using a hands-free device makes sense, then it makes sense for the same driver to be barred from talking to anyone in the vehicle."
No, there is a difference. A passenger in the vehicle can respond to traffic conditions; the cell phone contact cannot. A passenger can quit talking as traffic increases; they may notice that the conversation has become a distraction to safe driving and cease talking.
However, just restricting use to hands-free devices would go a long ways towards improving safe driving.
grimpeur 2 years, 4 months ago
False. Cell phone use is more distracting, more frequently, and for longer durations than talking to a person. There's also the sharp consciousness of making sure people can see you using your cell phone while you're driving. Fashionable toys and senseless yakking that can certainly wait are not excuses for endangering your fellow road users.
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