Let's discuss: NTSB recommends full ban on cell phone use while driving

august8080

I'm interested to hear other people's opinions. The NTSB has recommended a national ban on cell phone use by drivers. This would include any non-emergency calls and text messaging. It would not apply to passengers or to those with hands-free devices.

Here's a link to the article on CNN.

https://www.cnn.com/2011/12/13/us/ntsb-cell-phone-ban/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

rssnlvr

I think driving while using a GPS is often as distracting, if not more so, than talking on the phone.

And if it doesn't apply to hands-free devices, then the only problem is that you have one hand held to your ear? Are they going to mandate that all drivers must have two hands on the wheel at all times, regardless of phone usage? I bet the National Coalition of One-Armed People would be up in arm about that.

babymillie

This should have been put in place years ago. I'm all for it. People drive like complete a$$holes when they are on the phone and driving at the same time. Flame away.

userdeleted

rssnlvr:

I think driving while using a GPS is often as distracting, if not more so, than talking on the phone.

And if it doesn't apply to hands-free devices, then the only problem is that you have one hand held to your ear? Are they going to mandate that all drivers must have two hands on the wheel at all times, regardless of phone usage? I bet the National Coalition of One-Armed People would be up in arm about that.

*snort*

I can't say I'm opposed to this, although it has always seemed like basic common sense to me that texting while driving is extremely stupid. 

I'm surprised that they would say hands free devices are still fine though. From what I've read it's the distraction of simply being on a phone conversation (which is different than even talking to a person sitting next to you) that is the big danger. Seems kind of like a logic fail, I dunno.

AustinMimi

I'm for it. If it saves a life, it's worth it to me to have to pull over to make a call. How many times have we all seen someone driving like a fool and it turns out that they are on the phone? Or, even scarier, how many times have we read FB updates made while the person is driving? I'm all for decreasing distractions while operating a machine so capable of killing.

kellenickle

rssnlvr:

I bet the National Coalition of One-Armed People would be up in arm about that.

Awesome. 

Leigha12

I'm not entirely sure I'm opposed to a full ban. But I agree with pp that hands-free devices should not be exempt. Holding the phone up to your ear or in your hand isn't what the problem, it's the distraction of the phone call/text in general. I always found myself to be more distracted while using the blue tooth than using the actual phone.

fjaril

We aren't allowed to touch our phones out here. Hands-free is ok.

I assume is b/c you don't hold/touch the phone, people are less likely to drop them and then just reach for it to pick it up and have an accident for that.

 

joyco

I think sneezing while driving should be banned also.  I can't tell you how many times I've jerked the wheel violently while sneezing, setting myself up as prime accident-material. 

HSartteach

I agree with most of the ban...I'm on the fence about hands-free.  My biggest thing would be that police would have to be more diligent about catching people.  I see people on their cells in school zones all.the.time! and I never see anyone pulled over.

FusionLMT

I think the handsfree aspect would be fine, as it is limiting people's ability to text/read something on their phone, which is WAY more dangerous thank just about anything you can do in a car. Removing the ability to text legally would be amazing, as the only times I have been almost hit by someone was when they were obviously texting.

bluestreet

I enthusiastically support it, even though it will be really hard for me to break the habit. My understanding is that cell phone use significantly (in the statistical sense) increases accidents. 

Some might add this to the list of ways in which government is being overly meddlesome. But cell phone use doesn't just put the driver at risk, it puts others on the road at risk. State intervention is merited in this case because it protects the common good. 

Eating, make-up application, etc. are just as distracting and dangerous, but cell phone use while driving is a single wide-spread activity that can be easily regulated.