Using your cell phone while driving

[frankykeno]

Today voters in Bowling Green here in Ohio are deciding on a ban of cell phone usage in vehicles unless you have a hands free set up installed.

I'm ambivalent about it. While I dislike more laws to restrict people I have had three incidents over just the last year where I was crossing at a light, with my 7 year old with me, and was almost run over by drivers gabbing on their cells phones. It does concern me especially with teenagers and them driving while constantly talking on the cell or texting even.

So what's your take on this issue?

[Drew87]

I live in AZ, and we have this law to a degree. You can use your phone but supposed to be wireless, cant text ext. But i see people all the time doing it. i totally agree with the law some people cant drive then you put a cell phone in the mix and it can end really bad. Just my thoughts

[Wh00h0069]

I honestly doubt that it will stop most people from talking on their cell phones anyway. IMO, some people are able to multitask better than others. I do agree that there are some accidents caused by people talking on their cell phones, but think of how many people talk on their cell phones and don’t get in accidents. I talk on my cell phone while driving, but I don't talk long. I will get my point across to whoever I am talking with, and then let them know that I will call them once I get to where I am going. I have never been in an accident, or even a close call, while talking on my cell phone.

[frankykeno]

Well in B.G. they are looking at a $150.00 fine for using your cell without a handsfree set up or texting while driving. Also it will be a primary driving offense type of ticket so they don't need another reason to pull you over to issue the fine. Considering that it looks like it only costs about $50.00 or less to buy the handsfree stuff, I don't know why more people wouldn't go for that option, even if a law doesn't make them. Whether you can multi-task well or not, using a cell phone does tie up one of your hands that you might need during an emergency road situation so why not go the safer route?

Maybe I'm just behind the times but I don't get why so many people are so addicted to constant cell phone/texting use anyways - especially when they should be attending to their driving. I have a cell for emergencies, very few people even have the number and quite honestly I like it that way.

[Clementine_3]

We've had (in NY) such a law for a long time now, first in line to pass such a law! There are a lot of counties now that are passing texting laws as well, I don't believe that is a state law (yet).
You can use your cell but it has to be hands-free, no big deal since most phones are bluetooth capable and it certainly is pretty cheap to pick up a headset. The fine is around $100, cheap headset is around $40 yet I am amazed at how many people still drive and hold their phone! I don't think the cops actually pull anyone over for it, just like they seem to ignore no seatbelts or kids not in their car seats.
I don't have a problem with the law, I just think it should be enforced. Based on the number of yakkers I see every day it would be a huge money maker for the state!

[greenex]

They have that in DC already, although I'm not too sure what the fines are. Its tricky, cuz some people are fine without the headset and some are 1000% worse drivers.

I have a feeling it will eventually become a law everywhere and car manufacturers will eventually have Bluetooth (or whatever the technology at that point is) built into the cars and they will automagically connect to your phone so you have no option but to drive hands free.

More laws do suck, but there has to be a happy medium between citizens' comfort/freedom and everyone else's safety. Gun laws are another good example.

[Jenn]

This really grinds my gears. Research has shown that cell phone use while driving causes more deaths in this country each year than drunk drivers. In fact, talking on the phone while driving has been proven to be more dangerous than being intoxicated while driving. Massachusetts tried to pass legislation banning cell phone use while driving and the bill failed. Seems law makers like to talk on the cell phone while driving too.

[frankykeno]

This really grinds my gears. Research has shown that cell phone use while driving causes more deaths in this country each year than drunk drivers. In fact, talking on the phone while driving has been proven to be more dangerous than being intoxicated while driving. Massachusetts tried to pass legislation banning cell phone use while driving and the bill failed. Seems law makers like to talk on the cell phone while driving too.

Well just my personal experience but I haven't been almost run down while legally crossing at a light with my child lately by any drunk drivers (well unless the cell phone gabbers were also drunk that is).

[joepythons]

Today voters in Bowling Green here in Ohio are deciding on a ban of cell phone usage in vehicles unless you have a hands free set up installed.

I'm ambivalent about it. While I dislike more laws to restrict people I have had three incidents over just the last year where I was crossing at a light, with my 7 year old with me, and was almost run over by drivers gabbing on their cells phones. It does concern me especially with teenagers and them driving while constantly talking on the cell or texting even.

So what's your take on this issue?

I will be happy when they pass this law everywhere.I am getting tired of being behind some idiot thats jabbering on his/her phone and to stupid to drive there car properly .I have almost been run over by them also when they try to turn into your lane without looking first .

[Jenn]

Well just my personal experience but I haven't been almost run down while legally crossing at a light with my child lately by any drunk drivers (well unless the cell phone gabbers were also drunk that is).

I know what you mean. How wrong is it when the public would actually be safer if cell phones were banned, and it was legal to drive drunk!!!