Using a cell phone while driving

[llfwjr]

I got on the freeway this morning and noticed a guy right behind me driving with one hand on the wheel and the other hand resting on the door to hold his cell phone up to his ear.

He was just behind me for about 10 miles -- I could see him constantly changing lanes, drifting back and forth in his lane, tailgating other drivers.

He was so into his phone call that he nearly missed his exit. About 100 yards from his exit, he was sitting in the fast lane, swerved across four lanes of traffic to make his exit -- all at 70 miles per hour.

I saw an article that said that cell phone users reaction times were equivalent to someone who had just had three beers.

I'm not one for lots of laws, but I'm thinking its time to ban hand-held cell phone use in cars. The U.S. military has banned it on their bases. Why not do the same for the rest of us.

I'd love to hear from anyone outside the U.S. - what are the laws regarding cell phone use in while driving in other countries?

[dreampegasus]

It doesnt matter what the law says...

People think its fad to talk while driving...what can be so urgent that they must talk while driving?

this is more dangerous than speeding!

Unless the drivers change their attitude, nothing concrete can happen.

[craziesexy]

those people should be hanged!
simply because they can't be considerate of other people's safety on the road. that alone, i believe, is reason enough to get these people off our society, coz they spell trouble and danger, thinking only of themselves and have no regards to other people around them, selfish bastards!

[sugarglider]

Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal in Australia, although unfortunately the law doesn't seem to be very well enforced and a lot of people seem to get away with it.

A few years ago there was a story in the media about a woman who was (please excuse my hysterical capitals) SENDING A TEXT MESSAGE while driving, veered onto the shoulder of the road and killed a cyclist. For some bizarre reason, she got off with a suspended sentence. Most road safety laws are extremely tough in Australia (.05 blood alcohol limit across all states, random breath testing, random dope testing in some states, compulsory seatbelts in the front and back seats, low speed limits, and very tough penalties), but for some reason driving while talking on the phone or even sending a text message is not taken so seriously, even when someone gets killed.

What bothers me most is the attitude among some drivers that it's OK to use a phone while you're driving, so long as you're sufficiently skilled that you can handle it. Overconfidence is a huge road safety problem.

[280865]

iifwjr, what that guy did could be very frightening lo. Nevertheless Having sure that it is illegal to use cell phone while driving. We should just be praying so that they can have change of heart, as law will not apply itself. and every law is having something done with wilI power.

[richiekotzenrules]

Well here it is illegal beeing on the cell phone while driving. And I do think it is good that way. Too many accidents happen because people paying more attention to their phone than the street. Their reactions are slower and as far as I know is when they get caught they have to pay a fine. I think drivers should concentrate on driving and nothing else. Too many accidents already happen everyday and I think if drivers pay more attention most of them wouldn't happen at all !

[peachey]

I agree just the other night heard on the news that there are more fatal accidents now with people using cell phones then drunk drivers.

Oh this is really sad. Bad enough to have drunk drivers out on the street now we have to watch for the ones that have to talk on the phone.

Years ago there was no cell phones, You had to wait to get some where to use a phone. Why cant these people pull over and use the phone or turn it off. I know I have one and I turn it off when driving. Distracted enough with all the people out there driving, let a lone talking on the phone or wondering who called.

[annasibs]

The fastest way to irk me if I am in a public place is to see someone yakking at their cellphones with a voice loud enough to disturb the people around them. Some people think it is so cool to have a cellphone constantly at their ears that they forget that they are not the only ones who exist in this planet. Here in the Philippines, it is illegal to talk on the cellphone while driving, but traffic laws are not that strictly enforced, so the law prohibiting it is kind of useless.

[djagba]

i'm a student who love to correspond with you

[peachey]

djagba go ahead and tell you view of using cell phones while driving. We would love to share with you. And many other topics you can choose from to talk to people.

Thanks for joining and have a great day!

[panggz]

Here in the Philippines, it is illegal to talk on the cellphone while driving, but traffic laws are not that strictly enforced, so the law prohibiting it is kind of useless.

so true..

[peachey]

Here there are some areas or states that have it illegal to drive and use the cell phone, but like you they dont enforce it.

My idea would be come up with a way that all cell phone have a device in them that when a person gets in the car and starts it. This device would auto matic turn the phone off and you would not be able to use it till the car was turn off ...mmmm an idea the goverment could do to regulate it...or me make one and see it hahha
Any one want to help, ha ha

[panggz]

great idea, peachey..!
i don't think the using-cellphone-while-driving people will want to use the device, though..

[peachey]

Yes but it is killing more people than drunk drivers. It is hard for the goverment to stop drunk drivers. With the device for turn the cell phone off when a car or engine is started is a sure thing that will stop the cell phone uses that use them when in the car. This will help with the accidents that are not neccesary and the killings.

I see here in my country now they are making people that kill some one in an accident that been drinking they are charged with manslaugher. Should now be the same for people that kill people with using cell phone and driving.

[panggz]

good point.. :)
well, the government should get a move on, i guess..
too many accidents are already takin' place, and we can't afford to have more of these anymore, specially those that are caused by cellphone-using while driving, it's too stupid a reason..