Cell phone users

I think you're right -- defensive driving is probably the only way around this. I can imagine getting it passed in the state legislature, and enforcability would be tough. (Though it would be a great way to get tax dollars into the state coffers.)

I do like this bumper sticker, though.

Note: I am a telecommunications Luddite, and have no cell phone. I don't want to talk to anyone.

 

I'm wondering too, if part of the problem with tailgators (>".,....,.....) and the Prius is that we cost so often so our brake lights are not illuminated when we're deccelerating.

I was once rear ended (just a tap) in my Subaru on the freeway. The woman told me it was my fault because I didn't have my brakes on and she didn't know that I was slowing down ... (?)

Too many people focus on the car in front of them and not on the whole scene of the road ... I'm sure that phones are part of that problem, robbing focus.

 

Hit from the rear is automatic. ...

The person hitting you is at fault. Doesn't matter if you were going slow or stopped.

The only time this isn't true is: (This happen to me)

When someone rear ends you, you're stopped and you get thrown into the person in front of you.

Weird fact: I was in a rental at the time, damage to the car in front and the culprit behind, but none to me. (I was in a Dodge Neon.) Insurance decided to cut me out of the loop and nothing ever happened to my record. I wouldn't buy a rental EVER after that little issue though.

 

I believe the number 1 cause of driver distraction traffic accidents is related to eating while driving. So you're really asking for trouble when coasting in front on someone eating a Big Mac while yaking on the cell phone and futzing with the stereo. :roll:

 

Ah, yes, but when you're flying, you're in controlled airspace, whether VFR or IFR, there's someone (usually) watching your back. Even though while driving we're moving in only 2 dimensions, it's ALL uncontrolled airspace, really when you think about it, PLUS there are drivers who don't have licenses or shouldn't be driving, or carrying emotional baggage into the auto, etc. etc. With flying it's more about FLYING than just getting to point A to point B.

 

I don't think it's fair to compare flying an aircraft to driving a car. Like Jeemz said, there are many people around you on the road that are a bit more hazardous than the air around you. I thought driving was more dangerous than flying?

Using your cell phone is I think worse than just changing your CD, eat a Big Mac etc. You need to concentrate more and phone calls usually take longer than just a change or radio station.
One can often pick out the drivers who are using a cell phone, while it's hard to pick out a driver who's just changing his radio station.

In the Netherlands there's a law against having a cell phone in your hand while you're behind the wheel of your car. Even in traffic jams when you are standing still. Costs EUR 140 (almost $170) if you are caught. But that chance is small.

EDIT:
But I agree that doing anything else but driving your car, while sitting behind the wheel is rather dangerous.

 

Using phone on the car, without a handless device, in Italy may cost up to € 500 (around $ 750). If you cause an accident your driving license will be suspended for one year and your insurance will not pay for damages. In any case, if you are caught, two "points" on your driving license will be cancelled (if you total zero "points" no more driving license).

 

Any distraction while driving is dangerous. The problem with cell phones is that some people talk on them constantly. Also, they are insistent: how many people scramble to change the CD? Most will do it calmly, keeping one eye on the road. But when the phone rings there is an urgency. Must answer before it stops ringing! Must find it! Where's that phone? Could be an important call! The urgency and the length of time spent with it are two factors that make it a more serious hazzard, plus the sheer number of people using them.

My cell phone is OFF while driving. Actually, my cell phone is off all the time except when I want to make a call, and if driving I find a safe place to park first. And if I am expecting a call I still never answer while driving. If it's important they'll leave a number and I can call back when I get where I'm going.

I agree that eating, drinking coffee, applying makeup, groping your girlfriend, are all dangerous while driving and should be illegal. The government has a responsibility to address reckless behavior when that behavior KILLS so many people every year.

A five-year mandatory jail term for reckless driving (including drunk driving, cell-phone usage, big macs, etc.) would probably save more lives than capturing bin Laden.

Too bad we can't train dogs to sniff out idiots. "Okay mister, get out of the car. Slowly! Now just let Fido here sniff your hand."

 

Now there's my dream technology device -- a StupidMeter. ( :idea: The Fluke StupidMeter™ ).

"You must be this smart to drive this car."

 

Most folks seem to agree that cell phone usage is a problem when driving. In other countries (and Manhattan, which some consider to be another country) outlawing their use has made driving MORE dangerous, particularly among cab drivers. They use them anyway and then concentrate on holding the phone below the dashboard at stoplights.

I used to associate swerving cars with drunk drivers. Now 9/10 times the swerving person is dialing. I'm not sure if less folks are drinking or what...

And I think the comparison with flying isn't exactly fair (as a student pilot at least)... Until we are able to get the automobile equivalent of flight following.

 

Regardless of how bad it is, banning automotive cell phone use through legislation will do nothing more than make people even LESS aware of their driving and more paranoid about cops (see taxi example above).

Whenever I see someone swerving while on a cell phone it's almost always for the same reasons: A) They're dialing or B) they can't seem to find the right button to answer the phone (or use a phone function of some sort).

It's almost never "just talk" that causes them to swerve or get into accidents.

So the key here is this: When you take your eyes off the road for *anything*, you may swerve and cause an accident. This goes for food, drinks, messing with the radio, etc.

The way to put a stop to all of this is to make phone layouts more logical and easier to use. An easy way to fix this is with good hands-free systems. However, the users still need to get used to them and memorize control locations. The idea is to make it so a user's eyes never have to leave the road.

Basically, if everyone knew how to touch-type on a cell phone, we wouldn't be hearing so many compaints.