Should cell phones be banned while driving?
@mdphotographer (31)
United States
March 28, 2007 12:45am CST
One too many times I have been cut off by some person who is paying no attention whatsoever to the road. When that happens I usually speed up a bit just to look at the person in the face and see what idiots they are. I have to say that a good majority of the time the people are talking on the cell phones. I know there are hands-free devices as well, but I feel that if you are involved in a conversation your hands may be on the steering wheel but your attention is elsewhere. Personally, I'd ban cell phone use for the driver of a vehicle, no matter what kind of assistive device is present. In extreme situations, like emergencies, that's ok... but I think the police should be allowed to verify if that is truly an emergency situation. What do you think?
3 people like this
5 responses
@thrwbckjay67 (2870)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I can't agree with you more...
but things are changing, at least here in California. The legislature and governor Schwartzenegger have actually past a bill that will go into effect July 2008 that mandates that you can only use a cell phone while driving when you are using a hands-free headset or bluetooth technology. I think this is a huge step in the right direction. Even if it's a short call, I pull to the side of the road or into a parking lot when someone calls. People should use better sense when it comes to driving with phones!
I don't know about only allowing use in emergency situations. I don't think they want to use taxpayer dollars to do traces of phone calls and make sure things are emergencies. It's too broad of an umbrella, and I understand when people need directions from a person or something over the phone. But like I said, hands-free or bluetooth is okay with me.
2 people like this
@mdphotographer (31)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Very true, I was not thinking about the money that would go into tracing phone calls and verifying emergencies. I do believe though that a saved life is priceless. Tough trade. I hope that it works out in CA. I sure hope other states will start doing the very same thing. Thanks for your comment!
@Stringbean (1273)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I agree with you. I have seen any drivers talking away on their cellphones and not paying any attention to the traffic around them. I like your idea of the police being allowed to verify emergencies.
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Yes, as well as smoking, drinking and eating. I'm not joking here, I'm serious. This would prevent about 50% of all traffic accidents and save lives. I would say a hands free phone device that turns off and on without touch would be ok but that's it.
@mdphotographer (31)
• United States
28 Mar 07
You are so right! I didn't even think of all those scenes you see around meal times. Who knows how many times you see someone with a powdery donut in their hands trying to maveuver through traffic! Or when you go to some fast food place and as soon as they are handed their 15 bags of food they drive off. Immediately after they start driving they start pulling out all the food, eat it, fries get lost and they look for them... all while driving!!! So crazy!
@tallpaulno44a (1574)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I thin hands-free usage should be all right, but otherwise they should be banned while driving.
1 person likes this
@sunkissed (4330)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Yes,I think they should be banned while people are driving, there are way too many accidents because of them, people can not pay attention to their conversation and the road at the same time. it is a proven fact.
