National Safety Council calls for nationwide ban on cellphone use while driving
By Donald Melanson 
posted Jan 13th 2009 12:56PM
posted Jan 13th 2009 12:56PM
There's already been a number of states that have passed some form of ban on cellphone use while driving, but the National Safety Council seems to think that there's still far too many folks out there talking or texting behind the wheel, and it's now calling for an all out nationwide ban on the practice. What's more, the group also says that laws that allow for handsfree cellphone use are "giving people a placebo, in effect," and that they don't, in fact, make calling while driving any safer. The group also seems to be taking particular aim at businesses, saying that calling while driving can increase costs and even open up employers to liability. As you might have guessed, however, the cellphone industry, and the CTIA specifically, disagree with that assessment quite a bit, and instead say that they believe that "safe, sensible and limited use of a cell phone when you're behind the wheel is possible," and that if someone is "driving irresponsibly because of cell phone use, they should be cited for that. And under current law, they can be."
Would at&t's exclusive deal with Apple for the regular iPhone prevent other US carriers from reselling this device? I would love to use this if sold and supported through T-Mobile USA or Verizon Wireless.
T-Mobile, the smallest of the four giants could certainly use this in their lineup and I'm sure welcome by many as an alternative to at&t.
What does this have to do with a ban on cell phone use while driving?
And to answer your unrelated question, there is no "Legal" way to use an iPhone with T-Mobile in the U.S (And even if you were to illegally unlock the iPhone, it would be limited to EDGE speeds), and it is technologically impossible to use it with either Verizon Wireless or Sprint. AT&T's network and devices run on the GSM platform, while VZW and Sprint use CDMA.
How is talking hands-free any different then talking to the person sitting in the passenger seat?
Are they going to try to ban passengers in vehicles next?
When talking to a passenger:
1) You aren't listening in a crappy earpiece or even a bluetooth headset, so you don't have to concentrate nearly as hard.
2) Having the listener in the car also gives you another set of eyes to watch for hazards.
I think texting and talking on the phone should be prohibited, however, handsfree should not.
Wheeee! This is just wunnerful. Another government agency is working once again to keep us SAFE!
If we could just get them to put a Federal Marshal in each vehicle now to make sure were listening to safe / approved music, holding at 10&2, and not using two feet for brakes & gas. Looking forward to full governmental control of our ignorant and pathetic existences. Could you please do out homes as well?
Sorry mods.. Above post in the wrong section. Please delete. ;-)
I'm surprised this doesn't already exist, its very strictly enforced in the UK. And really, texting at the wheel is incredibly dangerous, I do it occasionally and you really do completely lose all focus on driving, especially with the touchscreen only phones I have.
I have to say, for the amounts of times I, as a pedestrian and biker, have gotten run down by people turning or even running lights while on their cell phone, it's a law I can approve of. I drive too, but even with my phone obsessed self, I have the decency in the name of other lives to pull over whenever I get a call. And I'm extremely confident in my reflexes too! I feel like there are ACTUAL PEOPLE in those cars, and outside of these cars, and we should be aware of everything around us. Music is background, and can keep you awake, but doesn't demand as much from your mind as a phone call can. I notice that when I did take a call, other senses would cut out and that I wasn't as aware of things around me.
Don't even get me started on text messaging while driving.. Dumb dumb DUMB!
Running people down and running red lights is already against the law. Enforce reckless driving laws that are already on the books. Penalize people for driving dangerously, regardless of the cause.
The objection here is to giving police the power to pull you over for any use of a cell phone, not just dangerous use of a cell phone. As a parallel example, changing CDs while driving is perfectly legal until you run a red light. Why should we treat cell pones differently? If the answer is "because lots of people do it", then perhaps we need to get the word out about the dangers and preach personal responsibility. Teach your kids (and parents) the dangers of driving while distracted and don't let your rights slip away through reactionary legislation.
The problem with the teaching people responsibility is that it won't come fast enough. Around where I live (DC Metro area), you deal with getting run down by an idiot on a cell phone every day. A few weeks ago, I saw a woman run a red with her cell phone plastered to her face as she nearly gets T-boned on both sides AND almost runs down a bunch of school kids crossing the road. I mean, that's just stupidity, but what about all of the asshats who turn corners and nearly plow into me? Glad I have great reflexes, or I'd be without legs by now!
Why not a more standardized driving school curriculum? People do need to be re-educated, but no matter what, there will be people who will be hard headed and just do it anyway. Why not just have cops stop people (assuming they are actually around anytime that ISN'T crunch time at the end of the month) and warn them, as opposed to take their money? Something! I'm just tired of seeing the same thing over and over again.. Someone or myself getting run down by a driver who's on their cell phone.
I try and tell my friends to not text and drive, and they always say "I assure you. I got it!" as they swerve in and out of lanes. I've gone as far as punching the phone out of their hands because of the thickheadedness behind it. I'm trying to be heard, but it's REALLY hard, believe me.
While they are at it take radios and CD players out of cars, they are equaly distracting.
Oh yeah and ban any car with passenger seats can't have you talking to people in the car with you either.
We must also ban food, drink and smoking in cars since that takes a hand off the wheel and is extremely distracting.
Oh wait don't forget to remove air conditioners and heaters since you have to use a hand to turn those on and look at it to adjust it.
Ditto for windows. Can't roll those down, thats dangerous.
Im texting this while Im talking and driving!
Dumbass shithead I hope you drive into a tree. One less idiot on the roads
@ the Coward
It was a joke, get a sense of humor pal.
Go fuck yourself, it seems like you need to blow your load and is probably the only way you can get any.
Realize who you are fucking with, and watch your back. I could be lurking in the dark.
As pointed out by MatthewJ above, we have a law in place already here in the UK (as many other countries do).
Did anyone see the "MythBusters" episode where they tested whether using a cellphone was more dangerous than driving while slightly drunk?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(2005_season)#Cell_Phones_vs._Drunk_Driving
These cellphone bans are fucking bullshit. Would someone show me some fucking data that conclusively and objectively shows that phones increase the risk of accidents? Oh you cant? That's because it doesn't exist!! ALL the data from the These douchebags getting into accidents while talking on the phone would get into an accident even without the phone, whether they're drinking coffee, reading a book, clipping their nails or just fucking daydreaming. Meanwhile the millions of responsible drivers who are actually capable of multitasking without killing someone are inconvenienced