Cellphones

[p.dath]

They will argue that until the cows come home...
...

I don't think there is much argument. I just tried searching Google to find a report that has been done that argues hands free kits are just as safe.

Couldn't find one.

I'm sure there must be one somewhere. But while doing the search you run across a huge number of studies that found the opposite - that hands free kits are just as dangerous.

The evidence is overwhelming in the research studies - and it is all heading in one direction. Any use of a cell phone while driving impairs your ability to drive safely.

[Big Dave]

I don't think there is much argument. I just tried searching Google to find a report that has been done that argues hands free kits are just as safe.

Couldn't find one.

I'm sure there must be one somewhere. But while doing the search you run across a huge number of studies that found the opposite - that hands free kits are just as dangerous.

The evidence is overwhelming in the research studies - and it is all heading in one direction. Any use of a cell phone while driving impairs your ability to drive safely.

How many more examples would you like me to cite limb-wise? I got plenty :-)

You ever had a driving lesson? Where did they tell you to put your hands on the wheel and how many? You put any extra device into the 10 to 2 equation on the steering wheel and its down hill. And that's just for starters.

It's got to be safer just from an emergency control standpoint.

[p.dath]

How many more examples would you like me to cite limb-wise? I got plenty :-)

You ever had a driving lesson? Where did they tell you to put your hands on the wheel and how many? You put any extra device into the 10 to 2 equation on the steering wheel and its down hill. And that's just for starters.

It's got to be safer just from an emergency control standpoint.

The key issue with cell phone calls is our brains inability to both communicate over the cell phone while maintaining our concentration on the driving.

The issue is not with our holding of the cell phone per-see.

Granted, not holding onto a phone means at least your hands can do something to assist with operating the vehicle. I agree with that.
But the studies have indicated that the bigger cause of accidents has not been related to the holding of the phone, but with the lack of concentration that results from using the phone.

[Big Dave]

Yeah - I take what you are saying too - but disaster on a sliding scale is still disaster.

You are arguing the mental angle - I'm condemning the merely physical aspect.

Apart from that - the issues that effect me most are now to do with texting and reading texts while driving.

[Jizah]

I think we should look at the bigger problem here.

Talking whilst riding.

Try that!

I do this already. A flip phone holds quite nicely under an open faced helmet.

[Max Preload]

Yer kiddin'. I had some dick pull out on me yesterday - black z car - away with the pixies yappin' on a mobile - and eating. He was steering partly with his elbow. The only way he could have operated an indicator was with his nose. I'm talking about him - and dozens more like him.

That was already covered by failing to give way & careless driving. No new regulation was needed - they just need to Police the existing ones.

[monkeymcbean]

That was already covered by failing to give way & careless driving. No new regulation was needed - they just need to Police the existing ones.

You miss the point, its all very fine charging people with careless driving after the aftermath, but by banning hand held cellphone use when driving their cars you are taking preventive action and sending a strong message that using cell phones when driving is fucking dangerous.
People who use cellphones when driving are a bunch of (as Al Swearengen would call them)... 'hoppleheads'.

[Big Dave]

That was already covered by failing to give way & careless driving. No new regulation was needed - they just need to Police the existing ones.

Why was he careless and failed to give way? Because he was yapping on a mobile phone. That's why it's needed. Treats the cause not the effect.

[Max Preload]

Why was he careless and failed to give way? Because he was yapping on a mobile phone. That's why it's needed. Treats the cause not the effect.

No. He was careless because he wasn't paying due attention to driving. That could be for any reason.

But if that is your position then I'd think you'd advocate 'careless use' being removed and only specific offences added.