All Distractions (But Especially Cell Phones) Dangerous To Drivers

from the cell-phones,-for-example dept

Thu, Apr 20th 2006 1:41pm — Joseph Weisenthal

Yet another study is out, touting the fact that distractions impair one's driving ability. This should be really obvious to anyone who has ever taken driver's ed, since it's one of the first things they teach you. But of course there has to be something specific to blame, and predictably it's the cell phone. Actually, the study states that every distraction from putting on makeup to drowsiness is quite dangerous, but CNN.com makes it clear that technology is the real villain, by running an ominous picture of a driver dialing a cell phone. No doubt, this will help add to the growing list of states trying to regulate or ban cell phone use while driving. Perhaps the reason that cell phones take so much blame is that their use is visible and verifiable. It's hard to prove that someone was too drowsy to be driving, or that they had just reached their hand into the backseat to spank their kid. Like the regulations they inspire, these studies seem more about publicity and scaring people, than in doing anything to lessen the danger of driving.

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59 Comments

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Botch, 20 Apr 2006 @ 1:56pm

I just think you're off on this one
I agree with 99% of the editorial commentary on this site. But I think you're off on this one.

YES, the media tends to use technology as a boogie-man to sensationalize things.

YES, putting on make-up and flipping through the radio can be just as distracting as cell phone use.

But hand-held cell phone use in a car is an obvious and easy-to-legislate distraction. I have no problem making the roads slightly safer, and this is a good way to do it.
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- Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:38pm
  
  Re: I just think you're off on this one
  I have no problem making the roads slightly safer, and this is a good way to do it.
  Other than the fact that you declare it to be so, what makes this "a good way to do it"?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:19pm
    
    Re: Re: I just think you're off on this one
    But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Cione, 20 Apr 2006 @ 2:08pm

I still just dont buy it
A bad driver is a bad driver.

Looking down at a radio is way more dangerous. There was a NHTSA study a while back that listed the reasons for accidents. The passenger and radios were at the top.

It doesn't matter what you do while driving if your a bad driver or one is near you, accidents happen.
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- gstar686, 20 Apr 2006 @ 2:55pm
  
  Re: I still just dont buy it
  Actually there are newer studies and as every year the use of cell phones will multiply and the amount of accidents pertaining to cell phone usage will show that this has to be the number one reason for accidents and bad drivers. No one can tell me that tuning a radio (which most of us use presets) is nothing in comparison to the lame driver trying to dial a number or searching for the contacts mobile number/house number and then continuing to drive with one hand, roll up a window and trying to change lanes.
  I know that I for a fact have made myself a bumper sticker that reads across the back of my bumper "Hang the fuck up and drive, you asshole!" If you see this on the road you know its me... Hang up and shut up. Another thing that bites me is the fact that I see people in BMWs and Benzs holding a phone? If you can afford a luxury car use your snob sense and get a headset you idiot then maybe you can learn about those things called turn signals and use them.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:40pm
    
    Re: Re: I still just dont buy it
    No one can tell me that tuning a radio...
    I doubt that anyone can tell you anything.
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  - Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:11pm
    
    Re: Re: I still just dont buy it
    It is very likely that you are in the aggrevated blindspot caused by the cell phone (Our own reasearch. We additionally find that people tend to lean right and left when their arm get tired from holding the phone and that aggrevate their view of the road and throws out the mirror adjustments.
    
    Hand free is still much safer, but still not the full answer. Checkout our web page on www.actplace.net and click on the steering wheel for the ultimate solution.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
slide23, 20 Apr 2006 @ 2:15pm

Logically inconsistent
If the lawmakers were truly logically consistent on this, then they would ban radios, passengers, eating, drinking, and (worst of all in my experience) children in the car.

But as mentioned in an earlier thread, this is not about really keeping anyone safe. This is about politicians having something to point to while not really doing ANYTHING significant (except mucking with people): "SEE! I made the roads safer!"
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- Daniel Brodzik, 20 Apr 2006 @ 2:41pm
  
  Re: Logically inconsistent
  From what I've seen, what happens 9 times out of 10 with drivers talking on cell phones is that the driver starts paying more attention to the phone than to the road. They miss red lights and stop signs, they back up without looking (or they turn their head without actually paying attention), and when a driver doesn't notice that the light changed to green, 99% of the time that driver is talking on the phone.
  
  When you're in the driver's seat, you should be DRIVING.
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  - Wizard Prang, 21 Apr 2006 @ 7:18am
    
    Re: Re: Logically inconsistent
    Hear Hear!
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous of Course, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:43pm
  
  It's a fact, Jack.
  When you use a cell phone while driving you are
  distracted. More so than by eating, adjusting the
  radio, etc... because you precious brain is also
  involved in conversation. It tends to reduce your
  visual processing ability when you're all bla-bla on
  the phone. Talking to a passenger might be as bad
  except for their own survival instinct...
  
  Saying that other things may be as bad isn't much
  of an arguement in defense of the practice.
  
  The the facts are in. Get off the freaking phone and
  drive.
  
  Cell Phones and Driving
  
  http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/cellphones/
  
  Studies Find Evidence of Serious Driver Distraction
  When Driving and Using Cell Phone
  
  http://www.hfes.org/web/DetailNews.aspx?ID=84
  
  Young Cell Phone Users Drive Like Elderly, Study Says
  
  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/02/0202_050202_phone.html
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:23pm
    
    Re: It's a fact, Jack.
    I beg to disagree and strongly I might add.
    
    Saying that a cell phone conversation is what makes a person distracted and not the other activities associated with the cell phjone is propoganda by the insurance companies and their paid researchers so they can hike the rate on all drivers (Since the talking is the only thing in common between all drivers with cell phone).
    
    The true data show that >40% of accidents happen when people try to answert a cell phone, >22% when they try to dial and the rest is attributable to multitasking, angry conversations, long conversations etc.
    
    But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
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Zukav, 20 Apr 2006 @ 2:34pm

Every Day
Every day I am nearly driven off the road by someone who isn't paying attention while driving. And 9 times out of 10 that person has a cell phone pressed up against their head.

And you know what makes me feel even better after I've almost been driven off the road? To see that the other driver hasn't even noticed that they nearly caused an accident.
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- Tom Shee, 20 Apr 2006 @ 2:53pm
  
  Re: Every Day
  I agree heartly ! A safe driver is one who acknowleges the various distractions both within and outside their vehicle and commits to staying as alert as possible of those who may be a great driver but lapses at the skills required in critical situations. We cover each others ass. No ones perfect but we are all responsible. Now George Bush should never be in the driver seat.
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- Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:09pm
  
  Re: Every Day
  It is very likely that you are in the aggrevated blindspot caused by the cell phone (Our own reasearch. We additionally find that people tend to lean right and left when their arm get tired from holding the phone and that aggrevate their view of the road and throws out the mirror adjustments.
  
  Hand free is still much safer, but still not the full answer. Checkout our web page on www.actplace.net and click on the steering wheel for the ultimate solution.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Wizard Prang, 20 Apr 2006 @ 2:47pm

It's not just Cellphones...
Or Newspapers...

Or Coffee...

Or Hairbrushes...

Or PDAs...

Or Makeup, it's...

DRIVING WITHOUT DUE CARE AND ATTENTION (UK)

or

CARELESS DRIVING (US)

Moral: We don't need another law...

WE NEED TO ENFORCE THE ONES WE ALREADY HAVE!

(sorry about the shouting, but some people just don't get it...)
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:00pm

relative significance
While I would agree that in principle anything distracting can cause bad or dangerous behavior in traffic...

by gum, anecdotally, its _is_ always someone on a cell phone. It is a stunning, unusual occurance when I can observe who cut me off or didnt start at a green light and they were off the phone. Its always the damn phone. I dont know why that should be, but it is.
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- Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:12pm
  
  Re: relative significance
  It is very likely that you are in the aggrevated blindspot caused by the cell phone (Our own reasearch. We additionally find that people tend to lean right and left when their arm get tired from holding the phone and that aggrevate their view of the road and throws out the mirror adjustments.
  
  Hand free is still much safer, but still not the full answer. Checkout our web page on www.actplace.net and click on the steering wheel for the ultimate solution.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Yoop, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:00pm

hmmm
Yes we do need another law. No cell phone talking in cars would be the law. Plain and simple it is very dangerous. I've been guilty of it myself. I'll admit that my behavior needs to be regulated for the safety of others. I've been talking before and totally been preoccupied to the point that I've neglected safety.

Done.
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- Wizard Prang, 21 Apr 2006 @ 7:13am
  
  Re: hmmm
  Yoop,
  
  New York - and a few other places already has such a law. Has it helped? I don't think so...
  
  Like I said elsewhere in this thread, it is not about new laws. If someone is driving dangerously - whether on a cellphone or not, they have already broken the law. Pass a new law and they would have broken two. Would they care?
  
  "There oughtta be a law", while a laudable sentiment, rarely solves the problem. Usually it just gives the legislators a chance to look busy.
  
  "All the laws passed by Congress have not improved on the Ten Commandments"
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  - Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:37pm
    
    Re: Re: hmmm
    The reason is that there was no safe alternative offered to the drivers.
    
    Government regulate and industry innovate, but the industries involved, Cell carriers, Insurance Companies and Automakers do not want innovations to block their revenues, BUT have no fear, there's a solution.
    
    We invented a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. The system blocks cell phones when the driver is busy passing or turning or is unfamiliar or stressfull driving condition AND enables full control of the phone right from the steering wheel.
    Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:15pm
  
  Re: hmmm
  But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Miles, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:02pm

cell? nope, kids
I consider myself a safe driver - I have not caused an accident in over 30 years. I've used car phones and later on cell phones when I drive virtually all the time.. maybe for 15 years.

Over the last four years, I have been hit 4 times. In each of these accidents, I was hit when I was at a stand still.. 3 times at a red light, once while waiting for a parking space in the post office lot.

The common thread in EACH one of these cases? A baby or a young child in the other car and the driver had TURNED AROUND to take care of the kid. Luckily, each of thee impacts was under 5MPH and no one was hurt.. altho the property damage has run to a few thousand dollars. In one case I was stopped at a light and a woman two cars back had slowed down, but not stopped, before turning around to see how her baby was doing in the child seat. CLUELESS.

I concur with the poster who thinks this is yet another 'feel good law' to help some ineffective politician get elected. Can you imagine an elected official suggesting babies and young kids should not be allowed in a car?? I know, I know, I'm a man so I can't understand... except one of the guys who hit me was a man as well, giving his child a cookie. I guess the other common thread were the other drivers were driving VERY badly.

Hell with cellphones.. eliminate bad drivers - suspend drivers license a year or so, no 'humor driving schools' and you'll really have fewer accidents.
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- Wizard Prang, 21 Apr 2006 @ 7:24am
  
  Re: cell? nope, kids
  From observation, I have to say that Mommies in Minivans (or sometimes SUVs) are among the most dangerous vehicles on the road - whether or not cellphones are involved - particularly around school-pick-up time when they are running late.
  
  Let the flaming begin.
  
  It's also amusing when you are driving behind someone and the driver is turning to the passenger every time that they talk to the passenger. Why?
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anonymous coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:03pm

don't forget oral sex
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- Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 5:31pm
  
  Re:
  Have you ever had road head?
  
  It really is distracting, but you know it is distracting so you really try and pay attention.
  
  With phones, people don't feel as distracted and don't make the effort to remain alert.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:30pm
    
    Re: Re:
    But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
whoever, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:14pm

Quick Dial 911 I got ran over by a cell phone.
I'm a big proponent for the use of cell phones, they in fact have changed the way we live life and communicate with everyone. Conversely the cell phone has also changed the way we drive. I agree with the "A bad driver is a bad driver" sentiment, however how many good drivers are hindered by the smallest road going hazard you can point a finger at. Sure they were fumbling with the radio, they dropped their kids chicken nuggets on the floor board in the front seat, they are just so curious about that accident they just passed, makeup, shaving, drinking (any beverage type), getting a pen, adjusting skirt/pants, or maybe they got a wedge.....this could go on for days. Do all of these endanger you in a car? Yes, the instant you pull out of your driveway or garage your at the mercy of your own mental abilities and those around you. So since my mind may not be completely awake at 5am when I hit the road I'm endangering myself and everone around me, am I going to trust the guy next to me to be more mentally capable then myself that he can drive, drink his coffee, talk on his cell phone held to his ear and shift (manual transmissions drivers use cell phones too) without hitting me. I don't think so, I don't trust my life to anyone but me.
Do cell phones alter otherwise extremely capable people's driving skill? Yes, unfortunately it does, Zukav makes a good point they just don't notice you. Well, because we don't have arms made of invisible material so we can see our blind spots while holding the cell phone to our head.
There is a solution Hands free kits in cars, then we can talk on our cell phones, put makeup on, shave, drink our coffee, read a map, write down a phone number to the conference call we need to make all while safely adhering to the rules of the road. And not once did we swerve, I'm such a good driv... oops I didn't see the stop sign on that school bus. Its okay kids don't cross the street anyway, they are always on the sidewalks. I wonder what that was I just ran over, I need to get that looked at when I bring my vehicle in the shop.
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- Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:17pm
  
  Re: Quick Dial 911 I got ran over by a cell phone.
  But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:17pm

Here is a site that lists the reasons people crash. Please note that cells are number #5https://www.alertdriving.com/newsletter/530/article.php?ArticleID=112&CompanyID=530&Newsle tterID=9.
Here is the list:

Here are the top 15 driver distractions, including the percentage of crashes where each was a factor:

Rubbernecking (looking at a crash, a vehicle, roadside incident, traffic, attractive man or woman, etc.) - 16 percent.
Driver fatigue - 12 percent
Looking at scenery or landmarks - 10 percent
Passenger or child distractions - 9 percent
Adjusting radio or changing CD/tape - 7 percent
Cell phone - 5 percent
Eyes not on the road - 4.5 percent
Not paying attention, daydreaming - 4 percent
Eating or drinking - 4 percent
Adjusting vehicle controls - 4 percent
Weather conditions - 2 percent
Unknown - 2 percent
Insect, animal or object entering or striking vehicle - 2 percent
Document, book, map, directions or newspaper - 2 percent
Medical or emotional impairment - 2 percent

A CMA report listed email/chat as the #1 cause (don't new cells have email?) I turn mine off - its a 80min break each day...
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- Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:35pm
  
  Re:
  Well gee, notice that DUI isn't doesn't even make the list. That must mean that it is a factor in less than 2% percent of crashes, and driving while yakking, at 5%, is at least 2.5 times worse than DUI.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Cione, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:37pm
  
  Re: List of Reason
  By the list above we should pass the following laws
  
  Outlaw:
  Attractive men and women
  Scenerary or landmarks
  Passengers and children
  Radios
  
  Then and only then go after the Cell phone.
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  - Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:19pm
    
    Re: Re: List of Reason
    But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
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Barry, 20 Apr 2006 @ 3:55pm

less is more
I'd be willing to pay our government officials to do nothing if that meant they would quit heaping law upon law.

Or better... spend some time organizing and cleaning up the mess. Who can obey the laws when there are so many, and they are so complex, conveluted and scattered about?

So what about CB's? OnStar? Have you ever seen anyone driving with the DVD player up front, using the remote control? I have. GPS systems? In some ways they make it safer, but they can also distract!

GIVE IT A BREAK BOYS!
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- Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:25pm
  
  Re: less is more
  But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Ms Rica, 20 Apr 2006 @ 4:07pm

cell phones
You really don't have to touch cell phones as much because now the come with a special feature in which you can put your phine in driving mode. You can tell it who you want to call and it will tell you if someone is calling and also there are ear pieces to use. If they drive terrible its because of the person not the phone. My opinion
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Chris, 20 Apr 2006 @ 4:26pm

Hmm
This reminds me of when switchblades were made illegal back in the 50s. Why? Not cuz they're inherently more dangerous than any other knife, but because they look more dangerous and only criminals carried em [/sarcasm]. This is the same kinda thing- bullshit legislation, to make it appear as if something is being done about the problem.
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Bob, 20 Apr 2006 @ 4:52pm

Im sick and tired of being stuck in traffic due to accidents. Unless its because of mechanical failure of the vehicle there is NO excuse for an accident. If they would throw people in jail for life that caused an accident that wasnt because of something that cant be controlled there would be a lot less accidents because people would pay attention and all the bad drivers would be off the road and couldnt cause another accident. If I can drive for the 30 years Ive been able to and not have a single accident so can everyone else!!!
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Sam, 20 Apr 2006 @ 4:56pm

You people are nuts
Look, cell phones are a huge distraction, and the people that disagree are the ones that use them while driving. The only solution is to outlaw driving while talking on the cell phone. Handsfree phones aren't good enough. Yes, they would fix the blindspot issue, but the conversation is still there. Don't even bother with the "well talking to people in the car is just as bad!" junk, because it's not. If you have another person in the car with you, they can see the surroundings as well, which provides extra security.

If your phone call is THAT important PULL THE HELL OVER and finish it. There, perfect solution, roads are safe, and you get your precious talk time.
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- Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:29pm
  
  Re: You people are nuts
  Pulling over to answer a call is actually more dangerous. The driver is under "time pressure" to answer and that usually mean that they will cut someone off.
  
  Parking on the side of the freeway is also dangerous. Studies show that the shoulder is dangerous because lights or movements in cars attract drivers attentions and they unintentionally swerve into the parker cars. Ask policemen and they'll tell you that this is dangerous.
  
  But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Harry Mccalister, 20 Apr 2006 @ 5:05pm

Ban cell phones everywhere. They are nothing but a nuisance. Cavemen got by just fine without cellphones
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Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 6:04pm

The day they design a wireless hands-free device that doesn't get tangled in my hair and fall off and can stay alive for an entire business day with 2 hours talk time - that's the day I start using one. And if I'm sitting in a traffic jam, you bet I'm going to answer that call. I really don't think the anti-cell phone laws should apply to vehicles moving less than 5mph. But when was the last time you saw a ban passed that allowed for practical exceptions?
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- Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 8:47pm
  
  Re:
  I really don't think the anti-cell phone laws should apply to vehicles moving less than 5mph. But when was the last time you saw a ban passed that allowed for practical exceptions?
  I see people doing this all the time: Yakking on a cell phone AND slowing down to do it (usually in the fast lane). It makes things worse, not better.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:31pm
  
  Re:
  But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Noinsurance, 20 Apr 2006 @ 9:45pm

No insurance when accident occurs while on cell ph
I am under the impression that my "company" car insurance will not pay a claim if you were on the cell phone driving during the accident. This might apply in some or all states, I do not know. But I have told as many people that will listen, if it applies in your insurance, it is a big reason not to cell phone and drive.
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- Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 11:32pm
  
  Re: No insurance when accident occurs while on cel
  But there's a safe technology solution to this technology caused problem. Please check out our web site www.actplace.net for a comprehensive solution to all these distractors. Now all I need to do is to get NHTSA and the auto/cell phone/insurance companies to adopt it. 88% of the consumers surveyed think it is great and 87% said that they will buy it.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 20 Apr 2006 @ 10:29pm

use a condom during oral sex or road head . you want to be safe.
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Louis, 21 Apr 2006 @ 3:01am

Angry people.
I think people are too angry when they drive.

A study should be done on why normal people become homicidal maniacs whenever they get behind the wheel.

Word to the wise; avoid driving in the blind spot of someone who has "Hang the fuck up and drive, you asshole!" as a bumpersticker.
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- Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2006 @ 5:55am
  
  Re: Angry people.
  Here is a wiser word to the wise...
  
  DONT DRIVE IN BLIND SPOTS!
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Jack Thompson, 21 Apr 2006 @ 5:14am

At Least...
they aren't playing violent video games while they are driving.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2006 @ 5:39am

Big Mac.... 85 MPH on the freeway.... steering with my knees. I did this way before I ever had a cellphone.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Apr 2006 @ 6:14am

Darwinism at its finest
I am of the opinion that all traffic safety legislation should be repealed.

The reason? Many people never give a thought to traffic safety, and simply expect that others will take care of that for them, either in person, or through legislation. My gut instinct says these are the people causing most accidents.

Making all of the distracting, or dangerous acts legal will allow these people to eventually weed themselves out of the world's population--to the benefit of all mankind!

Sure, there will be some unfortunate accidents where some folks would be eliminated that we would prefer not be, but that already happens due to the stupid folks who do not pay attention to what they are doing.

Whenever I see stupid acts, not just accidents, I say to myself, "Well, the world's not going to run out of stupid people today...", and I would love to see that change.

For the benefit of the gene pool....

AC
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- Wizard Prang, 21 Apr 2006 @ 7:28am
  
  Close but no cigar...
  Trouble is, it is often someone else that pays the price for their stupidity...
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Dan, 21 Apr 2006 @ 6:49am

Why be so Narrow?
Why is everyone acting like you only get one choice? If you go after cell phones, then you can't go after anything else?

A few people said it was because it is easy to see when someone is on the cell and not so easy to see when they are drowsy or yelling at their kids.
So what? It always comes down to proof. If there are witnesses who say they saw the driver turn around to yell a the kids right before the accident, why treat that any differently than if they were on a cell? I've seen guys nodding off on the freeway and driven next to them honking my horn until they woke up. If an accident had resulted, I would have told the police the circumstances and it would have been part of their decision as to how to charge the driver.

Either enforce existing laws or beef them up to make it clear that ANY distracted driver will get extra penalties if they cause an accident. Why limit things? Be able to react to whatever the particular circumstances are for a particular incident.
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Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, 23 Apr 2006 @ 10:42pm

Solution at hand, NHTSA refuses to evaluate
Driver distraction is a problem I experienced when my 71 olds had an FM adaptor located way too low and each time I reached it my steering wheel was moved in one direction or another as a result of normal bio-feedback reflex, yep a mouthful. After few years in college and as a result of other traffic frustrations, I came up with a solution that I refined ever since 1985. Basically, the solution consist of a PC in a car with "THREE HOT BUTTONS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES", (Sounds familiar?), and two controls on the steering wheels (At 10:02 where the hands should be), to control everything in the car, including HVAC/RADIO, POWERSEATS Navigation and yes, car phone as it was called at the time. My first prototype was built the same year and I refined it ever since and recently received one patent and still awaiting the second patent. The patent covers unscheduled communication interrupting driver at a bad time as well as the controls noted above. In 2004 I contacted everyone I thought may have an interest in my project, but I was nota PhD or well published, so that went no where. In a letter to NHTSA Director Dr. Runge,in 2004, I asked them to evaluate the product but their Chief engineer refused stating that NHTSA does not evaluate propriety technologies!! BUT if you go to http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-12/pubs_rev.html, you'll see that they evaluated Nissan Laser Collision Avoidance System. The same guy refused to hear about my video library and my research stating that NHTSA does not do business with small companies. Well, NHTSA: Let more people die while you and your buddies play video games and Candid Camera. Oh, and let's not forget to keep blaming the conversations on the cell phone for the accidents, the Insurance Companies love that so they can hike rates on all drivers, safe drivers that use hands free or reckless drivers that still use handheld. We have a solution ready to go with 88% of surveyed said it is safer then aything on the market and 87% are willing to purchase for a price ranging from $15 to $2,200. Our solution will only cost about $250 per car with seperate cost for each additional phone/MP3 player, PDA etc. We are seeking a partner to bring it to market and out functional prototype literally blows away all those who see it. We can be contacted on www.actplace.net.
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nk, 5 Feb 2007 @ 2:04pm

u suck
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haley & kelly, 4 Sep 2007 @ 7:33am

u all are dum
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haley & kelly, 4 Sep 2007 @ 7:34am

u all are dum
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haley & kelly, 4 Sep 2007 @ 7:34am

u all are dum
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