Stop Blaming Technology For Stupidity

from the put-the-phone-down dept

Fri, Jun 16th 2006 9:55am — Carlo Longino

Back in March, we noted how stories covering the death of a deaf girl who got hit by a train focused on the fact that she was text messaging when she was killed, rather than the other circumstances leading to her death. Now, in India, a 23-year-old woman has been killed in similar circumstances -- she was crossing a railroad track, talking on a cell phone, when she got struck by a train and killed. This, of course, becomes an article called "Cell phones can kill". The phone really had nothing to do with it, but rather a person who, for some reason, thought it would be a good idea to walk on or cross some train tracks while not paying any attention. Like all these laws banning mobile phone use while driving, these stories are missing the point -- it's distracted and/or stupid people causing the problems, not the cell phones. Blaming and banning one distraction won't prevent these people from finding their way into trouble, it will just force them to find another distraction. So, unless somebody gets struck by lightning on the Great Wall of China and dies because of their phone, let's take it easy on the "Cell phones kill!" headlines.

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Derek Kerton (profile), 16 Jun 2006 @ 9:43am

Good Ol' Days
Carlo, you are wrong. Nobody was ever killed by a train until cell phones arrived.
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Ben, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:32am

Tragedy sells
Take something that people love and make it seem dangerous and people will jump all over the story to see what happened to prevent themselves from becoming a victam. As long as they can twist a story to bring in readers they will.
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Me, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:32am

WTF! THe writer acts like nobody drives poorly due to the fact that peoaple are HOLDING their cell phones instead of using handsfree or bluetooth and can't be bothered using the blinker because they have no hands left.
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Mitch, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:33am

Damned Cellphones!
I got shot because I was talking on a cell phone... I walked into a drug house while talking to my friend in the FBI about raiding drug houses! It is all the Cellphone's fault! I am going to sue motorola and Cingular! (end saracsm/BS story)
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That's Mr.-Motorola to You, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:36am

Re: Stop Blaming...
In the car, talking on a phone itself is not the big deal, after all we always talk to friends and family riding, right?

However the difference with talking on a mobile phone while driving is not a fundamental difference of talking to an unseen party versus talking to a passenger, its the oft-overlooked aspect of HOLDING A BLINDER TO YOUR FACE. You simply cannot fully check your blindspots while holding a phone/blinder to the side of your face. And a simple headset solves this problem. This could have easily been a contributing factor in this girl's unfortunate death.
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Josh, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:37am

Re:
Listen... I can talk on a cell phone and use my turn signals. In fact i think I'm the only person in New Jersey that knows how to use signals. Drives me nuts when people don't use them. It's not rocket science to be able to hold a phone and drive + signal with one hand. I have driven ambulances for 14 years and always had to drive with one hand while my other hand used the lights / sirens and the radio to the dispatcher. I'm sure most police and fire folks are also able to drive properly while using a phone. Sucks that you dumb people ruin it for everyone.
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Joe Snuffy, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:40am

Deaf
What about the deaf kid who was hit by a train a while back? Whoudl we blame the train for not having a warning in brail or for coming from behind?
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SPR, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:43am

Stupidity
Great!! Now the legislators have something else they can pass a law about. We have far too many laws on the books now that would be unnecessary if they would just pass a law that prohibits stupidity!! Cell phone users and non-cell phone users should have to pass a common sense test before being allowed out in public!! Schools cannot teach common sense. You learn that from your parents. Of course, if your parents have survived and been allowed to breed because of laws that are designed to protect idiots that should not have survived child-birth then we are reaping the benefit of putting morons in public office. That includes Democrats AND Republicans.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:44am

ipods
What about people with Ipods now in their cars? They seem to cause more driving problems because people keep changing their songs and looking at the ipod instead of the road.

I don't think talking on the cell phones causing problems while driving, but the text messaging while driving is a problem.
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Kerros, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:48am

Talking vs Drunk Driving
The Mythbusters (http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/mythbusters.html) did a study a while back about which is worse drunk driving or talking on a cell phone. Based on what they did, it was found that talking on a cell phone, while holding it in your hand, is worse then being drunk.

Now we all know that drunk driving is bad, but this study shows that talking on a cell phone can be just as bad. There are of course studies that show the exact opposite, but I guess it’s all about who you can believe.
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freakengine, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:49am

Regardless of what you think, talking on a cell phone when driving, hands free or not, lowers your reaction times. It is NOT the same as talking with a person who you're in the car with. When you're talking on the phone, a part of your focus is devoted to imagining the person on the other end of the line. It's a very trance-like state. When a person is in the car with you, none of your visual focus is internal, unless you just drift off into a daydream. Come on people, grow up. Talking on the phone while driving is dangerous. I live in LA and have close calls daily from people who are talking on their phones.

And, BTW, no way is talking on the phone while driving analagous to walking on the tracks while deaf.

Okay, go ahead and flame away!
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Morder, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:52am

Stupid People
Just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself.
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Rohan Jayasekera, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:54am

I agree that distraction is a problem, not (inherently) a cell phone. But here's the thing: a cellphone conversation distracts a lot more than, say, a car radio.

If I'm talking, I need to focus on creating what I'm saying. And I can't just stop in the middle of a sentence every time something catches my eye on the road that might or might not be important, or it'll seem like I'm not very invested in the conversation.

Similarly, if I'm listening, I can't just switch my attention away occasionally and ask the person to repeat, or I'll irritate him or her. And if it's hard to make out what the person is saying, as is often the case on cellphone calls, I have to put all my concentration into listening.

So while I can usually switch my attention instantly from the song playing on the car radio to whatever's happening on the road, that's not the case if I'm on a phone call.

There have been various studies to back this up. See for instance Cell Phone Users Drive Like Old Folks; there are many more showing that cell phone use drastically increases reaction time.
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bazookazuz, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:54am

outlaw the outlawing of natural selection
I propose that they make a law to stop making laws against natural selection. Mother nature is naturally working to "weed out" the more annoyingly stupid memebers of society, and who are we to stop this? If people want to bathe with hair dryers or smoke while filling up their gas tank, it is not a lack of warning, it is just mother nature doing her thing.

I'm not insensitive, I fight natural selection every day.
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Billgod, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:56am

Forget about the phones......
What about the fact that trains are BIG and LOUD?? How retarded do you have to be to not notice a TRAIN??? This is just survival of the fittest. Lets all just be thankfull they are dead and not reproducing.
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SPR, 16 Jun 2006 @ 10:56am

Re: Stupid People
Great idea!! But also dispense recreational drugs free from the back of a semi, but only after forbidding hospitals treating drug overdose cases!!
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ansientwun, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:00am

Re: outlaw the outlawing of natural selection
Ahh Darwinsim, now there's a law I can live with.
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Bill, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:01am

Re:
It's you who doesn't see it. The problem isn't the lack of use of one hand. If that was the case, manual transmission vehicles would have been banned decades ago. The problem is concentrating on something other than driving, the author is 100% correct in this.

Lack of blinkers rarely kill people, they usually result in little more than the trading of paint if they result in anything at all. Trying to figure out if you're free next weekend for that party your friend just invited you to while you're approaching that slightly hidden stop sign however .... will create some nasty results.
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Billy Bob from Tennessee, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:04am

Mass Idiotes
Once again proving that 85% of all people are idiots. The greeks had it right when they named the masses the Idiotes.
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Huh?, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:09am

Re: Deaf
Ummmm, how would a brail warning help a deaf person.
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taj, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:12am

Re: outlaw the outlawing of natural selection
Just like with driving drunk, it's not so much saving people from themselves but saving others from your poor decisions. It's one thing if you take yourself out of the gene pool because you're plastered, but the fact that the two tons of high-speed metal is likely to take passengers, pedestrians, other drivers out with it.

Now you can say "stop blaming technology", it's not the technology that is being blamed, but people's poor use of it. There is no doubt that using a cell phone a) increases the time taken to react to changes in traffic situation b) causes reduced spatial awareness and c) takes away the use of one hand. Driving here in Delhi is stressful enough as it is, but you can tell the guy who has a phone glued to his ear almost straightaway because of his erratic driving.

The only reason that people are focusing on cellphones rather than say, driving with eyes closed is because it's pretty damn obvious that the latter is a bad idea. With cellphones, OTOH, evidence indicates that some public education is still necessary. From comments above, it's clear that every cellphone-using driver thinks that it's only other idiots who can't do these things at the same time.
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WirelessGuy, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:13am

I just finished a study...
I discovered that stupid people are stupid no matter what law you put on the books.

Listen up...placing a law on the book will not get people who are easily distracted driving all of a sudden driving like mario andretti.

Rohan, I am sorry to say that you really need to keep your phone off while driving. Myself, I can walk and chew gum at the same time.

The problem wih legislating this, is why are they not banning people who drive and read newspapers, eating food from a plate with a fork and knife, putting on makeup, or yelling at their spouse like a moron, and my personal favorite, picking their nose.

This country likes to think that there is always one simple solution to a problem, instead of the infinite possibilities that actually are in a simple environment like driving a car. If you ban one, ban them all, or include an IQ test with the driver exam
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SPR, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:13am

Re: Re: Deaf
Hmmm,, well I guess we'll just have to devise a system that give a modest electrical shock to someone whenever they are approaching a dangerous situation. I can just see it now, apply that to everyone and we'll have a society of jittery flinching idiots!!
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Brandon Rusnak, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:14am

Lots of respectable people have been hit by trains
From "Oh Brother, Where Art Thow" - "Lots of respectable people have been hit by trains, my Granddaddy was hit by a train...".

The fact of the matter is people are stupid. How do you not notice that you are on train tracks. People have to priortize when using cell phones, either focusing on the conversation or on the road. It just goes to show where some of these people's priorities are.
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Ron, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:15am

And then, there are the ads
Anybody notice that the Tamil Nadu news article was surrounded by ads for cell phones for the work place, for kids as young as 8 years, etc.? So, we have the news story of how this psychotic cell phone took this person's life surrounded by ads for more of these death dealing devices. That's why I use a wireless headset; keeps the damned cell phone away from my neck.
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I can't see what you're saying, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:17am

Re: Deaf
It's time to mandate Braille for all deaf people and sign language for the blind!
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Dosquatch, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:20am

Re: Deaf
Would we blame the train for not having a warning in braille or for coming from behind?
There is a warning in braille on the front of the train, you just don't have very long to read it ;-)
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Steve W, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:22am

data compression
Many people bring up the issue that using cell phones while driving cannot be any more distracting than talking to someone within the car, or even using a CB or public safety radio. There is however a big difference. One of the less sigificant issues has already been stated...holding the phone, but the biggest one is the data compression used on cell phones.

Most cell phones today are digital. This means that when you speak in to a phone, the sound gets converted to computer data before it gets transmitted. In order to reduce the amount of data that is transmitted and handled by the telephone switching equipment, it is compressed, just like an MP3 song. The problem is that most cell phone audio is compressed significantly more than even the trashiest MP3 recording you've ever heard. The data compression used by cell phones is lossy, and removes significant portions of the speech. Cell phone companies do this especially so they can cram more calls on the towers, and thus lower the rates.

In order to interpret a conversation on a cell phone, your brain is sub-consiously adding back the information that was removed by the data compression. This, of course takes brain power, that's not being used to operate the vehicle, or whatever task you are attempting to perform while on the phone. CB and other public-service radios are typically analogue, and so they are not affected by this issue.

Add to this, the typical operation of a hand-held cell phone to drop audio frequently and intermittantly, and further distract the driver as they are foolilng with the phone asking the far-end to repeat themselves, or having to re-dial numbers, and you certainly have a recipe for a dangerous driver.

I'm not blaming the phone for the bad driving though, I am blaming the idiots out there that don't know when to responsibly and politely use a phone! I do however hold the phone companies fully responsible for the poor audio quality, and poor performance of the phones, which seems to be a commonplace nowadays!
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SPR, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:28am

Re: data compression
Steve W, you have given this way too much thought!!

Our laws are designed to protect and preserve the morons of the world. Change that and increase the overall intelligence level.
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lil'bit, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:40am

It's the Distraction, Stupid!
Studies show that cell phones, eating while driving, changing radio stations, smoking, putting on make-up, reading, etc. are all equally dangerous because they all share the same underlying fact - they distract from the task of driving.
A blanket prohibition on distractions would be far safer than just requiring hands-free devises or banning cell phone.
What would make the roads even more safe is adequate funding for the police that are charged with monitoring traffic! Here in California, there was a time when trucks in a lane other than the far right, unless passing, were ticketed. Cars driving slowly in lanes other than the far right lane were ticketed. Cars that failed to perform a merge properly were ticketed. Bottom line? People actually knew how to drive.
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Justin, 16 Jun 2006 @ 11:43am

Imagery
This is when I'm distracted
When Hips don't lie, come to think of it any of her songs, comes on the radio. From that time till the song starts till it is over all I can see is Shakira dancing.
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Bob Dole, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:04pm

Survival of the Fittest
I think those of us capable of driving, talking (w/ or w/o cell phones), and drinking a hot cup of coffee without killing ourselves should be celebrating.

If stupid people continue to kill themselves by being...um...stupid. Is the world not a little better off???
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Mike (profile), 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:04pm

Re: Talking vs Drunk Driving
The Mythbusters (http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/mythbusters.html) did a study a while back about which is worse drunk driving or talking on a cell phone. Based on what they did, it was found that talking on a cell phone, while holding it in your hand, is worse then being drunk.

Besides the fact that Mythbusters is far from scientific proof, that particular episode was really badly done.

First, they used a sample size of *two* which is hardly significant.

Second, for legal reasons, the people they tested were actually slightly below the legal limit for DUI.

Third, they put them on a very difficult obstacle course -- much trickier than what most people drive on a normal basis.

Fourth, the cell phone conversations involved really tricky questions, much more difficult than what most people normally talk about on the phone, requiring a lot more concentration.
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A concerned American, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:09pm

What has happened to America
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Dave, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:19pm

Stupidity Amplifiers
I see your point that ultimately, people are responsible for their actions. And stupid people tend to have stupider actions. And despite the hysterical reporting, I don't think they should start legislating and banning.

But I would say that the equipment becomes a stupidity amplifier, whether it be a cellphone, car, Ipod, or what-have-you - something that makes a stupid mistake have larger consequences than it would without the equipment. Should they ban them? No, but worse accidents will result from them being there than if they weren't there. People do have the right to do stupid things!
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:21pm

Yeah, just heard a story abotu some 4 year old kid who got ran over by a riding lawn mower. Tragic story, yes.

But then the idiot lawyer and family sues the company who makes the lawnmower... COME ON, that's retarded.

So I guess if you choke on bread you should sue the company who made the bread, right?

Idiots are amazing sometimes.
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WFIGUY, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:28pm

Re: Forget about the phones......
Like my railroad safety instructer said:

"TRAINS KILL PEOPLE". Of course my response was:

"Yeah, the stupid ones. It's not like they swerve or anything."
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SPR, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:30pm

Re: Runaway Lawnmower
And it's the stupid people who sue. Why? Because they are too stupid to know it was THEIR fault!!!
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Krush You, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:30pm

Technology isnt to blame
My issue with cell phones is say you are calling your home and another man or woman picks up and you find out your significant other has been cheating on you for god knows how long and that kid that appeared to come out of nowhere but you thought you were just jumping to conclusions comes to light...now most people will be upset and cool off...some people with handed this news don't take it so well and the car now has become a weapon...do we blame the cell phone for causing the guy or girl to lose their mind (because had they not called the incident would not have happened) or could you say you went insane because you found out everything is a lie and blame your significant other
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Krush You, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:32pm

that reminds me of
this guy came into a friend of mine's store and asked for a refund for condoms... the girl looked at him like why? He told her they didn't work and he got his girlfriend pregnant! I love the stupidity of people..
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SPR, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:34pm

Re: Re: Runaway Lawnmower
I guess we would have to call it "Survival of the Un-fitest"!! (I know, poor english, but it's to make a point.)
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Me, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:52pm

Re: ipods
Are you serious?? Talking on cell phones while driving doesn't cause problems???? Where do you live? I can drive out in traffic right now and I guarantee within an hour some soccer mom will cut me off or nearly kill me because she's talking on the phone, and touching up her crusty makeup in her rear-view mirror.

IPods? I think you're reaching a bit...
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Me Too, 16 Jun 2006 @ 12:59pm

Re:
WTF!! is right. But people do not drive poorly because they are talking on the phone and "Can't be bothered to use the Blinker because they have no hands left". If they really wanted to they could hold the phone in their right hand, thus freeing up the left hand to reach with an extended finge for the turn signal lever. It really can be done, if the driver would care to do it. Thus opnce again it really has nothing to do with the phone what so ever. It has everything to do with the fact that the people can't be bothered, and that they do not care about anybody but themselves and will take no responsiblity for their own actions.

Just let them do it, they will so become one of the Darwin Awards!
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Rick, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:09pm

Re: Re: Talking vs Drunk Driving
I was with you right up to number four. What happens to your driving skills when you are on the phone and:

Your significant other breaks up with you;
You are informed of the death of friend or family member;
Your chicken-shit boss fires you;
etc.

Hell, even normal conversation are distracting. Peoiple would rather talk on the phone than be driving. And that's fine. Just don't do both!
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meOIP, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:13pm

Bad Drivers drive with cell phones
Let's think some folks are saying they always see bad drivers on cell phones, how much attention do you pay to good drivers? Personally I don't look into the cars of many good drivers, except to good looking ones. It's the ones who cut me off that I look at, so it's hard to say how many good drivers are talking on cell phones.

Maybe we should be able to get license endorsements for cell phone driving (like we do for driving with glasses). If you can pass a cell phone driving road test you can drive with one. Of course we would also need one for air guitar playing while driving.
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Topher3105, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:18pm

Re: Re: Stop Blaming...
How old is your cellphone? My Motorola Razor can hardly be called a blinder. Perhaps if your using those big brick like Cellphones from the 90's, then I would agree with you.
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MajorPain, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:24pm

Stupid People??
Just as a point of clarity, these people may or may not be stupid. They are however unaware of the dangerous surroundings that are before them and have failed to perceive immediate danger. This might make them "clueless" but not stupid.

Paid for by citizens for stupid people....but not clueless.
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freakengine, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:25pm

Re: Re: Talking vs Drunk Driving
Ohhhhh...so I guess the answer is to ban serious conversations or tricky questions while driving and chatting on the phone. I had no idea anyone could actually control the content of a conversation when another person was involved. Maybe you're just referring to conversations with yourself.
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Ben McNelly, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:34pm

Lets just say...
Lets just say all of the sudden hundreds of people accross the world decided that enough was enough... And every time they went to a restraunt for a nice meal, and some inconsiderate dude starts yellin into his cell phone, they whip out a weapon or grab a fork and kill him and maybe even causing collateral dammage to others...

As the killing spree continues to escilate to thousands of people, do we blame the jerks in restaraunts yaking loudly on thier phone or the violent sociopath constituants?

Do we make a law that stops people from using phones in restaurants? That seems the most logical, because we cant really predict who the sociopaths are.

However, if we continue to comprimise on the side of restricting freedoms, in order to protect ourselves we will eventualy end up with least aware and most vounerable society ever.

People often get irritated at the US's John Wane attitude towards things, but there is good reason to it wether intended or not. From our founders through all of our presidents, we have had this attitude and its the only reason we are all not living in a comunist social society without liberty or freedom. *although we are working that way...
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Me2, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:35pm

Re: Re: ipods
My friend rear-ended someone while changing songs on their ipod, and I'm sure she isn't the only one in the world to do this.
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Ben, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:36pm

Re: Re: ipods
Agreed that Ipod is reaching, but the soccer mom cutting you off while on her phone and doing her makeup is still not the phone's fault, she'd still be doing her makeup and not paying attention to where you are. Lets just remind everyone about that nifty little invention installed in every car. the HORN honk your damn horn when someone cuts you off and maybe they will start paying attention to the 2 ton piece of metal they almost hit.
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Ben, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:38pm

Re: Re: Re: Deaf
Well i've read that some cell phones will come with electrodes to shock you when you get a call... maybe with alittle hacking blue tooth could enable the "shock for danger"
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Jason, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:40pm

Amazing
Wow! Finally a voice or reason. People should have realized this long ago that it's stupid people that cause accidents and not the distractions. They choose to be distracted by self-indulging in something they deem more important. I'm glad to hear that someone finally figured it out and wrote an article about it.
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Jason, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:43pm

Technology
Technology is only as good as it's maker. The maker of technology is usually a human and humans aren't perfect. So don't expect technology to be.
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Topher3105, 16 Jun 2006 @ 1:44pm

The Truth, period!
The simple problem is, getting a license is too freaking easy, and SHOULD BE a privilege and a responsibility, NOT A RIGHT!

You don't have the RIGHT to drive, you have the right to earn the responsibility of having a license, doing ANYTHING that violates that responsibility should revoke that privilege.

If you cause an accident that is clearly your fault and because you were being unnecessarily distracted, then you should get your license suspended. Kill a person in an accident, if your not thrown in jail, then you should have your license revoked permanently. Cause multiple accidents with obvious signs of distraction, and your license should be revoked.

Traffic laws are far too lenient and usually all that happens is your fined for the violations. These fines are only designed as an additional source of revenue for governments. Taking bad driver's off the road cost more to implement and enforce and would eat into the profit governments make from traffic violation fines.

Governments DON'T want to take bad drivers off the road. It would reduce gas tax revenue, tax on car sales, income generated from selling licences and license plates and licensing this and that. A reduction of drivers means less car sales, meaning less work in the auto industry and other related industries like steel workers, etc.

Drivers generate a LARGE amount of revenue for governments at the city, state/provincial and national levels and are a huge part of our economy.

But it is f*cking easy and cheap to create a law to ban cellphones or iPods. It gives stupid people the satisfaction of thinking they are safe and that the government is looking out for them, allowing other stupid people to continue to get into accidents regardless and only get paltry fines so they can get back in their car and cause more accidents (and generate more revenue).

Stricter traffic laws with harshre penalties including REMOVING bad drivers from the roads would make the roads safer, period! But governments are not interested in making the roads safer, just getting people that believe cellphones and iPods are dangerous to shut the f*ck up and stop bitching long enough so they can vote for their favourite idiot politician in the next election.
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Richard, 16 Jun 2006 @ 2:04pm

Re:
Sane response. One of the few.
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Skewd, 16 Jun 2006 @ 2:05pm

Facts for Facts Sake
I love how facts can be twisted to support whatever trendy cause you want to support. For example, a man in a near-by county was talking on his cell phone, fell asleep at the wheel, crossed 3 lanes of traffic and killed a little old lady in a head-on collision. This of course was chaulked up to being a cell phone related death and actions were taken to introduce a strict punishment for cell phone use while driving. The fact that he was on the cell phone was as irrelevant as the type of motor oil he was using. HE FELL ASLEEP!!!!!! If I go shoot someone while talking on my cell phone it sure of hell isn't my cell phones fault, but you can be sure it's gonna be marked as cell phone related.

On a side note, I have to say I hate it when people bring up "Myth Busters". That show gets funded by outside sources just like any other show. Their "results" are gonna swing whatever way they're paid or coerced to go. I will be honest and say I have no proof contrary to their results, but come on lets not just automatically accept TV as truth.
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JC, 16 Jun 2006 @ 2:14pm

Cellphones....
Yeah, I'll agree with one point. People are stupid, hell I'd even say most people are. But, the use of cell phones while driving is nuts. Every day I have a chance to wonder if the guy in front of my has been drinking, but only to pass by and watch the animated hands and head movement to know they are just chatting away with who-freaking-cares-who.
I believe strongly in rights, everyday I try to encourage their protection. I'll even fight for your right to be the best jack-ass you can be. But, once you cross over the center line talking to your bank about an over draft fee, my cup of givin a crap just ran out. So stay off your cell phones and watch the damn road.
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Anthony, 16 Jun 2006 @ 2:19pm

Re: The Truth, period!
Umm... I don't know why you think getting a drivers license is a right. Nobody thinks they have the right to drive and everyone knows it's a responsibility.

People get their license's revoked every day for all sorts of reasons. In some cases YOU DO get your licensed revoked if you cause an accident that is entirely your fault.

Traffic laws are not far too lenient. In California if you get caught speeding you can expect a ticket over $300. If you go 15mph over the speed limit you can go to jail AND get your licensed revoked. If you run a red light (cameras everywhere) you get fined $340, and this fine gets higher for your second, third, etc.

Governments don't have anything to do with taking bad drivers off the road, that's what the police and courthouses do, and those laws that they create that ban cell phone's, they actually reduce accidents, it's been proven.

Congratulations, this is dumbest comment I've EVER read. You need to stop thinking people are stupid because you are clearly the ignorant one.
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Anonymous Coward, 16 Jun 2006 @ 2:40pm

Re:
Again, this is not the phone's fault, it is the person who is driving not taking the responiblity of driving seriously. Yes I see the person driving talking on the phone, in the passing lane going 45 mph. Yes it makes me crazy. If that person was not on the phone, most likely they would come to a complete stop in the passing lane to merge left, causing the same problem. As it has been said, "You can't fix stupid"
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anonymous coward, 16 Jun 2006 @ 3:23pm

Cell phone destroyed my life...
If it wasn't for my damned cell phone I would have never made the 2a.m. booty call to the lazy fat domineering cow that would become my wife...
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Don Long, 16 Jun 2006 @ 6:55pm

Idiocy is here to stay
Precisely. And the same argument applies to the anti-gun movement. Idiocy (or criminal intentions) can't be legislated away.
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Darwin, 17 Jun 2006 @ 5:01am

Survival
Once again everything comes down to survival of the fittest. Personaly I am fine with stupid people being killed. My only hope is that they did not have a chance to procreate before it happened
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Benjamin, 17 Jun 2006 @ 5:16am

Re: Cell phone destroyed my life...
Oh? The cell phone forced you to marry her? You, my dear sir, are a prime example of people who just wont accept responsibility for your actions. Does that make you stupid? Probably not, but it certainly doesn't say much about you.
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Jun 2006 @ 5:22am

Re: Survival
What if it was your sister, your daughter? Wouldn't your opinion be changed? Sure, people do stupid things, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are stupid. As for the idea that stupidity is genentic, hogwash, unless of course you actually have a gene that makes your offspring mentially incapable (Retarted). Otherwise, we're all born with a good brain, some of us just rather not use it all the time.
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bbfreak, 17 Jun 2006 @ 5:36am

Technology
As for technology, those who create or dream up these ideas have the responsiblity to understand not only the good that can come of them but the bad. Human nature should always be a factor, always, and if you fail to factor in human nature your niaveity is no excuse for what happens next. Of course, I'm sure some companies do just that, they just rather turn a blind eye in order to achieve profits. Though, to believe that the human race will ever be reasonable is laughable at best.
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Dan Rather, 17 Jun 2006 @ 8:32am

Tonight, at 11
We bring you a crucial piece that every parent wants to know, a story every child NEEDS to know; laptops and cell phones, how and why they rape.

Wait, what?
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WeeBit, 17 Jun 2006 @ 3:28pm

Our roads have always had distractions. Look at our freeways. Billboards, balloons, and lights, and a host of other things. All saying spend your money here! CB radio is a fact of life for a lot of drivers. Radios in cars etc have gone cd, satellite, and video. Been that way for years now. Why bring up this BS? We didn't create the problem, innovation did. As far as the deaf girl is concerned... I feel for the family whom lost a daughter, but why was she on the train tract in the first place? Is this a short cut used by many people? Maybe signs were not visible enough, or some other reason. But to bring up the fact she was text messaging takes from the real cause of her death and that was ignoring signs that I am sure were there. As for CNN making a big deal out of the text messaging.... shame on them. But then again CNN never had a heart in the first place they just want the story to seem more too it than what it was. They jumped on a opportunity to exploit someone to get better ratings. What a shame, and shame on them.
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ctpmn, 17 Jun 2006 @ 9:29pm

Re:
Studies show that switching drivers to handsfree systems does not show a noticable difference to the reaction time or ability to drive. The issue does not come from holding the phone but from focusing on a subject other then driving. Much like when your talking to your passenger and you accidently blow a stop sign. Luckily the government can't ban "TALKING" in cars.
but if it saves live then i think I'll support it, though I still talk while i drive.
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Doug, 19 Jun 2006 @ 6:45am

Sounds like a typical argument in favor of gun control....ban the innanimate object.
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Wizard Prang, 19 Jun 2006 @ 8:30am

The flost art of signalling
Amen, brother!
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Wizard Prang, 19 Jun 2006 @ 8:30am

The lost art of signalling
Amen, brother!
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Wizard Prang, 19 Jun 2006 @ 8:32am

I disagree...
I have nearly been killed by drivers of SUVs (and on one occasion a Semi) who nearly ran me off the road because they thought that signals were optional.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jun 2006 @ 4:06pm

I agree that "Cell phones kill" is a stupid motto.

I'd prefer "Kills those with cell phones."
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Tim Barnes, 15 Mar 2007 @ 8:58pm

Technology
CELL PHONES KILL! DESTROY ALL CELL PHONES! CELL PHONES SUCK! PEOPLE WHO USE CELL PHONES ARE IDIOTS! FUCK TECHNOLOGY!
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