Same Guys Remind Us That Yakking While Driving Is Really Bad

from the sorry,-you-were-saying dept

Thu, Dec 4th 2008 2:20pm — Carlo Longino

A new study claims that talking on your cell phone while driving is more dangerous than talking to passengers while driving. It comes from the same group of researchers at the University of Utah that's been pumping out similar studies for years, like the one that said a 20-year-old driver instantly assumes the reaction speed of a 70-year-old when they start talking on the phone, and that talking while driving impairs a driver more than drunk driving, or the one blaming slow traffic on people talking while driving. The thrust of the research -- or at least how it always gets spun -- is as ammo for more laws to ban talking on the phone while driving, which, as always, miss the point. Again, this latest study focuses on a single distraction, and leads people to believe that banning it will immediately make roads safer. But aren't there lots of things that are more "dangerous" or distracting to do while driving than talking to passengers, but aren't the continual focus for new legislation? Trying to ban stupidity or unsafe driving, distraction by distraction, will be pretty difficult, not to mention ineffective.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: driving while yakking

23 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Xerloq, 4 Dec 2008 @ 2:44pm

Call for new legislation?
Sure, paranoia is the affliction of the free, but c'mon? Do you really think the study is aimed at creating additional legislation to ban cell phones? The article states, "Ultimately, it's the driver who has prime responsibility," and doesn't call for any additional legislation that I can see.

Simply because an organization is good at a certain type of research (an thus conducts multiple, similar studies) does not warrant writing it off and ignoring it.

It is possible there are other applications to the research other than legislation, like education or new technology to help the problem.

But I guess I can simply write off this story as more of the same from Techdirt.... bleh.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Dec 2008 @ 2:46pm

Bans
Banning yakking while driving makes about much sense as banning driving under the influence of alcohol. Some people can do it safely and some can't. Banning it for everybody just doesn't sense.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Dec 2008 @ 2:52pm

There are, of course, more stupid and distracting things people COULD do. They could juggle. They could change a diaper. They could do a crossword puzzle.

But talking on cell phones is what they ACTUALLY do. And they do it a lot.

"Don't be stupid" is not something you can successfully legislate. Specific instances of it, however, can be legislated. They've selected the biggest target after driving while intoxicated -- driving while talking on a cell phone.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
mslade, 4 Dec 2008 @ 2:54pm

Re: Bans
Heh. Are you the type who drives home from a party smashed out of your senses, then assumes that because you made it home safely you must be "good" at driving drunk? Or do you just know people like that, and actually but into that jeuvinile tripe?

It's ironic how everybody who's driven drunk and not had a brush with death thinks they're so totally awesome at driving drunk. Oh until that one time when they actually have to react to something and whoops, I just smeared a teenager about 100 feet across the pavement. Then they're a pathetic, sobbing mess of apologies that don't do anybody any good.

I don't care how much drunk driving experience you have (and the same goes for cell phones) -- automobiles are death machines and any give moment that you're on the highway with other automobiles you are seconds from dead. If you aren't putting 100% of your attention into not watching your surroundings, not being that douche who tailgates everyone, and generally being defensive, then you're just a killer waiting to happen.

End rant.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Haywood, 4 Dec 2008 @ 3:00pm

Opinions Vary
I've been driving for 44, years professionally for around 20 of those years. I have seen the behavior of average driver diminish more since the introduction of the cell phone than from any other influence. People have been talking to passengers, eating, applying makeup, tuning the radio, correcting kids in the back seat, the entire time I've been driving, and while I was observing before I earned my license.
None of those distractions compares. The only distraction that even comes close is; being knee slapping, song singing drunk.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Dec 2008 @ 3:11pm

Common Sense
I've talked on my cell phone while driving and I don't like doing so. (I don't anymore at all because i live in california where a ban has been passed) However on some occasions it is makes sense to do so. For example, the weather is looking ominous so i call a friend to ask them to chech to see if it is safer for me to get off the highway as opposed to plawing through it.

But I think there is a safe way to do that. Get in the right hand lane, maintain a steady speed, don't pass anyone or change lanes. Recognize that you are impairing yourself so drive extra cautiously until you can get yourself off the phone.

Laws shouldn't force you to not talk on the cell phone. Reckless driving is dangerous and illegeal. If you are driving dangerously then you should be pulled over and fined or arrested. I don't care if you are drunk, chatting on the phone, spanking your childred, getting road head, cussing out the guy who cut you off, or falling asleep. If you aren't driving safely you are breaking the law. End of story. We don't need extra laws to make that any clearer
[ link to this | view in thread ]
vrobca, 4 Dec 2008 @ 3:15pm

We are not created equal
I've seen my younger brother command an entire modern warfare platoon with a 16 button controller while loud music plays in the background and his girlfriend rants thru iChat.....and unfortunately also people who can't chew gum and walk at the same time !
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Rhett, 4 Dec 2008 @ 3:29pm

Are you kidding me?
The people that don't want cell phones banned are the ones in front of me talking, swerving, speeding up and slowing down, which I try to make it through ridiculous rush-hour. This absolutely should be banned. I'm to the point that I want to reach in their car and just take their phone and toss it to prove a point. I agree that there's a need to call when driving, but be quick; get the info and shut the hell up. I know a few people that get in their car and just start calling people out of habit and carry 30 minute conversations. It's ridiculous and needs to stop. I hope they ban it everywhere.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Elohssa, 4 Dec 2008 @ 5:37pm

Re: Are you kidding me?
Rhett, you need to think harder.

No one here thinks driving while talking on the cell phone is good thing, in terms of additional accidents caused, or general obnoxiousness.

The problem with a cell phone ban is that it is a slippery slope. This has been demonstrated on this very issue, with the immediate "texting ban" follow-on.

It is already a crime to drive recklessly, in every state of the U.S. and most other nations.

Does it matter WHY a person is driving recklessly?

Your feelings are legitimate, but you are being manipulated by political operators who do not care about logic, or what is right. They only care about getting shallow thinkers to write a check.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
CatBandit, 4 Dec 2008 @ 5:45pm

Pass a law? BE the law!
Those who talk on their cell while driving are a danger to me. While I am driving my car. But especially while I am on my motorcycle! I am not waiting for a law (though it would be the first good one in memory), because when someone cuts me off and I see a cell phone in their hand, I follow them until they stop, and then I visit with them about their disregard for my safety and that of others (often babies) in their own vehicle.

I try to be civil and polite, but I let them know that they are not acting as responsible adults, but like irresponsible community members by actions like this.

I will continue to BE the law, whether or not a law is made a formality, and I urge everyone else to do so as well. We, the members of our own communities, need to begin being our own "neighborhood watch" regarding acts of others that are dangerous to ourselves. Just my 2.5 cents.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Link, 4 Dec 2008 @ 6:27pm

Priveledge, not a right.
Owning and using a cell phone as well as an automobile have been treated as a "right" by most everyone. They are not and should not be. If you cannot pass a simple hand/eye coordination test, you should not be allowed to own or operate either one bust especially not together.

For those that complain about the cell phone users that drive recklessly or stupidly, are you absolutely positive that it's everyone? Or is it that you only notice those that behave in that manner?

Do we really need to punish everyone for the reckless stupidity of a minority? Turn them in. Take their "rights" away. Don't make more laws to correct the actions of a relatively few people who are going to ignore the law anyway because they actually believe that it is their "right" to do so.

As has been pointed out already. It is illegal to drive recklessly in every state in the union. No matter the excuse that is used. We have laws in place already to handle this. Use them. We don't need more.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
transit60, 4 Dec 2008 @ 6:30pm

Re: Common Sense
Hey Anonymous, I catch your comments on a regular basis. Some are funny, some irritating and some make sense. I have to agree with you on this one.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Daily Commute, 4 Dec 2008 @ 6:44pm

Of course
Would it be easier to legislate those things a person is allowed to do, or those things a person is not allowed to do. I used to think I knew the answer to this question.

Without such a law in place, rest assured that an officer of the law could and probably would pull you over if you were seen driving erratically. If you passed the drunk test you would most likely still recieve a citation for careless driving. So - why do we need a law ? Well, so that more revenue can be gleaned from the population.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Dec 2008 @ 9:35pm

Re: Re: Are you kidding me?
"Does it matter WHY a person is driving recklessly?"

That's why the DUI laws should repealed.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Dec 2008 @ 9:53pm

Sigh
I am also a professional driver, going on 30 years, and I have to say, the most rediculous drivers I've seen are the ones that get eye popping mad over things they can't control. Relax, take a chill pill, do what you need to do to get home, and let it go. Guy who suggests actually approaching someone about how you feel they should conduct themselves, I sincerely hope you just get the tar beaten out of you and not shot in the face, which is equally likely if you continue such actions. I don't really care how hardcore you think you are, there's always a bigger fish.
I am strongly against any legislation which limits personal freedoms. Talking on your cell phone is no more dangerous then changing the radio or talking to your back seat passenger, which people do just as frequently, but doesnt get as much publicity because suggesting passing laws against these things would touch even the technophobes who think these laws are a good idea.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Dec 2008 @ 11:02pm

Re: Sigh
Talking on your cell phone is no more dangerous then changing the radio or talking to your back seat passenger...
Do you have anything to back that up or are you just making stuff up?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Link, 5 Dec 2008 @ 4:41am

Re: Re: Sigh
Common sense, observation and experience backs that up. A university experiment is not necessary to prove what is right in front of you.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
nasch, 5 Dec 2008 @ 10:04am

Re: Re: Are you kidding me?
It is already a crime to drive recklessly, in every state of the U.S. and most other nations.

Does it matter WHY a person is driving recklessly?

Possibly. The problem is, people driving recklessly while talking on the phone don't think they're being reckless. They don't realize their speed is all over the place, or they're riding 10 feet off the next guy's bumper, or they just wandered out of their lane. Or if they do realize it, they brush it off because they didn't kill anybody, that time. Reckless driving is illegal, but everybody thinks "oh, I'm a safe driver, no problem. Of course I'm not going to weave all over the road and hit other drivers." Ban cell phones while driving and maybe, possibly, some people might reduce or shorten their calls and there will be fewer accidents.

I'm not saying the ban is good, I don't know. I'd have to see some kind of analysis of its effects. But saying that reckless driving is already illegal doesn't prove that the ban is a bad idea.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 5 Dec 2008 @ 12:19pm

Re: Re: Re: Sigh
Common sense, observation and experience backs that up. A university experiment is not necessary to prove what is right in front of you.
No, just the opposite. Common sense, observation and experience all agree with the study.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ame, 5 Dec 2008 @ 3:17pm

Why the phones again?
About 5 years ago there was a very interesting study published by a well-published magazine (I do not recall exactly which one, something like Time or Newsweek). The study was focused on reasons of an accident or a near accident situation. And I remember it clearly enough that cell phones were listed as reason #6 on the list (sorted by percentage of occurrence , descending). Guess what was reason #1? Coffee! Yes, just a cup of coffee caused more accidents or close calls then cells phones. And we still want to ban phones? If so, I guess nobody is really interested in preventing accidents! Places 2 thru 5 were occupied by talking to passengers, kids, something else, do not remember particular order, though... Too bad I did not keep a copy of that study, could have been helpful!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 5 Dec 2008 @ 4:06pm

Re: Why the phones again?
"Too bad I did not keep a copy of that study, could have been helpful!"

That sounds pretty bogus to me. Unless you come up with an actual citation I'm calling "bullshit".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 5 Dec 2008 @ 6:19pm

I'm not saying the ban is good, I don't know. I'd have to see some kind of analysis of its effects. But saying that reckless driving is already illegal doesn't prove that the ban is a bad idea.

I would suggest that it is the activists responsibility to demonstrate the the ban is a good idea.

Doing things because they aren't a bad idea is exactly how the U.S. (and California in particular) got into the current fiscal mess.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
AnonCow, 9 Dec 2008 @ 4:23pm

Future Headline: "Climbing Into the Back Seat And Taking A Nap While Driving Should Be Banned; Causes Accidents 100% Of The Time."
[ link to this | view in thread ]