Why must people talk on the cell phone while driving?

Question

Especially on the interstate/highways. I find it so annoying when I come up behind or near another driver who is slowing down then speeding up, or weaving and then to see that they are on the phone. Is it that important that it cannot wait until you get somewhere and get your vehicle stopped? Or if it is really important, couldn't you just pull over and stop on the side of the road to use your cell phone so as not to get in an accident? Another thing I find funny is people going through the supermarket aisle or in walmart on their phones talking. Some of them are talking to another person who is in the same store, saying, "Yeah I'm over here on aisle 7, where are you/what are you doing?" The only thing I can see having a cell phone for is an emergency, like your car had problems or something like that and you had to call for help. That is why I have a track phone under the seat in my car.

I have often thought of getting a bumper sticker that reads, "Hang up and drive!"

Answer 1

Also, when your in line in the store hang up the phone. I can't tell you how many times I've been behind people who never even acknowledge the cashier, cause their on the phone. Rude!!! It doesn't make you look important just like an idiot.

Answer 2

I love a good conversation as much as anyone, and can natter on for hours... but nearly always while stationary! I strongly agree that talking while driving is an accident waiting to happen.

Most of us drive on "automatic". Usually, it's the unexpected incident that requires our optimal reaction. If one's concentration is split between talking (or any other activity) and driving, a half-second delay in reaction can mean the difference between a close call and something truly horrible.

I have a friend who is one of the worst offenders in this regard... She has terrible concentration to start off with, and gets even more distracted when she's talking on her cell phone. Plus, she doesn't always go hands-free as required by state law.

When I call her on her cell, my first question is whether she's driving. If so, I hang up -- I do this with everyone, regardless. Unless it were a matter of life and death, there is very little I'd have to say that would justify my holding a conversation with someone who's behind the wheel of a moving car.

As with DUIs, drivers who "talk and drive" (especially non-hands free) are vastly increasing the likelihood of their cars becoming a killing machine. Ask anyone who's been involved in an accident resulting in grave bodily harm, and they'll tell you that the risk is just not worth it. Such an accident has a lifelong negative impact on the rest of one's life.

If you consider driving to be boring, or whatever, too bad. At least you don't have to walk the distance like (shades of grandpa) they had to do in the olden days!

Answer 3

Here in the Netherlands it caused enough accidents & near-accidents that they made a law against using cell phones while driving. Hands-free phones are still allowed though, so if someone's really with his mind on the conversation it is still distracting... but at least they have their hands for the driving.

I also find it's a bit silly how often people call, I use public transport and people call home if there's a 5-minute delay. In my family, no one knows to that extend when we're coming home, we sorta know what time we're gonna eat of course but no one will even notice if you're just a *little* bit sooner or later.... sometimes I stop at the store, sometimes I go straight home, sometimes I have one train earlier and sometimes I have one train later. Only on very special occasions I may have an appointment that requires me to get home real soon after work so I can make it on time, and someone may be waiting for me if I'm only five minutes late. But if ten people in a carriage start dialing home when such a brief delay is announced, I don't believe for one moment that applies to all of them! To be that closely watched by my partner or parents would make me feel like I'm suffocating, we're all adults, we should have the freedom to stop by a store or chat with a colleague or have a brief delay without constantly having to report in!

Answer 4

Wow! I was expecting answers that would be along the lines of "Driving is a RIGHT, not a PRIVILEGE!" Or, "There are no good irrefutable statistics correlating cell phone use and accidents" denial types of responses--you know--like "global warming is a myth." Instead, plenty of the opposite! I can't tell you how many times I have watched a car veer across the lane line and barely miss the car in that lane (often, mine), and when you check, the driver is on his or her cell phone...blissfully oblivious. Yes on any or all of the penalty suggestions. I like the idea of impounds, fines, jail time, license removal, and technological advances. I wish I had a passenger driving with me who could photograph drivers and their license plates...I'd send every single one to the DMV.

Answer 5

I don't understand those people, either. How could we live if we couldn't use the cell while driving? How did we make it all the years that we had to go home or pull over to use the pay phone? I don't understand why the law for using the speaker phone behind the wheel had to be made. It should be stop the car to use the phone.

Answer 6

1. People hate driving. If they lvoed it, then they would spend more time enjoying the ride.

2. People lack self-control, and often drive irresponsibily.

3. People are alienated by the word, and having a cellphone makes them feel like they are never alone.

4. People also eat, fix their hair, look in the glovebox, etc, for the same reasons as the ones above, but one cannot classify these activities in the same way as a cellphone conversation because of the perceived need to talk all the time.

5. Laws are not passed or are not enforced. Then again, people speed regardless of the law.

6. People hate driving and would rather do something else. I know I said that, but bascially this is the main reason.

Answer 7

Yeah, I also wonder why people risk their own and, above all, other's lives just for a phone call. In some countries it's forbidden to talk on the cell phone while driving. That would be a good idea everywhere, I think.

Answer 8

Its because they just can't be by themselves while they drive. Instead of listening to the radio while driving they need to talk to someone. Like it would be if someone was with them. *and even if someone was with them they might still talk on the phone.*

And with the stores, its the same with driving, they can't seem to shop by themselves. Its no fun to shop by yourself these days. If your alone, OMG what will people think of you?!

I mainly have mine for emergencys. I did, however use mine while driving trying to find the library in a town i don't live in, and my sister-in-law did.thats the only reason why, and it was easier to talk to her while driving.

Answer 9

its the #1 cause of accidents in drivers between 18 and 24

Answer 10

Maybe they wanna show others that they 've a cell phone...u know it's a merical.