Should it be allowed for you to talk on your cell phone while driving?

Answer 1

I am sure glad that other people are also willing to talk about this and not just immediately say "YES! WE NEED ANOTHER LAW!"

(Thanks to Songbird and Porterhouse for having the courage to call it the way it is!)

Yes, it's true that distracted drivers are the leading cause of accidents seconded only by alcohol related crashes.

That being said, is a cell phone all that more distracting than a CB Radio? How about conversations with other passengers? Eating? Drinking? Adjusting your Radio/GPS/Air Conditioning? How about fooling around with a blackberry or PDA? Really THINK about that for a minute. Good grief, I have seen people trying to read a map while barreling down the expressway! Which do you think is more dangerous?

Now think about this...

Would it be fair to say that at least 1 in 5 drivers talk on a cell phone while driving nowadays? Are there a lot of poor drivers on the road? Is it safe to say that 1 in 5 poor drivers talk on a cell phone while driving? (Do you see where I am going with this?) People see poor driving, then people see the poor driver with cell phone, so they conclude that the poor driving the fault of the phone.

My state has no such law and that unfortunately that will probably change someday soon. However, no amount of laws are going to remove all of the distractions that driver's face or remove "bad drivers" from the highway. To be a good driver, you have to put the priority of the road ahead of everything else. Is it possible to talk on a phone, to a passenger, or to ONSTAR, while driving safely? I say yes for most people. For those that can't handle it, then they need to be smart enough to limit thier own distractions without us having to pass a law about it. If they aren't smart enough, do you really think another safety law on the books is going to make any difference?

Answer 2

This is a tough question because some people can handle the multi-tasking involved with talking on a phone while driving better than others. While I wouldn't fight for a law banning cell phone use while driving I would understand if one was established. I for one do talk on the phone while driving at times however I try to keep it short and to the point. I also always try to use a hands-free device.

Many people will have long and intensive conversations while driving and this is NOT good for concentration.

Answer 3

Police seeing people talking on phones while driving should stop them, drop the phone in a bucket of salty water for two minutes then hand it back to the driver. I was going to write "drive over the phone" but that's littering. They must especially target teenagers. Then issue a $500 fine, $1000 if the phone appears to be used for business reasons. It is as dangerous as drink driving.

Answer 4

I just answered this for another asker....

Most people are capable of a short 3-5 minute conversation that ends with.... "I'll call you back when I arrive". It is the minority of motorists who jeopardize the rest of us by checking voicemail, texting, checking and writing e-mail on their BlackBerry, playing Tetris, pretty much anything except for focusing on the task at hand, which is driving a potential lethal weapon.

There are a number of people who are compelled to dial as soon as the car is in "R" because they get bored while driving, have an absurd amount of business to conduct or engage in emotionally complex conversations while driving -- think divorced parents and children/weekend custody here.

I myself opt for BlueTooth wireless/handsfree when I take calls while driving at work.... I drive a tractor trailer, and most of the time, I ignore all of my incoming calls since I am on the roads at a bad hour of the day with too much traffic to fool around with a phone. I just can't understand what is so important that it can't wait another half hour until you're at the office or jobsite, etc.... and out of rush hour traffic. I also don't understand how people get bored while driving, I drive up to 450 miles a day, and I guess I don't get bored because #1, its my job and #2 with all these people driving like maniacs on the phone..... :-P LOL

Answer 5

No way. I have to use my cell phone for my job, and if my office calls me when I'm driving, I pull over to talk. I think it's too dangerous and distracting to drive and talk on the phone.

Answer 6

Just the fact that you asked that question gives me the heebie-jeebies. I can feel another freedom headed out the window in the name of peace and/or safety even as I write this.
Is it a good idea? No. Is it safe? Depends on the person doing it. But should a law be written banning talking while driving? No! But, unfortunately, it already has been and- as with other now lost freedoms- what one state does all others follow. So expect it, whether it should be done or not.

Answer 7

I think definitely no texting. Calling ehhh maybe if on speakerphone because both hands should be on the wheel and eyes on the road but with speakerphone it is the same thing as taking to someone sitting in the passenger seat as long as you dont turn around. Maybe even a little less dangerous because you dont have the urge to turn and see and expression because its just a phone haha (:

Answer 8

I don't think so. I can see you answering the phone if you are using blue tooth so you aren't distracted, then either pull over and talk or call them back when you have arrived at your destination.

Answer 9

No. If people want to talk they need to pull over or go hands free.

Answer 10

N F W!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!