Should cell phone use while driving be banned, particularly the hand-held kind?

Question

I normally am Libertarian on most political subjects, but this matter has been out-of-control for years! I cannot go from one side of the city (a small one) without seeing people drive like goofballs daily while holding a cell to their ear, or dialing a number. I personally will either pull over when calling, or ignore a call until I reach a place where I can call back while out of the traffic flow, with very few exceptions. I know accurate statistics would be hard to come by, but I know cell-using drivers cause accidents daily, just by my own observation, and using common sense reasoning.

Answer 1

I think hand held cell phone use should be banned. I also think that drivers under 21 should be banned from all cell phone use while driving. This demographic group already had the most crashes before the introduction of cell phones. Calling 911 would be an exception.

What many cell phone users may not realize is that most accidents are now automatically attributed to a person who is using a cell phone whether or not it actually contributed to the accident. So be forwarned and get off the phone!

Answer 2

Supporting a ban on driving with hand-held phones does not make you any less of a Libertarian. After all, distracted drivers that cause accidents infringe on the liberty of others. With all the technology out there, the latest being Blue Tooth, I don't see why anyone would need to drive with a hand-held phone. I doubt any of these peoples calls are terribly important, which is why I can't understand why they even bother to answer their phones. People have become WAY too accessible these days.

Answer 3

Ghod yes, ban the bloody things. No one should have their hand glued to the side of their head while driving. Driving is a serious business, and attention should be paid.

I've almost been killed by idiots on their cell phones who couldn't be bothered to turn their head to see if the lane they want into is clear. They barge right over regardless of the fact someone might already be there.

When using a handheld cell phone, you are denying your peripheral vision, and driving with one hand. people who do this should not be allowed to breed, much less drive.

Wish I had a cell phone jamming device mounted in my car.

Answer 4

I have my cell phone on the car seat next to me ... in case of an emergency. But, if I need to make a call, I wait until I pull over. My friends and family know I don't like empty conversations ..." Hi. What cha doing? Me nothing." So, I also screen my calls pretty carefully too when I'm driving.

Answer 5

It is in some states. And I work for a State Highway Department and due to some of the cell phone causing accidents I have seen. YES IT SHOULD. Anything that prohibits you from driving should be banned!!!

Answer 6

Yes, too many people just keep yakking and don't pay any attention on their driving. Many times I see them at green lights just sitting there yakking away, and when you beep them to go, they want to tear your head off. Cell phone use have also cause too many traffic accidents. I think that we should ban them while the vehicle is in motion for the DRIVER ONLY.

Answer 7

yes - creating fewer distractions for drivers will result in fewer accidents. Fewer accidents reduces the number of times that I need to scrape a 5 year old and their mangled bicycle off the road and let the parents know that there precious little child will not be coming home tonight.

Answer 8

It was banned in the UK over three years ago, because of the obvious danger it represents, and anyone who starts wittering on about too much legislation and freedom of rights is a bloody idiot, its just plain common sense and being responsible while you are in control of something that can kill on impact at even twenty miles an hour all because you were looking at your phone key pad.

Answer 9

Yes!

And drunk driving should have harsher sentences!

And the driving age should be increased or we should have more intense drivers ed. Most car accidents are by teenager who just get their license. I think statistically it's within those 6 months you are most likely to cause a wreck.

Answer 10

Hell yes, this has shot to the top of my peeve's list. I can't think of how many times I have seen someone to something retarded in a car, and then when I see the driver (usually a huge empty-except-for -the-driver SUV) they are chatting away on their cell. I think you should be ticketed and the cop can smash your cell phone on the ground.