Are you for or against cell phone use in cars? Why/Why not?

Question

I Want an honest, in-depth opinion on this topic.

Answer 1

I agree with what many others have said. It's not about the phone, it's all about the driver. I am not for restricting cell phone use if that's the core of your question. I am for enforcing the laws we already have on the books for unsafe driving on the road. If you are not using a signal light because you are too "distracted" then you should be ticketed, cell phone or not!

You can read my whole blog on this subject here...
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-jMjuQCwldKI7Imwa_ZLqmg--?cq=1
Even take the poll if you fancy. All comments welcome and will be kept so long as we all keep it clean!

Answer 2

I drive over 1000 miles a week. I use my cell phone while driving and have no problems. I also can drink a soda while driving, and even eat a sandwich at 70 mph.

Some people have the ability to do more than one thing at a time and do it well. Some do not. If I had to pull over every time i needed to make or receive a phone call, I would spend at least 4 more hours on the road a day!!

There are many things that can be distraction while you are driving. Changing a radio station, or a CD, talking to a passenger, or even driving past a pretty girl on the side of the road can distract a driver. If you want to ban cell phones, what do you ban next? Do you want to remove stereos from all cars? How about making it illegal to talk to a passenger while driving?

There are times and road conditions where I have to give 110% attention to driving. There are also times that I can afford to only give 95% and use the other 5% for other tasks!!

You can not ban all distractions. If you can not safely use a phone while driving, do not use it! Do not try to control what I do, as long as I am driving safely!

Answer 3

I think everyone should ride motorcycles. Look at the list of top driver distractions that lead to accidents and you will find a vast majority, if not all of them are not possible on a motorcycle. You can't talk on a cell phone while putting on make up/shaving and eating a drive thru meal. All of our roads would be much narrower. The nation would import less oil. Parking lots would be smaller so everyone would get a better parking spot. The list goes on and on and on.

Seriously, I think that all drivers will be distracted from the task at hand by talking on the phone. The big dilemma arises when you understand that the amount of distraction varies from person to person. A good number of people can talk and drive with minimal change in safety, while others can't even chew gum and walk so they of course should not talk and drive.

Answer 4

I am opposed to the use of cell phones by drivers while the car is moving. Distractions are the number one cause of accidents.

There was a theory that teenage drivers were better at handling cell phones while driving, because they grew up using the phones. However, testing by Ford Motor Company has shown that teenage drivers were no better than older drivers, and all age groups had serious distractions when driving and using a cell phone.

I was recently in an accident in my driver education car. The girl driving slowed and almost stopped in a 55 mph zone to avoid 2 deer that had stepped onto the road. The deer spooked and jumped back into the woods. The girl started to speed up again, and we had gotten up to about 20 mph when we were hit from behind by a guy in a pickup truck. He was on his cell phone, and didn't realize we had slowed for the deer. He got a ticket for a dangerous action. We were all grateful that no one was injured, other than a few bruises.

Frequently, I see people missing things happening around them, especially on the expressway. They are holding a phone up to their ear, and missing everything happening on one side of their car.

Answer 5

I think it has less to do with the cell phone than it has to do with the driver. Those people that don't use their turn signals, check before changing lanes, blow through lights are generally the same people who will do that when they are NOT using a cell phone. Personally, I can carry on a conversation either with a passenger or someone on the phone while I am driving and still be very focused on my driving. Although, I am always focused while driving and obey the law in all situations. If the law were to change and forbid cell phone use while driving, I will obey that law as well. Incidentally, it is also illegal in many places to hang things from your rearview mirror, hold a drink or other food related item while driving, apply makeup, interact with a pet, etc.

Answer 6

No - AS LONG as people are being smart about it!!!!!!!!!

I make my calls in my car when I know I'm going to be stopped at a red light for a few minutes, and as soon as I start driving, I tell the person I have to go.

If you're in a heavy traffic situation, shut off your phone.

If you're making a big turn, throw the phone down, the person on the other line can wait a minute.

If you're having an emotional or an emergency conversation, pull over into a parking lot and talk.

People just have to be smart about it and there would be no problem with cell phones in the car. Sadly, there are very few smart people out there!

Answer 7

The statistics show that in terms of car cell phone use, it is the inexperienced drivers that tend to get into the accidents. I think if you have been driving at least 10 years and you have a good driving record, then you should be able to use your cell phone while driving.

Answer 8

Some people are capable of using a cell while driving. Sometimes parents need to answer their children and what not.. it's just natural that parents worry. They should be allowed to.

But honestly, i've seen far too many snobby rich men and women driving around in huge SUV's while on their cell phone.. not using their blinkers, not stopping at stop signs, really making the road dangerous. These types of people cannot handle it.

Answer 9

I too have over a million miles behind me. Accident free. I can eat a sandwich, play with radio, etc. etc. With hands free, especially wireless, it's very much like talking to someone in the vehicle with you. But I don't care who you are or how good you are, when the hand goes up to your ear, it kicks your brain into nuetral ! You start doing what is called "package" driving. Just like mailing a package, your vehicle is going down the road & you stop thinking about it! Try getting on an interstate in a rural area that you are unfamiliar with, call someone & talk 15 minutes with the phone to your ear. When you get off the phone ask yourself how many exits have you passed? What mile marker are you at? How long has the car behind you been following you? You may have maintained your lane but you were not paying attention! You're eyes after a couple of minutes were trained dead ahead! Studies have proved it! Try it! There is ALOT more to driving than watching for signs & lights. Unfortunately the vast majority of "good" drivers don't understand that. With my safety record I am deemed a "good" driver, but I could only be 50 feet from my 1st collision.
If I don't have my bluetooth or it's not charged, I answer an important call long enough to tell them I will call them later. You or your children, as well as mine are to important to put at risk over a phone call. Ban their use, unless with handsfree! Make the fine $1000.00 1st offense nationwide & wait 2 years & look at the accident stats!

Answer 10

For. Distracted driving applies to all things. Cell phones get the blame. A collision usually has to take place for a ticket to be issued.