There is a debate going on about banning cell phones (that aren't hands free) for use by drivers. Obviously carrying a conversation is very distracting and can impede our driving. But I don't support the law if it is passed. I for one use the cell phone while driving, but I try to limit the use on open freeways and clear roads. I hold it to my ear with my right hand and not clamped between head and shoulder so I can still swivel my neck. I do lots of deliveries and time is sometimes short, and coordination is a must with me and the office for last minute info and adjustment. If I had to pull over and stop to talk on the phone, that means that afterwards I have to make up for lost time and be tempted to drive a bit more recklessly. If I am is a very congested but rapid moving traffic, I answer calls but I try to keep it as short as possible. I do support the use of hands-free phones. If we are to make cell phone laws, then here are the adjustments I would like to see. The left hand has to be on the steering wheel so use of turn signals is not lost (I think most people can flick it with the pinky). The right hand has to be holding the phone. Holding it using head and shoulder should not exceed set amount of time and definitely not on city or congested environment. And people on the other end definitely has to be considerate, to avoid dragging the conversation. Responsible use and not to abuse is a better alternative, I reckon. People have different capabilities, some can do many things at one time. Those that can't should definitely pull over if they need to yak on the phone.

Leo dC

 

I myself, don't see a difference between using a handsfree and a regular cell...I always carry mine, no matter what, and if I need to use it or get called ohwell, I can handle my turck with it...

your still! destracted, and your mind is on the call, even if both of your hands are on the wheel...

Besides, some people have to eat, thus they use thet're cell phone to conduct business, so they can afford to eat...And most people who are on the phone, are VERY VERY busy people...

Time is Money!!!!!

[This message has been edited by Pastmaster (edited 02-05-2000).]

 

I hope they pass those laws and the fines are stiff enough to make people think before they act. Patmaster is right, hands free phones make no difference, you are still distracted.
If you can guarantee that you will only get in a singe vehicle accident and injure yourselves and nobody else then I say go for it, talk and get distracted all you want.
Think about this, can you guarantee that if you get in an accident due to a careless/selfish act you will not take out a family of 5? Will you be able to sleep well after that?
Yes, I always pull over to make/receive a call. I would rather be late than not arrive at all.
Sorry. I'll get off my soapbox now. Can you tell this is one of my biggest pet peeves?

------------------
1999 Harvest Gold F-150 4x2 SuperCab XLT Styleside, 4.6, Auto, Air box Mods, Tow Pkg, Alarm, Snug-Top Hard Tonneau cover(painted to match), 6-disk Pioneer CD changer, Kenwood Tri-Band Ham radio (2m,440,220), Billet grille, Bug Deflector, Clear corner lights, tinted front windows.

Planned Mods: Cat back exhaust, Headers, Superchip, 2/3 inch lower.

 

I've seen people reading while driving, compared to that cell phones don't scare me.

 

Well, if you ban cellphones, then you have to ban 2-way radios too. You have to protect the safety of all those police officers who are talking on the radio too!

On the otherhand, I wouldn't mind seeing a law that doubles the fine if a cellphone was being used while an accident or moving violation occured.

I use a cellphone, but if it's in heavy traffic, I'll pull over.

 

I also keep a cell phone in my truck and I rarely ever use it. But then my truck being a manual, my right hand is usually kept pretty busy, there's just no way to carry on a conversation and shift too. On open highway, I can talk but even then I only call out of necessity and I always keep it short. Of course that's just me, I've seen others who are driving in traffic near me talking away and their driving skills are drasticly degraded. (at least I hope they drive better when not talking on the phone) I try to stay back, or away from them. I quess it causes me to be an even safer driver.

------------------
2000 F250 Crew Cab 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, mud flaps
Trailer tow Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards
rear privacy glass, 265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip

 

Pastmaster says:__Besides, some people have to eat, thus they use thet're cell phone to conduct business, so they can afford to eat...And most people who are on the phone, are VERY VERY busy people...

Time is Money!!!!!

___________________________________________
People have always had to eat. Did you starve before you got your cell phone?
Im really not sure how I feel about this issue. I rarely use my phone while driving. I never use it in heavy traffic, which is most of the time in Houston. I have seen too many busy, busy, busy fools swerving into my lnae on the freeway while talking on their cell phones doing 40 mph.
Just be safe... for you and those around you. We don't want to lose any members.

 

Im all for the law as I don't have or need a cell phone I had to many close calls on the road when some one would be driving along and swerve from lane to lane while I would be cruising along and I would look at them and see a cell phone in there hand they are just as bad as a drunk driver if not worse.

 

Some of the biggest users of the cell phones while driving has been law enforcement (in the Columbus GA/phenix City area). I always see them driving and talking...and they do not use them for official business (scanner).

I agree...too many people are not capable of talking on the phone and driving at the same time. It is too much of a distraction for some. I am not in favor of a ban...but it sure can be a safety hazzard.

------------------
2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

I usually end up spending at least 2 hours a day, talking on the phone, usually on the road...People like to keep in touch with me, girlfriends, parents, friends, enemy's, etc Kenster: For some people, their car, is an office on wheels...Some people are in their vehicles all day, never getting close to a phone, or permanant ground...They may either be in a city or on the highway...



[This message has been edited by Pastmaster (edited 02-06-2000).]

 

Pastmaster - TWO HOURS A DAY??? What kind of cellphone bill do you have?

In your case, I hope you have a handsfree kit for the truck.

 

Does seem like a bit much ... I guess I should say that is on the weekends, mainly...I am in school during the week.

Its an estimate...I have a 400/bucket, and usually the calls are incoming, which I have a 3 minute free-incomeing...Bill is usually around 60 bucks a month....I think I get about 20 calls, from about everyone, and theyre usually short convo's...I am cheap!

No, actually I have a Digital Nokia portable. Actually, I haven't thought about getting a hands-free, the thought of someone seeing me talking, it may look like I am talking to myself...

I check my last month's statement and it was 329minutes...

 

I do like the idea of increase of fine in an accident due to cell phones. I really like that, but it has to be proven that it if the cell phone wasn't involve, accident will not happen, like the MM aftermarket law. The no cell phone law if passed would be punishing the innocent(people capable of talking while driving) with the guilty(people not capable). As with everything, it has to be within reason.

Leo dC

 

I usually put on anywhere from 1500 to 2000 minutes a month and alot of that is in my truck. So I guess I just dont't personally see how it has ever affected my driving ability. I can also walk and chew gum at the same time so maybe that gives me an advantage over some of the idiots on the road. Just my .02

------------------
2000 F150 Sport XLT 4.2L Bright Red Flareside S/C. CD Player. Code Alarm Surestart LX. Plan to do alot of mods in the future