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Should cell phone drivers be singled out?

3688 messages,  Last post on Oct 27, 2009 at 11:39 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety


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#73 of 3688
Re: Why, pray tell, can't ... [gagrice] by tpe
Oct 18, 2006 (6:54 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Oct 18, 2006 6:34 am)

You definitely are not alone, in fact, your views represent the majority. Laws are being enacted in this country on the premise that people posess zero common sense or intelligence. Using this rational we are heading towards a society where more and more of our everday activities have rules attached to them. Here's a couple examples that comes to mind. I saw a story a few years ago about how two young kids in Florida got hold of a parent's loaded handgun that was on the nightstand. Tragically a child was shot and killed resulting in a law that states it is illegal to have an unlocked loaded gun that children can access. When I fly and go through the security checkpoint I can't help but be amused by the sign of prohibited items. They use pictures to accomodate those that can't read. There is a picture of a pair of scissors, a knife, a handgun and a lit bomb. I want to ask one of the TSA guys if it would be okay for me to take my bomb onboard as long as I extinguished it first. Of course it would be illegal for me to say that.
#74 of 3688
Re: Why, pray tell, can't ... [gagrice] by snakeweasel
Oct 18, 2006 (6:54 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Oct 18, 2006 6:34 am)

If that was the case this thread and the 39 states with laws against cell phone use while driving would not have been enacted.
 
No its just that its the flavor of the month. Instead of actually dealing with the root of the problem they slap on a flintstones bandaid onto the sucking chest wound then strut around pounding their chest saying "see, I fixed the problem" when in fact they did no such thing.
 
I just do not understand defending a practice that is so openly abused.
 
Its not a defense of any practice, it is a realistic look at an issue and questioning a "solution" that doesn't really address the root problem.
#75 of 3688
Re: Why, pray tell, can't ... [tpe] by snakeweasel
Oct 18, 2006 (7:05 am)
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Replying to: tpe (Oct 18, 2006 6:54 am)

Using this rational we are heading towards a society where more and more of our everday activities have rules attached to them.
 
Thats why we have hair dryers with warnings not to use in the shower. Or why my iron came with a warning not to iron my cloths when they were on my body (makes me wonder if its ok to iron them if they are on someone elses body). And my favorite which I found on a bag of peanuts "This item contains peanuts, do not consume if you are allergic to peanuts".
 
I truely rear for the republic.
#76 of 3688
Re: Why, pray tell, can't ... [tpe] by wideglide
Oct 18, 2006 (7:09 am)
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Replying to: tpe (Oct 18, 2006 4:13 am)

Look at page 17 of this report and see if you can find a trend that supports cell phones adding danger? What's interesting is that of the 4 categories of vehicles (passenger, light truck, large truck, and motorcycles) the only category not showing a decline in accident rates is motorcycles. Probably the only group not using cell phones.
 
Indeed. Like my friend who got a broken leg and lots of other injuries on his bike when a 19 year old girl made a left turn right into his path..... while talking on her cell phone. Face it, the only reason people are defending cell phone usage while driving, is because THEY DO IT. And those claiming superior driving and multitasking skills, just remember; it only takes a second or two of inattention. Would you still be able to rationalize it away if you just took your eyes off the road for a couple seconds to answer a call, and ran over a six year old kid chasing a ball into the street? If you get a call, pull over. It's not that hard to do. If you can't, call them back at the next exit you get off. It can wait five minutes. 10 or 12 years ago, there were no cell phones, and we somehow managed to survive!
#77 of 3688
From a recent study... by wideglide
Oct 18, 2006 (7:17 am)
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The death toll from crashes caused by drivers talking on their wireless phones appears to be rising significantly as the devices become must-have accessories for many Americans.
 
A study released today by Harvard University's Center for Risk Analysis estimates a rate of 2,600 deaths a year in such crashes, compared with the same researchers' estimate of 1,000 two years ago.
 
The study also estimated that 570,000 injuries a year and 1.5 million crashes resulting in property damage can be blamed on wireless phone use.

 
That seems pretty compelling.
#78 of 3688
Re: Why, pray tell, can't ... [snakeweasel] by gagrice
Oct 18, 2006 (7:41 am)
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Oct 18, 2006 6:54 am)

questioning a "solution" that doesn't really address the root problem.
 
I've done that most of my life. Very few laws are of any value if not enforced. Face it most are not. I believe forcing seatbelt and helmet laws on us is much more a violation of civil liberties than stopping people from using a cell phone that could cause others harm.
#79 of 3688
Re: From a recent study... [wideglide] by rockylee
Oct 18, 2006 (7:43 am)
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Replying to: wideglide (Oct 18, 2006 7:17 am)

I'm not sure if I quite believe those figures.
 
Rocky
#80 of 3688
Re: Why, pray tell, can't ... [gagrice] by fintail
Oct 18, 2006 (8:10 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Oct 18, 2006 7:41 am)

Which liberties are violated with seatbelt and helmet laws?
 
If you don't buckle up, you're stupid...it's an easy equation.
#81 of 3688
Re: From a recent study... [rockylee] by grbeck
Oct 18, 2006 (8:12 am)
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Replying to: rockylee (Oct 18, 2006 7:43 am)

They are estimates, and nothing more.
 
I estimate that in 2007 there will 1,000 more crashes caused by drivers thinking about their next post on Edmunds.com. For the calendar year 2006, I estimated that there would only be 500 more crashes caused by this.
 
Obviously, crashes caused by distracted Edmunds.com posters are increasingly dramatically.
 
Wow, I should apply for a job at Harvard...
#82 of 3688
Re: From a recent study... [grbeck] by rockylee
Oct 18, 2006 (8:14 am)
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Replying to: grbeck (Oct 18, 2006 8:12 am)

ROTFLMAO I have no doubt you'd make a great professor.
 
Rocky

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