Comments on: Cell Phone Bans While Driving http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving The Weblog of Erik J. Barzeski Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:40:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ErieBlogs Post of the Week: NSLog(); | ErieBlogs http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-67679 ErieBlogs Post of the Week: NSLog(); | ErieBlogs Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:38:44 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-67679 [...] he sounded off on the new cell phone ban for drivers in the City of Erie. In his post “Cell Phone Bans While Driving,” Erik describes his history of let’s say, “active” driving:The question I [...] [...] he sounded off on the new cell phone ban for drivers in the City of Erie. In his post “Cell Phone Bans While Driving,” Erik describes his history of let’s say, “active” driving:The question I [...]

]]> By: ruth terry http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-62755 ruth terry Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:40:26 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-62755 Not a political thing, just common sense. When you are lost or looking for an address, or searching on unfamiliar streets whilst driving your car, why do you turn down the radio? You do it because you can not process extraneous input and still focus on the purpose of your trip. Cell phones are that extraneous input. You can not operate your car as safely or with due attention while using one. Check out Brainmagic.com. You will learn something. Not a political thing, just common sense. When you are lost or looking for an address, or searching on unfamiliar streets whilst driving your car, why do you turn down the radio?
You do it because you can not process extraneous input and still focus on the purpose of your trip. Cell phones are that extraneous input. You can not operate your car as safely or with due attention while using one. Check out Brainmagic.com. You will learn something.

]]> By: Chris http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-56791 Chris Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:00:03 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-56791 Actually, Im GLAD this happening. I cant even begin to count the number of times I've been cut off, almost hit, etc. because some idiot is gabbing away on their cellphone (nor am I alone in that part either though I've gotten better switching to speakerphone or my bluetooth headset) because it is a distraction. 1.) Because you now only have one hand free to handle the wheel and lets face it, you can do it but most drivers are idiots and barely capable of driving an RC vehicle let alone a 4000lb death machine 2.) Most people canNOT multi-task. Now you have to handle one hand on the wheel, one hand holding a phone, part of your brain scanning traffic and the other part combining the two seperate hands moving (patting your head and rubbing your belly fail?) PLUS having a conversation. So frankly, yes, ticket the people who dont go hands free. Even that is far more than most of the public can handle. Though I'd wish for more even enforcement of the laws that are currently on the books in regards to traffic laws but hey...take what you can get Actually, Im GLAD this happening. I cant even begin to count the number of times I've been cut off, almost hit, etc. because some idiot is gabbing away on their cellphone (nor am I alone in that part either though I've gotten better switching to speakerphone or my bluetooth headset) because it is a distraction. 1.) Because you now only have one hand free to handle the wheel and lets face it, you can do it but most drivers are idiots and barely capable of driving an RC vehicle let alone a 4000lb death machine 2.) Most people canNOT multi-task. Now you have to handle one hand on the wheel, one hand holding a phone, part of your brain scanning traffic and the other part combining the two seperate hands moving (patting your head and rubbing your belly fail?) PLUS having a conversation.

So frankly, yes, ticket the people who dont go hands free. Even that is far more than most of the public can handle. Though I'd wish for more even enforcement of the laws that are currently on the books in regards to traffic laws but hey...take what you can get

]]> By: Michael Hanscom http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-56789 Michael Hanscom Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:45:37 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-56789 New York Times, July 2009: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/technology/21distracted.html">U.S. Withheld Data on Risks of Distracted Driving</a> <blockquote><p>The researchers also shelved a draft letter they had prepared for Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta to send, warning states that hands-free laws might not solve the problem.</p><p>That letter said that hands-free headsets did not eliminate the serious accident risk. The reason: a cellphone conversation itself, not just holding the phone, takes drivers’ focus off the road, studies showed.</p><p>The research mirrors other studies about the dangers of multitasking behind the wheel. Research shows that motorists talking on a phone are four times as likely to crash as other drivers, and are as likely to cause an accident as someone with a .08 blood alcohol content.</p></blockquote> Seattle recently enacted a "handsfree only" law -- but like the law you've mentioned, it's a secondary offense only. I'm disgusted by the failure to give this law any real teeth, as, unsurprisingly, it's routinely ignored by the majority of drivers on the road, not a few of whom have nearly hit me or others because they were yammering away and not paying attention to the road. New York Times, July 2009: U.S. Withheld Data on Risks of Distracted Driving

The researchers also shelved a draft letter they had prepared for Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta to send, warning states that hands-free laws might not solve the problem.

That letter said that hands-free headsets did not eliminate the serious accident risk. The reason: a cellphone conversation itself, not just holding the phone, takes drivers’ focus off the road, studies showed.

The research mirrors other studies about the dangers of multitasking behind the wheel. Research shows that motorists talking on a phone are four times as likely to crash as other drivers, and are as likely to cause an accident as someone with a .08 blood alcohol content.

Seattle recently enacted a "handsfree only" law -- but like the law you've mentioned, it's a secondary offense only. I'm disgusted by the failure to give this law any real teeth, as, unsurprisingly, it's routinely ignored by the majority of drivers on the road, not a few of whom have nearly hit me or others because they were yammering away and not paying attention to the road.

]]> By: Matt http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-56783 Matt Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:30:48 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-56783 2009: Use of mobiles worse than drink driving http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8456:motorists-warned-use-of-mobiles-worse-than-drink-driving&catid=23&Itemid=46 2008: Text driving worse than drink driving. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7621644.stm 2002: Mobile driving worse than drink driving. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1885775.stm 2009: Use of mobiles worse than drink driving
http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8456:motorists-warned-use-of-mobiles-worse-than-drink-driving&catid=23&Itemid=46

2008: Text driving worse than drink driving.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7621644.stm

2002: Mobile driving worse than drink driving.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1885775.stm

]]> By: Jess http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-56778 Jess Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:27:16 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-56778 Here in the UK its illegal to touch a cell phone while driving. I witnessed a crash where a woman playing with a cell phone exited a roundabout and drove head-on into an on-coming car, collapsing the engine into the drivers legs. I had to calm the screaming guy down while waiting for the fire brigade to come cut him out. He didn't walk for 6+ months. Don't touch your phone while driving. Here in the UK its illegal to touch a cell phone while driving.

I witnessed a crash where a woman playing with a cell phone exited a roundabout and drove head-on into an on-coming car, collapsing the engine into the drivers legs. I had to calm the screaming guy down while waiting for the fire brigade to come cut him out.
He didn't walk for 6+ months.

Don't touch your phone while driving.

]]> By: eric http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-56773 eric Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:58:14 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-56773 Just a followup on this - some highlights of the BC specific cellphone law: http://www.behindtheblueline.ca/blog/blueline/2010/01/06/cell-phones-and-driving/ It includes devices that can accept email other "prescribed electronic devices" - I'm guessing that's refers to GPS'. As for the original question about BT headsets, the Jawbone seems to get the highest rating no matter what site you read reviews from. The Plantronics 875 seems to be a near equal - my g/f got one for me this Xmas, haven't hooked it up yet but it definitely looks and feels better than the cheaper ones. Just a followup on this - some highlights of the BC specific cellphone law:

http://www.behindtheblueline.ca/blog/blueline/2010/01/06/cell-phones-and-driving/

It includes devices that can accept email other "prescribed electronic devices" - I'm guessing that's refers to GPS'.

As for the original question about BT headsets, the Jawbone seems to get the highest rating no matter what site you read reviews from. The Plantronics 875 seems to be a near equal - my g/f got one for me this Xmas, haven't hooked it up yet but it definitely looks and feels better than the cheaper ones.

]]> By: eric http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-56768 eric Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:13:14 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-56768 Not sure about the rules in your area but some jurisdictions do have driving laws that mean you can be ticketed for playing with the radio, gps etc - essentially a driving while distracted violation. In BC this rule is definitely enforced. The cellphone rule is just a variation of it and while using a headset doesn't make one any less likely to get in an accident, it is easiest to enforce the rule of using the phone itself. Eventually I'd expect them to start targeting a broader range of devices and activities - the evidence for a ban on such distraction is pretty cut and dry (it's roughly equivalent to driving above the blood alcohol limit). We've just launched the same rule in BC but it's not a secondary violation, it's a primary. Not sure about the rules in your area but some jurisdictions do have driving laws that mean you can be ticketed for playing with the radio, gps etc - essentially a driving while distracted violation. In BC this rule is definitely enforced.

The cellphone rule is just a variation of it and while using a headset doesn't make one any less likely to get in an accident, it is easiest to enforce the rule of using the phone itself. Eventually I'd expect them to start targeting a broader range of devices and activities - the evidence for a ban on such distraction is pretty cut and dry (it's roughly equivalent to driving above the blood alcohol limit).

We've just launched the same rule in BC but it's not a secondary violation, it's a primary.

]]> By: jamo http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-56766 jamo Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:17:47 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-56766 [quote comment="56764"]As far as a decent hands-free headset, it might not be for everyone, but i just use the headphones that came with my iPhone. I can use it for listening to podcasts, making and receiving calls, controlling volume, pause, play, skipping forward and back, and it never needs charging. works awesome for me. ...oh, and it's covered under the 1 year manufacturer's warrantee, so if they get blown, Apple will give me another set for free. :) (though they always try to give me the old ones that don't have volume control, but they're happy to give me the better ones when i point out it's for a 3GS.)[/quote] It might be different there, but where I live you aren't allowed to have headphones on while driving. Jeff Foster said on January 10, 2010:

As far as a decent hands-free headset, it might not be for everyone, but i just use the headphones that came with my iPhone. I can use it for listening to podcasts, making and receiving calls, controlling volume, pause, play, skipping forward and back, and it never needs charging. works awesome for me. ...oh, and it's covered under the 1 year manufacturer's warrantee, so if they get blown, Apple will give me another set for free. :) (though they always try to give me the old ones that don't have volume control, but they're happy to give me the better ones when i point out it's for a 3GS.)

It might be different there, but where I live you aren't allowed to have headphones on while driving.

]]> By: Jeff Foster http://nslog.com/2010/01/08/cell_phone_bans_while_driving#comment-56764 Jeff Foster Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:06:28 +0000 http://nslog.com/?p=6664#comment-56764 I don't know about Erie, but where i live, i constantly see morons texting and nearly hitting curbs, or swerving into my lane because they can't pay attention. ...and every time some idiot is doing something retarded on the road, it almost always turns out that they're on a mobile. I, personally, don't think we need specific laws against mobile phones, but i am fine with police being more strict about severely distracted drivers. (whether it's an iPhone or a crossword puzzle, i don't really care.) If you can drive while talking on the phone, then fine, i don't see a problem. ...the problem is that *everyone* thinks they're fantastic drivers. It kind of puts the cops in a crappy position of saying "I know you think you were driving awesomely, but you weren't." ...giving the po's a clear-cut definition probably simplifies it a lot. As far as a decent hands-free headset, it might not be for everyone, but i just use the headphones that came with my iPhone. I can use it for listening to podcasts, making and receiving calls, controlling volume, pause, play, skipping forward and back, and it never needs charging. works awesome for me. ...oh, and it's covered under the 1 year manufacturer's warrantee, so if they get blown, Apple will give me another set for free. :) (though they always try to give me the old ones that don't have volume control, but they're happy to give me the better ones when i point out it's for a 3GS.) yeesh, sorry i always write a freaking thesis. :P I don't know about Erie, but where i live, i constantly see morons texting and nearly hitting curbs, or swerving into my lane because they can't pay attention. ...and every time some idiot is doing something retarded on the road, it almost always turns out that they're on a mobile.

I, personally, don't think we need specific laws against mobile phones, but i am fine with police being more strict about severely distracted drivers. (whether it's an iPhone or a crossword puzzle, i don't really care.) If you can drive while talking on the phone, then fine, i don't see a problem. ...the problem is that *everyone* thinks they're fantastic drivers. It kind of puts the cops in a crappy position of saying "I know you think you were driving awesomely, but you weren't." ...giving the po's a clear-cut definition probably simplifies it a lot.

As far as a decent hands-free headset, it might not be for everyone, but i just use the headphones that came with my iPhone. I can use it for listening to podcasts, making and receiving calls, controlling volume, pause, play, skipping forward and back, and it never needs charging. works awesome for me. ...oh, and it's covered under the 1 year manufacturer's warrantee, so if they get blown, Apple will give me another set for free. :) (though they always try to give me the old ones that don't have volume control, but they're happy to give me the better ones when i point out it's for a 3GS.)

yeesh, sorry i always write a freaking thesis. :P

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