If — as seems fairly conclusive — talking on the phone while driving is unsafe — no, let me put it this way, is less safe — what should the authorities do about it?
And what should we do about it personally?
5 thoughts on “Idle thought”
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Considering how many people still don’t wear seatbelts (!) it seems like a tough sell to regulate cellphone use while driving.
Of course, I’ve done stupid things like eat a taco while driving (it was totally worth it) and pour coffee while driving, and while I don’t do that any more, I’ve never had an accident.
Completely unrelated, and no, I don’t have ADD, thank you very much, but The Onion has been sold to the Chinese.
It’s funny as hell.
I once ate a hot cherry pie from a fast food place while driving and ended up dropping it in my lap. Talk about a driver not paying attention. But I think cell phones are used way too much. I think everyone should have a blue tooth or a head set. It is much safer.I think that should be enacted. But I disagree that cell phones should be outlawed in cars. No worse than having a car full of kids bothering the driver or eating.
I think the police should fine people for talking on cell phones while driving. That doesn’t mean no one will do it anymore, of course, but it will at least discourage people. And absolutely no one should be texting while driving.
Talking on a cell without a hands-free is against the law in most cities these days, but even though I hate to admit it, I still do it. Not often, but sometimes. And I have a headset; I just never use it. Although I’ve ALWAYS said that hands-free doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference, and research is, of course, starting to show that as fact.
I have texted while driving, but rarely, and only out on the open highway. I especially hate to admit that, because I honestly do not believe there is any way to properly pay attention to the road and text at the same time.
But as far as penalizing those who do it, how is a cop even supposed to tell if someone is texting?
The manual for my Acura tells me to pull off the side of the road and come to a complete stop before adjust either the settings on the radio or on the heating and cooling system. (laugh!)
The real issue is that distracted drivers do thoughtless things and can put themselves and others at risk, just as do drivers who are drunk or high. Perhaps the law should be to penalize the thoughtless act, rather than what lead to it. If a driver gets into an argument with someone and veers into my lane and sideswipes me, it shouldn’t matter if the other party to the argument is in the passenger seat or on the phone.