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TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 9:13 pm
by Gob
TOUGH new laws to ban all mobile phone use in vehicles are being considered by transport ministers after a landmark report found that even hands-free devices dramatically increased the risk of crashing.
The report by state transport heads reflects the growing concern about distraction to drivers involved in accidents.
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It found: ''Mobile phone use produces a significant increase in casualty crash risk, regardless of whether the phone is hand-held or hands-free.''
The draft national road safety report comes amid a dramatic rise in the number of people fined for using a phone when behind the wheel, which has become one of the fastest-growing driving offences in the state.
Last financial year almost 50,000 drivers were fined more than $11 million for calling, texting, reaching, even touching their phone while driving - more than double the number fined six years ago.
The aim is to reduce annual road deaths by 30 per cent during the next decade.
http://smh.drive.com.au/states-urged-to ... 1aiez.html
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:59 pm
by dgs49
Someone forwarded me a 10 minute video about teenagers crashing while texting. Even I was constrained to suppress my immediate thought about thinning out the gene pool. ALL of the young people in my life do this at all times. Two years ago my son broke his arm, texting on his bicycle.
Can there be any doubt that cell phone use while driving causes traffic accidents and fatalities?
And since driving is not a RIGHT(!), there is no reason why the Sovereign cannot place reasonable constraints on what can be done while driving.
Remember the scene in Garp? Good heavens.
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:12 pm
by Gob
This goes a little further than that dgs, this is proposing a total ban on phone use while driving, even hands free.
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:25 am
by loCAtek
Been a while since I've phoned/texted while driving. I think one of the saddest stories I've heard is the one about the Asian lady who fatally crashed while feeding her Tamagotchi (electronic pet) while behind the wheel.
Anything that demands more of your attention than navigating a quarter ton machine at speeds over those achieved by jumping from a three story building; through random traffic patterns created by dozens, if not hundreds of such maniacal motorists; while you're are all squeezed onto a narrow strip of asphalt that only separates you(plural) with reflective strips of paint; is something that you HOPE the other guys are paying more attention to, since YOU'VE got an incoming call!
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:43 pm
by Miles
I am all for banning cell use while driving. I have seen,first hand, drivers causing accidents while using phones. Talking on a phone takes your focus from what is going on around you just like tunnel vision. Have any of you ever had a friend who while driving and talking to you had to constantly look at you when talking. They have an uncontrollable urge to see your expressions to guage your responses. That is the kind of attention they would also pay to a phone conversation. They would be very focused on listening not only to the words but trying to determine what the voice conveyed.
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 8:43 pm
by Gob
Fair point Miles.
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 3:34 am
by Jarlaxle
Interesting to see how (or if) it will be enforced...if Liz is on the phone, there is NO WAY TO TELL short of being in the vehicle with her. The earpiece is not visible, nor is the phone.
That isn't even mentioning the cars that allow the phone's Bluetooth to work through the stereo...not that common, but plenty have it. (It was optional on my Magnum.)
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:49 pm
by oldr_n_wsr
Until they decide to enforce the cell phone laws, those already on the books and any new ones they come up with, it is nothing but a "headline" law.
I work less than 2 miles from my home and I see upwards of 50% of the people in their cars on their cell phones. Do people even bother to buy the hands free headset anymore?
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:57 am
by Jarlaxle
Liz does...having blown about $70 on headsets I couldn't actually USE, I have given up until I get a new phone.
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:36 pm
by dgs49
As a motorcyclist, I REGULARLY see people putting MY life in jeopardy so that they can say who-knows-what matter of huge importance (!) while driving. Just today, I almost got run off the road by a teen driving a WRX at 90 in the passing lane while yakking away.
The only reason cell phones have not been banned is because Legislators converse while driving all the time, and have no intention of stopping.
I personally don't see why a hands-free phone conversation is any more dangerous than hunting around on the radio dial for a desired station, or having a conversation with someone in the back seat of the car.
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 4:42 am
by loCAtek
What did people do while driving, in the 'olden days' before cellular?
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:36 am
by Crackpot
Makeup
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:55 pm
by dgs49
I can remember many occasions when I was driving a stick shift in traffic while eating a hamburger and managing a Coke in the days before cup holders). Mom always complained about the car smelling like french fries.
THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS AS FOLLOWS: Pass a law that says if a driver is involved in an accident while cell phone is in use (conversation or text going on), s/he is PRESUMED to be negligent, subject to proof of the contrary. Once this law passes, insurance companies will react and create some form of penalty or sanction or reduced coverage for their insureds who are found negligent and at fault under these circumstances.
So you don't lose your CONSTITUTIONAL (FCUKING) RIGHT to talk on the cell phone any G.D. time you want to(!), but you just might suffer a bit for it, if you harm someone else in the process.
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:50 am
by Sean
dgs49 wrote:So you don't lose your CONSTITUTIONAL (FCUKING) RIGHT to talk on the cell phone any G.D. time you want to(!), but you just might suffer a bit for it, if you harm someone else in the process.
Cell phones are mentioned in the constitution? Now
that's prescience...
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:50 am
by loCAtek
Crackpot wrote:Makeup
Nah, they were balancing the beer 'tween knees; whilst slapping the kids standing on the seats; as the dogs, goats, chickens and wetbacks tried to use the potholes as launching pads.
Re: TOTAL Car Phone Ban?
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:49 pm
by dales
loCAtek wrote:What did people do while driving, in the 'olden days' before cellular?
Roll joints.