Effectiveness of drivers' cellphone ban is debatable

[rocks 494]

Over here in NE, there are many near misses (accidents nearly occurred) from cellphone users.

Over here in NJ, there are many near misses (accidents nearly occurred) from people driving cars.

cheeky.

[LorriQ 0]

Over here in NE, there are many near misses (accidents nearly occurred) from cellphone users.

Over here in NJ, there are many near misses (accidents nearly occurred) from people driving cars.

cheeky.

Been almost tagged by too many cars while walking my dog - people NOT on cell phones - just in need of glasses!!!!

[mox 298]

I don't know how effective the ban has been, but I've been near-sideswiped by way too many cars on the 101 to know that talking on cell phones is WAY too much of a distraction to do while driving. The thought of someone texting or reading their email on their phones scares the bejesus out of me even more.

[rocks 494]

Over here in NE, there are many near misses (accidents nearly occurred) from cellphone users.

Over here in NJ, there are many near misses (accidents nearly occurred) from people driving cars.

cheeky.

Been almost tagged by too many cars while walking my dog - people NOT on cell phones - just in need of glasses!!!!

that sucks! last time i was over there a lady in an suv was reading a newspaper while driving and not looking where she was going (obviously), almost drove right into us and scared the living hell out of both of us! what is wrong with people?? is it the straight roads that do it?

Edited January 4, 2009 by rocks

[mox 298]

that sucks! last time i was over there a lady driving an suv was reading a newspaper while driving and not looking where she was going (obviously), almost drove right into us and scared the living hell out of both of us! what is wrong with people?? is it the straight roads that do it?

GPS's are starting to be a real distraction too. People are following the little pointer on their LCD display instead of actually watching the freaking road and traffic. Saw a guy in front of me the other day, and I could see the GPS through the rear window and you could tell he was completely fixated on the GPS and only the GPS. His driving was erratic and I made sure to stay way clear.

[rocks 494]

that sucks! last time i was over there a lady driving an suv was reading a newspaper while driving and not looking where she was going (obviously), almost drove right into us and scared the living hell out of both of us! what is wrong with people?? is it the straight roads that do it?

GPS's are starting to be a real distraction too. People are following the little pointer on their LCD display instead of actually watching the freaking road and traffic. Saw a guy in front of me the other day, and I could see the GPS through the rear window and you could tell he was completely fixated on the GPS and only the GPS. His driving was erratic and I made sure to stay way clear.

eek! that really is worrying, at least you saw and were able to avoid him.

gps is not to be trusted in my experience, unless you want to end up going half way around the world before reaching your destination of course!

[Niels Bohr 72]

My car has a voice gps system. When it's time to turn, it tells me to turn either left or right. I don't need to see the GPS. I only need to see it when I punch in my new destination.

Edited January 4, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[LorriQ 0]

My car has a voice gps system. When it's time to turn, it tells me to turn either left or right. I don't need to see the GPS. I only need to see it when I punch in my new destination.

Whatever happen to the good ole paper maps? I like Rand McNally! You have to pull over to look at those....or rather you SHOULD pull over!

[Jasman0717 9]

I'm not sure where the 20 to 50 bucks comes from my friend was fined $250

[DeadPoolX 9]

maybe this law should be for female drivers only, they are no good at multitasking, and no good at driving either!!!

i don't get it. women are nearly always the culprit for drifting and swerving while driving and using their cell fone... and yet we get cheaper car insurance??

Well, I think the "traditional" reasons for women getting cheaper insurance rates is that men drive faster and more recklessly than women. This has become less true over the years, but it's still the predominant train of thought. As for women being the "culprit," once again the "traditional" idea is that women cause more accidents while men get into more. If true, that might also explain the differences in auto insurance costs.

My car has a voice gps system. When it's time to turn, it tells me to turn either left or right. I don't need to see the GPS. I only need to see it when I punch in my new destination.

Whatever happen to the good ole paper maps? I like Rand McNally! You have to pull over to look at those....or rather you SHOULD pull over!

I always carry a paper map with me in the car. However, it's somewhat difficult to unfold and use a paper map while driving (unless there's a passenger in the vehicle who can do it for you). If you're alone, you need to pull over somewhere and figure it out. A GPS can help guide without looking for a place to stop.

Interestingly enough, I've found that GPS units tend to get somewhat confused in parking lots.

[john & jean 37]

maybe this law should be for female drivers only, they are no good at multitasking, and no good at driving either!!!

i don't get it. women are nearly always the culprit for drifting and swerving while driving and using their cell fone... and yet we get cheaper car insurance??

Well, I think the "traditional" reasons for women getting cheaper insurance rates is that men drive faster and more recklessly than women. This has become less true over the years, but it's still the predominant train of thought. As for women being the "culprit," once again the "traditional" idea is that women cause more accidents while men get into more. If true, that might also explain the differences in auto insurance costs.

My car has a voice gps system. When it's time to turn, it tells me to turn either left or right. I don't need to see the GPS. I only need to see it when I punch in my new destination.

Whatever happen to the good ole paper maps? I like Rand McNally! You have to pull over to look at those....or rather you SHOULD pull over!

I always carry a paper map with me in the car. However, it's somewhat difficult to unfold and use a paper map while driving (unless there's a passenger in the vehicle who can do it for you). If you're alone, you need to pull over somewhere and figure it out. A GPS can help guide without looking for a place to stop.

Interestingly enough, I've found that GPS units tend to get somewhat confused in parking lots.

PARKING LOT??? MAYBE IT'S NOT THE GPS THAT IS CONFUSED

[DeadPoolX 9]

maybe this law should be for female drivers only, they are no good at multitasking, and no good at driving either!!!

i don't get it. women are nearly always the culprit for drifting and swerving while driving and using their cell fone... and yet we get cheaper car insurance??

Well, I think the "traditional" reasons for women getting cheaper insurance rates is that men drive faster and more recklessly than women. This has become less true over the years, but it's still the predominant train of thought. As for women being the "culprit," once again the "traditional" idea is that women cause more accidents while men get into more. If true, that might also explain the differences in auto insurance costs.

My car has a voice gps system. When it's time to turn, it tells me to turn either left or right. I don't need to see the GPS. I only need to see it when I punch in my new destination.

Whatever happen to the good ole paper maps? I like Rand McNally! You have to pull over to look at those....or rather you SHOULD pull over!

I always carry a paper map with me in the car. However, it's somewhat difficult to unfold and use a paper map while driving (unless there's a passenger in the vehicle who can do it for you). If you're alone, you need to pull over somewhere and figure it out. A GPS can help guide without looking for a place to stop.

Interestingly enough, I've found that GPS units tend to get somewhat confused in parking lots.

PARKING LOT??? MAYBE IT'S NOT THE GPS THAT IS CONFUSED

It gets confused because it knows how to direct someone to and from a specific destination. More often than not, the GPS "thinks" we've arrived when in the parking lot (or garage) and if we keep the GPS on, it's not sure where to go. It was never made to work in parking lots, since most people can figure that out for themselves. I just found it humorous, however.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

that sucks! last time i was over there a lady driving an suv was reading a newspaper while driving and not looking where she was going (obviously), almost drove right into us and scared the living hell out of both of us! what is wrong with people?? is it the straight roads that do it?

GPS's are starting to be a real distraction too. People are following the little pointer on their LCD display instead of actually watching the freaking road and traffic. Saw a guy in front of me the other day, and I could see the GPS through the rear window and you could tell he was completely fixated on the GPS and only the GPS. His driving was erratic and I made sure to stay way clear.

That's why I've got mixed feelings about making these laws. What about men who shave in their cars on the way to work or women who put on make-up? A parent distracted by their unruly children in the car? There are all kinds of ways a driver can be more dangerous. It would make more sense to enact a law that prohibits a driver from not paying attention to the road, but make it so that it's only punitive in the event of an accident - if the evidence is there that the driver was in fact deliberately distracted.

[john & jean 37]

that sucks! last time i was over there a lady driving an suv was reading a newspaper while driving and not looking where she was going (obviously), almost drove right into us and scared the living hell out of both of us! what is wrong with people?? is it the straight roads that do it?

GPS's are starting to be a real distraction too. People are following the little pointer on their LCD display instead of actually watching the freaking road and traffic. Saw a guy in front of me the other day, and I could see the GPS through the rear window and you could tell he was completely fixated on the GPS and only the GPS. His driving was erratic and I made sure to stay way clear.

That's why I've got mixed feelings about making these laws. What about men who shave in their cars on the way to work or women who put on make-up? A parent distracted by their unruly children in the car? There are all kinds of ways a driver can be more dangerous. It would make more sense to enact a law that prohibits a driver from not paying attention to the road, but make it so that it's only punitive in the event of an accident - if the evidence is there that the driver was in fact deliberately distracted.

YEP GUILTY, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A BIG MAC... 90 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL

[DeadPoolX 9]

that sucks! last time i was over there a lady driving an suv was reading a newspaper while driving and not looking where she was going (obviously), almost drove right into us and scared the living hell out of both of us! what is wrong with people?? is it the straight roads that do it?

GPS's are starting to be a real distraction too. People are following the little pointer on their LCD display instead of actually watching the freaking road and traffic. Saw a guy in front of me the other day, and I could see the GPS through the rear window and you could tell he was completely fixated on the GPS and only the GPS. His driving was erratic and I made sure to stay way clear.

That's why I've got mixed feelings about making these laws. What about men who shave in their cars on the way to work or women who put on make-up? A parent distracted by their unruly children in the car? There are all kinds of ways a driver can be more dangerous. It would make more sense to enact a law that prohibits a driver from not paying attention to the road, but make it so that it's only punitive in the event of an accident - if the evidence is there that the driver was in fact deliberately distracted.

How would police determine if the driver was deliberately distracted? Unless the police acquire cell phone records (which they can do), they're out of luck. In additon, it'd be nearly impossible to prove someone was distracted by an LCD screen, shaving, putting on makeup or dealing with their children.

Speaking of children, you mentioned "deliberate distraction," correct? I can't imagine dealing with a child while driving would be considered a "deliberate" act by the driver. He or she never asked their kid to act up and I doubt the child would have had an underlying agenda.