Comments on: Banning Cell Phones in Cars: Safety Measure or Cash Grab?

By: moe khajavi

moe khajavi — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 22:45:14 +0000

any activity other then paying attention to the road obviously will impair your ability to drive. My question and only concern is how micro-legalized (not sure if that is even a concept or word) the province can get.

By: Maxz

Maxz — Mon, 03 May 2010 05:05:17 +0000

Many good points on all sides, however, I seem to recall that during the CB craze of the late `70′s, there was a huge proliferation of CB (2 way radios.) Are truckers (and other CB radio users) being harassed (yeah, I used the “H” word) for their use of CB radios. Do FMRS and Fire/Police/Emergency VHF radio use come under the same scrutiny? Not to my knowledge. I think one responder pointed out the pre-exisiting laws for the police to cite someone for dangerous driving if they are weaving about. My thoughts are, these are all the laws that are required, and anything beyond that is non essential. Oh yes, and regarding another comment about eating food. Try peeling and eating a banana while at the wheel. OH MY GOSH! There should be a law against that! NOT!!! Just be careful out there people, and prioritize things you need to do with respect to being fully stopped, as opposed to all out driving, especially at busy intersections. Life ain’t a video game, and you don’t get extra lives.

By: Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:05:10 +0000

I’d be extraordinarily interested as to how talking on a hands free is more dangerous than talking to a passenger.
Ever look briefly at your passenger during a conversation?
On the other hand, ever pause to look at the empty seat next to you during a phone conversation?

If you find yourself desperate to find a scapegoat for traffic accidents, I suppose cell phones are a sexier target than hamburgers, makeup, or children.
Fortunately for those of us with common sense, I doubt we will ever see the day that anyone is ticketed for talking on a hands-free, regardless of legalities.

As for the insurance “at fault” angle, it’s certainly a more appropriate response. However, will you have the same rule apply to those with crying children in the car? Food? Etc?

Given that it’s going to be nearly impossible to enforce any such laws, wouldn’t it be a better (even if still imperfect) solution to proactively address the issue and train drivers in responsible cell phone use?
When I’m on the phone, I pause my conversation when I so much as change lanes in traffic. Regardless of the conversation, my driving comes first.
So here’s a novel idea: Why not make it part of the licencing process? In order to pass your driver’s test, you’ll have to do it while talking on your hands-free.

End rant.

By: Mike Shaw

Mike Shaw — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:19:02 +0000

There are many times when using a cell phone, while driving, is important. Calling after witnessing a drunk driver swerving all over the road… calling about a dog, off its leash, darting in and out of traffic…. getting directions. Yes, I have done all of these and yes, I try every time to pull over. There have been times when I just could not without being more of a danger than if I continued to drive.

Personally, I have no idea why some folks want to talk, socially, on the phone while driving. That just does not make sense…. they sound like they need to take a meditation course and learn how to relax and focus. However, an outright ban on cell phone use while driving is just silly.
I agree with the other fellow who said that the insurance companies should make drivers automatically â€œat faultâ€ if they were talking on a cell phone at the time of the accident.

By: Paul Gillett

Paul Gillett — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:59:45 +0000

If a businessman makes a quick call on his cell phone while sitting in a traffic jam, and was given a ticket, that would be easy to fight in court. If it is stop and go traffic, then they shouldn’t be on the phone, they should focus on the road. That is why we have courts.
If someone who calls up a friend or family member while cruising along a deserted highway gets a ticket they would also be able to easily fight it. There are alot of laws that are put in place to raise awareness about dangers. Like the helmet laws on bicycles. You must wear a helmet to ride a bicycle. You don’t see cops handing out tickets to every cyclist. Now, if an accident happens between two cars, one driver was talking on the phone, the other not. The courts have more reason to side with the driver who was focusing more on driving. Unless they were eating a hamburger.