The move to ban all in-car cell phone use
How long did it take smoking to become taboo?
Three years? Five? Back in 2003, when it was first outlawed in Canadian restaurants and public spaces, it must’ve seemed like a Herculean effort to turn society against the habit.
Yet here we are, in 2011, and smoking’s slowly and surely become an act of seclusion; a nasty exercise people now, where they might not have even a half-decade ago, crinkle their noses and turn the other way.
The point? Even something as culturally entrenched as smoking can be turned upon. And take a look around, there’s a similar movement happening now: the case against cell phone use by drivers.
Yes, forgive that belaboured intro, but the parallels between how society perceives smoking and in-car cell phone use continue to come into focus after the U.S.’ National Transportation Board just formally recommended phone use by drivers, even those who use hands-free devices, should be discriminately banned.
*Bing: What are the hands-free driving rules in your province?
The agency’s proposal, which was unanimously agreed upon by a five-member board, comes in the wake of several high-profile car wrecks, including one in Missouri that killed two and injured 38 after a texting driver initiated the deadly highway pileup.
Of course, regardless of any driver tragedy caused by texting, outlawing any and all cell phone use is a major step forward, especially considering many law enforcement agencies are still trying to push everyone towards using hands-free devices.
But it’s clear lawmakers aren’t satisfied with even drivers using headsets or Bluetooth, and it’s not a surprise. Rumblings that hands-free cell phone use isn’t all that safe began as far back as 2005, with a further report in 2008 confirming what many suspected.
It seems what we’ve got now, though, is that classic political quandary: how can a law that everyone knows makes sense become reality?
You could imagine the uproar if hands-free devices were ever banned for drivers, but you also get the sense that even the most ardent supporter of using their Bluetooth while behind the wheel couldn’t argue that it’s safer than simply focusing on the road.
So perhaps what we need is a cultural shift to push this one through. It’s already happening – anyone that’s texted or glanced at their phone while driving in 2011 knows the scorn from passengers is much hotter now than it was two, three years ago – and appears to be a matter of legality from here on out.
Soon, maybe, smokers and in-car cell phone talkers will be joined on the social fringe.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: ZE | Dec 15, 2021 9:25:44 AM
I'd like that they would ban FAT people from going outside and obstructing my view at the beach!....when will this nonsense stop!?!
Posted by: don | Dec 15, 2021 7:09:11 PM
The cats out of the bag. People started to point fingers at others peoples habits and demand they stop (and have succeeded) but dont think it is right when someone points out thier bad habit. You dont think that when one "bad habit" is stamped out they wont go after something else? No one needs to talk or text while driving...it is totally unneccessary. Nope.... It is only going to get worse.
Posted by: Jimmy | Dec 16, 2021 12:26:53 AM
Whats next, no eating, drinking, speaking to passengers, two hands on the wheel. Vehicles are dangerous when people are paying 100% attention. Sad, but there are accidents. We can't protect people from everything, so let people live!
Posted by: redjujube | Dec 16, 2021 12:43:09 AM
Banning cell phone use while driving won't work, people will do it anyway. What we need is for the government to pay a $1000 bounty on anyone shot dead while using their cell phone while driving. In other words the general public should be given the right to shoot dead anybody they see using a cell phone while driving and the government should encourage the public to do so by paying $1000 to anyone who kills a cell phone using driver.
How does one prove the driver was using a cell phone? Easy! Just subpoena the dead person's cell phone records from the service provider and see that they were using the phone at the time they were snuffed.
I could easily earn $10,000 a day that way and I would love to do it not only for the money but also for the satisfaction of knowing I would be providing a valuable service to the community. You see it's a simple matter of self defense because people who use their phone while driving will kill you and think nothing of it if you don't kill them first. They're scum and they don't deserve to live a minute longer. Same applies to drunk drivers. If they blow over the legal limit give them two blood tests and if they fail both of them just immediately put a bullet between their eyes, no trial, no second chance, they're guilty, they're scum and they don't deserve a trial or a second chance.
Posted by: Cheer | Dec 16, 2021 12:51:03 AM
My first question is as follows: What is the difference between having a conversation with the passenger beside you and having a cell phone conversation driving? Besides the position of your one hand? Most people dont have both hands on the wheel anyway so that arguement is out before it even gets off the ground. Secondly, a lot of businesses require constantly being on the road and constantly having communication. My dad was in the carpet cleaning. My food and shelter was reliant on him getting customers which only happened by phone. If a customer calls and wants his rugs cleaned, my dad can't just ignore the phone call, because thats family bills that don't get paid. Eliminating all cell phone usage in vehicles will be absolutely impossible I guarantee it. Its no different then trying to ban Music and Software Piracy. It would be absurd to even try. Tax dollars are better spent on raising awareness of the dangers
Posted by: zakimar | Dec 16, 2021 2:17:18 AM
Being tired, and eating both cause more accidents - ban sleepy or hungry people from driving too.
Posted by: Margaret Klein | Dec 16, 2021 2:46:59 AM
I am against cell phone use in cars. My daughter and grandson were almost killed by a careless driver using her cell phone . As she whipped around a corner within inches of my daughter and grandson she continued on her way holding her phone to her ear and not paying attention to her driving. I have noticed many drivers with cell phones stuck to their ears. When is this crack down going to occur? In answer to the difference between a cell phone user and conversation with a passenger in your car. BOTH HANDS ARE ON THE WHEEL AND EYES ARE ON THE ROAD WHILE CONVERSING WITH A PASSENGER. IN FACT most passengers are back-seat drivers anyways. Your dad cold pull over to the side of the road and speak on his cell phone like some people are doing these days or call back later when safety is not likely to injure or kill someone.
PAY ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING. USE YOUR HEAD NOT YOUR EAR.
Posted by: Madracer | Dec 16, 2021 7:07:49 AM
What's next...if talking is going to be banned, perhaps there should be no other people in a car but the driver. Or perhaps auto makers need to close off the drivers position, that way no one can talk to the driver while on the road. They should also put the breath sampler in all cars, put a heads up display in so the driver will not turn their head while driving. Is this Big Brother watching all of us? How about banning booze makers from advertizing on race cars, it's amazing that tobbaco makers can't sponser racing, but it seems they are OK with promoting drinking and driving. When is this madness going to stop?
Posted by: AchillesLStand | Dec 16, 2021 7:21:45 AM
LOL....About Time!!
Hurry Up, Implement then Inforce!!
Me, 3x now, if i wasn't watching and paying attention, i too couldbe/ would be dead, because of an idiot, highly influences by a cell phone, tucked to the side of their head.
Me, i also have a cell phone, bit, i am not addicted to it, do not need to answer it, easily left at home! Also have a LAN Line, which i perfer to use.
I am one of the few these day's, that didn't "bit the hook". I never fell to the brainwashing of the general public, that a cell phone is a important devise and req'd by.....NOT!!
It has already be proven, that, cell phone use and driving (cell phone use of any kind) is worse then drinking and driving!
Never mind, the damage caused by and now, openly, advised, never to give a child bellow the age of 19 a cell phone to use!
The damage done to the cells, where the phone is used and stored prior to use has be proven and made public.
Those that suffer from the addiction, will deny, those that aren't of those that realize, use it less or in different fashion.
I NEVER bought my young ones one, if the were in thier 40's and found out they had a brain tumer or cancer....I WOULD BLAME MYSELF!!
They tried the emergency excuse.....i just passed 'em 50 cents and said, keep it in case, use any pay phone. The never used the excuse ever again!
My sympathy to all, that fell of the brainwashing.
My sympathy to all those truely addicted.
Bring in the law!
Bring in the inforcement!
Posted by: AchillesLStand | Dec 16, 2021 7:37:14 AM
Amazing
Those brainwashed here is rather evident......what did man do prior to the invention of the cell phone and business........ excuse of use while driving and business is the true addiction to cell phones. wasn't done before, doesn't need to be done today!!
As for usage while driving. Greatly differnet from open conversation or even cb ussage. That to has also been proven. cell phone create the tunnel vision and the mind creates the invision of the converstion. That over ides the other sences....also proven.
I can continue thiis, but why?
The addiction problem id quite evident with these individuals.......lol!!
Posted by: John | Dec 16, 2021 10:06:47 AM
I travel a lot on business. My company has a strict policy of no cellphone use while driving, including hands-free. If I, or any other employee, were csught using a cellphone, even hands-free, it would mean instant termination of employment.
Posted by: Jason Buckland is an IDIOT | Dec 16, 2021 10:31:23 AM
Why are ignorant people given spaces to preach their speil? I find having someone sitting beside you and talking is more distracting that talking to someone on the phone. I recommend jason stops talking out of his as...
Posted by: Tagman | Dec 16, 2021 11:22:01 AM
Absolutely nuts! Talking to passengers is FAR more dangerous because you sometimes feel obliged to take your eyes off the road and look at them so are we going to ban that too? This country is going crazy!
Posted by: John Liczner | Dec 16, 2021 11:34:15 AM
Too many people can't even walk and chew gum at the same time. I see people EVERY DAY trying to drive and talk on the phone at the same time and it is obvious. If people around them were not paying attention and avoiding thier stupid moves there would be alot more acidents happening.
But all these selfish people who insist on doing this they will find out one day... odds are!
Posted by: Caitlin | Dec 16, 2021 11:41:57 AM
I too find passengers more distracting than my Bluetooth. Also as others have said, how many people actually drive with two hands even when they're not on the phone to begin with? I can honestly say that I don't, people that drive standard transmission vehicles in the city definitely don't most of the time since they need one hand to shift and one to steer, and I can't see there becoming a law that standards won't be allowed on the roads anymore.
Posted by: Easton | Dec 16, 2021 11:49:42 AM
Cel phone use in vehiclesis becoming epidemic. How many people have to be injured, maimed, disabled and killed by vehicles whose drivers are talking on a cel phone before enough is enough. Lets use some common sense. We all know though, that common sense is not common, especially when being applied by politicians debating whether people are being injured and killed in this manner. How did people ever manage before the onset of cel phones when we had to actually get to a destination to use an actual telephone !
Posted by: Big John | Dec 16, 2021 12:09:00 PM
Well you folks have it all wrong. First car phones should al be blue tooth for use in cars and phones never to be not be held in hands, secondly should only be used to answer and not make call unless voice activated. Texting definetly a
no-no.
Posted by: Victoria | Dec 16, 2021 2:08:44 PM
Cell phone use while driving is an offence in BC but people still do it all the time. It is a hard law to enforce and people know it. Unless the police actually see someone on their cell how can they be caught? People managed their businesses quite well before there ere cell phones and as far as talking to a passenger while driving - there are two sets of eyes to watch the road!
Posted by: Mee | Dec 16, 2021 2:20:52 PM
Good. Theres too many morons out there driving already, cell phones just make them worse. I hope they enforce it and apply rules where your 2nd time getting caught and you lose your license.
Posted by: Mee | Dec 16, 2021 2:23:22 PM
OH and while they are at it how about these idiots that feel the need to bring their pets to the bank or grocery store. Unless your taking it to a vet IN A CAGE, or dropping it off somewhere IN A CAGE. LEAVE YOUR DAMN PETS AT HOME.