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: Not Stupid | Dec 16, 2021 2:29:24 PM
Come on....you could argue that a passenger in the seat next to you could be a distraction too. Are passengers to be banned next?? Accidents happen and they happen because the drivers are being irresponsible or not paying attention and yes, there are still idiots out there texting and dialing their phones and working on their laptops, all while driving. But that's it, they are IDIOTS.....why don't we just ban them?!
Posted by: Not Stupid | Dec 16, 2021 2:34:01 PM
@AchillesLStand
I'm glad you didn't continue....your spelling and grammar is atrocious!
Posted by: KARL V | Dec 16, 2021 4:06:25 PM
WHEN DOING THAT LONG DRIVE HOME AFTER LONG DAY I TALK ON SPEAKER TO MY LADY AND NEVER YONG OR DROP MY EYES EVER IF USED PROPER THERE ARE GREAT BENFITS AND SAFTY ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ REMEMBER THEY DONT OUTLAW CIRGERETES BOOZE OR ANY THING THAT IS JUST UNREALEATIC ,,,,, APPERENTLY WALKING ON THE STEET IS NEXT THING TO MAKE ILLEGALL THE PEOPLE CANT TALK AND WALK APPERENTLY WE DO NEEDS LAWS BUT MAINLY TO TRY TO KEEP PEOPLE AWARE AND KEEP PROBLEMS TO RELEASTIC NUMBER ZERO IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN
Posted by: Michael | Dec 16, 2021 4:22:20 PM
ALL CELL PHONE USE IN CARS SOULD BE BANED AND NOT ONLY A FINE BUT POINTS SHOULD BE ALSO INCLUDED. EVERY DAY I SEE PEOPLE LEAVING FOR WORK COMING OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAYS TALKING ON THEIR PHONE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. THEY JUST LEFT HOME, COULDN'T THEY MADE THE CALL FIRST? LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT..IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE THEM BANED ALLTOGETHER BUT THE GOVERMENT DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO DO THIS.... PLEASE AT LEAST MAKE IT A POINT OFFENCE... SAVE LIVES.
Posted by: M. Ceravolo | Dec 16, 2021 4:38:40 PM
This is in reply to redjujube. What are you an assassin in the making? Hinting that you would kill for money??? I think there should be a law against your type because the way you are talking you sound more dangerous than any driver on the road. I wouldn't be surprised if you were a road rager, and when will they ban that????
Posted by: jonsey | Dec 16, 2021 4:54:52 PM
Maybe they should focus on making people better drivers. I have seen many drivers that don't signal or stop at stop signs, make unneccessary lane changes, speed etc that were not on the phone, talking to passengers or eating. It seems to me that there are lots of BAD drivers out there who shouldn't be driving period.
Posted by: Melanie | Dec 16, 2021 8:25:17 PM
I think they should ban the use of cell phones in vehicles I dont know how anyone can text and drive at the same time I have never tried it and I know if I did It would be a disaster. As for hands free you cant get away from that most vehicles are equipped with it and to me its no different than talking to a passenger. Even people changing stations on a radio is a distraction they gonna ban that too.Its not so much the talking on the phone its the texting . In Ontario we arent allowed to use cell phones but we are allowed to hands free but its amazing all the people you still see on them and you can always tell because the the way they are driving. YES BAN CELL PHONE USE NO TO BANNING OF HANDS FREE .
Posted by: Bloody cash-grabbing bans | Dec 16, 2021 11:55:10 PM
I'm just wondering when they're going to ban breathing and driving?
Posted by: Richard | Dec 18, 2021 7:43:30 PM
@Tagman.. talking to passengers IS NOT MORE DANGEROUS. Get that through your thick skull! Maybe you shouldn`t be driving, period!
Posted by: Dr. J. Steed | Dec 18, 2021 8:09:41 PM
I recall the uproar when the seatbelt law was introduced. I guess the stupid people of that era have spawned equally stupid offspring that now complain about the cellphone ban. Another reason why brother and sister should not mate.