Should driving & using a cell phone be illegal

[CarolAnn]

There's been a lot of discussion here in Wisconsin whether to ban using a cell phone while driving, although the hands-free models may be permitted.

What's your take on this?

I get pretty ticked off when I'm nearly clipped by some idiot glued to a cell phone, & there has been an upswing of fatal accidents caused by cell phone users, but I also don't like even MORE government intrusion into our lives!

[AlchemyAcres]

Talking on a cell phone....tuning a radio.....looking in the rear view mirror while gabbing with someone in the back seat......The irresponsible will remain irresponsible, regardless of any new law.
Cell phone use while driving is illegal in NY state, yet I see countless motorists continue to use them.


~Martin

[Txanne]

If people would use common sense--we wouldnt need any NEW laws--its a real discussion here in Tx.

I thought drinking and driving was a menace--But cell phones are becoming one of the fastest causes of accidents here.

I have a cell as most do---I have it on and in my cup holder while I drive--basicly for safety reasons--it if rings--I find a place to pull over--or if I am in a traffic situation I ignore it----

Should it be illegal--NO!!

People need to use common sense---or we lose the 1st.Amendment right---freedom of speech.

NEW LAW---NEW LOSE OF A FREEDOM!!

annie

[DaNgEr_KiTtY]

i really like states being able to have their own laws. however i think in order for ny government to be consistent in saving us all from ourselves that they should ban everything except just driving.

i use blue tooth so i dont need any hands to talk on the phone. i have both ear piece & also speaker blue tooth for inside my truck. basically i can touch a button once & call anyone in my saved number list by using voice tags. i push one button to answer a call. this is not any harder than turning off the radio if a passenger in my truck wants to talk. this is why they need to ban passengers also, unless hands free devices are allowed.

i wouldnt be surprised if enough liberals get into power that the automobile will be banned anyway because global warming is gonna kill us all or more importantly automobiles kill more people in this country than anything else practically.

[Ozarks_1]

"Common sense"?
Annie, you must be joking!
Common sense is an uncommon quality and one the great majority of people lack.

Should using a cell phone while driving be illegal? NO!

People should get over being so full of themselves and self-important that they think they just have to be in touch with the world.

[nancy1340]

Weeeeel I don't think it ought to be illegal. But I do that drivers that misuse cell phones ought to pretty much be open season.

You know, your setting at a light and the driver in front of you has been too busy to notice that they have sat through a light three or four cycles of the light. Surly you ought to be able to wind'em. Just a little. Kinda a wake up call you know.

Now if you have a cell driver in the fast lane or one cut you off a good solid body shot ought to be OK.

;)

[Txanne]

Hell lets all have the goober ban driving--then we can get drunk and talk on our cell phones all we want!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ozark--is right--geezzzzzzz we need to get over ourselves.

anyway--there's nothing left to talk over at the dinner table----we spent all day on our cells phones.

sad to say---Most parents raise their kids by cell phone now---- :(

annie

[Txanne]

Weeeeel I don't think it ought to be illegal. But I do that drivers that misuse cell phones ought to pretty much be open season.

You know, your setting at a light and the driver in front of you has been too busy to notice that they have sat through a light three or four cycles of the light. Surly you ought to be able to wind'em. Just a little. Kinda a wake up call you know.

Now if you have a cell driver in the fast lane or one cut you off a good solid body shot ought to be OK.

;)


Nancy---I like your thinking---i am thinking about putting a 4'" grill on my truck---for [[such lessons]] ;D

annie

[Mac_Muz]

I dunno.... As a bike rider I see all to many who have no clue they are driving and more like they are reading things, texting things, putting on make up, shaving, watching a tv!
and for all I know baking cookies...

I think the time has come to the point that if you need a rear view camera you shouldn't coinsider driving, manually anyway.

Driving used to be a sort of hobby even if the end destination was work. Before "PC" became popular fiction, we used to do something called Drive.

I made a game of it like chess, seking the move to beat the next guy 20 cars ahead and do it. Reading traffic flow, and going faster than the pack, but not by much.

I still do but on my bike more and then things get to be you had better be good or you will be dead..

I got a cell phone, err well my wife does. it is a verison and never works where we go.. it works sorta where she goes, but I don't like the signals close by me unless I got my tin foil hats...

I look funny in tin foil hats too, so I line my balmors'a with the tinfoil for stealth.

If you run me down on my bike and leave me alive and I discover you were on a cell fone, that cell had better be a nice tidy size, and real smooth because I will install it some where dark... Which should make texting really dangerous..

[333]

Peace,

I gotta wonder what All these radio and microwaves running through the air are doing to us. I had the pleasure a few years back of contracting some simple alarms systems at a few of the "towers" in the area.

Now I am no expert in sat tech, microwaves, and such , but I do know that I was unable to spend more than 15 minutes at a time near those towers or in the shack beneath it, I had to work a little, 10 minutes, leave 10- 15 minutes and repeat, my teeth hurt , my head hurt, nausea etc. I refused more contracts after those few.

333

[bookwormom]

I for one do not have a cellphone. there have been tests done in Germany. where every kid seems to have one. after use of the gadget the red bloodcells allign themselves like a roll of coins. there is a specific word for it which I do not remember just now.
as for driving and using the thing, common sense should tell you not to. It is too bad when things like fastening a seatbelt or not using a cellphone when driving have to be made into laws.

[Bad_Omen]

It's illegal to use a cell phone without hands free in most of Europe now, people still do though.

It is hard to do both at once, so yep it probably should be illegal. But on the other hand we have laws governing 'driving without due care and attention' so that should really cover it. I guess the problem was how do you prove that they were driving without due care. Make the entire thing illegal and it makes life easier for the cops.

[nancy1340]

In actuality DWI covers it. It's not Driving While Intoxicated. It's Driving While Impaired here in Texas. Meaning if your doing something that diverts your attention while driving they can give you a ticket if you have a wreck or do something against driving laws, ie changing lanes without signaling, tailgating etc. Unfortunately the wreck usually comes before the ticket.

[Rick_O_Shea]

The roar of the masses could just be farts...

[333]

Peace,

Monkeys lol Meat Puppets,

In NY its DWI driving while intoxicated, DUI driving under the influence, DWAI, driving While ability Impaired. Thats what I read any way, haven't had the pleasure of that experience. Close once, too close but alls well that ends well.

333

[Txanne]

You may be shocked to read that I think that there is a sound argument for some degree of dial'n'drive legislation. Not that I necessarily support any particular proposed legislation...just that I see the logic.

It all comes down to what we can agree is a justifiable level (if any) of prior restraint...much like drink'n'drive laws.

I would argue that there is not a sufficiently significant inherent risk involved with using cellphones while driving. Many use them while driving and do not have accidents. Some use them and are distracted at just the wrong point in time and have an accident. Personally, I think the smartest use of technology is to go for the bluetooth earpieces so you don't have to touch your phone at all...it's very much like talking to a passenger.

Better yet are the bluetooth cars that route your call through the stereo system...you literally talk and hear like a conversation with a passenger.

Clamping down on the liberties of the vast majority that do not have accidents is unjust.

I would suggest an alternative, however...a new standard operating procedure for police attending the scene of an accident.

Introduce legislation to mandate that police do a cellphone activity trace. If you have a cellphone with you, and have an accident, the cops will be able to simply check whether you were using your phone at the time of the accident...no personal details, no numbers, no bugging, no playback...just a yes/no answer for a given window of time. If you were using your phone, your insurance is void.

You'd be damned careful using your phone while driving then, wouldn't ya?


Rick--While I admire your thoughts on many matters [[did i suck up enough there ]]

I must disagree with the cell phone--trace procedure
at the scene of accidents.

I think that is an invasion of privacy---we got that already.

Cops tracing my calls[[except by warrant]]---for any reason other than a felony/treasonous act is UnCONSTITUTIONAL.

We live in a convaluted world of Me-ism---people still dont put on their set belts---drive without insurance,
etc etc.

sincerely.

annie

[Rick_O_Shea]

I also think that dangerous driving, threatening my life with your reckless maneuvers, should be justification for deadly force.

But now I'm getting manic... ;-)

[Txanne]

;D

I understand what your saying:

I dont want a drunk on the road---breathilyzers---fine with me.
But the NO Driving and drinking law is the most abused one here in Texas. Drunks kill lots of people.

A test to determine if your under the influence---of chemicals because the officer can smell---see and is looking at carnage if you have survivied--your drunk driving--is a long way from digging in to my phone--records.

I am agreeing with you btw---

Yes---we have laws on the books---officers cannot possibly be watching for cell phone abusers and take of care the
millon and one other laws---I wanta watch that one in Houston---

I dont talk on my cellphone while driving already said that.

I look for this to be abused---if passed into law---as is the searching of your personal vehicle---the no knock invasions of your home.

I am still going to say and believe its unconstitutional.

Personal Liberty is fast becoming obselete.

enjoyed the exchange!!

[DaNgEr_KiTtY]

no police officer can force anyone to take a breathalyser test. its a police officers job to prove that you committed the crime he is charging you with & not your job to provide incriminating evidence (5th amendment). another thing is that the breathalyser test they give you on the road is not admissible in most courts but the one at the station is admissible.

having been charged with dui before (yeah i got off because of lack of probable cause) i learned quite a bit about this stuff. i know states have the right to take your license if you dont do the breath test (average is about 7 days) but most cops will show you this law where you got pulled over & before you take their field breathalyser making you think that its the same thing. so if you pass all your sobriety tests & he asks you to take this test you can get arrested with any amount of alcohol registering.

i think that the only accurate way to measure BAC is a blood test. if the breathalyser was so accurate why dont they use that in hospital emergency rooms? they dont because its often not accurate.

i am not advocating DUI or any other dangerous driving. just trying to tell people what their rights are. in VA the limit for BAC is .08 . i know 3 people that were charged with DUI that blew .05 & .06 . how you can charge someone for DUI when the breathalyser results is less than the legal limit? like i have said before cops can charge you & arrest you for anything they want. whether it sticks is another story & after you have begun to deplete your bank account for fines, attorneys etc. all 3 of these people received a reduced charge for wreck less driving, license suspended for 3 months & mandatory VASAP education/counseling. average total of expense about 6-7 grand when fines, attorney & insurance increases are tallied.

[333]

If you refuse breath test in new york you go to jail,, ??? ??? ???

[Txanne]

Regarding constitutionality, Annie, I would say that it falls outside the purview of the federal government, and into the hands of the several States.

There's no digging through phone records necessary. Just contact the network provider and ask if the person's phone was recently connected to a call...that's all the information the cops need...no numbers or transcripts...just a yes/no. It ain't like you're getting a rectal probe *;-)

Obviously I need to know the specifics of any proposed law before I can commit my support...but I am certainly not against such law in principal.

You bring up a very good point.

Needing to know the specifics of any proposed law---

I have found that our Gooberment--local State and federal are not always forth coming about thee SPECIFICS!!

There is such a thin line surrounding our rights now---I hate any new infringement.

One other point---LEO's seldom have law degrees---they are not judges/lawyers.

Their [[leo's ]] interperatation of Laws--are sketchy at best and we have seen them over step Their legal bounds way to many times.

My personal thought: Just another law to infringe on our lives.
Millons of drivers---donot equal criminal activity.

Need traffic laws---sure--- BUT good Lord---where does it stop?

Txanne-

[Txanne]

I hate new infringements too Annie...and I'm as suspicious as you are about new 'laws' that claim to offer 'solutions' ...especially when they come packaged up in the magic words 'common sense'.

There is a thin line surrounding our rights, you bet...freedom isn't free, nor is it strong...it is fragile and its only defense is we the people.

Where does it stop? It'll stop where competent, patriotic politicians of integrity meet an independent, informed and patriotic society.

I'm not holding my breath ;-) *I can count the number of worthy patriots in congress on the fingers of one nad.


BRAVO___Well said!!

txanne

[Shamrock1121]

I don't think using a cell phone while driving should be banned or against the law, just as eating or putting a CD in should be. BUT, if it's the cause of inattentive driving resulting in a wreck - I believe there are already laws on the books to cover that! Throw the book at them THEN!

The first time I ever saw someone talking on a cell phone while driving, they had the phone in their right hand, and in their left (steering) hand they had a lit cigarette AND an open cup of steaming something - I assume coffee - in their left hand. I turned at the first corner to avoid this idiot!

Then there was another idiot who once again, had the lit cigarette in her left hand and steering with it, and her phone in her right - and also had to shift gears with it.

-Karen

[Txanne]

One other small item--while we're giving away our freedom to speak-----

Truckers for years---running down the road--have been using C-B's to communicate with each other---Now running at 55-70 MPH--talking on a Cb--is allowed----[[not putting truckers down--K?]]which btw is one handed driving.[[whats the tonnage on those babies??]]


Why all of the sudden--are Americans---1st.Amendment rights so threating ??

annie--kind of wonders about this kind of thinking

[RangerRick]

I don't think we need another new law, got too many on the books now.

Things like cell phones and driving accidents can be settled through extenuating circumstances in a court of law.

Rick

[333]

So...

Lets say your good friend , an excellent, culinary artist, starts his new job, Managing, a old established restaurant, and after many invites you finally get the chance, you go , the cuisine is excellent, the location, excellent , you have a glass of wine with your meal, excellent, now you, thank him and pay, then leave, only as you were leaving you do not notice the, Law laying in wait in the parking lot. 60 seconds later your pulled over, probable cause?, highly debatable, even after you endure the myriad of gymnastics, no problem, along the side of the road, then the linguistics tests, and continuous profession of one glass of wine with your meal 5 then 10 then 15 minutes prior, now the "official" stuffs a breath exam in your face, and demands you blow. Some folks may like things stuffed in their face with the demand to blow , I am not one of them.
This is not probable cause, imo, this is entrapment, I mean really, laying in wait at a local restaurant/ bar, something unethical there, although I can't place my finger on it. I guess I am special lol , I wanted a meal with my friend.

333

[Txanne]

333,

Many so-called laws have been enaccted for the honorable Probable Cause System.

And its of course for our safety.
And to get drugs off the street--ohhhhhhh wait---there ya go!!
Do you know that if by some chance----you happen to be looking for a certain address or-even maybe lost---and your in a hihn drug--dealing area you Can Be Pulled Over--just for the hell of it???

You havent bought drugs etc etc---YOU JUST HAPPEN TO BE IN A HIGH CRIME AREA???

What ever happened to the OLE American right to be happy--safe---FREE to drive---speak--talk--


Probable cause is the new by word---all the Powers that be--want Is a reason---to stop ya---look in to your personal things---

And back to the orginal thread-----No it shouldnt be illegal to talk on your dam cell phone--while driving---course you could kill ya silly self!!

Its as close to invasion as I want to come.
leave my Rights alone.

annie

[NHboy]

I think most laws today are made for revenue purposes.
The cops today are glorified tax collectors.
Not using a seatbelt in a vehicle is much safer than riding a motorcycle.
Drinking a beer is no more dangerous than drinking a cup of soda or coffee.
Using a cell phone is no worse than cops trying to communicate to home base.

PLEASE STOP TRYING TO KEEP ME FROM HURTING MYSELF

NHboy

[NHboy]

OK Rick O Shea,
Now you're getting to the root of the problem. Where do you draw the line between liberty and police state?
Someone has an avatar about taking all the safety labels off everything and let the gene pool take care of itself.
NHboy

[NHboy]

Yeah I'm kinda dense, but it did sink in there back a ways. I agree with most of what you say.
I guess what I'm saying is, there is no end to the laws they can keep piling on us.
As far as the police state goes, I can not see the future, I can only see where we came from. The future doesn't look good in my opinion.
NHboy


EDIT; spelling