if we are banning them and still see the use of them rising after these studies, why are we not seeing more and more tickets written?
afterall, if we don’t write, then the law becomes a non-contendre and you can’t prosecute because you fail to make folks comply. if you allow one, then you allow all… just like the speeding tickets, if everyone is doing 65 in a 55, you can’t write a ticket to someone for doing 65/55.
I understand that drivers under the age of 18 are still considered inexperienced drivers; however, I don’t think the law should apply to just them. Almost daily I get behind someone talking on their cell phone while driving, going at least 5-10 MPH UNDER the speed limit, swerving out of their lane, etc., and 99% of the time, it is an “experienced” driver (30+ is my guesstimate).
Which brings up another point, not all people obtain a driver’s license before age 18. I know people who have not gotten theirs until their mid-twenties. Shouldn’t they be considered inexperienced even though they are older?
I cannot be blameless, as I talk on my cell phone nearly every time I’m on the road (45 minute commute). But I can multi-task, meaning keep my eyes on the road and maintain the speed limit while talking on the phone. I understand that the phone is the least important thing going on, and I will put it down and/or hang up if I hit traffic. I have been doing this for many years now, and thankfully have never been in an accident while talking on my cell.
I just think that the law should apply to everyone or nobody.
Gwen, you’re like every person who had or caused an accident while driving and talking on the cell: you think you can multi-task. I don’t know you or what you do, but I’m 100% positive that you’re not doing anything that’s so important it can’t wait until you get where you’re going.
As I said, I have never caused an accident or been involved in one while talking on my cell phone, so until that happens, I would consider myself someone who can multi-task on the road. Once I cause an accident while doing so, I will concede my point.
And to add to that point, I certainly hope you (or anybody for that matter) do not listen to the radio while driving, as that is a distraction too. Oh, and what about people with passengers in their vehicle while driving? Unless all passengers are instructed to not make a sound, that is a pretty huge distraction also.
I can understand banning texting while talking, as that requires eyes to be off of the road. I do not text and drive. But until they ban every distraction around, I do not think they should try to put the blame solely on cell phones.
Have to agree w/Chuckling and Woodchuck’ comments. Gwen….you’re part of the problem. It’s time we stopped coddling 18 year olds in terms of holding them accountable and responsible. If they’re old enough to defend their country and old enough to leave home and attend college then they’re old enough to stop acting like children and tapping out un-important messages and making un-important phone calls while driving. Life is full of choices. The best way to get their attention is to have a significant consequence to the FIRST OFFENSE, like impounding the vehicle (regardless of who owns it), suspending driving priviledes for six months, and a $250 fine.
Wow, that’s pretty harsh. I would never punish ANYONE that hard for talking on a cell phone while driving. If they caused an accident while doing so is a different story, but just talking on a cell phone and driving?? I would think a ticket with a fine would be sufficient enough to scare most young drivers.
And also, just wanted to point out that I also said “I am not blameless”…meaning I know it is not the best thing in the world that I drive and talk on my phone at the same time. I understand it is not good.
That is besides the point though. If you were reading into my email correctly, you would see that all I am saying is that if the law applies to teens, it should apply to everyone. I have witnessed many “experienced” drivers talking on cell phones and holding up traffic, way more than I have seen teens. Maybe it’s just the area I live in, I don’t know. But I think it is unfair to single out just the teens. And as I also said before, texting and driving should most definitely be banned for anyone, any age.
For the record, I am 26, and have been driving for 11 years. Probably not considered as “experienced” as some of the other people on these boards, but definitely not wet behind the ears.
ok, have anyone noticed that in many states where it is illegal to use cellphone while driving the cost of the ticket? most states the ticket costs over $120, some even high as high as $180.
if you think that it is a non-distraction/multi-tasking, then your mistaken. there is a study that was done concerning the use of cellphone and other distractions. they found that since your brain is trying to put words together for a conversation, that you are already distracted and can’t maintain concentration on anything else. even if you are driving for 11 yrs, that does not mean you can actually succeed. afterall, you said, that once (and all it takes is once) you have an accident you’ll concede. so if that is the case, then you are in agreement.
think about that — it only takes one accident – it could be a major one or a slight one – either way it was an accident that might have been prevented if you were not on the phone or may have limited the damage.
Which is exactly why I said I am to blame in my very first post. It’s the same with drinking and driving, it only takes one time. I wholly agree with that. I am not proud that I talk and drive.
My whole point here is MAKE THE LAW APPLY TO EVERYONE, NO MATTER HOW LONG OR SHORT OF A TIME THEY HAVE BEEN DRIVING!
That would include (ME!), so I would get a ticket if I was caught talking on the phone.
And as far as the study goes, once again, if you are talking to a passenger in a vehicle while you are driving, isn’t that “trying to put words together for a conversation”? AGAIN, not saying it’s okay to talk on cell phones while driving, but driving with passengers must be put equally to blame if conversation is the cause of all of these accidents. It almost seems to me like they are trying to blame the cell phone instead of a plain out crappy driver (and there are PLENTY of those out there too!).
Bravo Gwen. At least she isn’t trying to fool anyone into thinking she isn’t just like the rest of us. I have a VERY hard time believing that all thoes condeming her regarding cell phone use, have never used a cell phone while driving. It is a way of life now a days.
When cell phones were still new, the call could wait. But we are all on electronic leshes. We are expected by work, clients, family, etc to be available at all times. I’m not going to risk loosing a deal because cell phones are distracting. I don’t know anyone that would.
So again, Bravo Gwen for having the courage to tell the truth to this group that loves to condemn.
They can already give you a ticket for distracted driving no matter what you are doing. I should know, I got one when I was 16 years old. 30 years ago when I first got my license I went out to celebrate with my girlfriend. She was giving me a hummer and somehow a cop noticed and gave me the ticket.
I believe your opening comment was: “Once I cause an accident while doing so, I will concede my point.” How dare you be so cavalier about something like having to cause an automobile accident to get it through your thick skull that playing with a phone while driving is dangerous? You are representative of the generation that thinks everything you do is OK. THERE IS NOTHING THAT IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING. I pity you for lacking the discipline to focus on your primary task: DRIVING. Do you find driving too boring that you have to do something to amuse yourself? Or maybe you just don’t perceive it’s important enough. If you have areal emergency ….pull off. Just because you and those like you (with all of 11 years driving experience) think it’s OK doesn’t make it OK. If you think this is harsh…..it’s meant to be.
I’ve gotta back up Gwen on this one. As she said, if there is a law it should apply to everybody.
As as noted a study put out by the NHTSB within the past year showed that all distractions: radio, cell phone, texting, passengers, eating and hummers (though that last wasn’t specifically noted in the text of the study) – all gave the same driving impairment as driving drunk. We can not point fingers unless we have silent and unmoving passengers in a car with no food, no drink, no radio and no other distractions. As I doubt that everyone here criticizing Gwen drives with the radio off and forces their passengers to sit like statues I call “hypocrite”.
And since talking on a cell phone while driving has saved my life numerous times, I won’t yell at people for doing it. There comes a time, a few hours into a drive with no shoulder and no rest stop in site when you need something to keep you going until you can pull over. There comes a time after working a long graveyard shift that you all of a sudden can’t go on and you need something to get you to the next exit. If I didn’t have somebody in my ear keeping me awake for the couple of miles it took to find a safe place to pull over I would be dead. It’s all about weighing the risks and accepting the consequences.
Yell at me all you want, but I’ve got Gwen’s back on this one.
Wow, it must be nice to be so perfect. I don’t make a practice of talking on my cell while driving but I have to admit, I’ve answered a call on occasion and I’m sure many of the others responding here today have as well. It is a definate distraction, especially if you are at a light or manuvering turns. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t see a dozen or so mature people on their phones on my way to work.
Goodness gracious, I believe I’m talking with JESUS! Someone who does NO WRONG!
Congrats on coming across as a person with no brain. You, my friend, are probably one of the drivers who doesn’t need to be on a cell phone to cause an accident. That happens across the country way more frequently than accidents caused by people on cell phones. Were there no accidents before the cell phone was invented?
You have no right to judge me by my age. I have worked since I was 16 years old, and take full responsibility for myself. I know I am probably the youngest person posting on this site, but I am sick of people discriminating against me because of my age. Now what I said may have come across as not caring if I cause an accident, and I by no means meant it that way. But I (and probably nobody will agree with me here) think I am the best judge of what I am capable of handling. If I didn’t think I could handle talking and driving, I wouldn’t do it.
Teens don’t respect that law because the adults they are learning from don’t either.
I am teaching my 16 year old to drive and I caught her reaching for her cell phone in the car when it rang during her first driving lesson! Why? Partly habit/addiction to cell phones and anything electronic for instant gratification AND my poor example!
Yes, despite the handsfree law in my state, i’m still dialing and talking and she sees it.
I don’t want to be the person to get that phone call telling me my child was in an automobile accident while using her cell phone. Time for me to be a better citizen and a better example for my child.
All of you who drive an use a cell phone to talk and/or text emssage, wait until you seriously injure someone in an accident and your suied for punitive damages. Guess what, probably no insurance coverage for the punitives and you will lose everyting. Think first, the phone call can wiat.
Gwen:
Your comments are rather self-serving. “I am the best judge of what I am capable of handling.” Someone points out some things you don’t want to hear and you go off the deep end. Independent studies by experts have proven, conclusively, that it’s dangerous to play with cell phone while driving. Your attention and reaction time are compromised. I ask you, what could be so almighty important that you have to be on a cellphone while driving? What is so important that it can’t wait until you stop or get to where you’re going? Sure, there may be a FEW exceptions, but as a rule, NOTHING is that important. But, just continue doing whatever you, at your age of wisdom and with all your life experience, want to do. It’s all about YOU.
My post from a previous IJ article….”No one can hit a golf ball while speaking; nor does the batter at the plate chatter with his teammates while in the batters box; the only one who talks during a pro football game is the signal caller; there is no yakking during the execution of the play, except maybe grunting for exertion. I never talked while I was bench pressing. Never heard Kobe Bryant ask how the wife and kids were during a lay up. the fact is that all of these activities require attention to detail and concentration in order to do them successfully if not very well; and none of these activities is inherently dangerous. If one hits a bad shot, it only affects the score, not one’s physical safety nor the safety of others (to a great extent)….but driving is inherently dangerous and those who do not drive well, do not drive safely….now why would anyone think that driving while talking is a safe thing to do, AT ALL? that why you need a license to drive but not to play sports. Yet people can follow this simple logic and shut up if they want to play a sport well, why would you not use the same logic for something with potential catastrophic results,i.e., a collision. this morning, I almost got side swiped by two drivers who couldn’t decide which lane to use because they were talking on the phone during the A.M. commute….go ahead…..try to convince me otherwise…I’m listening (and not talking by the way)”
if we are banning them and still see the use of them rising after these studies, why are we not seeing more and more tickets written?
afterall, if we don’t write, then the law becomes a non-contendre and you can’t prosecute because you fail to make folks comply. if you allow one, then you allow all… just like the speeding tickets, if everyone is doing 65 in a 55, you can’t write a ticket to someone for doing 65/55.
I understand that drivers under the age of 18 are still considered inexperienced drivers; however, I don’t think the law should apply to just them. Almost daily I get behind someone talking on their cell phone while driving, going at least 5-10 MPH UNDER the speed limit, swerving out of their lane, etc., and 99% of the time, it is an “experienced” driver (30+ is my guesstimate).
Which brings up another point, not all people obtain a driver’s license before age 18. I know people who have not gotten theirs until their mid-twenties. Shouldn’t they be considered inexperienced even though they are older?
I cannot be blameless, as I talk on my cell phone nearly every time I’m on the road (45 minute commute). But I can multi-task, meaning keep my eyes on the road and maintain the speed limit while talking on the phone. I understand that the phone is the least important thing going on, and I will put it down and/or hang up if I hit traffic. I have been doing this for many years now, and thankfully have never been in an accident while talking on my cell.
I just think that the law should apply to everyone or nobody.
Gwen, you’re like every person who had or caused an accident while driving and talking on the cell: you think you can multi-task. I don’t know you or what you do, but I’m 100% positive that you’re not doing anything that’s so important it can’t wait until you get where you’re going.
Gee – who would have guessed.
As I said, I have never caused an accident or been involved in one while talking on my cell phone, so until that happens, I would consider myself someone who can multi-task on the road. Once I cause an accident while doing so, I will concede my point.
And to add to that point, I certainly hope you (or anybody for that matter) do not listen to the radio while driving, as that is a distraction too. Oh, and what about people with passengers in their vehicle while driving? Unless all passengers are instructed to not make a sound, that is a pretty huge distraction also.
I can understand banning texting while talking, as that requires eyes to be off of the road. I do not text and drive. But until they ban every distraction around, I do not think they should try to put the blame solely on cell phones.
Have to agree w/Chuckling and Woodchuck’ comments. Gwen….you’re part of the problem. It’s time we stopped coddling 18 year olds in terms of holding them accountable and responsible. If they’re old enough to defend their country and old enough to leave home and attend college then they’re old enough to stop acting like children and tapping out un-important messages and making un-important phone calls while driving. Life is full of choices. The best way to get their attention is to have a significant consequence to the FIRST OFFENSE, like impounding the vehicle (regardless of who owns it), suspending driving priviledes for six months, and a $250 fine.
Wow, that’s pretty harsh. I would never punish ANYONE that hard for talking on a cell phone while driving. If they caused an accident while doing so is a different story, but just talking on a cell phone and driving?? I would think a ticket with a fine would be sufficient enough to scare most young drivers.
And also, just wanted to point out that I also said “I am not blameless”…meaning I know it is not the best thing in the world that I drive and talk on my phone at the same time. I understand it is not good.
That is besides the point though. If you were reading into my email correctly, you would see that all I am saying is that if the law applies to teens, it should apply to everyone. I have witnessed many “experienced” drivers talking on cell phones and holding up traffic, way more than I have seen teens. Maybe it’s just the area I live in, I don’t know. But I think it is unfair to single out just the teens. And as I also said before, texting and driving should most definitely be banned for anyone, any age.
For the record, I am 26, and have been driving for 11 years. Probably not considered as “experienced” as some of the other people on these boards, but definitely not wet behind the ears.
ok, have anyone noticed that in many states where it is illegal to use cellphone while driving the cost of the ticket? most states the ticket costs over $120, some even high as high as $180.
if you think that it is a non-distraction/multi-tasking, then your mistaken. there is a study that was done concerning the use of cellphone and other distractions. they found that since your brain is trying to put words together for a conversation, that you are already distracted and can’t maintain concentration on anything else. even if you are driving for 11 yrs, that does not mean you can actually succeed. afterall, you said, that once (and all it takes is once) you have an accident you’ll concede. so if that is the case, then you are in agreement.
think about that — it only takes one accident – it could be a major one or a slight one – either way it was an accident that might have been prevented if you were not on the phone or may have limited the damage.
Which is exactly why I said I am to blame in my very first post. It’s the same with drinking and driving, it only takes one time. I wholly agree with that. I am not proud that I talk and drive.
My whole point here is MAKE THE LAW APPLY TO EVERYONE, NO MATTER HOW LONG OR SHORT OF A TIME THEY HAVE BEEN DRIVING!
That would include (ME!), so I would get a ticket if I was caught talking on the phone.
And as far as the study goes, once again, if you are talking to a passenger in a vehicle while you are driving, isn’t that “trying to put words together for a conversation”? AGAIN, not saying it’s okay to talk on cell phones while driving, but driving with passengers must be put equally to blame if conversation is the cause of all of these accidents. It almost seems to me like they are trying to blame the cell phone instead of a plain out crappy driver (and there are PLENTY of those out there too!).
Bravo Gwen. At least she isn’t trying to fool anyone into thinking she isn’t just like the rest of us. I have a VERY hard time believing that all thoes condeming her regarding cell phone use, have never used a cell phone while driving. It is a way of life now a days.
When cell phones were still new, the call could wait. But we are all on electronic leshes. We are expected by work, clients, family, etc to be available at all times. I’m not going to risk loosing a deal because cell phones are distracting. I don’t know anyone that would.
So again, Bravo Gwen for having the courage to tell the truth to this group that loves to condemn.
Thank you SP! I’m glad someone sees my point! :)
They can already give you a ticket for distracted driving no matter what you are doing. I should know, I got one when I was 16 years old. 30 years ago when I first got my license I went out to celebrate with my girlfriend. She was giving me a hummer and somehow a cop noticed and gave me the ticket.
Oh my gosh! That is too funny! (Probably not so much back then, though!)
I believe your opening comment was: “Once I cause an accident while doing so, I will concede my point.” How dare you be so cavalier about something like having to cause an automobile accident to get it through your thick skull that playing with a phone while driving is dangerous? You are representative of the generation that thinks everything you do is OK. THERE IS NOTHING THAT IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE PHONE WHILE DRIVING. I pity you for lacking the discipline to focus on your primary task: DRIVING. Do you find driving too boring that you have to do something to amuse yourself? Or maybe you just don’t perceive it’s important enough. If you have areal emergency ….pull off. Just because you and those like you (with all of 11 years driving experience) think it’s OK doesn’t make it OK. If you think this is harsh…..it’s meant to be.
I’ve gotta back up Gwen on this one. As she said, if there is a law it should apply to everybody.
As as noted a study put out by the NHTSB within the past year showed that all distractions: radio, cell phone, texting, passengers, eating and hummers (though that last wasn’t specifically noted in the text of the study) – all gave the same driving impairment as driving drunk. We can not point fingers unless we have silent and unmoving passengers in a car with no food, no drink, no radio and no other distractions. As I doubt that everyone here criticizing Gwen drives with the radio off and forces their passengers to sit like statues I call “hypocrite”.
And since talking on a cell phone while driving has saved my life numerous times, I won’t yell at people for doing it. There comes a time, a few hours into a drive with no shoulder and no rest stop in site when you need something to keep you going until you can pull over. There comes a time after working a long graveyard shift that you all of a sudden can’t go on and you need something to get you to the next exit. If I didn’t have somebody in my ear keeping me awake for the couple of miles it took to find a safe place to pull over I would be dead. It’s all about weighing the risks and accepting the consequences.
Yell at me all you want, but I’ve got Gwen’s back on this one.
Wow, it must be nice to be so perfect. I don’t make a practice of talking on my cell while driving but I have to admit, I’ve answered a call on occasion and I’m sure many of the others responding here today have as well. It is a definate distraction, especially if you are at a light or manuvering turns. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t see a dozen or so mature people on their phones on my way to work.
Goodness gracious, I believe I’m talking with JESUS! Someone who does NO WRONG!
Congrats on coming across as a person with no brain. You, my friend, are probably one of the drivers who doesn’t need to be on a cell phone to cause an accident. That happens across the country way more frequently than accidents caused by people on cell phones. Were there no accidents before the cell phone was invented?
You have no right to judge me by my age. I have worked since I was 16 years old, and take full responsibility for myself. I know I am probably the youngest person posting on this site, but I am sick of people discriminating against me because of my age. Now what I said may have come across as not caring if I cause an accident, and I by no means meant it that way. But I (and probably nobody will agree with me here) think I am the best judge of what I am capable of handling. If I didn’t think I could handle talking and driving, I wouldn’t do it.
I aspire to be perfect like you one day.
Teens don’t respect that law because the adults they are learning from don’t either.
I am teaching my 16 year old to drive and I caught her reaching for her cell phone in the car when it rang during her first driving lesson! Why? Partly habit/addiction to cell phones and anything electronic for instant gratification AND my poor example!
Yes, despite the handsfree law in my state, i’m still dialing and talking and she sees it.
I don’t want to be the person to get that phone call telling me my child was in an automobile accident while using her cell phone. Time for me to be a better citizen and a better example for my child.
All of you who drive an use a cell phone to talk and/or text emssage, wait until you seriously injure someone in an accident and your suied for punitive damages. Guess what, probably no insurance coverage for the punitives and you will lose everyting. Think first, the phone call can wiat.
Gwen:
Your comments are rather self-serving. “I am the best judge of what I am capable of handling.” Someone points out some things you don’t want to hear and you go off the deep end. Independent studies by experts have proven, conclusively, that it’s dangerous to play with cell phone while driving. Your attention and reaction time are compromised. I ask you, what could be so almighty important that you have to be on a cellphone while driving? What is so important that it can’t wait until you stop or get to where you’re going? Sure, there may be a FEW exceptions, but as a rule, NOTHING is that important. But, just continue doing whatever you, at your age of wisdom and with all your life experience, want to do. It’s all about YOU.
My post from a previous IJ article….”No one can hit a golf ball while speaking; nor does the batter at the plate chatter with his teammates while in the batters box; the only one who talks during a pro football game is the signal caller; there is no yakking during the execution of the play, except maybe grunting for exertion. I never talked while I was bench pressing. Never heard Kobe Bryant ask how the wife and kids were during a lay up. the fact is that all of these activities require attention to detail and concentration in order to do them successfully if not very well; and none of these activities is inherently dangerous. If one hits a bad shot, it only affects the score, not one’s physical safety nor the safety of others (to a great extent)….but driving is inherently dangerous and those who do not drive well, do not drive safely….now why would anyone think that driving while talking is a safe thing to do, AT ALL? that why you need a license to drive but not to play sports. Yet people can follow this simple logic and shut up if they want to play a sport well, why would you not use the same logic for something with potential catastrophic results,i.e., a collision. this morning, I almost got side swiped by two drivers who couldn’t decide which lane to use because they were talking on the phone during the A.M. commute….go ahead…..try to convince me otherwise…I’m listening (and not talking by the way)”
that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!