I just did a long driving trip for the Thanksgiving Holiday and there were many, many drivers with their phones actively in their hands, whether they were texting, phone calls, emails or playing on an app. It is not safe. They disable certain features on the navigation system; they should do the same with phones.
Jack – I don’t disagree with your comment, but have a question. On my trip this weekend, several times I asked my wife to look at traffic on her phone. She wasn’t driving, so that’s safe, right? How would the phone know whether one was driving or a passenger? I wouldn’t want her phone disabled. Or, say my phone rings and I ask her to answer it. That would be safe, too, right? Just pointing out that the solutions are not simple. I agree with comments below about stiffer fines and better enforcement of existing laws. This is more about the user than the device.
These are all good points regarding how to disable a driver’s phone and not the passengers’. I agree that making penalties harsher for distracted driving is one solution, perhaps as severe as a DUI has become. Perhaps all texting is disabled no matter where you sit in the car, although that can be circumvented by using Facebook or other Social Media. It is a tough one to solve, but it needs to be solved. It is dangerous to all!
Waze (navigation app) tries to do that. It has a notification that pops up and says that typing is disabled if you try searching for a location while driving. You have the option of saying that you’re a passenger, and then it will work when you’re driving. It’s definitely not perfect, but do I think it helps a little.
Speaking from experience, when I’ve tried searching for an address and received the ‘typing is disabled’ notice, I’ve tended to put the phone down, and wait until I’m at a stoplight to set my destination. That’s not to say I haven’t just clicked the passenger button and entered the location once or twice. But in general, it has made me stop and think about whether I really need to get that address entered NOW, or if it can wait until I’m not moving and it’s safe to type.
cops need to just inforce the laws more aggressively or up the punishment for texting while driving. If you up the fine, less people will do it. don’t blame the device, blame the individuals who decide to use it poorly.
Something needs to be done about this as distracted drivers are causing more and more accidents. But how will they accomplish this without also limiting access to passenger phones?
It’s either this or states pass smartphone legislation with severe penalties including license suspensions.
If you can’t put your phone down while driving then you shouldn’t have driving privileges. Period.
I’m also against all these confusing touch screen interfaces put in by the car makers these days. Climate controls, for example, used to be simple and universally understood. A couple of dials, one for air flow, another for temperature, and maybe a toggle button for recycled air. I’ve seen some controls lately that are all touch-screen based, highly convoluted and with great variance between makes. They are dangerous and irresponsible design decisions.
I live in a rural state with many secondary roads that are ideal for delightful motorcycle and bicycling trips through the countryside. Given the heightened frequency of accidents involving distracted drivers these two activities have become scary adventures…….oftentimes there’s no possible escape route to take when an opposing driver is looking down and wandering over the centerline with devastating results. A young client of my office recently was texting, went through an intersection and struck a motorcyclist broadside. His leg was severed and his wife was seriously injured as well. An unnecessary tragedy we see repeated all too often. Many aren’t getting the message so it has to be delivered more aggressively and with greater consequence than simply a few hundred dollar fine and points on a license.
Am I the only who has noticed that our friends from the right who are calling for more laws and regulations?
It is highly unlikely that a solution to prevent this type of behavior can be implemented that does also infringe on the freedom of passengers.
Can we please stop trying to solve all of the problems we have and focus on maintaining our freedom and liberty from an already oppressive government? Yes, there will be accidents that involve injuries and even fatalities. But that is the price we pay to maintain our freedoms.
Don’t worry Ron, you will notice thousands and thousands of regulations disappearing from the eight year reign of your hero. We will all have many more freedoms as a result.
By the way, had you read and understood the above comments, this is a public safety issue and many accidents are being caused by brain dead cell users who have no idea where they are or what they are doing. Put that cell in the glove box while driving and watch out for the drivers still doing it.
As long as regulations protecting consumers and the environment are maintained, and people are free to use a plant however they wish, express themselves however they wish and any 2 consenting adults can still enter in to the same legal contract, I hope you are right.
I did read and fully understand all of the comments. Did you understand mine? At no point did I advocate for distracted driving in any form, including cell phone use. Many argue that the public being allowed to own guns freely is also a public safety issue. See the many incidents where innocent people are killed because someone who is not fit to own a gun was able to obtain one or a child gained access to a gun and accidentally harmed or killed themselves or someone else. How do you suppose we deal with that public safety issue?
Ron – here is an interesting article about how regulations were proposed when car radios were first introduced and people were worried about “distracted driving:”
So this issue has been around since the 1920s, obviously exacerbated by the mobile phone.
‘does anyone else dislike the use of term “distracted driving?” An argument can be made that every vehicle accident that ever happened occurred because at least one driver was distracted. If you were fully paying attention to what you were doing, you might not have made the mistake that caused the accident.
Interesting article. As a society we should always strive for the safety of all people, but at what cost? Freedom requires sacrifice beyond the wonderful servicemen and women who protect it. It also requires us to sacrifice our own safety and security. The government cannot and should not protect for any and all dangers.
November 29, 2016 at 2:09 pm
mrbob says:
Like or Dislike:
2
1
Ron,
Just curious but how would the government determine “someone who is not fit to own a gun” while allowing for all of our other rights?
I have many ideas of individuals who I personally feel are unfit and some of those would not be politically correct and as such I keep them to myself. I for one have seen in my short time here on earth far to many times that the government tries to implement rules to keep us safe that do nothing more than achieve the opposite effect. I have an idea rather than regulating us to death how about personal accountability?
That is my point. We need to stop looking to the government to keep us safe. We need to focus on changing behaviors, not adding more laws and regulations. Bad things are going to happen to good people in a free country.
November 30, 2016 at 10:00 am
Agent says:
Like or Dislike:
5
7
Ron, this article is not about Marijuana or Guns. Try to focus for once in your life. Paying a heavy fine to a local traffic court for irresponsible use of a cell phone in a vehicle makes “common sense”. By the way, how would you feel if one of these brain dead cell users runs over you and your family? I had an insured lose their beautiful, smart daughter to a cell addict who lost control and crossed the center line and smashed right into her.
That’s OK Captain Planet. I am used to being censored or only hearing crickets when the right are faced with facts. Either that or they discredit the source or spin and distort the facts.
December 1, 2016 at 12:45 pm
DePolarBearables says:
Like or Dislike:
1
1
I’ll wait for the ADJUSTED figures to be sure the economy is behaving as shown (+3.2%).
Meanwhile the market has been rising steadily ever since Trump won.
December 1, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Ron says:
Like or Dislike:
1
1
Why do you and Agent hate good economic news so much?
Did you even read the article? This was adjusted from the original 2.89%. Are you going to wait for additional adjustments waiting for a lower number?
In addition, from teh article, “The average of GDP and GDI, which some economists consider to be a more accurate measure of current economic growth and a better predictor of future output, increased at a 4.2 percent rate in the third quarter, the fastest pace in two years.”
Looks like your “President Obama destroyed the econmy” myth is falling apart right before your eyes. Even Fox News sees it.
So, the market rose steadily for 7+ years resulting in a 230+% increase and you guys right it off as meaningless. But, when it goes up before Donald Trump even takes office, it is one of the first things you mention. Interesting.
December 1, 2016 at 6:20 pm
DePolarBearables says:
Like or Dislike:
1
1
I lack faith in Dems to do anything that achieves long run economic improvements.
I lack faith in the numbers moving 3 tenths of a pct. Why do you assume 3.2 is correct? What will it be next month?
November 29, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Captain Planet says:
Like or Dislike:
3
4
So Agent,
You agree with our President Obama on this issue, right? Or, are you going to deny any agreement with our President and say you are now advocating distracted driving?
Agent,
I didn’t vote once. Throw your suspicions elsewhere. I don’t vote out here for the 100th time. How many times do I need to tell you?
November 30, 2016 at 4:11 pm
Captain Planet says:
Like or Dislike:
1
2
censors can’t keep me down
Agent,
I didn’t vote once. Throw your suspicions elsewhere. I don’t vote out here for the 100th time. How many times do I need to tell you?
December 1, 2016 at 11:08 am
DePolarBearables says:
Like or Dislike:
1
3
We know you don’t vote.
Why bother wasting your time when BOTs can do so on your behalf?, and you can’t deny that it happens when you join the discussion.
December 1, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Captain Planet says:
Like or Dislike:
1
2
censorship doesn’t work here
censors can’t keep me down
Agent,
I didn’t vote once. Throw your suspicions elsewhere. I don’t vote out here for the 100th time. How many times do I need to tell you?
December 1, 2016 at 6:21 pm
DePolarBearables says:
Like or Dislike:
1
1
@Capt Planet.
Censorship doesn’t keep you down. However, your logic and lack of a cohesive argument does.
December 4, 2016 at 4:09 pm
Captain Planet says:
Like or Dislike:
0
0
And not only did I not vote on your post, but once again you fail to answer my question. So, I’ll take your silence as, “Yes, I do agree with President Obama on this one.”
December 2, 2016 at 9:02 am
Captain Planet says:
Like or Dislike:
0
1
Yogitroller,
Please identify what in my statement:
Agent,
I didn’t vote once. Throw your suspicions elsewhere. I don’t vote out here for the 100th time. How many times do I need to tell you?
Since neither my agenda nor the agenda of the Republicans and Conservatives who voted for Trump will be given a chance to be tested, there can be no evidence.
However, we will see the results of President Trump’s agenda and judge it accordingly.
What is my agenda, when has it ever been implemented, and what were the results?
How is it possible to provide evidence for an event that has never occurred?
December 1, 2016 at 12:46 pm
DePolarBearables says:
Like or Dislike:
1
1
Parallel events. A clue.
December 1, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Ron says:
Like or Dislike:
0
0
What are the parallel events? How about answering my questions?
December 3, 2016 at 9:59 am
DePolarBearables says:
Like or Dislike:
0
0
Ask any adult you know to explain it to you. Let us know their reaction to your question.
November 29, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Ralp Johnson says:
Like or Dislike:
3
0
Once again the Insurance Journal has distorted the facts making it look like cell phone use while driving is the cause of 3,500 deaths. Only 28% were from cell phone use which is 980. I agree that texting and driving is not a good idea but I which the Insurance Journal would present all the facts.
Just another example of the Obozo Admin being so sure that they know what is best for everyone and that individuals cannot make decisions on their own. Ready for this clown to be gone.
I just did a long driving trip for the Thanksgiving Holiday and there were many, many drivers with their phones actively in their hands, whether they were texting, phone calls, emails or playing on an app. It is not safe. They disable certain features on the navigation system; they should do the same with phones.
Jack – I don’t disagree with your comment, but have a question. On my trip this weekend, several times I asked my wife to look at traffic on her phone. She wasn’t driving, so that’s safe, right? How would the phone know whether one was driving or a passenger? I wouldn’t want her phone disabled. Or, say my phone rings and I ask her to answer it. That would be safe, too, right? Just pointing out that the solutions are not simple. I agree with comments below about stiffer fines and better enforcement of existing laws. This is more about the user than the device.
These are all good points regarding how to disable a driver’s phone and not the passengers’. I agree that making penalties harsher for distracted driving is one solution, perhaps as severe as a DUI has become. Perhaps all texting is disabled no matter where you sit in the car, although that can be circumvented by using Facebook or other Social Media. It is a tough one to solve, but it needs to be solved. It is dangerous to all!
Waze (navigation app) tries to do that. It has a notification that pops up and says that typing is disabled if you try searching for a location while driving. You have the option of saying that you’re a passenger, and then it will work when you’re driving. It’s definitely not perfect, but do I think it helps a little.
Speaking from experience, when I’ve tried searching for an address and received the ‘typing is disabled’ notice, I’ve tended to put the phone down, and wait until I’m at a stoplight to set my destination. That’s not to say I haven’t just clicked the passenger button and entered the location once or twice. But in general, it has made me stop and think about whether I really need to get that address entered NOW, or if it can wait until I’m not moving and it’s safe to type.
cops need to just inforce the laws more aggressively or up the punishment for texting while driving. If you up the fine, less people will do it. don’t blame the device, blame the individuals who decide to use it poorly.
Something needs to be done about this as distracted drivers are causing more and more accidents. But how will they accomplish this without also limiting access to passenger phones?
It’s either this or states pass smartphone legislation with severe penalties including license suspensions.
If you can’t put your phone down while driving then you shouldn’t have driving privileges. Period.
I’m also against all these confusing touch screen interfaces put in by the car makers these days. Climate controls, for example, used to be simple and universally understood. A couple of dials, one for air flow, another for temperature, and maybe a toggle button for recycled air. I’ve seen some controls lately that are all touch-screen based, highly convoluted and with great variance between makes. They are dangerous and irresponsible design decisions.
I live in a rural state with many secondary roads that are ideal for delightful motorcycle and bicycling trips through the countryside. Given the heightened frequency of accidents involving distracted drivers these two activities have become scary adventures…….oftentimes there’s no possible escape route to take when an opposing driver is looking down and wandering over the centerline with devastating results. A young client of my office recently was texting, went through an intersection and struck a motorcyclist broadside. His leg was severed and his wife was seriously injured as well. An unnecessary tragedy we see repeated all too often. Many aren’t getting the message so it has to be delivered more aggressively and with greater consequence than simply a few hundred dollar fine and points on a license.
Am I the only who has noticed that our friends from the right who are calling for more laws and regulations?
It is highly unlikely that a solution to prevent this type of behavior can be implemented that does also infringe on the freedom of passengers.
Can we please stop trying to solve all of the problems we have and focus on maintaining our freedom and liberty from an already oppressive government? Yes, there will be accidents that involve injuries and even fatalities. But that is the price we pay to maintain our freedoms.
Don’t worry Ron, you will notice thousands and thousands of regulations disappearing from the eight year reign of your hero. We will all have many more freedoms as a result.
By the way, had you read and understood the above comments, this is a public safety issue and many accidents are being caused by brain dead cell users who have no idea where they are or what they are doing. Put that cell in the glove box while driving and watch out for the drivers still doing it.
Agent,
As long as regulations protecting consumers and the environment are maintained, and people are free to use a plant however they wish, express themselves however they wish and any 2 consenting adults can still enter in to the same legal contract, I hope you are right.
I did read and fully understand all of the comments. Did you understand mine? At no point did I advocate for distracted driving in any form, including cell phone use. Many argue that the public being allowed to own guns freely is also a public safety issue. See the many incidents where innocent people are killed because someone who is not fit to own a gun was able to obtain one or a child gained access to a gun and accidentally harmed or killed themselves or someone else. How do you suppose we deal with that public safety issue?
Ron – here is an interesting article about how regulations were proposed when car radios were first introduced and people were worried about “distracted driving:”
http://mentalfloss.com/article/29631/when-car-radio-was-introduced-people-freaked-out
So this issue has been around since the 1920s, obviously exacerbated by the mobile phone.
‘does anyone else dislike the use of term “distracted driving?” An argument can be made that every vehicle accident that ever happened occurred because at least one driver was distracted. If you were fully paying attention to what you were doing, you might not have made the mistake that caused the accident.
CL PM,
Interesting article. As a society we should always strive for the safety of all people, but at what cost? Freedom requires sacrifice beyond the wonderful servicemen and women who protect it. It also requires us to sacrifice our own safety and security. The government cannot and should not protect for any and all dangers.
Ron,
Just curious but how would the government determine “someone who is not fit to own a gun” while allowing for all of our other rights?
I have many ideas of individuals who I personally feel are unfit and some of those would not be politically correct and as such I keep them to myself. I for one have seen in my short time here on earth far to many times that the government tries to implement rules to keep us safe that do nothing more than achieve the opposite effect. I have an idea rather than regulating us to death how about personal accountability?
mrbob,
That is my point. We need to stop looking to the government to keep us safe. We need to focus on changing behaviors, not adding more laws and regulations. Bad things are going to happen to good people in a free country.
Ron, this article is not about Marijuana or Guns. Try to focus for once in your life. Paying a heavy fine to a local traffic court for irresponsible use of a cell phone in a vehicle makes “common sense”. By the way, how would you feel if one of these brain dead cell users runs over you and your family? I had an insured lose their beautiful, smart daughter to a cell addict who lost control and crossed the center line and smashed right into her.
Agent,
I was responding to you. You are the one who brought up the removal of regulations, increases in freedoms, and public safety in general.
I would grieve, celebrate the lives of those lost, then forgive the person. That is what my faith calls for me to do. I am a real Christian.
What would you do?
As I have said, we cannot legislate or regulate to 100% safety in a free country.
Agent,
As a side note…
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/11/29/economy-grows-at-3-2-pace-in-3q.html
Anyone interested in comparing the economy during the final year of President Obama’s administration to President GW Bush”s?
Ron wrote:
Agent,
As a side note…
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2016/11/29/economy-grows-at-3-2-pace-in-3q.html
Anyone interested in comparing the economy during the final year of President Obama’s administration to President GW Bush”s?
And then the censor(s) from the right came out and hid his comments. It looks like he/she/they want to hide the truth and not answer you, Ron.
That’s OK Captain Planet. I am used to being censored or only hearing crickets when the right are faced with facts. Either that or they discredit the source or spin and distort the facts.
I’ll wait for the ADJUSTED figures to be sure the economy is behaving as shown (+3.2%).
Meanwhile the market has been rising steadily ever since Trump won.
Why do you and Agent hate good economic news so much?
Did you even read the article? This was adjusted from the original 2.89%. Are you going to wait for additional adjustments waiting for a lower number?
In addition, from teh article, “The average of GDP and GDI, which some economists consider to be a more accurate measure of current economic growth and a better predictor of future output, increased at a 4.2 percent rate in the third quarter, the fastest pace in two years.”
Looks like your “President Obama destroyed the econmy” myth is falling apart right before your eyes. Even Fox News sees it.
So, the market rose steadily for 7+ years resulting in a 230+% increase and you guys right it off as meaningless. But, when it goes up before Donald Trump even takes office, it is one of the first things you mention. Interesting.
I lack faith in Dems to do anything that achieves long run economic improvements.
I lack faith in the numbers moving 3 tenths of a pct. Why do you assume 3.2 is correct? What will it be next month?
So Agent,
You agree with our President Obama on this issue, right? Or, are you going to deny any agreement with our President and say you are now advocating distracted driving?
Good job Planetarium of down voting me 119 times for my comment.
Agent,
I didn’t vote once. Throw your suspicions elsewhere. I don’t vote out here for the 100th time. How many times do I need to tell you?
censors can’t keep me down
Agent,
I didn’t vote once. Throw your suspicions elsewhere. I don’t vote out here for the 100th time. How many times do I need to tell you?
We know you don’t vote.
Why bother wasting your time when BOTs can do so on your behalf?, and you can’t deny that it happens when you join the discussion.
censorship doesn’t work here
censors can’t keep me down
Agent,
I didn’t vote once. Throw your suspicions elsewhere. I don’t vote out here for the 100th time. How many times do I need to tell you?
@Capt Planet.
Censorship doesn’t keep you down. However, your logic and lack of a cohesive argument does.
And not only did I not vote on your post, but once again you fail to answer my question. So, I’ll take your silence as, “Yes, I do agree with President Obama on this one.”
Yogitroller,
Please identify what in my statement:
Agent,
I didn’t vote once. Throw your suspicions elsewhere. I don’t vote out here for the 100th time. How many times do I need to tell you?
Isn’t cohesive and lacks logic. Go…
So, Ron; what do you offer as evidence that YOUR agenda trumps that of Republicans and Conservatives who voted for Trump?
Since neither my agenda nor the agenda of the Republicans and Conservatives who voted for Trump will be given a chance to be tested, there can be no evidence.
However, we will see the results of President Trump’s agenda and judge it accordingly.
No, evidence can be found in parallel situations when the proposal hasn’t yet occurred or is in progress.
When in history has your agenda been proven to be effective?
Answer the question rather than avoid it.
I tried to answer your insane question.
What is my agenda, when has it ever been implemented, and what were the results?
How is it possible to provide evidence for an event that has never occurred?
Parallel events. A clue.
What are the parallel events? How about answering my questions?
Ask any adult you know to explain it to you. Let us know their reaction to your question.
Once again the Insurance Journal has distorted the facts making it look like cell phone use while driving is the cause of 3,500 deaths. Only 28% were from cell phone use which is 980. I agree that texting and driving is not a good idea but I which the Insurance Journal would present all the facts.
Just another example of the Obozo Admin being so sure that they know what is best for everyone and that individuals cannot make decisions on their own. Ready for this clown to be gone.