Cell Phones

Why not just play it safe(r) and if you must make calls while driving, use your handsfree wherever you are?

There are too many cell carriers to pinpoint coverage for each and too few users to make data useful. (my opinion)... but nice suggestion

When in doubt, give yourself a ton of leeway when it comes to the law.

I wasn't interested in a debate on how to use cell phones, or what carriers there were (they don't determine the laws anyway) but rather whether or not the state had a law. Probably we don't have to list their requirements, but rather a warning if they had any law. I think almost everyone unless they've been hiding under a log knows the problem, I would think it would be good to warn people. As I said, this would be a lot of work.

The problem is not only states some city have different laws where the state says its is ok but the city has a restriction on using the cell phone.

Case in point: Santa Fe, NM (last I knew, anyway). Okay in NM, but not in Santa Fe. Keeping up with those would be much more difficult than state laws.

Honestly, it's best to stick to handsfree period. I wish everyone would, I have been in too many near accidents because of people driving one handed.

In my area (Chicagoland), up until this year it was very different based on city. Chicago itself was very strict, some of the suburbs were not. Now the entire state is getting stricter with the new law that went into effect on the first.

When in doubt, use the handsfree PLEASE! It's safer for you and everyone else!

(me, I just try to avoid using the phone whenever possible, I ignore it when it rings, especially on the highway)

Sometimes I like to initiate discussion.

Did you really think that this WASN'T going to turn into a finger-wagging session?

Heck, I used to drive a stick shift and operate a hand micophone (Push To Talk) at the same time in downtown traffic and NEVER had a problem.

I am a ham radio operator, though I am not active any more, but I just went and checked the Quebec laws - they are very specific that the prohibition is for CELL PHONE USE.

So nothing stops me from installing an HF (shortwave) transceiver and operating THAT while rolling with all this this entails but in some jurisdictions I am prohibited from using a phone AT ALL?

I suppose that if it materially affected my driving, I could always be charged with 'driving while distracted' or whatever the general law that would apply might be - they really didn't NEED to pass a specific law prohbiting phone use. But I could NOT be ticketed just because I had the microphone in my hand the way I would if I was holding my phone, even in my lap.

And the information packet for the Quebec law goes out of it's way to explain that you are considered to be actively driving a car and so may not use your handheld phone even while stopped at a light or in traffic . . . no such prohibition could apply to the ham radio (or even CB) operator.

Now, consider that some people have trouble maintaining concentration with NO addiitonal distractions. Ever seen the program 'Canada's Worst Driver"?

The laws have been set up with the lowest common denominator in mind which penalises the portion of the population with IQs, presumably above about 90; the majority.

However I'm not suggesting that everyone has the aptitude to drive and hold a conversation at the same time - it isn't an issue of IQ.

Heck people who have hearing disabilities and some with mobility issues can drive cars. Perhaps there could even be two classes of authorized cell phone users; One for handsfree only and another for handheld.

So perhaps, rather than restricting everyone, there should be an endorsement for cell phone use, no different than a Motorcycle endorsement or a restriction that requires the wearing of corrective lenses.

Need to make a call, pull over, the life you save may be your own. It don't matter hand free or up to ear it' like a drunk drive behind the wheel. Traffic whizzing by at 60 mph and you come up on a car doing 35-40 mph, you can bet that person is on a cell phone.

I am for a total Ban of cell phones on the road.

I think Chicago also has some laws the rest of the state doesn't

The issue isn't hands-on or hands-free, it's about where your mind is.

Yes for most of it is common sense. We know our limitations. Some realize they cannot drive and talk on a phone, let alone a passenger, and do not do it. Others seem to think they are not endangering others and do this. Heck some people can't even walk and talk at the same time. We have one employee, no longer has a car to drive, that tries to talk on one phone, text on the other, and drives with her knees. The phone she talks on is not hands free either. It is because of people like this that the laws are made. Just like when we were in school. Nobody knew who threw the spit ball at the chalk board, so everyone get punished. Same principal.

Myself my GPS doubles as my hands free device. I still have the two way for work that it not hands free capable. Then I have the laptop also. For the laptop there is no way I use it and drive. Mainly because when I need to look something up it is because someone is calling for info. I pull over onto the shoulder, if room, or into a parking lot. The two I'll carry on a conversation but try and keep it as brief as possible.

I have nothing against talking on the phone while driving just do it safely. If you hold the phone, talk, and drive get a hands free. If that still does not work don't talk or get off the road to talk. As mentioned when on the road driving is the primary job and once that is affected you are endangering others. In fact if a person is killed in an accident and the other driver was on the phone at the time it should be an automatic 1st degree murder.

I'll second the motion on this idea.

With all of the different laws in each of the states...who can keep up. I am playing it safe and just bought a Jabra hands free speaker and paired it with my bluetooh enabled phone. Why take the chance....

It's not the phone, it's the driver. Here in South Florida, they should ban idiots. Half of the people here can't drive to begin with. Put a phone up to there ear and forget about it. Most of the LEO's here use common sense, and will only write the people who can't drive while using the phone. I can't understand the need to slow down so you can talk on the phone. I guess it's like turning your car radio down while looking for an address...some people just can't chew gum and walk at the same time.

Vermont just passed a new law regarding cell phones and texting which will take effect July 1, 2010, provided the Gov. signs it without changes. It's about time.....