Several states do have laws regarding this, but either they're not enforced very well, or people aren't really paying attention to them.

Today, while driving to and from the city, I bet I see more than 10 cell phone users driving... and IL has laws pertaining to this already.

As to driving while talking on the phone, so sorry, it's not a "right". Not when my kids are driving on the same roads you are.

I see lots and lots of Mothers talking on the phone while carting their kids around. I don't want my kids to ride with other Mothers who talk on the phone while driving....even if they are my friends.

I think talking on your cell phone, whereby you only have one available hand to operate your car in the event someone cuts you off/stops short in front of you, is child neglect. For real.

While we are on the topic of distracted drivers, those who rock and roll and listen intently to pro sports are also distracted. Most who listen intently to a game are "in the game" not on the road.

That NPR interview with whozit from the NTSB talked about the poster child of this, some 19 yr old kid driving a semi crashing into a school bus yada yady, who had been texting something ridiculous like 18 times in the 4 minutes previous to the crash - couldn't ask him any details 'cause he was dead - along with some kids on the bus.

We will often do the freeways on the weekends though because the traffic is nothing compared to the work week, depending upon the time of day. We will do the freeway going into the city but come home the back roads as I also love the quite drive back, unless we need to get back earlier for any reason.

About a month ago, we were on the freeway and I saw a man probably in his mid to late 20's driving and texting using BOTH HANDS!! All I can figure is that he kept the car on the road by driving with his knees, he was a tall man perhaps that might have been possible. I was so upset, how dangerous can one person be? I stared at him as my husband gunned the car to get away from him and he happened to look up and at me, he might have felt me looking at him. I shook my index finger at him with a huge frown on my face, I told my husband I felt like a friggin' school teacher and I will say he had the grace to look VERY ashamed and put both hands on the wheel. My husband had a fit, he told me that just as easily he could have pulled out a gun. Which is correct, of course.

What is WRONG with people? I have never sued or been sued but if I ever am in an accident due to the use of a cell phone, I will have really BAD neck/back pain and personally sue the driver, bypassing the insurance if at all possible.

These 'driving while using cell phone' people can't claim "I didn't know it was dangerous!" - like drunk drivers, when they take out the cell phone to call or read a text, they know exactly what chances they are taking with the wellfare of all those around them. And don't care.

California has a law against use of cell phones and other electronic comm. devices unless Bluetooth or similar remote systems are in place. Texting should be cause for arrest and detention, the offending instrument confiscated.

I drive back roads to get to work also. Last week I followed a woman for 16 miles while she weaved and bobbed and chatted away on her cell phone. All over the road, varying speeds independent of the driving situation...

Hey, I can do that without talking on a cell phone - just trying to improve reception on the FM band.

Granted that I live in Venice, but it's not uncommon to see cyclists and skateboarders yaking on a cell phone on local streets and sidewalks.

Insurers v Wireless carriers.... in this corner Verizon, in the far corner State Farm... ding, ding, ding.

In CA it's illegal to use w/o bluetooth but I see cops doing it all the time, as well as other drivers. It's common to be sandwiched between a "sports mom" in an Escalade putting on her makeup, swatting kids and using one hand for her phone. All that, and she gives the finger if I honk. I've started calling it in and reporting it.

If I have to text and drive, I give my phone to DD in the backseat and she does it for me :)

Honestly, helping DD with homework (especially math) is really distracting in the car too.

The local police used to use a speaker to instruct a driver where to pull over, but not anymore. They block a lane, even if it's rush hour.

The bumper sticker should read "No more distracted driving!" rather than picking on one group.

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tangent warning. If you don't like tangents, skip on over!
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I also loathe those who pick on any cellphone conversation. Who the flip cares? If it would be ok for a person to have a regular conversation if the person with whom they were conversing was standing there, then it should be OK. If it is a conversation that would be disruptive if the person was standing there, then, by all means, go ahead and ask them to put it away. It comes across as being rigid and against change to rail against all public cell phone conversations.

For instance, when I found out men did a better job of picking up the right thing by calling their wives while at the grocery store, I didn't mind them so much. I still don't want to see your light come on, regardless if it's to talk or to text, if we're in a movie theater though. Two examples. But then, I live in a world where cellphones are attached to people 24/7 as a necessity (hosptial environment), so I may be off of the mainstream.

:)

I lost count today, of people engaged in other activities while driving. We were almost sideswiped twice by people changing lanes without signaling, both drivers happily gabbing away on cell phones, paying no attention whatsoever to their surroundings, not using the mirrors that came with their vehicles. It's very dangerous out there!

People walk around, or bicycle, heads and eyes looking downward at whatever they're texting... situational awareness is at an all time low, or so it seems.

I'm kind of surprised we haven't heard of an increase in petty theft, like purse snatching and pocket picking, mainly because people are not paying attention to their immediate surroundings... they're otherwise engaged in technological communication or internet viewing.

I was stopped at the light one day alongside a Chelsea tractor, the woman sitting behind the wheel was smoking a cigarette with a coffee in the other hand, her phone rang just before the lights changed. As you may know Montreal is the home of the cirque du soleil and I believe this woman performed there as the next scene was pure magic. Me, I nearly missed the light and spilled my coffee in my lap I was laughing so much.

Last month, a woman driving a SUV drifted half way into my lane of oncoming traffic while she appeared to be texting. When I looked in my rear-view mirror her SUV was 3/4 off the road. She must have been startled, then over-corrected when her tires hit the shoulder as it looked like her SUV was going to flip over.

We see people biking, boating, skiing, snowboarding and skating while using cell phones as well.

It's only going to get worse as population, traffic and users of technology increases and situational awareness decreases. All you can do is drive, walk, shop, bike, boat, run, ski and skate defensively.

It helps to drive a safe vehicle, or a commercial vehicle. You need to be able to swerve, brake, or accelerate to avoid some accidents as well, so make sure you have good tires, brakes, steering, suspension and keep your RPMs in the power-band if possible.

I would have to agree with Umberto Eco's idea... a professional will take care of business before entering the public domain.

Yesterday, while awaiting our appointment, I can't even tell you how many cell phones rang while we were sitting in the waiting room. It was annoying as all get out... people loudly talking on their phones, beeps and music and the sounds of technology going off all around us. It was very inconsiderate to others... we're talking about a small doctor's office waiting room.

I'm just as happy as most folks that this technology exists to make our lives better... but there's a time and place for its use. Those times and places do not include while operating a moving vehicle or waiting in what should be a rather quiet place. Common courtesy and/or general safety should tell us this much.

If you don't agree, please explain why they are not, and how it was rude to you? Thanks! I would like to see it from another angle if I am wrong.

Brush, The articles I read talked about banning ALL cell phone calls. If you have other information, I would be interested in reading it. I hope you're right. My car has a factory installed system so that all I have to do is push a single button on my rear view mirror to take a call. DH just bought a used car with low miles at CARMAX, and had a similar system installed there. It cost 4 or 5 hundred dollars, and all he has to do is push a button to take a call. I think most folks agree that driving with one hand and fumbling with a cell phone in the other is just asking for trouble. But I still do not understand why the NTSB did not make the case for banning hands free conversations with data, instead of pointing to a texting driver with limited driving experience. If the data exists and the studies are solid, I think it's really odd that the NTSB did not share that information when it called for the ban.

I feel it's rude to loudly converse while sitting in the outer sanctum of a doctor's office, where it's not unusual to find people who aren't feeling well for a variety of reasons. There are many places where it would be considered rude or discourteous to act loud and vociferous, cell phone or not, a doctor's office being only one.

Most people, if face to face, would speak quietly together while waiting their turn. To be loud in this situation is simply rude.

We could pick on people who shave or read or apply makeup while driving... except, this thread is about cell phones in particular, and purposefully targets users of technology. The gist of the whole thing is banning the use of cell phones while driving, as a dangerous distraction... and though it doesn't say that cell phones are the only distraction, it is the current one up for discussion.

I think it's equally dangerous to do anything else while operating a moving vehicle... anything that takes your concentration away from driving and from what's going on around you and your vehicle. Let's face it... some people aren't the greatest of drivers WITHOUT a cell phone in hand! Place one in their hand, and it's a recipe for certain disaster... an accident waiting to happen!

But even the best of drivers can become distracted by technology, or by anything else... taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds can have life changing results... as I well know, now destined to suffer for whatever distraction caused the people behind us to plow right into the vehicle we were in at a very high rate of speed.

Certainly, there are many distractions that make driving dangerous. Cell phones are not the only one. However, the title and subject of this thread are centered around cell phones.

But, (and here's that thing again!)--I disagree to ban cell phone usage. So I voice my opinion and you try to tell me to stay on topic. I wasn't off topic. Cell phone users are bashed because ???

Pick on the wrong way of driving, not one group who is driving wrong. Widen your horizons, there are loads of people who drive wrong. Get them all back on task! I don't eat and drive or change the radio station ever. I also don't ever look at my passenger unless completely stopped. So I do walk the walk.

Why is one right reasonable, but the other is not? Because the other behaviors I've listed are not any better than the cellphone thing.

I've seen plenty of studies that showed turning around and addressing passengers was the number ONE reason for accidents. Statistics will prove anything, but I do believe the other things are just as harmful. To pick them is so arbitrary. However, I don't see anything I say to be a cop out. I already said I didn't do it or anything else distracting when I drive. I just drive. It's a little bitty car and I call it one step above a motorcycle. Really it (a Miata) is.

Do you know I've been sideswipped by drivers three times in hit and runs (on THEIR part) in the past five years? The most recent of which was a couple of weeks ago. It is an ongoing problem. I'm driving along, minding my own business and BOOM, I get hit. And they drive on.

We have rights... but we need those rights protected from people who would try to take them away or interfere.

While it's true that we can't legislate stupidity, we can legislate when that stupidity becomes a large problem that consistently hurts others. When talking on a cell phone while operating a moving vehicle starts to rack up accident and death statistics, it's time to look into legislation that can protect people from this poorly made decision to yak on a phone while operating that moving vehicle.

And as to being rude...

Would it be courteous to strike up a loud conversation during Mass? Would you answer your cell phone in church? Would you even have the ringer on? How about at a public library? What about a funeral home? There are simply some places where being loud and obnoxious is rude and discourteous.

The guy sitting next to me in the waiting room was practically yelling into his phone! Was that necessary? No, it was not. He could just as easily have stepped outside to receive his call. But he didn't. He sat there, yelling into his phone. It was very rude.

I didn't say that we should legislate so people couldn't be on the phone in doctors' offices... I said it was rude. Common sense should be all we need to make the decision to turn down the ringer and keep our voices at a normal pitch while we're in small spaces with other people... especially in the waiting room of a doctor's office, which often contains people who are not feeling well, ergo their visit to see a doctor. That's nothing more than common sense and common courtesy.

There are more variables involved... the guy was young, the guy spoke in normal tones to the other family members there with him when he wasn't on his damn phone, and the moment his phone rang and he answered it, he began shouting.

Most people would have the common sense and courtesy to step outside and take the call if they thought they'd have to talk loud or shout.

But why am I explaining it to you... the issue is rudeness, and you weren't there and it doesn't involve you.

Back to the topic of cell phones and driving...

Something to consider before you assume rudeness.

AND

Yes, people will always make the wrong choice, but you cannot legislate morality. Mostly, I don't need the government to tell me right from wrong (this is what makes me a "conservative", this extra leaning in social context). Them, of all groups!

If this is an ongoing problem, are you sure that it's all the other people at fault?

Sorry, I know that sounds antagonistic but that's not how I mean it, just not sure how to word it.

Not sure of your driving ability or age or anything, that's why I'm asking. My great aunt used to complain in a similar fashion all the time about how people kept hitting her bumpers at the mall, grocery store, etc. It too, was an ongoing problem. The problem is that it was my aunt who was the one unable to judge how close she was to other vehicles and was unaware that she was hitting them. She "parked" on family members' bumpers on several occassions.

It took a very long time to convince her that she didn't have the driving skills necessary for operating a vehicle. She honestly didn't realize it.

Yes, I am quite certain.

My DR office has a sign - turn off your cell phone. People rarely talk in there, let alone on their phones. If they did, the receptionist would be quick to point to the sign and ask them to step outside. But our doctor's office also states that customers should not wear perfume in the office.

I think cell phones should be allowed anywhere that you'd be speaking to another person anyway without disturbing those around you.

Animals unrestrained in vehicles are also the cause of accidents. I've seen more people swerving around the road, juggling hot coffee and their little ball of yappy fluff that's scampering around the front seat, in their lap, on the dash, etc. here in CA than in any other place I've driven.

I saw a man driving down the I-5 last week with his knees (I was going 70-ish and he passed me) and he was smoking his pot pipe. I shook my finger at him. He was old enough to be my dad.

Cell phones are dangerous on the road. That's why I used hands free before it was a law. But inattentive driving is the problem, it's not the object that is the issue. Any object may cause distraction.

Yesterday after reading this post I looked around at how many people were using their phones to text while waiting on the metered on-ramp. I counted four, and there were around ten cars around me.

BTW, it's against the law for minors to use their cell phones while driving. I think this is a good law.

But that shouldn't matter. Decent manners and common sense should tell people that they probably shouldn't disturb others with loud ring tones or loud conversation in certain places.

As for poor driving habits... I know a woman who swears up and down that her car accelerates and brakes on its own, and she's had the thing in for service at least three times to have these "issues" fixed. Not surprisingly, nothing is ever found to be wrong with the vehicle... she drives with both feet, usually wearing clunky boots, and I've watched her feet slip on the pedals more than once. Unfortunately, you can't argue with someone who knows everything and is always right. It's her habit to never admit to mistakes, and so... she's an accident waiting to happen. Not surprisingly, I try to avoid riding along with her.

There are many people out there on the roads of our nation who are not the skilled drivers they think themselves to be. Some hug the left side of the lane, some hug the right side of the lane, some drive too fast for conditions or too slow for conditions, some drive erratically, some can't seem to pay attention and have to fiddle with things inside the vehicle... some don't use turn signals, some are too afraid to pass bigger vehicles on four lane highways... and the list goes on.

When I was taught to drive, we were told to drive ahead of ourselves, always anticipating, driving defensively. I actually learned to drive during winter when the roads were at their very worst. I feel that made me a better driver. I drove for decades without getting any tickets or causing any accidents. Today, I don't care to drive much. My eyesight isn't what it once was, and I just don't feel very confident behind the wheel. I'd rather admit that and leave the driving to my husband, than to pretend everything is great and risk an accident.

I don't think some people will become serious about following cell phone laws until our police begin to take the laws seriously and start handing out tickets for driving while talking on a cell phone.

Yeah, but if they do that then everyone will start whining how the dirty pigs are just power tripping and harassing people.

I don't think some people will become serious about following cell phone laws until our police begin to take the laws seriously and start handing out tickets for driving while talking on a cell phone.

Yeah, but if they do that then everyone will start whining how the dirty pigs are just power tripping and harassing people.

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Hamilton, you day have a knack for spotting hypocrisy.

Change doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen... especially when it starts costing people money.

Some folks may whine... oh, well... in time, using a wireless ear piece will be second nature... just like seat belt laws.

At first I thought you were talking about the forum.

LOL!