Advocacy & Safety - Cell danger - what do we think?

Okay, there has been much discussion on this subject. Let's see what we as a forum think.

Do you think that it's irresponsible to drive while talking on a cell phone?

For political (oil), environmental, and social reasons (urban sprawl) I think it is irresponsible to drive most of the time period.

I think it is more irresponsible to funnel resources (when legislation/political action is concerned) away from larger problems that deserve much more attention and kill/injure/affect many more people than whatever the issue of the week on Dateline is. The world is a dangerous place, people die, its no ones fault, the best the government can do is create an illusion of saftey,

I'm done

Temp1

lets talk about something else less contoversial, perhaps creationism VS evolution, or steel VS aluminium

Here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18586) is a humorous take on cell phone usage (and other dangerous practices). It may even be a true story. :eek:

I don't own a cell phone and am a firm believer in the practice of pulling off the road or into a parking area before using a cell phone.

I'm not even sure if I agree with others about the merits of "hands free" phones. Maybe the motorist has his/her hands free, but the brain in the "cell phone usage" mode. :crash: :fight:

On the flip side, I am sure we have all seen "dangerous" bike riders attempting to maintain their pace while talking on their flip cell phone......

Only difference is the size of the machine they are peddaling versus driving.

Matt

Originally posted by temp1
lets talk about something else less contoversial, perhaps creationism VS evolution, or steel VS aluminium

:D

lets talk about something else less contoversial, perhaps creationism VS evolution, or steel VS aluminium

Or evolution from steel to aluminum?

I'm sure there are times when it is possible to do it safetly, but in general it seems like a bad idea.
Joe

Well it is a topic such as this that really makes tthe forum come alive.

Both points expressed here have their merits.

I agree that we may or may not need more laws and should just enforce the laws that we have. But when the general public is clearly taking an iresponsible approach then what will get their attention??? Hit them in the wallet with a fine for chatting /drinking/speeding/reckless driving/ etc.... But without it being an official violation no one has any reason to be responsible and most people could care less about others well being and safety. What is important is that BUSINESS DEAL OR THE NEXT BRIDGE GAME.

I would be in favor of any law that is in response to a disregard for the safety of others.

The biggest problem we have is a complete lack of personal responibility in our society. Few people accept responsibility for thier actions. There is always an excuse or its someone elses fault. It is this lack of personal responsibility that makes the consideration of new laws so much more relevant.

Why was it such a big deal to pass hate crime laws. I do not understand that one. OK so someone is attacked and injured or killed, the law is the law regarding this sort of thing but now we have to determine if they hated the person????

When you get a drivers licence, you agree to the term and conditions (laws) of that licence. Down here those laws are huge and after reading through them one very slow day I realised that there is a rule for virtually every conceivable thing that can be done in a vehicle.

Nowhere does it say that you can't put on make up, read the paper, drink coffee, but they are all placed under the law of driving with undue care, which carries a fine and demerit points.

A friend of mine who is an appalling driver was fined for doing his hair while driving, undue care. He once drove straight through a red light and wrote off 3 cars in the process. He has had so many accidents that he can't get insurance and his wife won't even let him drive the car until he takes an advanced driving course. After all his accidents, he still hasn't learned that one day he will kill someone through his reckless driving. Drivers like him are the reason we have so many road rules, they are thick and will not learn until it is too late. What choice do the authorities have but to create more laws to stop this kind of behaviour.

The police have been doing random licence checks and almost 10% of drivers are driving unlicenced, unregistered and uninsured.

I don't see any other answer to bad driving than more government regulation. It won't be long before we see cars fitted with GPS systems that regulate the cars maximum speed depending on the designated speed limit for that road. The British are already working on such a system.

CHEERS.

Mark

Originally posted by temp1
I think it is more irresponsible to funnel resources (when legislation/political action is concerned) away from larger problems that deserve much more attention and kill/injure/affect many more people than whatever the issue of the week on Dateline is. The world is a dangerous place, people die, its no ones fault, the best the government can do is create an illusion of saftey,

Yes lets save our tax dollars so we can pay for the costs involved with an accident like emergency personell, medics, chaplains, investigators, lawyers, road crews etc, etc, etc This is more than just Datelines issue du jour this is a real problem and the laws need to be SPECIFIC these days or they jump through the loopholes. Oh what a pretty world we live in that people respect each others space and property and jump to take responsibility for their actions :beer:

Ok, let's get specific.

Cell phone being used in an suv in a mall parking lot exit!!!

I think if u are a responsible driver to begin with its fine. The problem is when u a. don't know how to drive stick and talk on the phone, b. have something else happening besides driving and talking aka. kids, radio etc. or c. you couldn't drive to begin with.

Both my parents drive and use cell phones, both are great drivers. Alot of my friends suck at driving period, and it takes all their concentration to stay on the road. I don't think its anymore dangerous than switching radio stations or eating while driving....



-Arleigh

lawyers make the laws. lawyers use cell phones. case closed.

RiphRaph, I like your style man...

Originally posted by Arsbars
I think if u are a responsible driver to begin with its fine. The problem is when u a. don't know how to drive stick and talk on the phone, b. have something else happening besides driving and talking aka. kids, radio etc. or c. you couldn't drive to begin with.

Yes, however the problem starts when you get people who aren't responsible drivers and think they are, or people who belong to category a. above but have an inflated opinion of their own driving ability. As was said in another thread, this is why we have laws in the first place.

In Va., our state governor is a cellular service millionaire. The topic isn't getting a lot of attention in these parts.