Mike this isn't a fight. I do agree driver training should be enhanced. I personally feel that every driver should take a defensive driving course and a performance driving course such as Skip Barbers. I think it would make everyone a better driver. However if I passed this as a law then I would be imposing my opinion on the masses.
If you ban cell phones and texting because they are a distraction, then where does it end? I know that I am distracted behind the wheel from my in dash stereo, so let's ban those too. I am distracted when I am thirsty and hungry, so let's ban food and drink in the car. Oops I didn't mention the food or drink. I only mentioned the hunger pain and thirst. How would you ban it? When I smoked twenty five years ago I smoked in the car. Lighting a cigarette is a huge distraction. And then of course when the hot ash falls in your lap. Another huge distraction. Let's ban smoking in the car or just ban smoking.
For me personally a hot rod or classic car is a distraction so we should ban those too. Also being a guy I am distracted by a pretty girl walking on the side of the road so we should ban pretty girls too. When my kids are in the car they have wants and needs. Oops another distraction. Let's ban kids and babies. We can go on and on. There are many distractions on the roads and in our minds. You can't ban them all. Because our government is currently run by big business and special interests, it can't be trusted to do things that make sense or is for the good of the common man. Our country and society needs to return to the values of the past. If you need to see what that is watch episodes of 50's thru 70's TV when the focus of everybody was on wholesome morality and what was good for everybody and selfishness wasn't as rampant as it is today.

 

I think that if it makes sense then it should be banned. Things like the radio should be okay, since you can listen until you find the right radio station. Plus, the controls are on the steering wheel (of most vehicles, Monte LS not included). Presets really help out in that case, particularly if you have XM.. As for the phone, if you have a hands free headset, then you should be okay; in fact, that's why they were invented to begin with. Texting and driving or driving while holding your phone should be outright banned.

If my cell phone rings while I'm driving, I will let it ring until I can find a safe place to pull over. If I have to call them back, then I will, after I pull over.

Not to mention, how long have cars had radios? Since the 1940s?

Also those last two options in the poll make me laugh..

 

i have had quite a few accidents, and tons of tickets for speeding, not for reckless operation, but i will say that it has changed my driving habits, i dont speed or ride people bumpers, and i stop a good whole car lenght behind people at red lights. and that is because also that my insurance is rapping me, and the fees from tickets and accidents beat me up!! but i believe tickets work.

 

I'm not trying to start anything here. But you can't go by 1950's to 1970's tv shows. When I was a kid and watching old reruns of the Andy Griffith Show, I wanted to live in Mayberry for exactly the reasons you mentioned. But I later learned that 50's, 60's, and 70's tv shows were not anywhere near reality.

The values of the past? Keep in mind I, and many other forum members, live close to Detroit. We can tell you lots about the values of the past.

From what I read in this thread, Chibi Mike is simply saying he would ban all six of the choices in the poll at the top of the page.

But going back to my earlier post. It's a sad day when common sense has to be legislated. But when it comes to drivers and their smart phones, that's what it's come to. People are so addicted to their smart phones, they need the cops to tell them to put the f***ing phone down.

It's basically a problem with priorities. People have put their smart phone or other external communication device higher on their priority list than driving their car. People seem to think because they haven't had a problem yet, it won't happen to them. Famous last words: "Sure you're not supposed to be texting, but I'm always careful. I know how to do it while I'm driving." That's the reason why cops are now having to pull people over and tell them to put the damn phone down.

Lack of common sense is also why some areas have a ban on video screens being visible to the driver's seat. Because some people think it's a good idea to be watching The Fast And The Furious while they're driving.

I don't like the idea of banning all kinds of things. But many people don't use common sense and have their priorities mixed up.

But to say it was better in the 50's, 60's, and 70's is not 100% true in my opinion. People were just as stupid in the 50's as they are now. Today's people have access to more stuff to be stupid with.

Again, I'm not arguing or upset.

 

As far as the options in the poll go - I have no problem banning texting while driving - in fact we already have that ban in Cleveland, not in the city I live in though. Question is, how do they enforce it, if you put your phone down in your lap how does a cop know what you're doing - they'd only know it if you put it up by the wheel, so that may encourage more people to hide their phones while texting, thus taking their eyes off the road even longer. Smoking in the car and talking on the phone - why not? I don't see a problem with it, I do talk on the phone while I drive, however, not on the highway, and I will tell the person to hold on and put it down when I try to make a turn, I've gotten clipped before by someone trying to turn and talk and the didn't swing far enough. Smoking doesn't take your eyes off the road, and I drive with one hand on the wheel anyways, granted I rarely ever smoke in my car.

 

If it is a ticketable offense, then in the case of an accident they can request your phone records. Then they can see that you were texting while driving based on time-stamps, and can place the blame on you for insurance purposes, and mark it on the police report.

 

I think it is kind of stupid. What if I send a text, and 30 seconds later some girl on the phone putting on makeup pulls out in front of me. I was perfectly aware of my surroundings without even the phone near me but I t-bone her and we both get screwed, but I was texting before that. Its my fault. That sounds like some great logic to me...

But really our government just likes adding more and more restrictions, our cars are already monitored, internet is, our calls can be if they want, we're getting closer to what we never wanted. Awesome. I wish I could say I could do something about it, but I cant.

 

Technically you were breaking the law before the accident. So you shouldn't have done that :p

And you would have to fight for that case.

 

Right, but say you don't get in an accident, you're just driving on a road with few cars and the cop sees you looking in your lap - should he be able to pull you over on suspicion and check your phone? If not, then you can easily hide your phone and say you were checking your zipper or some other quick excuse.

In Cleveland the phone has to be visible. Otherwise they can't stop you...for that reason. Of course they could come up with another but still, they can't squeeze the phone into that. For example, when click it or ticket first started cops couldn't pull you over and ticket you JUST for not wearing a seat belt, they'd have to come up w/ another reason to stop you THEN bring up the seat belt.

 

The problem with this ban is its something thats very hard to enforce. And it is said that common sence has to be enforced like taz said. Everyday i drive i wait to get hit honestly, i've been bumped 3 times already for various reasons. One i believe was texting as when i looked up at the girl she waved to say sorry then went back to staring at her lap.

I believe new york already has a cell phone ban in place, but when the cops drive around talking on the phone how can you enforce it. Its hard for cops to see what you're doing. As others have said, you cant fix stupid.....