NTSB nannies support banning hand-free cell phones while driving...

[spdrun]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/14/technology/federal-panel-urges-cellphone-ban-for-drivers.html

[Travis_k]

I dont think it makes much difference what they say, but I dont think people should be talking onthe phone while driving. Many people wouldnt stop doing it no matter what though.

[Air&Road]

The NTSB is an investigating organization, not a policy setting organization.

It's extremely obvious to the casual observer that texting and driving is unsafe. Is there anyone who doesn't know that?

[Honus]

The only problem I have with a ban on hands-free calling and texting is that it would be hard to enforce. Will we have officers pulling people over on the pretense that the driver appeared to be talking to someone? That would leave too much room for errors and abuse by law enforcement. I have no problem with the substance of the rule. People should not be talking or texting while driving.

[MTI]

It appears that the CNN article I cited in the other thread is incorrect by stating it does not apply to "hands free" devices. I just read the summary on the NTSB's website and the recommendation to the states is a complete ban of non-emergency calls by a driver from any device, except those that are used to control the vehicle.

The NTSB also recommends that mobile device manufacturers develop products that automatically disable non-emergency use while the car is in operation and to have have the ability to determine if the the user is a driver or passenger.

[Air&Road]

Originally Posted by Honus

The only problem I have with a ban on hands-free calling and texting is that it would be hard to enforce. Will we have officers pulling people over on the pretense that the driver appeared to be talking to someone? That would leave too much room for errors and abuse by law enforcement. I have no problem with the substance of the rule. People should not be talking or texting while driving.

What makes the most sense? Banning of texting while driving and trying to enforce it or making people responsible for their actions? I think the way to "enforce it" is to make it a SERIOUS offense when it is shown to be occurring during the course of an accident.

I admit this is not proactively preventing accidents, but it is holding people accountable for their actions without encroaching on personal freedom.

If they outlaw texting while driving, what's next, listening to the radio?

[spdrun]

Originally Posted by MTI

The NTSB also recommends that mobile device manufacturers develop products that automatically disable non-emergency use while the car is in operation and to have have the ability to determine if the the user is a driver or passenger.

Sounds like one motherf***er of an untapped market -- illegally jailbreaking phones and removing such petty restrictions should be worth a few hunded per device.

I actually dislike idiots who yapp or text while driving. However, I don't like "pre-crime" legislation either. If they have an accident, THEN throw the book at them.

[tbomachines]

There's no way they can ban hands-free devices as some have mentioned. Most cars come with bluetooth built in nowadays. I am all for banning texting while driving. If it is encroaching freedom, you could argue the same for drunk driving laws.

AT&T Don't Text While Driving Documentary - YouTube
This amazing video shows why you don't text and drive

[Honus]

Originally Posted by LarryBible

What makes the most sense? Banning of texting while driving and trying to enforce it or making people responsible for their actions? I think the way to "enforce it" is to make it a SERIOUS offense when it is shown to be occurring during the course of an accident.

I admit this is not proactively preventing accidents, but it is holding people accountable for their actions without encroaching on personal freedom....

Either make it a serious offense or provide for some sort of additional civil remedy for people injured in the accident. Cell phones leave a paper trail, so it might be feasible to prove illegal cell phone use after an accident occurred. The law could provide for some sort of civil penalty in that sort of case. What I would not want to see is a law that gives cops too many reasons to pull people over.

[Air&Road]

Originally Posted by Honus

Either make it a serious offense or provide for some sort of additional civil remedy for people injured in the accident. Cell phones leave a paper trail, so it might be feasible to prove illegal cell phone use after an accident occurred. The law could provide for some sort of civil penalty in that sort of case. What I would not want to see is a law that gives cops too many reasons to pull people over.

I agree! Make them pay the price big time when the texting causes the accident!

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by LarryBible

What makes the most sense? Banning of texting while driving and trying to enforce it or making people responsible for their actions? I think the way to "enforce it" is to make it a SERIOUS offense when it is shown to be occurring during the course of an accident.

I believe that this is easily solved:

All insurance companies set a $10K deductible if it is found that the insured was using a cell phone during the accident.

As far as I am concerned, a hands free cell phone is considered the same as a hand-held cell phone or a text. All compromise DRIVING. What most of these DB's are doing is simply steering the vehicle. Very few actually DRIVE it.

Naturally, it'll never happen.

[Chas H]

Originally Posted by Honus

Either make it a serious offense or provide for some sort of additional civil remedy for people injured in the accident. Cell phones leave a paper trail, so it might be feasible to prove illegal cell phone use after an accident occurred. The law could provide for some sort of civil penalty in that sort of case. What I would not want to see is a law that gives cops too many reasons to pull people over.

I think phone records currently could show a driver was using a phone, and a lawyer could use that information in a civil suit arising from an accident. A new law wouldn't affect that.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by Chas H

I think phone records currently could show a driver was using a phone, and a lawyer could use that information in a civil suit arising from an accident. A new law wouldn't affect that.

Only if the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Chas H

I think phone records currently could show a driver was using a phone..............

I don't see how the phone record can discriminate against those that have a hand held phone (and are possibly texting with it), versus those that have a hands free device?

If you banned the use of all cell phones in vehicles, you'd have a very good legal basis for such action.

[Chas H]

Originally Posted by MTI

Only if the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time.

Do you mean a passenger might have taken the call to the driver?
How would that work?
"Here's my phone George, would you take my calls please?"