Council votes to ban use of cell phones while driving

[OzmO]

I just got pulled over the other here in California for talking on a cell phone.

I think its a stupid law.  People who are bad drivers will still be bad drivers with or with out cell phone use.

[2ND COMING]

It's been illegal here in ny for years

[Dos Equis]

I just got pulled over the other here in California for talking on a cell phone.

I think its a stupid law.  People who are bad drivers will still be bad drivers with or with out cell phone use.

Yeah.  I agree.  Bad law. 

[24KT]

I just got pulled over the other here in California for talking on a cell phone.

I think its a stupid law.  People who are bad drivers will still be bad drivers with or with out cell phone use.

It's a stupid law because YOU got pulled over?

It's not about bad drivers vs. good drivers, ...it's about a device that interferes with someone's ability to focus behind the wheel. Holding a cell phone or any device in your hand lowers your response time in the event evasive action needs to be taken. How can you possibly argue otherwise? It's a fact.

I'm a good driver, but even I know holding a cell phone instead of gripping the wheel compromises my abilities behind the wheel, ...no matter how accustomed I am to doing it. When I got in the car, my cell phone sat on a sticky pad on the dash, and was set to answer automatcally on the 4^th ring. As the call display came up, I could push a button and automatically send the caller into voice mail, ...or let it answer in speakerphone mode automatically. It's just common sense and prudence not to be holding the phone while driving. I won't even talk to people if I call them and they're driving. I can't tell you how many times people are like "Oh no... it's ok, I can drive and talk at the same time" ...next thing you know, they're having near misses or they're dropping the phone, or you hear honking and then they say 'oh shit... the light's green' etc., I won't even talk to people without handsfree while they're driving. If they want to talk to me, I make them pull over and come to a stop otherwise I won't talk to them. or I tell them, call me back when you get to where you're going. or I'm calling back to leave it in voicemail, ...but that sometimes doesn't work, cause they only end up trying to dial into voicemail to see what message I left. 

It freaks me out, ...especially some nights when I'm on conference calls with truckers. Some of these guys are driving down the highways with 80,000 lb loads on and doing a conference call. Granted most of them are using blue-tooths, but man I hate it, ...especially in the winter, and these guys are pulling mountains and the roads are icing up... my heart is in my throat the whole frikking time. 

[Hereford]

It's a stupid law because YOU got pulled over?

It's not about bad drivers vs. good drivers, ...it's about a device that interferes with someone's ability to focus behind the wheel. Holding a cell phone or any device in your hand lowers your response time in the event aversive action needs to be taken. How can you possibly argue otherwise? It's a fact.

It's just common sense and prudence not to be holding the phone while driving. I won't even talk to people if I call them and they're driving. I can't tell you how many times people are like "Oh no... it's ok, I can drive and talk at the same time" ...next thing you know, they're having near misses or they're dropping the phone, or you hear honking and then they say 'oh shit... the light's green' etc., I won't even talk to people without handsfree while they're driving. If they want to talk to me, I make them pull over and come to a stop otherwise I won't talk to them. or I tell them, call me back when you get to where you're going. or I'm calling back to leave it in voicemail, ...but that sometimes doesn't work, cause they only end up trying to dial into voicemail to see what message I left. 

x2

Good stuff.

OzmO you should have told the CHP where to stick it.

[240 is Back]

I just got pulled over the other here in California for talking on a cell phone.

I think its a stupid law.  People who are bad drivers will still be bad drivers with or with out cell phone use.

Were you on the phone with Luke about that whole bigfoot thing?

[Hugo Chavez]

lol@Ozmo...  He got pulled over for it, therefore it's a stupid law.  He probably doesn't even notice he's one of the people swerving all over the road.  It sure doesn't look like the people driving recklessly while on their phone seem to notice or care.  With it being so common seeing people like this, how are we to know Ozmo isn't one of these oblivious drivers?  Credibility issues   At least you have something in common with Rush Ozmo   He thinks it's a stupid law too...

[OzmO]

It's a stupid law because YOU got pulled over?

It's not about bad drivers vs. good drivers, ...it's about a device that interferes with someone's ability to focus behind the wheel. Holding a cell phone or any device in your hand lowers your response time in the event evasive action needs to be taken. How can you possibly argue otherwise? It's a fact.

I'm a good driver, but even I know holding a cell phone instead of gripping the wheel compromises my abilities behind the wheel, ...no matter how accustomed I am to doing it. When I got in the car, my cell phone sat on a sticky pad on the dash, and was set to answer automatcally on the 4^th ring. As the call display came up, I could push a button and automatically send the caller into voice mail, ...or let it answer in speakerphone mode automatically. It's just common sense and prudence not to be holding the phone while driving. I won't even talk to people if I call them and they're driving. I can't tell you how many times people are like "Oh no... it's ok, I can drive and talk at the same time" ...next thing you know, they're having near misses or they're dropping the phone, or you hear honking and then they say 'oh shit... the light's green' etc., I won't even talk to people without handsfree while they're driving. If they want to talk to me, I make them pull over and come to a stop otherwise I won't talk to them. or I tell them, call me back when you get to where you're going. or I'm calling back to leave it in voicemail, ...but that sometimes doesn't work, cause they only end up trying to dial into voicemail to see what message I left. 

It freaks me out, ...especially some nights when I'm on conference calls with truckers. Some of these guys are driving down the highways with 80,000 lb loads on and doing a conference call. Granted most of them are using blue-tooths, but man I hate it, ...especially in the winter, and these guys are pulling mountains and the roads are icing up... my heart is in my throat the whole frikking time. 

Blah blah blah.

It was stupid law before i got pulled over for it.

I really don't give a shit what other people think or what some bean counter thinks about it.  I drive fine talking on my cell phone which it much of the time i drive.

It's only a $20 fine.  So it's no big deal. 

Still a stupid law.

[Dos Equis]

Does anyone drive with two hands?  I never do.  I don't think holding a cell versus hands free will make a lick of difference when it comes to concentrating on the road.  If the genuine issue is safety then they should ban all cell phone use while driving.  

[OzmO]

x2

Good stuff.

OzmO you should have told the CHP where to stick it.

I was thinking about doing just that.  It was a city motorcycle traffic rookie.  I was more interested in getting back on the phone.

[Soul Crusher]

This is just a revenue raising scheme.  The cops will be on the phone more than anyone else.

[OzmO]

Were you on the phone with Luke about that whole bigfoot thing?

No, I told the cop that the cell phone he saw in my hand was a hologram and that i have grainy you tube vid to prove it.  He said:  "What do you think I am a complete idiot?"     

[OzmO]

lol@Ozmo...  He got pulled over for it, therefore it's a stupid law.  He probably doesn't even notice he's one of the people swerving all over the road.  It sure doesn't look like the people driving recklessly while on their phone seem to notice or care.  With it being so common seeing people like this, how are we to know Ozmo isn't one of these oblivious drivers?  Credibility issues   At least you have something in common with Rush Ozmo   He thinks it's a stupid law too...

You assume a lot.  But that's pretty much how you operate. 

[OzmO]

Does anyone drive with two hands?  I never do.  I don't think holding a cell versus hands free will make a lick of difference when it comes to concentrating on the road.  If the genuine issue is safety then they should ban all cell phone use while driving.  

Exactly!

What's next?  Outlawing eating in your car?  followed by talking in your car?

It's a very stupid law, probably written by the same idiots who thought raising the speed limit past 55 MPH would result massive accidents and a gigantic rise in automotive deaths.

[Hugo Chavez]

You assume a lot.  But that's pretty much how you operate. 

How I operate?  No I don't swerve around the road talking on a cell phone, but I see plenty of others do it.

[OzmO]

How I operate?  No I don't swerve around the road talking on a cell phone, but I see plenty of others do it.

There's plenty of idiot drivers out there.


Maybe i should have use a ";"  hmmmmmm 

[Hugo Chavez]

There's plenty of idiot drivers out there.


Maybe i should have use a ";"  hmmmmmm 

yea, and maybe you can explain why it's so common to see the person driving like an idiot so often has a cell phone in hand?  Have no idea what your last remark means.  If they're already shitty drivers, how is letting them multitask while driving helping them or any of us?
I'm pretty sure nobody has ever taken the driving portion of their test to get a license while talking on a cell phone, if it's not going to be illegal, maybe they should since so many idiots drive and text or talk on their phones.  That sounds absurd, but no more absurd than all these fuckers multitasking behind the wheel while lives are on the line just so they can bullshit with their buddies   That's absurd.

[OzmO]

yea, and maybe you can explain why it's so common to see the person driving like an idiot so often has a cell phone in hand? 

Really?  Have you done a study on this?  Or is this your "expert" opinion based on what exactly?  All the instances you can remember?  Did you record those in some log you keep in your car?

Have no idea what your last remark means. 

Obviously because you had no idea what this meant:

" You assume a lot.  But that's pretty much how you operate.  "

If they're already shitty drivers, how is letting them multitask while driving helping them or any of us?

If they are shitty drivers they shouldn't be driving.  Good drivers, shouldn't penalized for what shitty drivers do.

I'm pretty sure nobody has ever taken the driving portion of their test to get a license while talking on a cell phone, if it's not going to be illegal, maybe they should since so many idiots drive and text or talk on their phones.  That sounds absurd, but no more absurd than all these fuckers multitasking behind the wheel while lives are on the line just so they can bullshit with their buddies   That's absurd.

Just as absurd as someone eating a hamburger while taking a driving test.  Should we outlaw eating and drinking in the car too?  While we are at, how about outlawing talking in the car.  That's a distraction.  Or how about putting make up on in the car?  How about picking your nose in the car?  How about changing the radio station?

How about outlawing writing down every time you see someone driving bad while talking on the phone in a log book too? 


The law is stupid.

[240 is Back]

No, I told the cop that the cell phone he saw in my hand was a hologram and that i have grainy you tube vid to prove it.  He said:  "What do you think I am a complete idiot?"    

Was it a real cop, or an alien cop?

You believe in those, right?

[OzmO]

Some first pass stuff from wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phones_and_driving_safety


Hands-free

Driving while using a hands-free device is not safer than while using a hand held cell phone, as concluded by case-crossover studies.[2][3] epidemiological,[4][5] simulation,[7] and meta-analysis[9][10]. The increased "cognitive workload" involved in holding a conversation, not the use of hands, causes the increased risk.[13][14][15]

The American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that the distraction created by the use of a cellular telephone while driving is similar to that associated with other distractions in increasing crash risk. However, the data are insufficient to indicate the magnitude of the safety problem.[1]

[OzmO]

Was it a real cop, or an alien cop?

You believe in those, right?

I was a cop wired with thermite riding a missile that looked just like an airliner. 

[24KT]

Blah blah blah.

It was stupid law before i got pulled over for it.

I really don't give a shit what other people think or what some bean counter thinks about it.  I drive fine talking on my cell phone which it much of the time i drive.

It's only a $20 fine.  So it's no big deal. 

Still a stupid law.

Only a $20 fine to the state.... what's the premium increase once your insurance company finds out about it? {LOL}

You should have taken the $20 and got yourself an earpiece. It would've been cheaper in the long run.  

[Hugo Chavez]

Really?  Have you done a study on this?  Or is this your "expert" opinion based on what exactly?  All the instances you can remember?  Did you record those in some log you keep in your car?

Obviously because you had no idea what this meant:

" You assume a lot.  But that's pretty much how you operate.  "

If they are shitty drivers they shouldn't be driving.  Good drivers, shouldn't penalized for what shitty drivers do.

Just as absurd as someone eating a hamburger while taking a driving test.  Should we outlaw eating and drinking in the car too?  While we are at, how about outlawing talking in the car.  That's a distraction.  Or how about putting make up on in the car?  How about picking your nose in the car?  How about changing the radio station?

How about outlawing writing down every time you see someone driving bad while talking on the phone in a log book too? 


The law is stupid.

nice meltdown, you've been doing that a lot recently.  LOL, now I need to be an expert to know what I'm seeing when some ass is driving erratic and talking on the phone   No, people shouldn't eat and drive, what a stupid question   Yes they can talk and drive, I'm for using a headset or bluetooth as it's no different than talking in the car.  Again what a stupid thing to say.  You're talking to the guy giving you your driving test right?  Yup, but are you eating KFC or talking on the cell phone or texting, NOPE!!!...  You're in dire need of some common sense Ozmo   Your other examples are lame.  Are they a distraction, yes.  A temporary distraction, you can't get rid of all distractions nor does anything with this law attempt to do so.  What laws like this do is focus on elimating the most extreme distractions which pose a large threat to other drivers on the road.  Cellphone talking and texting is a lengthy distraction while driving and that is why it is so easy to spot someone driving like shit and talking on their phone and no you don't need to be an expert to see this.  It's not a stupid law, you're a selfish person willing to put your own needs above the community.  You can call your buddy on your time.  When you're on the public roads I expect you to think about not only yourself but others too, focus on driving.  Have some decency.

[OzmO]

Only a $20 fine to the state.... what's the premium increase once your insurance company finds out about it? {LOL}

You should have taken the $20 and got yourself an earpiece. It would've been cheaper in the long run.  

I'd be willing to bet my insurance doesn't do one dam thing about it.  Hadn't had a ticket or accident in years.  Over 40.  Non-smoker  etc...  

[OzmO]

nice meltdown, you've been doing that a lot recently.  LOL, now I need to be an expert to know what I'm seeing when some ass is driving erratic and talking on the phone   No, people shouldn't eat and drive, what a stupid question   Yes they can talk and drive, I'm for using a headset or bluetooth as it's no different than talking in the car.  Again what a stupid thing to say.  You're talking to the guy giving you your driving test right?  Yup, but are you eating KFC or talking on the cell phone or texting, NOPE!!!...  You're in dire need of some common sense Ozmo   Your other examples are lame.  Are they a distraction, yes.  A temporary distraction, you can't get rid of all distractions nor does anything with this law attempt to do so.  What laws like this do is focus on elimating the most extreme distractions which pose a large threat to other drivers on the road.  Cellphone talking and texting is a lengthy distraction while driving and that is why it is so easy to spot someone driving like shit and talking on their phone and no you don't need to be an expert to see this.  It's not a stupid law, you're a selfish person willing to put your own needs above the community.  You can call your buddy on your time.  When you're on the public roads I expect you to think about not only yourself but others too, focus on driving.  Have some decency.

Oh god,  Is every time someone details an explanation to you constitute a meltdown in your eyes?  Being that you melt down here more than anyone on this board i can understand why you'd see that as a meltdown.

Interesting, your "expert opinions" seem to be at odds will real experts.

I'll continue driving while talking on the cell phone.  Just stay out of N. Cali.