National Safety Council calls for nationwide ban on cellphone use while driving
By Donald Melanson 
posted January 13th 2009 1:57PM
posted January 13th 2009 1:57PM
There's already been a number of states that have passed some form of ban on cellphone use while driving, but the National Safety Council seems to think that there's still far too many folks out there talking or texting behind the wheel, and it's now calling for an all out nationwide ban on the practice. What's more, the group also says that laws that allow for handsfree cellphone use are "giving people a placebo, in effect," and that they don't, in fact, make calling while driving any safer. The group also seems to be taking particular aim at businesses, saying that calling while driving can increase costs and even open up employers to liability. As you might have guessed, however, the cellphone industry, and the CTIA specifically, disagree with that assessment quite a bit, and instead say that they believe that "safe, sensible and limited use of a cell phone when you're behind the wheel is possible," and that if someone is "driving irresponsibly because of cell phone use, they should be cited for that. And under current law, they can be."
Are they going to ban passengers, too? There's zero difference between hands free cell operation and having a chat with a passenger sitting next to the driver. In fact, having a passenger is *WORSE* since so many people tend to look at the passenger while talking to them instead of watching the road.
I'm all for passing laws that enforce public safety, but let's keep it in context, folks. If you're outraged about cell phone use being a distraction, you also need to be just as outraged when people are distracted by their passengers.
I didn't even read your comment, but until I posted mine. But I see you think like me. You must be one smart person.
Since conversations are the culprit of poor driving are they going to outlaw carpooling too? Then will they outlaw the extravagance of driving a car with 4+ seats when you can only have 1 person in it and ticket everyone?
I day dream while driving, I day dream in many situations, class, work, watching TV, and in the middle of conversations (even interesting ones). I cant help it, but it is distracting. There are a million unenforceable distractions on the road just as bad as cell phone use, pretty women standing on the side of the road are distractions. If a hands free device doesn't require one to take their eyes off the road to use it, I see nothing wrong with it, and I dont give a crap about what study you show me, banning cell phone use even with hands free devices is taking it too far, Id rather live in a more dangerous world than give it up. My opinion is, a crappy driver is a crappy driver whether on the cell phone, too old, too young, or just a normal person and if they are a hazard, bust them and take their license, but if they can handle it then let them keep driving.
While we're at it, let's ban Roadside Advertisements, cause those are distracting, and other cars, those can be so distracting, and oh, my kids we need to ban them too cause if my little baby cries, it's distracting, or if my teenager asks me one more time if we are there yet. The irony is that i am completely distracted by this stupid government agency trying to limit my distractions.
Also, the main problem with this "ban" is that it won't work. Just like drunk driving laws don't work. I'm posting this from my phone while doing 80 mph on the interstate, naked, while drinking a beer.
Seriously though, how are they going to enforce this law? Especially if you have a tiny bluetooth headset?
What about the iPhone users who can/ do more than call/text behind the wheel? I certainly use maps quite often. However of could look like I was making a call, doubt the cop would care. And sorry to say iPhone only users. All you other smart phone people I'm sure can do something of the sort.....right? =p
Tinted windows = problem solved
Some of you are forgetting that cell phones these days arent really "phones" at all.
I personally use my Blackberry mounted in my car as my primary music player via my stereo's bluetooth integration & also as my GPS navigation unit. Hell, I hardly ever use my cell phone for talking at all.
So these people really don't have a clue. If they ban "phones", they gotta ban all devices in the car.
They say that this will cause less accidents? So when is my car insurace going to go down? Just like no more smoking in Bars or anywhere else for that matter... Did my health insurance go down since I should be so much healthier now?
NO! 6% of accidents involve cell phones(Harvard Center for Risk Analysis)...But guess what? 6% of drivers are on cell phones! See for yourself at: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/809967.PDF What's even more interesting is that some non zero percentage of the accidents involve two cars either of which could be on cell phones and be rightly or wrongly included in this tally, so the real percentage of cell phone related accidents should be somewhere between 6-12%...CELL PHONE DRIVING IS SAFER!!! Why? I find that I am less aggressive, speed less, don't rush past red lights, etc...Who knows why, who cares?! These statistics tell the truth!
Yes, studies to tell the truth... you're looking at the wrong study.
Try section 4 of this bad boy.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/NRD/Multimedia/PDFs/Crash%20Avoidance/2008/DOT-HS-810-704.pdf
Highlights:
"On average, the decrement in response time associated with phone use while driving was 130
milliseconds. They found that hands-free phone use did not reduce these costs, which led
them to the conclusion that the main effect of phone use was the cognitive distraction."
"phone conversations are more disruptive than conversations with passengers
or manipulating a radio, CD, or cassette player."
"They found that drivers’ use of a cell phone up to 10
minutes before the crash was associated with a fourfold increased likelihood of being
involved in a crash. Hands-free phones did not appear to help"
@ texting: "drivers spent approximately 10 percent of the time
looking away from the road when driving normally, versus 40 percent when text messaging"
I think a ban on using cell-phones while driving is a good idea. BUT, some interest groups also would like to ban hands-free calls while driving, which is absurd, because it's no difference talking to my friend via a BlueTooth headset or next on the passenger seat. Now that's stupid.
I think we need to ban billboards as well.... Just as distracting as cell phones!
Give me a F'n break. I can drive better with one hand then 99% of you yaya's anyday. if you cant drive to begin with STFU and hang it up. its people who cant drive to begin with who shouldnt be on a phone let alone drive. they give anyone a license to drive and the ones who cant end u in wrecks and those are the statistics.
another example on how the goverment wants to control everyone.
bunch of idiotic Democrats and liberals.
I fall on the "That's ridiculous and should be immediately struck down" side of the argument. Frankly, I don't care if driving while on the celly makes driving 4-5% more dangerous. I'm sure plenty of people passionately feel otherwise, and if they do they are welcome to walk or ride their bike, and if I swerve off the road and hit them while I'm texting then tough titties.
Another thought: do we really need another dumb reason for cops to ticket us? Is the 100 dollar fine really going to stop people from talking on their phones?
Why not just start citing fat or old people too for having slower than normal reaction time?
Great, my freedom is being taken away due to irresponsibility of the minority.
Yeah, and your freedom to drink and drive was taken away by those idiots who can't keep the wheel straight after a 6-pack. What losers.
I can't remember when it was legal to drink and drive..that fat and old comment must've got you thinking
If I am sitting at a red light I should be text who the hell I want...If I am driving in rush hour traffic it would be stupid too..just like driving with my eyes closed...Is there a law yet saying I can't drive with my eyes closed?
@IIGood
"I fail to see how there's any difference between talking to physical passengers and talking through a phone."
You also failed to read the posts by others explaining why there is a difference. I will not be repeating this information which has been stated multiple times already.
"But, I guess all the tech-haters out there need to have SOMETHING to cry about other than their own horrible driving."
There seems to be some agreement from within this crowd, since when is Engadget a site full of tech haters? I seriously doubt there is a significant difference in fundamental driving capabilities between these two opposing groups that you created. This is not about techies vs. non-techies.
"The American way...blame something/someone else."
This is precisely what you did in your post. The whole point of this is to determine whether it poses a significant risk to others for you to talk on a cell phone while driving. Your response to this is an ad hominem where instead of defending your side of the issue, you attack anyone who disagrees with you.
Thank you for your
In response to the main issue here, let me say (admit) that I use my cell phone while driving from time to time. I honestly would probably still do this even if it were to be made illegal, the same way I drive 5mph over the speed limit. A lot of others feel the same way.
It is definitely the place of the law to protect people from each other, and so if I engage in behavior that is dangerous to you then yes, the law is how we take care of that. Those who can't control themselves need to be controlled, and so if we can't accept that our behavior could be dangerous and self-regulate, then it will be forced upon us.
If you really must pick up a phone call, try to put it on speaker or use an earpiece. Granted, this does solve the problem, but as mentioned, it does free up your other hand, and it is an improvement over holding it up to the side of your head. Also, I find that on a personal level that the longer a call is, the more distracted I become, so I try to keep these conversations to a minimum length, make sure the other person knows you're driving, and try to be direct to the point instead of engaging in smalltalk.
We've all been cut off, we've all been boxed in, we've all experienced drivers who only want to speed up when you try to pass them... Distracted driving is negligence, no matter if its a pet, cell phone, or children...
WAKE UP! :)
The comments that talk about passengers are total nonsense. You actually believe that a passenger talking is safer because the *passenger* helps point out issues??? The cure for all of this as well as old ppl etc is common sense and driver training, both of which are almost 100% lacking in American drivers. Get people on a cone course and make them learn to f*ing drive.
So sick of this shi*! Anyone who votes for these bans should be thrown in a ring so I can run them over in my car while I talk and text on my phone.
Sorry there are people who work in Field Sales, Sales Management, Field engineer etc.. that work 100% out of their car. To ban them from using the phone (hands free) would mean a significant disruption to their ability to conduct business. I'm in no way prioritizing work over safety of other drivers, but there needs to be a compromise.
Now before anyone else chimes in and states that these professionals could simply pull over or wait till they reach their destination, here are a few reasons why that would not work without some major drawbacks.
1. Trying to pull over to a safe location while on the 405 in bumper to bumper (parking lot) at 8am is a joke of a suggestion.
2. If I'm on the 105/405 in certain areas there is no way in hell I would ever exit the fwy for safety-not-wanting-to-get-car-jacked reasons.
3. You have been trying to penetrate a new account for months, you finally see that the CEO of the company is calling, ignoring the call most likely will have ramifications. You call back in 5 minutes, guess what he is on another call and has a booked schedule, good luck getting a call back now. (for those that have worked sales you understand how important timing can be)
4. You just received a verbal commitment from the CEO of a company to buy your products, there were some issues that need to be resolved and the company went out on a limb "trusting you". You are now on your way to another major deal for which you cannot be late. The previous account calls you 10 minutes after you leave and get no answer, they try again, no answer. This can shake the confidence that you instilled, even if you explain you were driving as people lie all day long about why they did not answer the phone.
5. While this is one specific example, I'm sure it exists in other industries. In the microelectronics industry, if you find out about a new project and do not immediately submit a design registration with the manufacturer of the components, you will not receive exclusive pricing. Instead another vendor receives the exclusive pricing locking you out of ever selling the same component which means NO REVENUE for you. This scenario while a little unique illustrates that zero phone use while on the road can and will impact professionals that do not work from an office. There are other industries that exist where ignoring a phone call for even 5 minutes could mean the difference between winning or losing the sale.
6. If you have worked in an office all of your life you have no clue how to conduct business on the road nor suggest how road warriors should conduct theirs.
7. Environmentalists pass legislation that bans sitting in a parked car with the engine on. Its summer, 105 degrees out, you pull over to conduct your phone call and receive a citation for sitting in a car while idle. Giant pit sweat stains = no sale for you.
This is a ban that relies on the assumption that everyone reports to an office and conducts the majority of their business there instead of on the road.
Many of us are saying that idiots using cell phones will have accidents but that the rest of us know how to talk and drive. Since we are so sure that the calls won't affect our driving in those rare situations where it matters, 'we' could surely abide by laws or insurance policies that make insurance only applicable when accidents didn't involve cell phone use. And we would give our insurance companies permission to acces our cell phone records in that case. Win-win or lose-lose or something; you tell me.
The real danger is driving while human.
Yes, this is what we do in America. Instead of raising the bar, instead of admitting that we let anyone with a heartbeat drive, we'll dumb it all the way down to the lowest common denominator.
Better driver's Ed? Higher standards? NEVER!
For small one-man businesses like me, NOT talking while driving between jobs would increase costs and reduce revenues. So that argument is bull.
When are they going to ban my 9 year old from saying "oh look at that" every 30 seconds? Far more dangerous.
I am usually against stupid bans (No smoking in bars? For your health - yet drink all the booze you want!) but this has some merit.
Was following a Toyota 4Runner a few months ago... middle of the afternoon, and they were driving like a drunk. Scratch that - worse than a drunk, drunks at least *try*. Swerving onto the center lane, onto the side, everything. Finally managed to pass them - woman on cell phone.
Maybe cops should just crack down on bad driving in general, plenty (most?) of it happens during the day, yet you're much more likely to get pulled over and "spot checked" for BS reasons at night. Bad driving goes way beyond alcohol, I swear ticketing for "failure to signal" ALONE could pull states out of deficit.
This is such a BS deal. Anyone that agrees with this is suffering from the availability heuristic. It makes much more sense that people who get into accidents while on cellphones are terrible drivers regardless, and that the only reason there is an increase in accidents that incidentally involved cellphones is because they are becoming more commonly used. The data on this neglects, for obvious reasons, the number of cellphone calls by drivers not resulting in accidents or violations because there is no way to gather that information. I for one must use my phone in the car because I'm a delivery driver. Sometimes I have to call the customer for directions, or the store must call me for whatever reason. Not once in 4 years has this caused me to get in an accident. Once again, a few stupid people cause other overly-reactionary people to ruin it for everybody.
As a cyclist who has been hit by a cell phone distracted driver, and having lost a cycling friend run over by in a DWT incident, I say put em away, including BT headsets.
I find it more difficult to drive without holding a phone in my hand than not. It's not everyday that you will conveniently have a bluetooth on hand (or ear), so you end up finding clever ways to hold your phone without using your hand or arms. Quite frankly at first I had difficulty doing both, but I manged to learn to prioritize my driving just like talking to someone in the car. If I require more focus to the road, I'll keep focus. I get pissed when my jawbone v1 gets poor connection versus when I can talk to it normally. So bad quality reception = more forceful concentration on the conversation = bad idea. Sadly, when you're surrounded by the need to get things done, you need to be in constant communication at all times. Personally, I drive with one hand at all times anyway, so it makes absolutely no difference on how I drive by either carrying a phone or using bluetooth. Except that bluetooth often has bad reception and makes it more difficult to focus.
So my rant ends with this... What's the difference between a person driving stick shift and talking to a passanger(s) and talking on the phone?
Let the lawyers do their job - if cell usage was the cause of the accident, they will exploit it. We do NOT need another knee jerk reactionary blanket law that is not going to cure the problem.
Wouldn't it just be easier to ban driving? It results in way more deaths than cell phones. I mean hey, its not like we are in America right? Driving could actually be offensive to someone or something.
Cell phones cause a small percentage of car accidents so we ban there use while driving? Blame the driver for not paying attention to the road. Whether he/she was talking on the phone, talking to a passenger or grooming, it was still his/her fault that the accident occurred.
I payed $10k for my SUV, $200 for my phone, and $100 monthly for my plan. I will use them all at any time, anywhere I damn well please.
I agree, ban everything in cars. No more car pooling or having multiple people in the car at the same time - it could lead to a topical discussion, which obviously is distracting... While we are at it, god knows, kids are more than distracting while trying to drive, so no children in the car at all, until they can drive for themselves, they will just have to walk. That means no more school buses, because we all know kids do not sit quietly when they are in a group. No more radio stations, CD players, MP3 players, no music, what so ever in the car because of those few who might be singing along with their favorite hit - obviously distracting. No pets or other animals in a car without being in a soundproof crate, obviously distracting…
You know, while I'm thinking about it, let's just do away with cars all together. I mean, they are dangerous in the wrong hands, so even though there are people who drive and drive sensibly I think it's better if we just outlaw cars. Everyone walks from now on, because bicycles are dangerous too, you could fall over a bridge or something. I mean, imagine, getting distracted by a bird while riding your bike to work - right off a bridge. Too dangerous!!
Yes, walking, I think walking is the real solution. Everyone get your shoes on and start walking, cause soon, everything will be banned for our own good, simply because there are idiots out there who can use common sense or take some personal responsibility.
Vote Yes...
We ALL drive worse when on the phone.
YOU are a techno fool if you think you don't.