http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/ Engadget Comments for NYC cabbies could have cellphone use blocked while driving... but probably not http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 8:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 8:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 10:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
Taxi drivers are just trying to make their boring jobs a little more interesting.]]>Apr 14th 2009 9:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
How about no? Taxi driving is their job. Just because their job is boring doesn't mean they should be allowed to do something rude, annoying and in some (most, at least here in NYC) cases illegal because they're not using a handset.

For comparison, name one other job that allows talking on the phone for non-work-related conversations; that's right, not even the shittiest jobs as a janitor in the zoo would allow it, so why would they allow it when hurtling down a busy street five miles per hour over the speed limit, with a few peoples lives in your hands? It just doesn't make sense. I have no sympathy for rude taxi-drivers. Sometimes I come across one that's nice, and I get to talk to him, learn about him, his country, the family he's supporting. Honestly though, I'm not going to stand for someone being rude, obnoxious and distracted. When a passenger is in the cab, a cab-drivers one and only job is to get them to the location they are going safely, efficiently and comfortable. Hearing a loud, one-sided conversation is unsafe, inefficient and uncomfortable.

So yeah, how about... no?]]>Apr 14th 2009 9:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 15th 2009 12:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1999/08/28/1999-08-28_woman_dies_in_taxi_crash__ca.html

it takes a person's full concentration to drive 80 mph down a crowded street while also intoxicated. they shouldn't be talking on the phone.]]>Apr 15th 2009 12:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
Well I don't like the idea of people on the phone while they drive me around, but to answer your question...

The lady who cleans our research offices and the adjacent areas around the synchrotron talks on her phone all day and it's cool

You mail carrier usually is always on the phone and they don't seem to get reprimanded.

I saw the water meter guy checking meters today on a segway and he was on his phone too.

Now none of these people were driving except for segway guy, but I'm afraid you can't use that argument. Just sayin'...]]>Apr 15th 2009 12:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 15th 2009 9:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 8:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 15th 2009 1:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 8:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 8:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 15th 2009 8:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 8:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/]]>Apr 14th 2009 9:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 8:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 15th 2009 1:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 11:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 10:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
Heres how its done on earth:

Step 1: Hail cab.
Step 2: Get in said cab.
Step 3: Vocalize your destination to the vehicle operator.]]>Apr 14th 2009 11:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 15th 2009 12:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
So what? Yeah I respect their right to make money, but as a taxi your job is to drive a person to a requested destination within their AO, so why do I have to be sensitive about the fact that they will be stuck in traffic on their way back? It's a little like saying we shouldn't make combat pilots fly over hostile areas because they will be lit up by SAM sites that could potentially ruin their day.

Drive me where I want to go.]]>Apr 15th 2009 12:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
Taxi drivers are just trying to make their boring jobs a little more interesting.
]]>Apr 14th 2009 9:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Who are they even talking to for 9+ hours anyway?

]]>Apr 14th 2009 9:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/NYC Cab drivers should talk less on the phone, it is all about etiquette. But I don't think banning it from the front of the car is necessary.]]>Apr 14th 2009 9:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 10:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 10:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 9:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 10:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to apply to the cabbies, who are always babbling in farsi with their phones shoved against their heads while they run red lights, and zip through crowded city streets at mach 8 while completely missing the place you wanted to stop at.

For people whose jobs it is to drive, they do it as wrong as humanly possible.]]>Apr 14th 2009 10:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 15th 2009 12:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
"Taxi drivers are not permitted to use cell phones while transporting passengers, even if they use a hands-free headset."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_of_New_York_City

Is this not already the law?]]>Apr 14th 2009 10:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
The fact of the matter is that part of your rights as a passenger are that you can ask the driver to end his phone call among pretty much anything else. You can ask them to stop driving like a lunatic and you can also ask them to turn the radio off. Hell, I once had a cab driver close my window on me "because he had the A/C on" I told him it is not my problem and that he needs to lower the window... he did. They do what you say because they have to, but hell, if it isn't bothering you why should you bother them?]]>Apr 14th 2009 11:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 10:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 10:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/Apr 14th 2009 11:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/14/nyc-cabbies-could-have-cellphone-use-blocked-while-driving-bu/
I had a driver who refused to open the trunk containing my luggage until i gave him 5 bucks.]]>Apr 15th 2009 12:19AM