Should motorists ever talk on a phone?

Falstaff · Feb 17, 2009, 06:53 AM

Should motorists ever talk on the phone? - CNN.com

Engaging in a phone conversation on a mobile device while driving distracts the brain and delays reaction times, experts said. Drivers are more likely to swerve between lanes, slow down and miss important signs.

CDsDontBurn · Feb 17, 2009, 08:30 AM

it's illegal to talk or text here in california. however, you can talk on the phone provided that you have a bluetooth ear piece.

to me, it doesn't matter how it is that i talk on the phone. if i'm talking, i'm talking. it doesn't matter. yes, i admit to not using a hands free device. and i'll continue to do so until i can find one that gives me quality as good as having my phone up next to my ear.

so, to answer the question, "should we be allowed to talk and drive at the same time?" my answer is yes. if we're allowed to use a hands free device, then we can still use our phones w/o a hands free device.

as the article stated, it's still just as dangerous to use a hands free device as not using a hands free device.

Cow_160483 · Feb 17, 2009, 09:14 AM

I try not to talk on the phone while i drive, coz i once nearly had an accident doing that. so yes i think whether its hand free or not talking on the phone should not be permitted.

***craig5320*** · Feb 17, 2009, 09:15 AM

I think anyone who uses a handset while driving, is ignorant and selfish. There is no excuse, and it tends to be the same people who try and defend driving under the influence drugs or drink. Absolutely appauling.

CDsDontBurn · Feb 17, 2009, 09:28 AM

lol. so then i must be under the influence while driving on the phone

.

at least for me, i believe that i've learned to pay more attenton to the road when talking on the phone, than the conversation on the phone itself. but that's just me though.

am i appauling to you craig? mind you, the last accident i was in (see pix from sig), i was NOT on the phone, lol.

IvanV · Feb 17, 2009, 11:02 AM

CDs, consider yourself lucky that time, imagine what you'd have done if you were talking at the moment?!

If we're not banning talking to the passengers while driving (and those can get pretty... engaging

), then talking over the hands-free should be ok. Otherwise, we should probably ban any talking, as well as radio and music in the cars too (you know how drivers can get about their music).

But I've seen those who talk on the phone almost completely switch off from what's going on around them and besides, the hand they're holding the handset with should be doing other things like shifting gears and giving the turn signals, so there's good grounds for banning this.

***craig5320*** · Feb 17, 2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

...at least for me, i believe that i've learned to pay more attenton to the road when talking on the phone, than the conversation on the phone itself. but that's just me though.

am i appauling to you craig? mind you, the last accident i was in (see pix from sig), i was NOT on the phone, lol.

If you drive using a handset to your ear, then yes I find your behaviour appauling, and I hope you never have the misfortune of killing another driver or pedestratian while doing so. I can only hope your ignorance to the dangers of your actions eventually fades and you wise up.

Craig

Callandor · Feb 17, 2009, 11:41 AM

Check out this dude, crazy.

YouTube - Guy on motorcycle taking on the phone and sending text

GigaWatt · Feb 17, 2009, 02:01 PM

i usually don't don't talk on the phone when i'm driving (i'm not doing much driving anyway, since i don't have my own car

), but if i do start talking on the phone i i usually make a pitstop somewhere on the road to talk...

i really don't care what happens to me, but i don't think that i can get over if i actually hit someone... so i usually turn my cell off when i'm in the car...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callandor

Check out this dude, crazy.

YouTube - Guy on motorcycle taking on the phone and sending text

i don't know how the guy does it, but i wouldn't try it... hilarious nevertheless... hahahhaha

Al_Vampyre · Feb 17, 2009, 02:42 PM

Before the law came to the UK there were quite a lot of studies done that showed someone talking on their mobile phone whilst driving were just as much of a risk as a drunk driver, so if drunk driving is banned were you are then handheld mobile phone use should be too

mkk · Feb 17, 2009, 03:16 PM

As we know from tons of research, it's the distant conversation that is the problem. Handset or hands free doesn't make much of a difference. I don't drive so I can't claim to be good but I'd keep conversation down to a bare minimum of time, like "I'm on my way driving, see you in 30min, bye.*click*". It's simple as wearing a seatbelt, cough...

Edit: And I hate it when someone keeps talking to the bus driver and never quits, even when standing right in front of the bright yellow "please do not converse with the driver during the trip" sign.

CDsDontBurn · Feb 17, 2009, 05:47 PM

The difference between a drunk driver vs. a person on the phone though (in terms of a traffic collision of any kind), is that the influence of alcohol makes the person much more "stretchable" (i forget the exact word for this term ATM). this makes it so that the human body will have less of a chance of serious injury. however, the fluid that protects the brain from the skull is decreased, thus increasing the chance of brain damage such as a concussion. of course, this is only for the person who is under the influence of alcohol and not anybody else.

a person on the phone does not have that, so the chance of serious injury would be greater. but, i guess that's meaningless to anybody.

GigaWatt · Feb 17, 2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

The difference between a drunk driver vs. a person on the phone though (in terms of a traffic collision of any kind), is that the influence of alcohol makes the person much more "stretchable" (i forget the exact word for this term ATM). this makes it so that the human body will have less of a chance of serious injury. however, the fluid that protects the brain from the skull is decreased, thus increasing the chance of brain damage such as a concussion. of course, this is only for the person who is under the influence of alcohol and not anybody else.

a person on the phone does not have that, so the chance of serious injury would be greater. but, i guess that's meaningless to anybody.

i didn't know that... it's an interesting fact...

so what you're saying is, if i drive while i'm talking on the phone, i should have a coule of shots of cognac beside me so that the chances of me getting hurt in a car accident are decreased...? hahahaha

(joking)

CDsDontBurn · Feb 17, 2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GigaWatt

i didn't know that... it's an interesting fact...

so what you're saying is, if i drive while i'm talking on the phone, i should have a coule of shots of cognac beside me so that the chances of me getting hurt in a car accident are decreased...? hahahaha

(joking)

aside from the concussion, yes, lol. but, i wouldn't recommend it though

Lelisevis · Feb 17, 2009, 09:02 PM

Should motorists ever talk on a phone?

Not anywhere near me as i'd be liable to follow them home, drag them from the car and jump up and down on them, then i'd insert the phone into a bodily orifice that on receipt of an incoming call may just cause them a small amount of pleasure depending on sexual orientation.

**dj_stick** · Feb 17, 2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

The difference between a drunk driver vs. a person on the phone though (in terms of a traffic collision of any kind), is that the influence of alcohol makes the person much more "stretchable"

tha'ts because it's instinct to stiffen up and to resist been thrown around the car in a crash (that's technically what causes whiplash - not the actual event of your head been thrown around, but you trying to resist it by stiffening up ypur neck)

when you're drunk your body is too relaxed and your reflexes too slow to even hope to attempt to resist it, so while you don't get as serious a whiplash injury as you otherwise would, you probably bounce of a few more surfaces in the car before airbags (if present) are deployed

Mac Daddy · Feb 17, 2009, 11:18 PM

It's illegal here in Ontario as well. We install handsfree kits as well as Bluetooth compatible units at work USE EM !!

Many factory radios in newer vehicles also support Bluetooth.

For me personally I think the car should be stopped or use the phone elsewhere ...

Feb 17, 2009, 06:53 AM	#1
Falstaff Old Codger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: USAFA Posts: 19,048 Rep Power: 207	Should motorists ever talk on a phone? Should motorists ever talk on the phone? - CNN.com Engaging in a phone conversation on a mobile device while driving distracts the brain and delays reaction times, experts said. Drivers are more likely to swerve between lanes, slow down and miss important signs. __________________ "Inspiration is always a surprising visitor."

Feb 17, 2009, 08:30 AM	#2
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,795 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? it's illegal to talk or text here in california. however, you can talk on the phone provided that you have a bluetooth ear piece. to me, it doesn't matter how it is that i talk on the phone. if i'm talking, i'm talking. it doesn't matter. yes, i admit to not using a hands free device. and i'll continue to do so until i can find one that gives me quality as good as having my phone up next to my ear. so, to answer the question, "should we be allowed to talk and drive at the same time?" my answer is yes. if we're allowed to use a hands free device, then we can still use our phones w/o a hands free device. as the article stated, it's still just as dangerous to use a hands free device as not using a hands free device. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Feb 17, 2009, 09:14 AM	#3
Cow_160483 HH's only cow moooooo... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: BOTSWANA Posts: 6,821 Rep Power: 300 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? I try not to talk on the phone while i drive, coz i once nearly had an accident doing that. so yes i think whether its hand free or not talking on the phone should not be permitted. __________________ Decode! Muhahahahah! Last edited by Cow_160483; Feb 17, 2009 at 09:48 AM.

Feb 17, 2009, 09:15 AM	#4
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,573 Rep Power: 445 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? I think anyone who uses a handset while driving, is ignorant and selfish. There is no excuse, and it tends to be the same people who try and defend driving under the influence drugs or drink. Absolutely appauling. __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook

Feb 17, 2009, 09:28 AM	#5
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,795 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? lol. so then i must be under the influence while driving on the phone . at least for me, i believe that i've learned to pay more attenton to the road when talking on the phone, than the conversation on the phone itself. but that's just me though. am i appauling to you craig? mind you, the last accident i was in (see pix from sig), i was NOT on the phone, lol. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Feb 17, 2009, 11:02 AM	#6
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,917 Rep Power: 336 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? CDs, consider yourself lucky that time, imagine what you'd have done if you were talking at the moment?! If we're not banning talking to the passengers while driving (and those can get pretty... engaging ), then talking over the hands-free should be ok. Otherwise, we should probably ban any talking, as well as radio and music in the cars too (you know how drivers can get about their music). But I've seen those who talk on the phone almost completely switch off from what's going on around them and besides, the hand they're holding the handset with should be doing other things like shifting gears and giving the turn signals, so there's good grounds for banning this. __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Feb 17, 2009, 11:41 AM	#8
Callandor Forged on Dragonmount Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 7,244 Rep Power: 304 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? Check out this dude, crazy. YouTube - Guy on motorcycle taking on the phone and sending text __________________

Feb 17, 2009, 02:42 PM	#10
Al_Vampyre HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,532 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? Before the law came to the UK there were quite a lot of studies done that showed someone talking on their mobile phone whilst driving were just as much of a risk as a drunk driver, so if drunk driving is banned were you are then handheld mobile phone use should be too

Feb 17, 2009, 03:16 PM	#11
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,495 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? As we know from tons of research, it's the distant conversation that is the problem. Handset or hands free doesn't make much of a difference. I don't drive so I can't claim to be good but I'd keep conversation down to a bare minimum of time, like "I'm on my way driving, see you in 30min, bye.click". It's simple as wearing a seatbelt, cough... Edit: And I hate it when someone keeps talking to the bus driver and never quits, even when standing right in front of the bright yellow "please do not converse with the driver during the trip" sign. Last edited by mkk; Feb 17, 2009 at 03:21 PM.

Feb 17, 2009, 05:47 PM	#12
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,795 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? The difference between a drunk driver vs. a person on the phone though (in terms of a traffic collision of any kind), is that the influence of alcohol makes the person much more "stretchable" (i forget the exact word for this term ATM). this makes it so that the human body will have less of a chance of serious injury. however, the fluid that protects the brain from the skull is decreased, thus increasing the chance of brain damage such as a concussion. of course, this is only for the person who is under the influence of alcohol and not anybody else. a person on the phone does not have that, so the chance of serious injury would be greater. but, i guess that's meaningless to anybody. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Feb 17, 2009, 09:02 PM	#15
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 0	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? Should motorists ever talk on a phone? Not anywhere near me as i'd be liable to follow them home, drag them from the car and jump up and down on them, then i'd insert the phone into a bodily orifice that on receipt of an incoming call may just cause them a small amount of pleasure depending on sexual orientation.

Feb 17, 2009, 11:18 PM	#17
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: Should motorists ever talk on a phone? It's illegal here in Ontario as well. We install handsfree kits as well as Bluetooth compatible units at work USE EM !! Many factory radios in newer vehicles also support Bluetooth. For me personally I think the car should be stopped or use the phone elsewhere ... __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen