The geese have erupted into their usual flapping and screeching
over news that studies showing increased use of cell phones while
driving has been contributing to an increase in distracted
driving -- and accidents.
But as much as I hate cell phones and the constant needless
gabbling at all times and in all places they have engendered,
they are not the real problem here. Commercial pilots manage to
maintain control of an aircraft hurtling through the skies at
hundreds of miles an hour while communicating on two-way radios
(the equivalent of a cell phone). Commercial truckers manage to
maintain control, too, while working their CBs.
And the truth of the matter is that many drivers are perfectly
able to handle a phone conversation while handling their cars.
The problem is that many aren't -- but it's not the
phones. It's their already marginal driving ability.
Just as some people are less capable behind the wheel when
completely sober than a high-skilled driver is even with a few
beers in him, so it is that some drivers can handle having a chat
while driving while others should not be allowed to put their
hand on a steering wheel, period -- whether their other
hand is holding a cell phone or not.
We can't discuss this honestly, of course.
Instead, laws have to be constantly dumbed-down to accommodate
the least common denominator. Just as "no right on red" laws have
popped up all over because of a few subpar drivers who lack the
competence to execute the maneuver safely, so also we shall have
laws forbidding the use of cell phones while driving.
But, why stop there? Some people cannot manage eating while
driving, either -- yet this is a common (and for now, still
legal) activity. Should it, too, be cause for a ticket? And if
having a conversation while operating a vehicle is the bottom
line issue, why not ban that, too? There is no doubt
some "drivers" are "distracted" by it -- and many other things,
besides.
The possibilities are endless. But the problem won't be solved
until we get up the gumption to deal with the underlying rot,
which is the declining ability of the average person to do more
than turn a key, slide the lever from Park to Drive, hit the
cruise control -- and gape vacuously into space.
The licensing system is a farce; if you can't pass the "test" you
truly must be a candidate for the Short Bus. Quite literally we
will give a license to almost anyone. Virtually no demonstration
of actual skill behind the wheel is required. Just answer a few
questions having to do with bureaucratic rules (How many feet
must you stay behind a school bus? Must your child always be
restrained in a child safety seat?) and maybe do a lap around the
DMV parking and you are officially anointed a "driver" by the
powers that be.
Traffic enforcement is based on revenue collection -- and so
focuses on a gantlet of petty violations, most of which have no
bearing on whether you are competently driving. Drive 43 mph on a
road with a speed limit of 55 and a dozen cars stacked up behind
you and no cop will bother you. But pass the slow poke
at a speed faster than 55 mph -- even if just for the length of
time necessary to execute the pass safely -- and the same cop
will hit his blue and reds for sure.
Now we will get another slew of laws empowering the cops to pull
us over for using a cell phone while driving -- or just talking,
period -- even if our driving is blameless. None of that
matters. It won't be a viable defense before the judge. Because
some people can't handle doing more than one thing at a
time safely, you will not be allowed to do two things at
a time, either.
It's why "driving" has become not just oxymoronic but an
increasingly unpleasant hassle for those of us who can do it
passably well.
It's getting to be not worth the bother. May as well stay home
and read a good book -- perhaps about the America that once was.
About the Author
Eric Peters is an automotive columnist and author of Automotive Atrocities: The Cars You Love to Hate (Motor Books International) and a new book, Road Hogs.
This is why I think instead of spending money for "Smooth
Operator" programs on speed traps and such, it should be spent on
PSAs showing bad driving technique (slow driving in the passing
lane, two cars travelling at the same speed blocking traffic
behind, failure to signal turns, lane changes &
exiting/entering traffic, etc.) and good driving technique
(passing on the left then moving back over to the right, proper
signal use, etc.). You know, keeping traffic moving *smoothly*!
Paul from SA| 7.23.09 @ 11:24AM
How can they prove one is using a cell phone while driving? What
if a person is just holding it up their ear?
People stop eating, stop adjusting the audio, stop putting on
make-up, and stop reading (usually) when performing driving
manuevers that require full attention. But not talking on the
cell phone.
It is dangerous; it is a problem, but I don't know how they can
ban cell phones while driving.
It starts first with requiring ALL policemen to follow traffic
laws themselves. Then it's (all bad driving) all a function of
enforcement.
Appleby| 7.23.09 @ 11:59AM
When I was a child, before space age capsules that isolated
children from one another and binkies that isolated them from the
Planet Earth, we were forbidden to speak when the car was in
motion. Mama said there were too many of us (5) and conversation
was distracting. The only exceptions were (1) if there was blood;
and (2) if your sister fell out of the car or got left behind at
the gas station.
Among many other benefits, this taught us girls how to be quiet,
which is something apparently impossible for anyone under 30 to
achieve today.
My personal suggestion is that, (1) all binkies be forbidden in
all vehicles; and (2) it be made illegal for any sound louder
than that of a refrigerator running normally be prohibited in
every moving vehicle. Besides making it possible for the driver
to pay attention to what she's doing behind the wheel, it would
also teach people how rewarding (and possible) silence can be.
JeffW| 7.23.09 @ 12:01PM
While I do not think talking on the cell phone and driving is a
good idea, I do not think there should be a law against it. I
feel the same about the stupid seatbelt law. I wear one
religously, not because its the law but because it increases my
odds of survival. We have a law making us wear them yet,
motorcycle riders in many states do not have to wear a helmut?
What logic is that?
Now as for texting while driving? Those people are idiots! If you
have to communicate with that person, then call them already.
Just yesterday I had a idiot behind me (didn't see him at first
due to it raining and he didn't have any lights on), drifting all
over the road. I slowed down and let him pass, only to see the
mouth breather pass me, doing over 70 mph, in the rain, driving
with his knees because he was using both hands to text! It is for
idiots like that we need some stupid laws.
KyMouse| 7.23.09 @ 12:11PM
I've always been in favor of requiring drivers to take the entire
driving test (written exam, on-the-road skills, and vision check)
at least once each decade. I'm sure that I've gotten lax on a lot
of stuff, and I doubt I'm the only one. Seems to me that good
drivers shouldn't mind taking it again, every so often, and that
less-than-good drivers would benefit. And if they didn't pass,
we'd get them off the road at last. But the test should be
offered only in English.
Susan| 7.23.09 @ 1:32PM
Yes Paul, let's have ALL policemen follow the traffic laws. And
please let it start with you being mugged, and that responding
officer driving the speed limit all the way to your rescue.
Ned| 7.23.09 @ 1:46PM
Sorry, but as long as your mistakes may cost my life it is my
right to advocate that you not be allowed to talk on your phone
while driving. I am getting sick and tired of watching people go
through red lights and stop signs without even seeing them.
An acceptable alternative would be to recognize that those who
talk on the phone while driving have demonstrated a willingness
to kill others on the road with reckless disregard and charge
them with first degree murder when they do kill.
I could care less if you kill yourself. In fact I really and
truly hope you do kill yourself on a tree of telephone pole
before you get me.
wolf labounty| 7.23.09 @ 1:48PM
As Peters points out...there is no driving test. You just become
a member of eligible contributors to the traffic violations club.
We can't be serious about driving and all its consequences,
traffic, accidents, effects on the environment etc, when we give
a test that just requires that you are able to breath and sit in
front of the steering wheel. The same test is given to the
drivers of a 1960's VW and a 2009 Corvette with 400+ hp. This
being the case, how one wonders can you take it with any degree
of seriousness.
Susan| 7.23.09 @ 1:52PM
By the way, I wasn't wishing that anyone be mugged, including
Paul! Just trying to point out how ludicrous it would be to have
cops "obeying all traffic laws".
Art C.| 7.23.09 @ 2:33PM
Thought texting while driving is stupid, NY already has a
distracted driving statute. The current law(s) are just political
feel goods to make lawmakers look like they are doing something.
IHeartUrbanPlanning| 7.23.09 @ 2:55PM
I want my 45 dollars back that I spent on a hands free device
because they forced me to buy one because it was SAFER!
They are just going to go and outlaw those now… ignoring that
they FORCED us to by them in the first place.
The head guy says this information was never published just
because they had other priorities…
http://www.newsy.com/videos/danger_calling
SO not only do they lie to us, but they think we are idiots!
Paul| 7.23.09 @ 5:00PM
Just today I almost got creamed by a red light runner as I pulled
out from my left turn lane. The cop next to me in the right turn
lane didn't notice the ruckus, why? Because he was busy looking
at his laptop or what ever that computer is called in the
cop-mobiles these days.
Mazzuchelli| 7.23.09 @ 5:58PM
While people maintain subconscious control of their vehicles once
on the cell, they lose track of their speed, the largest sin
here, and where they are in traffic, the biggest danger. Yet I
agree that passing a law is ludicrous. There can be no systematic
surveillance so the failure will be another accessory charge like
driving without a front license plate when pulled over for
speeding. At the same time, if you're in the left lane, get on
the cell and then drop your speed by the least increment, if I'm
behind you, road rage will ensue. Do us all a favor: Shut up and
drive.
Scott A Joseph, MD| 7.23.09 @ 6:46PM
Happy to not answer the cellphone and have someone die.
I'm so frequently paged I would never go anywhere if I had to
pull over.
It's perfectly simple, you see,
As plain as the nose on your face:
Liberals aren't People like you and me---
They're the shame of the human race.
George| 7.23.09 @ 7:15PM
With freedom comes risk. Eliminate one you eliminate the other.
Solo| 7.23.09 @ 9:27PM
I don't give a rat's behind how important that you think you
are.....I don't deserve to die because you're texting or yaking
on your freakin cell phone.
Hang the f*ck up and drive, already!
It's simple. Anyone involved in an accident, simply trace their
cell phone records, if they were yaking on the phone at the time
of the accident, 3 years mandatory State prison time...first
offense, no exceptions!!
Problem solved!
Richard Baker| 7.26.09 @ 4:48PM
While stationed in Germany in the early '70s and saw what my
German friends had to do to get a drivers license, I was amazed.
It must work. Their death and accident rates are below that of
ours here in the US and the Germans don't generally drive
mindlessly, as well. High School drivers education is a waste of
time and money. Let's use German instructors, instead of bored
Phys-ed teachers/coaches.
Paul| 7.27.09 @ 5:50AM
Dear Appleby,
What is a "binkie"?
Dave Lincoln| 7.28.09 @ 5:43AM
"Happy to not answer the cellphone and have someone die. " As
someone told you when you spouted your nonsense in favor of laws
against smoking, Doc, remind me to never let you cut on me.
Someone this stupid and arrogant shouldn't be be operating
anything more complex than a Big Wheel (TM), much less on a
patient. Piss off, arrogant a-hole.
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Polly Lasker| 7.23.09 @ 8:10AM
This is why I think instead of spending money for "Smooth Operator" programs on speed traps and such, it should be spent on PSAs showing bad driving technique (slow driving in the passing lane, two cars travelling at the same speed blocking traffic behind, failure to signal turns, lane changes & exiting/entering traffic, etc.) and good driving technique (passing on the left then moving back over to the right, proper signal use, etc.). You know, keeping traffic moving *smoothly*!
Paul from SA| 7.23.09 @ 11:24AM
How can they prove one is using a cell phone while driving? What if a person is just holding it up their ear?
People stop eating, stop adjusting the audio, stop putting on make-up, and stop reading (usually) when performing driving manuevers that require full attention. But not talking on the cell phone.
It is dangerous; it is a problem, but I don't know how they can ban cell phones while driving.
It starts first with requiring ALL policemen to follow traffic laws themselves. Then it's (all bad driving) all a function of enforcement.
Appleby| 7.23.09 @ 11:59AM
When I was a child, before space age capsules that isolated children from one another and binkies that isolated them from the Planet Earth, we were forbidden to speak when the car was in motion. Mama said there were too many of us (5) and conversation was distracting. The only exceptions were (1) if there was blood; and (2) if your sister fell out of the car or got left behind at the gas station.
Among many other benefits, this taught us girls how to be quiet, which is something apparently impossible for anyone under 30 to achieve today.
My personal suggestion is that, (1) all binkies be forbidden in all vehicles; and (2) it be made illegal for any sound louder than that of a refrigerator running normally be prohibited in every moving vehicle. Besides making it possible for the driver to pay attention to what she's doing behind the wheel, it would also teach people how rewarding (and possible) silence can be.
JeffW| 7.23.09 @ 12:01PM
While I do not think talking on the cell phone and driving is a good idea, I do not think there should be a law against it. I feel the same about the stupid seatbelt law. I wear one religously, not because its the law but because it increases my odds of survival. We have a law making us wear them yet, motorcycle riders in many states do not have to wear a helmut? What logic is that?
Now as for texting while driving? Those people are idiots! If you have to communicate with that person, then call them already. Just yesterday I had a idiot behind me (didn't see him at first due to it raining and he didn't have any lights on), drifting all over the road. I slowed down and let him pass, only to see the mouth breather pass me, doing over 70 mph, in the rain, driving with his knees because he was using both hands to text! It is for idiots like that we need some stupid laws.
KyMouse| 7.23.09 @ 12:11PM
I've always been in favor of requiring drivers to take the entire driving test (written exam, on-the-road skills, and vision check) at least once each decade. I'm sure that I've gotten lax on a lot of stuff, and I doubt I'm the only one. Seems to me that good drivers shouldn't mind taking it again, every so often, and that less-than-good drivers would benefit. And if they didn't pass, we'd get them off the road at last. But the test should be offered only in English.
Susan| 7.23.09 @ 1:32PM
Yes Paul, let's have ALL policemen follow the traffic laws. And please let it start with you being mugged, and that responding officer driving the speed limit all the way to your rescue.
Ned| 7.23.09 @ 1:46PM
Sorry, but as long as your mistakes may cost my life it is my right to advocate that you not be allowed to talk on your phone while driving. I am getting sick and tired of watching people go through red lights and stop signs without even seeing them.
An acceptable alternative would be to recognize that those who talk on the phone while driving have demonstrated a willingness to kill others on the road with reckless disregard and charge them with first degree murder when they do kill.
I could care less if you kill yourself. In fact I really and truly hope you do kill yourself on a tree of telephone pole before you get me.
wolf labounty| 7.23.09 @ 1:48PM
As Peters points out...there is no driving test. You just become a member of eligible contributors to the traffic violations club. We can't be serious about driving and all its consequences, traffic, accidents, effects on the environment etc, when we give a test that just requires that you are able to breath and sit in front of the steering wheel. The same test is given to the drivers of a 1960's VW and a 2009 Corvette with 400+ hp. This being the case, how one wonders can you take it with any degree of seriousness.
Susan| 7.23.09 @ 1:52PM
By the way, I wasn't wishing that anyone be mugged, including Paul! Just trying to point out how ludicrous it would be to have cops "obeying all traffic laws".
Art C.| 7.23.09 @ 2:33PM
Thought texting while driving is stupid, NY already has a distracted driving statute. The current law(s) are just political feel goods to make lawmakers look like they are doing something.
IHeartUrbanPlanning| 7.23.09 @ 2:55PM
I want my 45 dollars back that I spent on a hands free device because they forced me to buy one because it was SAFER!
They are just going to go and outlaw those now… ignoring that they FORCED us to by them in the first place.
The head guy says this information was never published just because they had other priorities…
http://www.newsy.com/videos/danger_calling
SO not only do they lie to us, but they think we are idiots!
Paul| 7.23.09 @ 5:00PM
Just today I almost got creamed by a red light runner as I pulled out from my left turn lane. The cop next to me in the right turn lane didn't notice the ruckus, why? Because he was busy looking at his laptop or what ever that computer is called in the cop-mobiles these days.
Mazzuchelli| 7.23.09 @ 5:58PM
While people maintain subconscious control of their vehicles once on the cell, they lose track of their speed, the largest sin here, and where they are in traffic, the biggest danger. Yet I agree that passing a law is ludicrous. There can be no systematic surveillance so the failure will be another accessory charge like driving without a front license plate when pulled over for speeding. At the same time, if you're in the left lane, get on the cell and then drop your speed by the least increment, if I'm behind you, road rage will ensue. Do us all a favor: Shut up and drive.
Scott A Joseph, MD| 7.23.09 @ 6:46PM
Happy to not answer the cellphone and have someone die.
I'm so frequently paged I would never go anywhere if I had to pull over.
It's perfectly simple, you see,
As plain as the nose on your face:
Liberals aren't People like you and me---
They're the shame of the human race.
George| 7.23.09 @ 7:15PM
With freedom comes risk. Eliminate one you eliminate the other.
Solo| 7.23.09 @ 9:27PM
I don't give a rat's behind how important that you think you are.....I don't deserve to die because you're texting or yaking on your freakin cell phone.
Hang the f*ck up and drive, already!
It's simple. Anyone involved in an accident, simply trace their cell phone records, if they were yaking on the phone at the time of the accident, 3 years mandatory State prison time...first offense, no exceptions!!
Problem solved!
Richard Baker| 7.26.09 @ 4:48PM
While stationed in Germany in the early '70s and saw what my German friends had to do to get a drivers license, I was amazed. It must work. Their death and accident rates are below that of ours here in the US and the Germans don't generally drive mindlessly, as well. High School drivers education is a waste of time and money. Let's use German instructors, instead of bored Phys-ed teachers/coaches.
Paul| 7.27.09 @ 5:50AM
Dear Appleby,
What is a "binkie"?
Dave Lincoln| 7.28.09 @ 5:43AM
"Happy to not answer the cellphone and have someone die. " As someone told you when you spouted your nonsense in favor of laws against smoking, Doc, remind me to never let you cut on me.
Someone this stupid and arrogant shouldn't be be operating anything more complex than a Big Wheel (TM), much less on a patient. Piss off, arrogant a-hole.
Richard Baker| 7.28.09 @ 4:55PM
Paul:
Binkie=pacifier
Paul| 7.28.09 @ 6:46PM
Richard,
Thanks.
Lelani J| 6.5.11 @ 10:03AM
Hard to believe that what they are reporting is really true. UTI Treatment
Lelani J| 6.5.11 @ 10:04AM
Hard to believe that what they are reporting is really true. UTI Treatment