NTSB Recommends Ban on Driver Cell Phone Use

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Bert,
It DOES pass the "common sense test." Available data indicates cell use results in car control impairment equivalent to legally drunk. No data like that for talking to a passenger, having kids in the car, or even personal stupidity like applying makeup. Why have "clickit or tickit" campaigns and speed limits when those are concerned with personal safety, when we have laws (like, no drunk driving, no shooting guns in public, no driving on sidewalks) meant to protect innocent people from irrational jerks?

phylos of TX 5:21PM December 14, 2011

So I can't drive without my seatbelt (I might get in a crash and kill myself), I can't drive faster than 55/65/70 (whatever) because I might not be safe, and I can't drive drunk (I might get in a crash and kill somebody else) but I CAN use my cell phone and increase my chance of crashing, dying and killing equal to that of being drunk, and imposing a greater risk of somebody dying that not wearing my seatbelt.
What kind of stupid nonsensical thought process allows anybody to ignore the evidence, and think that using a cellphone is anything other than attempted manslaughter?

phylos of TX 5:18PM December 14, 2011

I don't own a cell phone and it's really annoying to be driving behind somebody who is. Shut up and drive. You're not that important and your conversations are even less important. Doesn't need to be a law, but since people are such idiots I guess it needs to be.

Bobbarooni of ID 4:35PM December 14, 2011

Well, good grief...that recommendation the NTSB has been proposing would be so unfair, for my sister and I occasionally text to one another. I suppose another person or I should answer her phone for her whilst she drives.

Commbo of TX 9:57AM December 14, 2011

Honestly, this recommendation doesn't pass the common sense test. If the issue is distraction, a hands free cell phone can be less of a distraction than having a passenger who is talking to you. How / Why? People tend to try to look at the person talking when in a car to see facial reaction, body language, etc. With a cell phone there is no desire or attempt because we know on all levels the person is not there.
If the NTSB wants to reduce distraction then they need to look to all areas, such as:
1) Making it a crime to do personal hygiene, while driving
2) Allowing passengers to talk while in the car. Maybe separating passengers from the driver, as done in airplanes, trains, and to a lesser extent on a bus would make sense. Of course how to retrofit existing cars might be interesting... One thought might be to require passengers to sleep while the car is in motion, but how?
3) Children as passengers -- talking or otherwise presents distractions and if hand free cell phones aren't acceptable, well, how can children be less of a distraction.
Of course none of these suggestions pass the common sense test, just as the NTSB proposed ban makes sense. While the goal is GREAT, the method is the problem and comes down to the ends NEVER justify the means! NEVER!
Oh, BTW, to the NTSB spokesperson who said if this saves just one life ... well, I'm sure the above three suggestions would save just one life, too ... so, why don't you ban children, passengers, or require all passengers to be asleep, or ... in someway make sure passengers can't interact with the driver. Right, because even it it saves just one life, it doesn't make sense ... same is true with your cell phone ban idea.
Thanks for trying, but wasting our time doesn't help us respect you ... coming up with well thought out ideas that actually work impress people.
I'm sure at this point someone is saying, so this guy can tear down an idea, but can he suggest one ... Well, I sure would hope given your resources I could come up with a more common sense idea than an outright ban of cell phones ...
Oh, P.S. why allow installed by the manufacturer cell phones, but not hand free made by others? After market installed unit would be just as safe, and I'm sure there are other methods just as safe. So, what's up with allowing that distraction ... wouldn't banning them save at least just one life?? Right, you just don't want the auto makers against you ... well, voters have sway, too ...
So, stop wasting the voter's time and money with ideas that can't pass the common sense (or as other would say -- the smell test).

Bert of IL 7:08AM December 14, 2011