Quote:
Originally Posted by d-ray657
If I'm reading the data correctly, approximately one third of traffic fatalities are related to speeding. There is no question that it is legitimate to regulate driving speed, is there?
It looks like 16% of the fatalities are related to distraction, and 20% of all accidents. While not a third, those are nevertheless significant numbers.
I'm not sure that the AAA study has any relevance to current conditions. As I recall, texting was not an option in 1991.
It sounds like you even oppose California's requirement that all cell phone usage be hands free. That is, however, a state regulation is it not?
By the way, the NTSB standards were recommended standards for states, not a federally imposed standard. In other words, an agency whose mission in to promote transportation safety has done its research and as a result has recommended to states standards that would reduce a major contribution to accidents.
Finally, albeit anecdotal, my driving experience involves a fair sized sample, as I commute around a 30 mile round trip daily. Without fail, every time I see erratic driving - particularly a vehicle slowing down to well below the speed of other traffic - I will see a driver engaged in a cell phone conversation. More than once, I have had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with a cell-phone-engaged driver.
Regards,
D-Ray |
I'm not for texting and driving or any other distraction including eating. I do assert that the potential danger of cell phone use is less than what the NTSB and LEOs claim. The problem with the NTSB position is that it argues that even talking on a cell phone is dangerous and thus poses a substantial risk to the public. How many accidents has coffee drinking caused? I have no problem with using hands free devices. Newer higher end vehicles are coming with such devices pre-installed and they have a very low profile. LEOs will not be able to distinguish who is and who is not using a cell phone while driving. Surely, you don't feel that only the wealthy ought be able to make phone calls while driving?
It appears that behind the NTSB position is someone from the MADD group. The data appears to be difficult to collect and I suspect that a lot of accidents get unfairly blamed on cell phones, rather than drivers that are idiots regardless of if or if not they happen to have a cell phone on board.
Given the number of miles traveled and the number of people on SoCal roads, I'm surprised there are not more accidents. When it rains here in San Diego, like it did two days ago, we had around 300-400 accidents. I wonder how many cell phone calls were made and what percentage of those calls caused accidents?