NTSB Cell Phone Ban Advocacy

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by Wasillaguy

Exactly. We have laws to cover distracted driving of all forms. Enacting laws that will not be enforced only cheapens the legal system. "Why worry about breaking laws, they don't enforce half of 'em anyway."

For the last two decades, every handheld GPS has been outfitted with circuitry that will not allow it's use when traveling faster than about 100mph. This is done to keep small plane pilots from using the cheap devices (they want them to buy the expensive avionic units).

So.. the technology is there, just make it mandatory that all cell phones have the same circuitry and dial back the max speed to 15mph or something. Of course, this means passengers, bus riders, etc. won't be able to use their devices, so maybe you go one step further and use proximity sensors. If the phone is directly over the driver's seat, no workie.

Or, better yet, use the existing laws to prosecute those who have accidents and leave everyone else alone.

The idea is to prevent as many accidents as possible. After the fact reactionism does little or nothing to acheive that goal. You can't prosecute a deadman-----nor can you resurrect the innocent people whose lives he's taken.

Dave

[Wasillaguy]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

The idea is to prevent as many accidents as possible. After the fact reactionism does little or nothing to acheive that goal. You can't prosecute a deadman-----nor can you resurrect the innocent people whose lives he's taken.

Dave

No, the idea is to not limit the freedom of responsible citizens in the name of "preventing" accidents. Much the same as gun control- taking guns from responsible citizens doesn't "prevent" gun crimes.
Lots of people set their houses on fire deep frying turkeys, but 99% manage to make a tasty dinner without torching their abode. Should we make turkey friers illegal?
Should people be allowed to climb Mt. McKinley? Because folks die doing that every year. Just don't allow anyone up there and the problem is solved, right?

Government mandated bubble wrap suits for everyone!

[BlueStreak]

Okay, man. Text as you drive all you want. The sooner the accident occurs, the better. Just don't take me, or anyone else, with you.

As usual, you read too much into my statements. Calm down and think, teabagger.

Dave

[Wasillaguy]

Well thanks for your permission, I appreciate that. Oh, and thanks for the kind sentiments too. Though we disagree, I do not harbor any wishes of ill will toward you.

[whell]

The government, try as it might, cannot legislate a risk free society. It can however, pander to get votes. It can also facilitate legislator and regulator crusades aimed at little more than someone trying to make a name for themselves. These typically come at the expense of individual liberty and freedom.

[bhunter]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Okay, man. Text as you drive all you want. The sooner the accident occurs, the better. Just don't take me, or anyone else, with you.

As usual, you read too much into my statements. Calm down and think, teabagger.

Dave

That's sort of the point. Even the NTSB's own highly questionable numbers and anecdotal evidence demonstrates that the probability of injury by cell phone usage is low. I do not think people ought text and drive, but do feel there are adequate laws to protect society against such evils. As one commentator pointed out, increased laws against cell phones may very well increase the danger, given people's need to conceal their use from law enforcement. Their eyes will be further distracted by both looking for law enforcement and keeping the phone hidden from external view.

[piece-itpete]

Originally Posted by Wasillaguy

....


Or, better yet, use the existing laws to prosecute those who have accidents and leave everyone else alone.

That's only good for free people. We need to be protected from ourselves Was!

Pete

[Bigerik]

When did driving become a right? It is a privilege, and needs to be done in a safe and responsible manner. Otherwise you get fined, or your license ends up getting yanked. I'd rather they catch a bonehead doing something unsafe, than wait for them to cross the line.

The main reason for laws like this is to make people THINK about their actions. Causes discussion, and some of the boneheads doing it might actually realize that it is a bad move, and they should stop.

[merrylander]

Guys unwad your panties, it was only a recommendation, probably just to make some people think, something rarely done in these parts.

Frex they have recently been installing traffic circles here in place of 4-way stops. Rule is quite simple, give way to the driver already in the circle, just like give way to the driver at the 4-way who arrived first. We were out on errands Wednesday and had it not been that Bell taught me to believe that every other driver is an idiot out to kill me we would have been T-boned twice, once at a 4-way and once in a circle.

[BlueStreak]

Really Rob? You don't think "recommending" you not fiddle with your phone behind the wheel is an attempt undermine your precious freedoms, establish a Stalinesque police state, sully everything America stands for and erase every last vestige of flag waiving yankee-doodle-dandiness from the planet while turning children into homosexuals and filling cattle cars with hardworking true patriot white folk?

Yeah, me neither.

Next thing you know, they'll be telling us it's un-American to drive sober.

Dave