Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

What is your opinion on this?

So it's illegal to talk on the cell phone while driving without a headset. OK. I can understand that.

But what exactly makes it dangerous? Is it the fact that you have one hand off the wheel to hold the phone to your ear? Or is it the fact that the conversation is distracting and could cause you to not pay attention and get in an accident?

See, in my opinion, I think it's the conversation itself that is a hazzard. You're talking, you're arguing with someone, you're laughing, whatever... bottom line you aren't paying close attention to the road.

But having a headset on doesn't mitigate this problem.

So obviously the law is about having one hand off the wheel right?
But we don't get pulled over for driving while drinking a cup of coffee or bottle of water, or adjusting the radio knob, or even just driving one handed- which I do A LOT.

Opinions?? Thoughts?

Just curious really...

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

I think the law isn't written very well at all. I follow it, but I don't think it makes a lot of sense. I agree with your points. It's not illegal to have one hand on the wheel, otherwise anyone with a manual transmission would get ticketed just for driving....

However, the law is written the way it is, and until it is changed legally, it needs to be followed...

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

I'm with you - I don't get it. I see people eating, "fiddling" with something, applying makeup and they're driving erratically, it doesn't make sense.

Also, dialing is the WORST part of the cell phone thing if you ask me. You're looking at the phone to dial. So, if you're dialing but have your hands free in your ear, you wouldn't get a ticket? (I’m really asking, I have no idea!)

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

I have almost rear ended people b/c I was dialing or I wasn't FULLY paying attention...

Even when I use the speaker on my phone there are times where I am not at my best attention, and while driving, this is not a good thing...

I try my hardest NOT to use the phone while driving (even hands free)

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

its definately the distraction issue- but there are so many other things that can distract drivers- my friend in high school was changing the radio station on her radio and took her eyes off the road and got into an accident

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

ITA with you 100%!!! I do not advocate driving while talking on the phone at all. However, the law needs to be written more clearly. I was once driving with a headset on with both hands on the wheel. But because I was in a heated discussion with my dad, I almost hit the car in front of me due to DISTRACTION.

It should be more against the law to being driving 60mph while aiming a sharp masacara-covered brush at your eye.

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

I think there are so many different things people do while driving that are more dangerous, such as eating, putting on makeup, reading maps. I don't know why cell phones are targeted.

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

I tend to agree with everyone - its the conversation itself that is distracting, not the driving with one hand.

I have a friend who constantly messes with his ipod while driving and i've actually ripped it out of his hand and said 'concentrate on driving, i'll find the song you want'
its really annoying

there are way too many things that can distract people while they're driving - even having the music really loud. I find if i have to pay attention to the road during a bad storm or something, i have to turn the music off so i can really concentrate. Makes you wonder why there aren't more accidents!

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

Definitely the distraction. In fact I almost got hit by some idiot today because of this!

I am sitting at a red light waiting to turn onto Wantagh Ave. A yellow school bus is on the other side of Wantagh waiting too.

Anyways light turns green for both of us and we both want to make a left turn on to Wantagh. I pull out and thank god I was looking even with the green light because some IDIOT ON THE CELLPHONE totally blows the red light coming down Wantagh Ave. and almost t-bones me as I slam on my brakes (while having a green light).

And it wasn't like she was trying to "beat the light" by speeding up. She probably wasn't going more than 30-40, but she was obviously distracted. As I saw her pass in front of me, I can clearly see her gabbing away with the phone to the ear as I am honking my horn at her as she passes.

The light must have been red for her for at least 2-3 seconds as she passed it. Not only did she almost hit me, she almost hit a school bus full of children.

I almost wanted to follow her.

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

ITA!! Plus if it is the conversation that is the distraction wouldn't driving with one hand while having a conversation with a passenger in the car be equally as dangerous?

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

I agree that the most dangerous part is either the distraction of the conversation itself, or looking down to dial, BUT I think the law only permits hands-free because when you're holding a phone to your ear, you could be blocking your peripheral vision on that side of your face, and it also restricts your range of motion when looking over your shoulder.

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

I agree that there are much more distracting things you could be doing while driving that are legal (like reading the newspaper, putting on makeup, etc... I've seen all of these)

But I don't agree that it's the conversation itself that's so distracting.... if so then why isn't it illegal to talk to another person who's sitting in the car with you while you're driving?
I find it much more distracting talking to someone sitting next to me while I drive than to someone on the phone. I think it's the hand being off the wheel that they have a problem with.

Message edited 5/28/2009 8:00:49 AM.

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

I totally agree with you. eating and doing stuff not related to driving is dangerous too! But I guess they can't make it illegal to eat or put makeup on while driving. I think the law is good but its not perfect. I use the blue tooth built into my car, so I don't have to dial, I just tell the car the # to call. Even that is distracting, but I guess its not "dangerous" since I'm not taking my eyes off the road, or wheel.

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

Re: Spinoff to Cell Phone Ticket- I have a question..

I agree, it's an odd law. I know there are prob many accidents caused by people on their cell phones, and they are trying to prevent that with this law. But i agree that the conversation is probably the most distracting part which happens whether your holding the phone or have a hands free device, or just talking and LOOKING at the person next to you or in the backseat.
But if the law helps prevent accidents I'm all for it.

I myself try not to talk on the phone at all while driving, it's just too distracting.