Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

re: Why You`ll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

JJ72 — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:22:26 GMT

Seems that few people are truly good multi-taskers, most of us aren't. But our current culture has taught us we MUST be, and we CAN be, good multi-taskers. Therefore, everyone assumes they can talk and drive! Almost every time we see a driver not paying attention, we then notice they are on a cell phone.

And it's a good point that it's not the hands-free or not that is the problem, it's the talking in general. Heck, I can be talking with my passenger (not on a cell phone!) and miss where I was going to turn into, that has happened many times. I am definitely NOT a multi-tasker, and have learned to focus on the most important thing accordingly. I wish other drivers would do the same. Having "heavy" conversations while driving is also not a good idea.

I heard it pointed out the other day that while some states have outlawed cell phone use without a hands-free set, they haven't specifically outlawed texting. Texting is far worse! That's like trying to read a book while driving! Which to my horror, I have also seen. Driving is dangerous, and people just don't seem to take it seriously enough.

Drive safe, friends!!

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

keyboard — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:28:29 GMT

I have personally run a red light while talking on a cell phone. I know it was the reason. I don't believe the use of devises which allow us to be hands free will change the situation. I believe cell phone use while on driving needs to be banned. I am not one of these drivers who gets in their car and gets on the phone for the duration of the trip. I only use for things like how do I get to blank destination or what am I supposed to pick up at the grocery store. I think there are simply too many thought processes conflicting with one another to allow for safe driving and cell phone use. I have had several drivers either swerve into my car or turn in front of me while on cell phones. The insanity has to stop.

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

jeffa_203 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:10:06 GMT

Here's a thought -- stop driving all together. :D

Easy for me to say, i live in a city with great public transportation. Now i just have to deal with people walking on the sidewalk, not paying attention to their surroundings by talking on their cell phones. A bumped elbow is a nice reminder to pay attention. ;)

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

curious7 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:58:20 GMT

To all of those who make it a habit of talking, dailing, and texting, while trying to drive, please tell me what is so important about that phone call, or whatever which gives you permission to endanger the lives and well being of those with whom you share the road? We are not islands.

I say if there is an auto accident and those involved have a cell phone in the vehicle, the responsible party, if the lugs show they were on the phone at the time of the accident, should be fined $2000.00. If someone is injured, they should be charged with vehicular assault. If someone dies, they should be charged with vehicular manslaughter. Nuffsaid!

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

Nasby — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:54:40 GMT

A friend just sent me this video link about cell phones. Seeing what cell phones can do should give everybody countless "second thoughts" before holding these things next to your head. Being distracted while driving is not the only downside to their overuse:

Click, cut or past this URL into your web browser, then view the video

www.koreus.com/.../telephone-portable-mais-popcorn.html

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

FAIRNESS CESSITIES — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:57:44 GMT

I say, "To each his own". I have had cell phones since their inception. Though, at times, I used to get distracted while I was driving and talking on it, I learned how use it safely and effectively the more I used it while driving. Let's just say I can chew gum, talk on my cell phone and drive safely without a problem. I also love the freedom and ability to talk on it when "I" want to without people inflicting their opinions or beliefs on me.

For those of you who are irritated at people who talk on their cell phones for whatever reason, I think it's time to exercise some TOLERANCE & ACCEPTANCE. Homosexuals ask for it and most of us give it for crying out loud...here, we're talking about a cell phone! Hmm

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

ClareMary — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:08:01 GMT

My 18 year old daughter has now had two fender benders because of text-messaging. I thought this couldn't happen again as she surely got the message the first time. She was text-messaging and the turn lane next to her was moving, but her lane wasn't as it was still a red light. Without looking up, she went forward and hit the back of an older car just grazing it. $800 later, as the bumper supposedly had t be replaced (the insurance adjustor had a deal w/the autobody shop as it turns out), and having her insurance go up, that seemed to be a good lesson. 1 year later, she does the same exact thing, this time, the car she hit was brand new w/just the outer covering of the back light broken. However, the couple got out of their car and started screaming at her. The lady appeared fine, but two days later, she supposedly had 'whiplash' as she said her neck was hurting. It turns out she is full of ---t and the insurance co. is on to her. However, this is a 4 pt violation and the cop did not even issue an accident report as he said the damage was so minor. Bottom feeders like this woman do exist, unfortunately, and now my daughter has to deal w/another scenario of events related to insurance claims, etc.

A friend of mine was on the interstate when a woman on her cellphone hit her back end going 45 mph, and this was after she slowed down. Totalled her car and the woman was still on the phone when she hit her!! Hang up and drive!

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

granger — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:22:32 GMT

I think if more people would just use common sense and get over the "need" to feel connected all the time, we wouldn't need laws governing the use of cell phones. Too many people use cell phones to "gab," "ramble," and "gossip," like it's a form of entertainment. They're usually the same ones that drive 75 in a 60 mph zone because they think that "getting there" 2 minutes sooner is going to make some sort of difference in their lives.

Slow down (it'll save on gas!), get off the phone, put on some enjoyable music, and enjoy the ride. It's A LOT LESS STRESSFUL that way!

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

Peg Schwinger — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:55:02 GMT

While using my new GPS for the first time while alone in my car, I was very aware that this was even more distracting than talking on a cell phone. (a heads-up for first time GPS users). Meg

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

alaskabruce — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:26:32 GMT

I think this whole thing is a load of horse sh*t! Cops are on their radios and cell phones FREQUENTLY. Are they then driving 'drunk'? Truckers are on CB radios and/or cell phones frequently, and are among the safest drivers (based on accident free miles driven per year) out there. I can talk and drive just fine as can millions of people. There are also millions of people who can't. There are also millions of people who are just plain lousy drivers.

The key is to know your abilities and limits. If you can't drive a large truck stay out of them. If you can't operate a chainsaw, don't. If you can't talk and drive, don't. We have enough laws already. There is NO current proof that shows the states which allow cell phone use have more cell phone related accidents than the states which ban them.

Just because someone writes a persuasive (if incorrect) article, and just because J Mercola agrees with it, doesn't mean you are not still allowed to think for yourself!

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

marvel — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:07:17 GMT

Stainless steel leaches out nickel both in cookware and even in dental braces. Surgical stainless steel is not even as bio-compatible as titanium, the latter of which is not tolerated by between 5% and 6% of people, according to a dentist I asked who does titanium dental implants.

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

Fred Potter — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:04:04 GMT

Quite true Dr Mercola. However I think the most dangerous thing of all is is sleepiness. I have had this when on certain p/s drugs. Long straight roads are worse as they as they have a mesmeric effect. And if you have sleep apnoea it's deadly. What's more, in this case, a nap doesn't seem to help.

Fred

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

helpothers — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:31:34 GMT

I just have to get this off my chest - I cannot believe people who are so integrated to their cellphone. I see people walking their dogs and talking, I see kids riding skateboards and bikes and talking. I even witnessed a man with his mother on mother's day at a restaurant who took no less than 10 calls during the hour he sat with his mother - I would have got up and left. I have heard people in public restrooms who talk on their phones. Insanity. It is like they think life will stop if they do not answer their phone. I rarely even answer my home phone and I couldn't imagine going for a walk and talking - ugh! Sometimes you just want some peace. It is amazing how we survived all this time without cell phones and now people can't seem to live without them. SAD!

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

Michael Boxenbaum — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:30:21 GMT

Did you ever drive for miles while talking on your cell phone and realize that you do not really remember the drive?

As part time professor of communications and marketing classes at Hamline University, Saint Paul, Minnesota, I teach my graduate students that, no matter how intelligent one thinks he or she is, one cannot listen and fully comprehend...and also read and fully comprehend at the same time. It is impossible. This was taught to me by Dr. Richard Steele, who was trained at Harvard and Stanford in speech pathology. In my class, we conduct simple experiments to prove this fact. And it never fails.

Likewise, it makes sense that the human brain, with all of its amazing capabilties, will simply not allow for the full array of sensory skills such as reading traffic signs and other visual and auditory clues to permit safe driving while one is talking on a cell phone - even if on a head set. While I cringe at the overabundance of regulations on so many things in our society, this is one area that may deserve more attention.

Michael J. Boxenbaum

re: Why You'll Crash Your Car if You Talk on Your Cell Phone

Timo — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:33:32 GMT

A few years ago a driver in the UK was fined for eating a Mars bar at the wheel (apparently he was also speeding but the equipment in the police car was faulty and they couldn't charge him for this, hence they pulled him over for not being in full control of his car). However, there was a public outcry, the fine was cancelled and the Police issued a grovelling apology. It obviously pays to have a good lawyer. Previously, again in the UK, a woman was fined for applying make-up while stopped at traffic lights. This time the fine stuck!

Best example I have seen personally is a pregnant woman driver with a phone in one hand, cigarette in the other and steering with her "bump" (driving lesson for junior?).

I now live in Spain (Valencia) where it is illegal to drive and use a cell phone, even pulled over to the side of the road (the police wisely foresaw that having a lot of vehicles suddenly pulling over to the side of the road would create its own dangers). Drivers make up for this "infringement of their liberties" by regularly running red lights and ignoring priorities at pedestrian crossings (no traffic cameras here as far as I can tell). Seems like no amount of legislation will make roads safer until (some) drivers change their attitudes.