Jacob Sollum discusses something that has been a pet peeve of mine for a long time– state laws banning the use of hand held cell phones while driving:
Not only is the ban–similar to rules in New York, New Jersey, and D.C.–hard to enforce, but it may actually contribute to driver distraction by creating the impression that hands-free phones are safe to use. Research indicates that it’s focusing on the conversation, as opposed to holding the phone, that’s the problem. And cell phone bans leave untouched myriad activities that can distract drivers and make accidents more likely, including use of various other electronic devices.
The problem is not that people have something in their hand- otherwise we would ban drinking coffee while driving, eating a burger, etc. The problem is the cognitive interference created from the conversation.
I have a proposal- Congress and state legislatures are hereby forbidden to propose or vote on issues they haven’t spent at least 6 months studying. I further propose exams on proposed legislation to demonstrate they have some understanding of the basic problem they are trying to address and what their proposed remedies will actually do before they are allowed to vote on the bill.
Of course, then Congress would pass very, very, few laws. I am sure th country will survive.
Opinionated Vogon
I agree that another unenforced law on the books would do little to curb the dangers posed by careless drivers on the phone. Every state already has in place laws regarding unsafe operations and failure to control your vehicle.
But then ask yourself, when is the last time you saw some driver on the phone, who was wandering from his/her lane, or panic braking due to delayed response time, cited by the police?
Cell phone use is the tip of the iceberg. To focus on that ignores the elephant in the room. People make a regular habit out of unsafe practices while driving. The fact that we, the American people, accept the 100+ daily auto related deaths and still allow people to drive with casualness and callousness, speaks volumes.
My opinion is that you should not be permitted to do anything while driving that you wouldn’t do when taking your drivers liscense exam. Example: I have never seen a driver ticketed for unsafe operation when they drive their car with the driver seat as far back away from the controls as they can get and with the seatback in a near horizontal position, what in slang is clled “gangster lean”. Does anyone think if you took your drivers road test and sat in that position you would pass?
The near total lack of enforcement makes it more dangerous for everyone. We don’t need another unenforced law to be ignored. We need responsible enforcement of the existing laws! :
CadillaqJaq
Let’s start first by enacting legislation [probably by referendum] that would force everyone currently holding office, or seeking elected office to pass a psychological profile. Get rid of the loony-toons and maybe we’d get rid of some of the loony laws still on the books.
wild bird
Dont you get a little tired of some legislator making laws on how you live your life? why do these senators and congressmen think they should take care of us? why dont they just go cut the budget instead and make big cuts in the tax and spend policies especialy robby byrd
Bob
Vogon is on target. There are laws on the books about unsafe operation of a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, in any given day each individual driver doesn’t have the right to arrest drivers for talking on their phones while driving, or lighting a cigarette while drifting across lanes or changing a tape or CD or chatting with a passenger or disciplining a kid in the back seat.
Cadillac is under the delusion that the band of psychotics he worships could withstand an honest pyschological examination.
Bob
wild bird, you are under the misimpression that you don’t live in a society. Bands of hunter-gatherers have rules, very strict rules. In a liberal democracy, you are allowed personal freedom as long as you don’t transgress someone else’s rights. So those crazy legislators pass laws that prevent people from drinking and driving.
I personally find the whole idea of roadblocks to search for drunk drivers reprehensible and unconstitutional, but that kind of law has withstood challenges to the Supreme Court.
But don’t worry about the senators and congressmen thinking that they can take care of you. They’re taking care of the corporations that own them now.
Well, they’re taking care of you in another way.
CadillaqJaq
And Bob, good ol’ Bob, is under the illusion that I’m deluded and worship a band of psychotics. LMAO!
Bob, go to your room, you’ve wet yourself again…
Birkel
Mr. Cole,
The problem is the legislature is under the delusion that all problems can be solved. Some can’t, of course.
The legislators act as if their jobs require them to pass laws. Unfortunately, the only contact those legislators have with the public is when people write to complain that (as Bill Maher opines) there oughta be a law. So there is no push back against the stupid laws until they’ve already been passed. And to repeal would be to admit the passing was stupid.
Kimmitt
why dont they just go cut the budget instead and make big cuts in the tax and spend policies especialy robby byrd
Approximately 3/4 of the Federal budget consists of Medicare/Medicaid, unemployment insurance, Social Security, debt service, and military spending.
If you want to cut the budget any significant amount, you are going to have to slash one or more of these programs in a non-trivial fashion. Which one(s)?
JKC
If you’re going to ban cell phone use in cars, what about two-way radios? In-car nav systems? CD players?
Bad ideas, one and all. Ticket people for unsafe driving if they’re driving unsafely. Otherwise, leave ’em alone.