# Banning Cell Phone Use In Cars **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 30, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141 "2012-08-30T13:59:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/21 "2012-08-30T16:29:10Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Mythbusters took this one on - is driving while talking on a cell phone as dangerous as driving while drunk? The conclusion was yes, that was confirmed. Part one of three parts [can be viewed here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vFcIpzF7pc). > > I would hypothesize that a cell phone is more distracting than a passenger because the passenger is at least partially aware of the driving situation, and may alter the flow of the conversation depending on how busy the driver is. In a cell phone conversation, the person on the other end can’t tell if traffic is calm or heavy. (Admittedly, the cell phone conversation Adam and Kari were having with Jamie was deliberately constructed so as to be distracting.) Think about what you do when talking on the phone. Most people zone out a bit, the focus is not on the surroundings but on the person on the other end of the conversation. When you talk to someone in person it seems that most people don’t zone out on the local environment like they do when talking on a cell. Next time you are with someone who takes a call, watch them. Most people get that ‘I’m looking around but not actually seeing anything’ look. I know I zone out when I am on the phone. Hell, I can barely type and talk on the phone at the same time. Slee ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/22 "2012-08-30T16:31:06Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > \ > But banning Bluetooth too? How is that significantly different than talking to a passenger in the car with you?\ All the studies have found that the distraction of cellphone usage while driving was the conversation, not holding the phone up to your head. People who want to talk on a device while driving like to use the passenger excuse, but it is different. We got an anti-distracted driving law in Alberta about a year ago, and after the first blitz of enforcement, I’d say it has made little difference here. I see people talking on cellphones and texting while driving daily. I don’t know for sure, but it seems like enforcement of the laws is non-existent, and people know that and act accordingly. I think the only way we’re going to see people stopping cellphone usage and texting while driving is to put signal jammers in cars - everyone thinks they can talk safely while driving, and everyone is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/23 "2012-08-30T16:32:34Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > Most people get that ‘I’m looking around but not actually seeing anything’ look. Most people that I see on the phone don’t even have the looking around thing going on, they just stare at a blank part of space like the person they’re talking to is there. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/24 "2012-08-30T16:32:52Z")
[quote=“Drunky\_Smurf, post:20, topic:633141”] > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > the part about the passenger knowing the driving conditions doesn’t really matter as the passenger isn’t driving…QUOTE] > > Of course it matters. Are you saying that because the passenger isn’t driving they are completely unaware of whats going on around the car? While you are blindly blabbing on about the most pointless thing and staring at the passenger instead of the road the passenger can noticed that traffic is slowing down and say “Holy shit traffic is stopping!” > > I used to have a friend and after a time I refused to be a passenger in her car because when she would talk to me she would completely turn her head to the right and stare at me for a good 5-10 seconds while she talked. She almost hit my car once because of that and she would have if I didn’t yell, “Watch out for my car!” Last I heard of her, many years ago, she had totaled two cars. Well, speaking only for myself, I keep my cellphone usage to a minimum when I drive. I don’t have a problem talking on the phone while driving but I am aware that others do. I don’t have pointless conversations while driving…they are very brief and concise and I don’t text while driving. The point I was making is that I am skilled enough as a driver that I don’t need a passenger’s input to prevent anything from happening because that’s my job as the driver, whether I am on the phone or not. My eyes don’t leave the road as I tell to my phone to place a call and I can answer or end calls by feel. I am not going to say that it isn’t a little bit distracting, because it is, but its no less so than blaring the radio or eating while driving. In fact, eating is worse, at least for me. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/25 "2012-08-30T16:33:38Z")
As long as they don’t ban playing video games on your Nintendo DS then I’m good ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/26 "2012-08-30T16:36:29Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > Hell, I can barely type and talk on the phone at the same time. > > Slee To me this is harder to do than talking on the phone while driving. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/27 "2012-08-30T16:39:28Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > \ I don’t have a problem talking on the phone while driving but I am aware that others do. \ Uh huh - have you actually tested this with a local driving instructor or something? I believe that everyone who is still talking on cellphones while driving believes this, while the people driving around them are looking on in disbelief as they speed up and slow down, weave in and out of their lane, make changes without signals, and generally Mr. Magoo their way down the street. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/28 "2012-08-30T16:42:40Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Uh huh - have you actually tested this with a local driving instructor or something? I believe that everyone who is still talking on cellphones while driving believes this, while the people driving around them are looking on in disbelief as they speed up and slow down, weave in and out of their lane, make changes without signals, and generally Mr. Magoo their way down the street. I have seen other people do exactly as you describe, but I don’t do that, ever. Again, I am not going to say that being on the phone while driving doesn’t diminish my ability to drive _at all_, because it does, just like having a couple beers then driving would. And by a couple I mean exactly two. I am comfortable driving in either scenario. And please believe me when I say that I rarely talk on the phone while driving and anyone that calls me has to immediately get to the point. If I am in heavy traffic, a snowstorm, or anything like that, I won’t answer or place a call. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/29 "2012-08-30T16:56:01Z")
Actually talking to other teens in the same car is EXTREMELY distracting for teenage drivers. It is one of the most significant crash risks identified for teenaged drivers. ([http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teenbrief/](http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teenbrief/)). In states with graduated licesning, you have to pass a probationary period before you can have other teens in the car. So, I wouldn’t say it is MORE distracting that talking with people in the car, but that is extremely distracting, and often forbidden to beginner drivers. I have no problem whatsoever forbidding its logical equivalent, hands-free cell phones, for teen drivers. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/30 "2012-08-30T17:02:10Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Actually talking to other teens in the same car is EXTREMELY distracting for teenage drivers. It is one of the most significant crash risks identified for teenaged drivers. ([http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teenbrief/](http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teenbrief/)). In states with graduated licesning, you have to pass a probationary period before you can have other teens in the car. So, I wouldn’t say it is MORE distracting that talking with people in the car, but that is extremely distracting, and often forbidden to beginner drivers. I have no problem whatsoever forbidding its logical equivalent, hands-free cell phones, for teen drivers. Wow, that’s a great cite. When you put it that way…I suppose you’re right. And me with two boys aged 10 and 7…its only a matter of time before I hear “Dad…can I borrow the Mustang tonight?” ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/31 "2012-08-30T23:19:43Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Indiana has already totally banned any type of wireless device usage while driving for everyone. But its also secondary, so people ignore it. You had me worried for a minute, but I looked it up. Yes, in Indiana texting is out for everyone (I knew this) but cell phone use is only prohibited for people under 18. Also, it is considered a primary law so you can be pulled over for that alone. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/32 "2012-08-30T23:30:28Z")
Re attention: When my wife is talking to someone in person, I can interrupt her readily. When she is on the phone, she is uninterruptable. My mother was exactly the same way. I have two conjectures as to possible explanations. First, when the other person or persons are there, they can see and hear me and it is less distracting. But another possible explanation is that it simply requires more attention to talk on the phone. Why? When you talk in person all sorts of non-verbal cues accompany the conversation. They are missing when you talk on the phone and the same amount of communication simply needs closer attention. Both explanations could play a role. If I am a passenger, I can see that there might be a problem requiring me to shut up. But also, I can see that the driver is paying particular attention to the road situation and desist from talking. It is a totally different situation from talking on the phone. And texting! Well, that is really too much. Why not read a novel while driving? Many years ago, I was passing someone on the Indiana Toll road (I-90) and I realized he had a book resting on his steering wheel. As I passed him, I glanced over and it was a bible! May god help him. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/33 "2012-08-30T23:33:45Z")
[The laws where I am.](http://www.police.act.gov.au/roads-and-traffic/use-of-mobile-phones.aspx) No talking/texting/operation a phone while driving unless it’s in a hands-free mount and can be voice operated. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/34 "2012-08-31T00:10:53Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I think the only way we’re going to see people stopping cellphone usage and texting while driving is to put signal jammers in cars - everyone thinks they can talk safely while driving, and everyone is wrong. I think there is another way. As I noted in some other post around here (this cellphone/driving topic has come up before, as well), the legislators could resist the insurance companies’ lobbying efforts and money and throw the matter back into the insurance companies’ laps: Just as they routinely include clauses that reduce or refuse claims payments for Acts of God or inuries received while participating in riots, they can include a simple clause that says they can refuse to pay a claim for injuries received while simultaneouslly operating a cell phone and a vehicle. Pair that with a very fragile clock that will stop during a collision and, if there’s any doubt, the carrier’s records can be subpeonaed and the time-of-incident correlated with the last-time-of-connection. People can either pay more for additional insurance to cover their distracted driving or they can save money and leave the phone off. I think when people realize there’s a real financial loss (repairing a crumpled bumper costs more out-of-pocket than an DWD ticket) involved with any cellular usage while driving, they’ll knock it off. —G! “I’m sorry, Billy, but my insurance policy forbids active participation in a gun battle. Can’t have that runnin’ out now!” . —Alex McSween (Terry O’Quinn) . declining Billy’s offer of . a pistol to defend his house. . Young Guns ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/35 "2012-08-31T00:40:30Z")
> [@Grestarian](#): > > I think there is another way. As I noted in some other post around here (this cellphone/driving topic has come up before, as well), the legislators could resist the insurance companies’ lobbying efforts and money and throw the matter back into the insurance companies’ laps: Just as they routinely include clauses that reduce or refuse claims payments for Acts of God or inuries received while participating in riots, they can include a simple clause that says they can refuse to pay a claim for injuries received while simultaneouslly operating a cell phone and a vehicle. Pair that with a very fragile clock that will stop during a collision and, if there’s any doubt, the carrier’s records can be subpeonaed and the time-of-incident correlated with the last-time-of-connection. > > People can either pay more for additional insurance to cover their distracted driving or they can save money and leave the phone off. I think when people realize there’s a real financial loss (repairing a crumpled bumper costs more out-of-pocket than an DWD ticket) involved with any cellular usage while driving, they’ll knock it off. Aside from the fact that your proposal doesn’t provide any particular disincentive for running over a pedestrian, its main flaw is that it doesn’t address the fundamental problem: people believe that _they_ can drive safely while on the phone. Your proposal isn’t going to affect them because _they_ won’t get in an accident. The only way we’re going to stop people from phoning/texting while driving is by somehow convincing them that it’s too damn dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/36 "2012-08-31T02:17:22Z")
If a driver is caught, the Police should be able to confiscate the driver’s phone. Pick it up when you come to court for your hearing or when you begin paying the hefty insurance surcharge. If it’s really that dangerous to others on the road or to pedestrians, what’s wrong with that punishment? ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/37 "2012-08-31T02:41:05Z")
Driving? Hell, it should be illegal to walk and use the cellphone. I can’t count the number of times pedestrians have wandered into the crosswalk against the light and into my driving path because they’re just chattering away into that stupid little box. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/38 "2012-08-31T03:23:56Z")
The Washington State cell phone law is crap. It is a violation only if you are caught _holding a cell phone to your ear_. Using it in any other position is not a violation. Some law enforcement agencies will enforce the law more strictly than others. The fine is $124. I think there needs to be an incentive for law enforcement to actually do their job: [ul] [li]Double the base fine to $250. Subsequent offenses within a year trigger a doubling of the fine ($500 then $1,000), with the real kicker, … an 80 percent kickback of the fine imposed back to the department issuing the ticket. Yeah, make it a revenue raiser and tell the public about it.[/li][li]If the cellphone abuse contributed to an accident, make it a minimum $2,000 fine.[/li][li]Make it a recordable offense so it impacts upon the abuser’s insurance rates.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![tossup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@tossup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tossup)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/39 "2012-08-31T03:32:08Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > The Washington State cell phone law is crap. It is a violation only if you are caught _holding a cell phone to your ear_. Using it in any other position is not a violation. Some law enforcement agencies will enforce the law more strictly than others. The fine is $124. > > I think there needs to be an incentive for law enforcement to actually do their job: > [ul] > [li]Double the base fine to $250. Subsequent offenses within a year trigger a doubling of the fine ($500 then $1,000), with the real kicker, … an 80 percent kickback of the fine imposed back to the department issuing the ticket. Yeah, make it a revenue raiser and tell the public about it.[/li][li]If the cellphone abuse contributed to an accident, make it a minimum $2,000 fine.[/li][li]Make it a recordable offense so it impacts upon the abuser’s insurance rates.[/li][/ul] =========== I live in southern California; and although we do have a pretty good cell phone usage fine, I still see many people driving with a cell phone to their ear; or holding the phone in front of them (speakerphone). I even see it happening on the 5 freeway, where it is especially dangerous. Most Californian drivers are speed crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141/40 "2012-08-31T06:46:57Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Re attention: When my wife is talking to someone in person, I can interrupt her readily. When she is on the phone, she is uninterruptable. My mother was exactly the same way. I have two conjectures as to possible explanations. First, when the other person or persons are there, they can see and hear me and it is less distracting. But another possible explanation is that it simply requires more attention to talk on the phone. Why? When you talk in person all sorts of non-verbal cues accompany the conversation. They are missing when you talk on the phone and the same amount of communication simply needs closer attention. Both explanations could play a role. If I am a passenger, I can see that there might be a problem requiring me to shut up. But also, I can see that the driver is paying particular attention to the road situation and desist from talking. It is a totally different situation from talking on the phone. And texting! Well, that is really too much. Why not read a novel while driving? Many years ago, I was passing someone on the Indiana Toll road (I-90) and I realized he had a book resting on his steering wheel. As I passed him, I glanced over and it was a bible! May god help him. Another reason phone conversations take more attention than in-person conversations, at least for me, is sound quality. My hearing is normal, so far as I can determine without having had it professionally tested, but I do have to pay more attention on the phone to clearly understand what the other person is saying. Speech seems clearer in person. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-cell-phone-use-in-cars/633141.md?page=3)