# Is cell phone use in cars really dangerous? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [February 10, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855 "2006-02-10T14:03:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![SlowMindThinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@SlowMindThinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlowMindThinking)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/141 "2006-02-18T17:07:56Z")
> [@cellphoneuser](#): > > SUVs are more dangerous to the AVERAGE sized vehicle when the two are involved in an accident. So , because it is convenient for you to use one, you don’t mind that your enhanced safety comes on the backs of those who don’t (or can’t afford) to drive one. > > More later. I don’t disagree. Of course, at least half the vehicles up here are SUVs, and half of the rest are pick up trucks, which helps a bit. If you know of a good, large alternative that has 4WD, let me know. No, minivans can not navigate my driveway, and full size vans are impossible to drive in the snow, unless you get the extended versions, which are really tippy, even compared to SUVs. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/142 "2006-02-18T18:29:58Z")
Cellphoneuser says: > [@](#): > > Yes, I do. (Or did) My wife felt the risk is too great, so I gave it up when we were dating. (She really DOES think they should be banned.) Try keeping upright in stop & go traffic. Of course you can do it. It’s second nature now. But it took time and practice to get there and be comfortable with it. And as far as difficult to handle, well I’m sure you’ll agree that it takes a little more muscle and coordination than driving a car to get things properly set before taking off. Wow, not at all. Maybe if you had a big Harley that would be true, but my sportbike only weighs 300 lbs. and is way zippier and more agile than most cars. The fact that you keep saying that you “don’t see motorcycles” when you’re driving just points out how inattentive you are while driving a car. Using a cell phone at the same time certainly can’t help. There are lots of things one can do to drive defensively, be alert and aware of possible risks in traffic. I admit I often don’t do all of them when I’m driving a car. But I do all of them when I’m on a motorcycle (including working hard not to be in anybody’s “blind spot.”). You’re just one of those “yeah, but…” contrary posters, though, cellphoneuser. I just wanted to talk about motorcycles, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/143 "2006-02-19T07:46:07Z")
> [@cellphoneuser](#): > > Everyone is trying to split hairs over what is an acceptable distraction while driving. I have a problem with that. Someone said “Just that statistically, driving while on a cell phone is more dangerous than not.” PLEASE insert you favorite non-driving related activity here. It holds true for all of them. A few years ago, actually, there was a billboard campaign in the Bay Area against eating while driving. I don’t do it myself. I’ve seen all sorts of distractions. Not all distracted drivers are cell phone users - just the vast majority. There are already laws against the other distraction, under the term distracted driving, but I don’t see how you’re going to write laws to ban all of them, except under the umbrella of distraction. You only need a specific law if lots of people think the action is not distracting - like you, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/144 "2006-02-20T21:32:39Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > A few years ago, actually, there was a billboard campaign in the Bay Area against eating while driving. I’ve also seen several campaigns against distracting billboards. Which is worse, eating chicken nuggets while driving, or ogling the 20-foot-tall buxom bikini-clad babe toting (and touting) beer bottles on a billboard when you ought to be watching the road? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/145 "2006-02-20T21:47:16Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > A few years ago, actually, there was a billboard campaign in the Bay Area against eating while driving. I’ve also seen several campaigns against distracting billboards. Which is worse, eating chicken nuggets while driving, or ogling the 20-foot-tall buxom bikini-clad babe toting (and touting) beer bottles on a billboard when you ought to be watching the road? ---
**Author:** ![PBear42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PBear42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PBear42)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/146 "2006-02-20T23:06:48Z")
At least it perks you up. Which reminds me of a thought I had a couple days ago. A comment was made at one point about how fiddling with radios is distracting and estimated to cause quite a few crashes. Occurs to me, though, that radios also have a salutory effect, in that they help ward off sleepiness and fatigue, which I have read are a major cause of accidents. Don’t know of any studies comparing the two effects, but strikes me as likely the benefit outweighs the harm. Don’t see how a similar argument can be made in favor of cell phones. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/147 "2006-02-21T00:43:45Z")
> [@PBear42](#): > > Occurs to me, though, that radios also have a salutory effect, in that they help ward off sleepiness and fatigue, which I have read are a major cause of accidents. Don’t know of any studies comparing the two effects, but strikes me as likely the benefit outweighs the harm. Don’t see how a similar argument can be made in favor of cell phones. Depends on who you’re calling. There are a few 900 numbers out there that could probably keep you awake… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![PBear42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PBear42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PBear42)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855/148 "2006-02-21T00:51:19Z")
Ooh, can you imagine explainin’ that to the missus if you had an accident? Cuz, of course, the lawyers are gonna get a copy of your cell phone records. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cell-phone-use-in-cars-really-dangerous/343855.md?page=7)