Should The Use Of Cell Phones Be Restricted While Driving?

Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006
by Jennette Dallatore,

 

A study by Strayer and Drews found that people who talk on their cell phone while driving regardless if they are 17 or 65 years of age had an amazing 18% delayed reaction when coming to a stop. The study also showed that it takes drivers 17% longer to get back the speed they lost while quickly breaking.

These researchers also were responsible for showing that motorists who talk on the phone while driving were more impaired than drivers that had been drinking and had a blood alcohol level over 0.08.

So again I ask; should the use of cell phones be restricted while driving?

A fourteen year old boy from Minneapolis feels strongly about getting motorists to wait until out of the car to have a conversation on their cell phone. It all started when he was in the car with his older sister and a gentleman on a cell phone came extremely close to swerving into their car. Since then, he has gone as far as meeting with a representative on the House Transportation Committee and sharing his thoughts and opinions with the American Automobile Association.

To this day, many states are weighing the option of banning cell phone use in cars while driving to doubling fines for drivers that can’t wait those couple minutes to talk on the phone. The way I see it is there are so many people out there that still have not mastered the skill of driving, why add a distraction like cell phones to the equation?

On the other side, is it really fair to discipline realtor’s, doctors, traveling business men and women that need access to their cell phones at all time? Should we be asked to take a driving test that includes driving while talking on the cell phone? What about truck drivers that spend their entire days and nights on the road, should we fine them? How do we draw the line or when will the line be drawn for us?

• Comments
•  

Lorraine PIpkins

Wednesday, October 17, 2007I think cell phone use is as bad as driving drunk. You can't concetrate on other things while driving. I tried to do it and almost caused and accident. I meant to put my foot on the brake and put it on the pedal and speeded up almost hitting a car in front of me who had stopped for a red light. Yes, make it against the law and fine people the same as for dui, call it driving while talking??

Jim

Friday, April 21, 2006Last evening, while driving my wife and dog home from great walk in a park, we were coming down a steep winding hill when suddenly, a large SUV came swerving around the bend in our lane and they swerved back a few yard before a head on collision...I looked at the young driver with cellphone attached to her pea brained head...I have had many similar experiences, but this was the scariest... I believe it's time for serious action about careless driving/cellphone use. Maybe we can create a groundswell movement like "Get off your Flipping Phone Fridays"...everyone carry eggs or water balloons to throw at cars with drivers on their phones...something, anything to finally get a message across!!!

Drew Mason

Tuesday, March 21, 2006I think it should either be restricted or you should be required to have a hands-free kit in your car in order to place and receive calls. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people on the highway drive partially in to other lanes - come to find out while passing them that they are on a cell phone of course.

Frank B

Tuesday, March 21, 2006I agree with you. I know some states already have fines for driving while on the cell phone. More to come i'm sure

Thanks for submitting your comment.Your comment will be reviewed and made available for everyone to read shortly.

Add a comment

There are two easy ways to submit your comment

1. Sign in if you are already a member, or join PhoneDog for a free account- this way you won't have to re-enter your information on subsequent comment posts. Additionally you'll receive all these great benefits of being a PhoneDog community member.
   Or,
2. Submit your comment without registering by using the form below

Display name

E-mail

Spam block

Don't forget to submit your entry for the "PhoneDog Days of Summer" Giveaway!
Win one of over 30 of the hottest new cell phones - no registration, no spam! Just PhoneDog sharing some goodies with our visitors & loyal fans! Thanks and keep the comments coming!