Alberta govt to ban the use of cell phones and other driver distractions

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Methanolic

Easy to enforce this one. Just call "Nanny" @ 3-1-1 ......And It'll set off a chain reaction of tattle tales ratting on each other.....

Sounds a lot like Germany and Russia in the latter half of the last century.

I just think people should be responsible for their own actions, if they get into an accident then chock up being on a cell phone as 'contributory negligence' just like not wearing a seatbelt.

[MelBridgeman]

Just pull them over and give them a good tasering...

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

I believe some people can talk on the cell phone and drive properly at the same time.

No. No you cant. Some people think they can drive while talking on their cell phone and in fact are completely unaware of how they are driving like a moronic $h!tthead because they are on the phone.

It's about time, I hope the punishment is so severe people will cry when they are caught. The fine should doubled if you also drive a minivan.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by Russic

This to me sounds like the rambling of the drunk guy at the party that proclaims he's a better driver when he's smashed.

Why do you say that?

[Devils'Advocate]

I don't see the difference between talking on a hands-free headset and talking to the guy in the passenger seat.....

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by Locke

Sounds a lot like Germany and Russia in the latter half of the last century.

I just think people should be responsible for their own actions, if they get into an accident then chock up being on a cell phone as 'contributory negligence' just like not wearing a seatbelt.

Ya shame on you when you kill a family of four because you weren't sure if you needed to get milk on the way home.

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by Locke

Sounds a lot like Germany and Russia in the latter half of the last century.

I just think people should be responsible for their own actions, if they get into an accident then chock up being on a cell phone as 'contributory negligence' just like not wearing a seatbelt.

Agreed.

They've been teaching us that we are NOT responsible enough to make decisions on our own, and there's in lies the incremental decay of our liberties.


The only reason I like this leg. is cause I hate having to take work calls when I'm on the road, now I've got a free pass.

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I don't see the difference between talking on a hands-free headset and talking to the guy in the passenger seat.....

According to a study I read a while back there isn't. Although photon makes a good point in that the actual dialing could be more distracting.

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I don't see the difference between talking on a hands-free headset and talking to the guy in the passenger seat.....

Correct, people talking or arguing with their passenger, usually turning their head and eyes from the road to look at them constantly are also terrible drivers and should be slapped... unfortunatly if you ticketed people for being stupid almost no one would have any money.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Locke

I just think people should be responsible for their own actions, if they get into an accident then chock up being on a cell phone as 'contributory negligence' just like not wearing a seatbelt.

What about the drivers that are affect by thier stupidity?

Why should we be forced to endure the actions of said driver?

I dread the thought of my vehicle ending up in a body shop because of some stupid driver.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Methanolic

Agreed.

They've been teaching us that we are NOT responsible enough to make decisions on our own, and there's in lies the incremental decay of our liberties.

I think people have shown that they can't make responsible decisions when driving.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I don't see the difference between talking on a hands-free headset and talking to the guy in the passenger seat.....

Dude, LOOK!

Big difference.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I don't see the difference between talking on a hands-free headset and talking to the guy in the passenger seat.....

The only difference I see is the guy riding shotgun is far more aware of the drivers situation then the guy on the phone and more than likely will shut up when your trying to merge or waiting to turn left at an iterection or something.

I'm all for fining boneheads who text or talk with a phone to their head, not sure I'm thriled that using a phone with a headset will also be a no no.

I've been hoping for a ban of cell phone use without a bluetooth but this may be a little much.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Locke

I just think people should be responsible for their own actions, if they get into an accident then chock up being on a cell phone as 'contributory negligence' just like not wearing a seatbelt.

Isn't it the law to wear a seatbelt though? Sounds like banning cell-phones would be enforcing a safety measure for the public good... kind of like mandating seatbelt use. Hardly an epic example of this country's slide toward's fascism.

[Superfraggle]

I'm all for it. I fully admit that I will answer my phone while in the car. I also speed on occasion. I shouldn't do either, and fully deserve a ticket if I get caught. Bigger consequences if there's an accident as well, since I chose to increase those risks.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Methanolic

Agreed. They've been teaching us that we are NOT responsible enough to make decisions on our own, and there's in lies the incremental decay of our liberties.

Do you believe that drunk driving should be legal?

[kevman]

It's a good indication of a path Alberta might follow -- though next door in B.C., the association of police chiefs is asking for a total ban, including hands-free.

Ah man, I just got bluetooth and it's freaking wonderful!

"It would have to be, because the minute you start splitting hairs, where you're saying it's OK here but not here, then you leave gaps in the law, and you confuse the public," said Szarko.

So, cellphones -> gps -> ipods -> cds -> stereo -> climate controls -> traction control switches -> manual transmission...

Ok, that's a little far but you can easily make the argument that playing a CD is as dangerous, if not more, then using your Ipod. I also have to take my eyes off the road when I want to adjust the EQ on my stereo or when I adjust my AC. I can't find my traction control button or 4x4 switch by feel either...

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Do you believe that drunk driving should be legal?

Exactly. They HAVE been teaching us that we are not responsible enough to make the right decisions on our own all the time, and they're right. Not enough of us are.

Our liberties should not extend to taking liberties with others' safety.

[Mark]

I'm sure some people felt their freedoms were being infringed upon when drinking and driving became illegal too...
I think there is an overwhelming amount of evidence to support these new laws.

[KTrain]

If you end up getting the Bluetooth headset for driving, make sure you leave it in the car or at the very least take it off your ear. Don't be the ###### that walks around the mall with it on your ear.