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

[pylon]

As someone who had a friend killed by someone on a cell phone, and as a motorcyclist that was nearly killed myself by a person paying no attention using a cell phone I am all for it. There are a lot of studies out, and some of them are citing cell phones as being twice as lethal as drunk driving. I am what you would consider a far better than average driver. I have taking some very advanced driving courses like the Porsche Driving experience and more motorcycle performace riding courses than I can remember where speeds creep close to the 300 kph mark, and I will freely admit my driving skills are hampered when I am on a cell phone. And handsfree still requires a distraction on most systems for dialing or searching a number. It is the act of dialing the phone, or searching for a number the takes the average drivers eyes off the road for an average of 4 seconds and is the biggest lapse. At 110 km/hr that is an eternity.

edit:
I believe the average lapse in judgement for a drunk driver is 1.2 seconds, or about a third of the cell phone dialer.

[Resolute 14]

Just google "cell phone driving studies".

There is no shortage of commentary on the dangers of driving will talking on a cell phone.

If it were presently legal, and the government proposed to ban drunk driving, I wonder how many against banning driving will distracted would oppose that as well?

[RubberDuck]

I would be curious to know the ages of some of these posters that think this law is stupid. I would wager that not one of them is over 25. Anyone care to dispell my theory?

The invincibility (stupidity) of youth.

[Gozer]

I see this as another case of gov't catching up to popular opinion and legislating it.

Pretty much all they do.

[Igottago]

I fully support the ban.

All it takes is one millisecond of a distraction that can result in serious injury, or worse.

Are there other distractions? Sure there are. But why not reduce the number of distractions we have in cars. Just because a,b and c are a distraction too, doesn't mean that d should still be allowed to continue.

The most dangerous thing we do every day is drive, yet we fail to realize it. Anything that forces drivers to focus on the task at hand is a good thing in my books.

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by kevman

Ok, fair enough. Where do we stop? IMO, my brother reaching in to his back seat to get his CD book and flipping through the pages on his lap is more dangerous than me scrolling through my Ipod. So I think changing CD's should be illegal while driving. No big deal, just pull over when your CD is done right? How about taking a jacket off while driving? Reaching for a water bottle from the back seat? Obviously these should be illegal too! I probably shouldn't tell you this but...sometimes, when I've been driving for hours and I'm on a relatively safe stretch of road I'll sit cross legged while using cruise control. This should definitely be illegal!

My point isn't about it being safe to talk on the phone (ok it kind of is) it's more about where do you draw the line? Furthermore, in my opinion a lot of these so called dangerous activities can be done safely and that's where the law regarding driving without due care comes into play.

Is this a give them an inch and they will take a mile thing? Personally I'd be happy if it was just cell phones... we all inherit certain risks when we get behind the wheel be it our own mistakes or those of others that cause it. I generally don't think much of other peoples driving, I think licenses are given out on a "well you tried really hard" mentality and I think they should be hard to get, it should be difficult and take training and real dedicated practice... but given that its not I don't know where they stop... this is a really good start in my opinion... I'm not one for unnecessary laws or over governing... but I believe they masses of stupid out there gave them no choice... I'm thankful for it as I'm fairly sure it will save me an accident in the future (as in being hit)... If they want to ticket someone for having fifi on her lap or your bro for changing CD's I'm ok with that too. The more often cops can financially impact people with bad driving habits the better imho... maybe they will have to take the bus. If that makes me a facist... so be it I guess... It's really only concerning this one area though.


Works over and so I'm out... I've said my piece, I am happy about this law... I think I have explained why... that will have to be good enough.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by RubberDuck

I would be curious to know the ages of some of these posters that think this law is stupid. I would wager that not one of them is over 25. Anyone care to dispell my theory?

The invincibility (stupidity) of youth.

Agreed. Its okay, soon they wont be able to afford to drive. We have instituted an instant fire policy at work for text messaging and facebooking on company time. It is at the point where the sub 25ish generation cannot function wihtout some form of social networking, or texting critical information like what they ordered at the sushi joint three days ago.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Igottago

The most dangerous thing we do every day is drive, yet we fail to realize it. Anything that forces drivers to focus on the task at hand is a good thing in my books.

That's what bothers me about this law. No one can fully oppose making people safer, but passing a law that picks out one (obvious) distraction and making it illegal isn't going to dramatically increase driver attentiveness.

Instead, people will file this law away in the back of their head and only use their phone for "this time because it's important" or they use their phone often but instead of texting with the phone at the horizon, they have the phone on their lap so they won't get a ticket.

The danger is that drivers don't treat driving as a life-threatening task - which it clearly is.

[Incogneto]

I only read the first page, but this is just another case of too much govt. Seriously, these people should have to travel around the world and see how countries can go one without the government telling us how we are supposed to live. In Asia, people are maniac drivers, and there are little to few problems (no more in comparable Canadian cities).

#### this pisses me off. Get out of our lives!

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Gozer

That's what bothers me about this law. No one can fully oppose making people safer, but passing a law that picks out one (obvious) distraction and making it illegal isn't going to dramatically increase driver attentiveness.

Instead, people will file this law away in the back of their head and only use their phone for "this time because it's important" or they use their phone often but instead of texting with the phone at the horizon, they have the phone on their lap so they won't get a ticket.

The danger is that drivers don't treat driving as a life-threatening task - which it clearly is.

I think it is. Cell phones are the single most distracting widespread technological change that drivers have had to deal with in the last 20 years. There are other things, but none have been as pervasive as cell phones. This law isn't coming out of nowhere, obviously cell phones have been a significant factor in safety on the roads. If eating pizza was a common factor in accidents as well, Im sure we would have legislation banning eating pizza from behind the wheel as well. But it just isn't as common a problem. Cell phones are a clear danger on the road. Its obvious. I don't see how anyone could really dispute that.

[RubberDuck]

In Asia, people are maniac drivers, and there are little to few problems (no more in comparable Canadian cities).

Do you have a link to back up this statement because I call BS. Motor vehicle accidents and deaths happen so frequently in those countries, they are not even news.

Any chance you are under 25?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

In Asia, people are maniac drivers, and there are little to few problems (no more in comparable Canadian cities).

Anecdotal evidence is awesome, but could you offer evidence that is slightly more concrete?

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Gozer

That's what bothers me about this law. No one can fully oppose making people safer, but passing a law that picks out one (obvious) distraction and making it illegal isn't going to dramatically increase driver attentiveness.

Instead, people will file this law away in the back of their head and only use their phone for "this time because it's important" or they use their phone often but instead of texting with the phone at the horizon, they have the phone on their lap so they won't get a ticket.

The danger is that drivers don't treat driving as a life-threatening task - which it clearly is.

I don't follow this logic at all. I have yet to see a valid reason why this law isn't a good idea. Does it make the roads safer? Absolutely. So what's the problem? People are just mad that they're going to be inconvenienced?

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

I only read the first page, but this is just another case of too much govt. Seriously, these people should have to travel around the world and see how countries can go one without the government telling us how we are supposed to live. In Asia, people are maniac drivers, and there are little to few problems (no more in comparable Canadian cities).

#### this pisses me off. Get out of our lives!

I'd respond to this, but what's the point? If you want to engage in the discussion, at least look at what has been typed before. It's not worth everyone typing it again just because you're lazy.

[Antithesis]

One day (and it will be a fine day), talking on a cell phone, texting, etc, will be looked upon with as much disgust as drinking and driving is.

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by RubberDuck

In Asia, people are maniac drivers, and there are little to few problems (no more in comparable Canadian cities).

Do you have a link to back up this statement because I call BS. Motor vehicle accidents and deaths happen so frequently in those countries, they are not even news.

Any chance you are under 25?

almost 30 years old, but I have been to 4 continents, and 35 countries...I am still shocked everytime I come home to see just how over legislated life is in Canada (and the US for that matter). People in North America live under the thumbs of the government, and it doesn't necessarily make it right, or good.

I am even talking about places like Germany, where the speed limits on the highways are basically left up to what you are comfortable with.

All over the world, people are left to be responsible for their own doings, not counting on the government to raise their kids, and keep them safe. It is insane how people do not want to be responsible for their own doing here in North America. Hell, i guess when the government has dictated things your entire life, then why change now?

And for the record, I am a 29 year old, staunch fiscal Conservative. I have had a father that has sat in the House of Commons in Ottawa as an MP (PC Party), and believe in seeing all sides of the story. I am well educated, and have a great job. I am not just some backpacker that has the blinders on.

[Flames in 07]

People are more dangerous on the phone than being slightly over the limit. How some people think that it is just government getting up in their business astonishes me.

Is outlawing drunk driving just government getting in people's face? I've never voted left of center in my life and think of myself as quite conservative, but sometimes in Alberta I feel like there are so many extremists to the right its scary.

The fact is many people need the government to save them from themselves. People who think that only SOME people are bad drivers when on the cell proves that. Now that's one thing, if people want to do things that kill themselves that's fine, but the second they put others at risk that's quite another. And if it takes the big mean old government to get in the way then so be it.

15 years from now people will look back and just shake their head that this was even an issue.

I remember seeing old adds that would say 4 out of 5 doctors recommend this brand of cigarettes. That told me that at all times there are very dumb things going on, that we will figure out half a generation down the road. Driving while on the cell is an easy example of one of those.

[photon]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

almost 30 years old, but I have been to 4 continents, and 35 countries...I am still shocked everytime I come home to see just how over legislated life is in Canada (and the US for that matter). People in North America live under the thumbs of the government, and it doesn't necessarily make it right, or good.

I am even talking about places like Germany, where the speed limits on the highways are basically left up to what you are comfortable with.

All over the world, people are left to be responsible for their own doings, not counting on the government to raise their kids, and keep them safe. It is insane how people do not want to be responsible for their own doing here in North America. Hell, i guess when the government has dictated things your entire life, then why change now?

So the question then is which is the cause and which is the effect?

I.e. is driving while talking on the phone a big problem in Germany? Does everyone there know not to do it, so no one does it, so there aren't any accidents, so there isn't any laws for it?

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

almost 30 years old, but I have been to 4 continents, and 35 countries...I am still shocked everytime I come home to see just how over legislated life is in Canada (and the US for that matter). People in North America live under the thumbs of the government, and it doesn't necessarily make it right, or good.

I am even talking about places like Germany, where the speed limits on the highways are basically left up to what you are comfortable with.

All over the world, people are left to be responsible for their own doings, not counting on the government to raise their kids, and keep them safe. It is insane how people do not want to be responsible for their own doing here in North America. Hell, i guess when the government has dictated things your entire life, then why change now?

And for the record, I am a 29 year old, staunch fiscal Conservative. I have had a father that has sat in the House of Commons in Ottawa as an MP (PC Party), and believe in seeing all sides of the story. I am well educated, and have a great job. I am not just some backpacker that has the blinders on.

Your post makes no sense to me, what WOULD make sense is if you said in Germany there are no driving laws AND as a result, they have less accidents, injuries and deaths. The fact that they are different proves nothing. In fact as you typed your note there may have been a German who said "I've been to Canada and you should see what they do" ... and somehow that makes him right in whatever point he's trying to make.

I would have thought that your awsome education would have made that concept obvious

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

And for the record, I am a 29 year old, staunch fiscal Conservative.

Never would have guessed.

Anyhow, this isn't just the government legislating YOUR safety. It's legislating MY safety. I want the government to tell people that they should be paying attention to the road and not texting on their cell phone for MY SAFETY not theirs.

Now, if you believe that using a cell phone does not cause more traffic deaths based on your experience in other countries, then you should be able to find a study that concludes that cell phone usage has no impact on road safety. I mean, if it is true, then you should be able to find at least one study that says so, no?