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

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Azure

Yeah, and how do you define 'stupid?'

Better yet, do you actually think the government could properly define stupid without offending half the frickin' province?

Are they trying to define stupid? I think they're just responding to something that has become a big enough issue on the roads. If something, no matter what it is, becomes a big enough safety hazard that people need to be reprimanded for doing it, then thats what needs to happen. If that offends some people so be it, its not a matter of tip toeing around feelings, its a matter of safety and protecting people's lives on the road.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Azure

Ban crying kids next?

I was thinking about that last night. Even though I don't have kids, I can say that particular distraction may be somewhat nessecary. Even if there was some rule about needing an adult passenger to take care of the kids you would still be discriminating against people like single parents.

My line of thought is that kids being transported in the car has been part of driving since the car was invented; and it's one you can't tell parents they cannot do without. Otherwise you would have parents leaving toddlers at home as they run for milk; which in my mind is worse.

The point is there is no way to remove all distractions, but let's get rid of one that is 100% unnessesary.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by ken0042

The point is there is no way to remove all distractions, but let's get rid of one that is 100% unnessesary.

Just being difficult but...

Music is also 100% unnecessary so is eating food or even smoking while in motion for that matter.

[ken0042]

Valid point Kevman. And I recall in the 80's when drive thrus started popping up everywhere, and more people had some kind of sound systems going into cars this debate was also brought up then.

My completely un-scientific observations tell me that both aren't in the same scope. I would say that at least once per day; if not more- I see somebody do something unsafe while talking on the phone. But I don't recall the last time I saw somebody pull a dumb-dumb stunt while eating, listening to the stereo, or smoking.

And that is part of the reason I think people might be opposed to this new legislation. They have spent years operating the stereo, eating, smoking, and don't see cell usage as being any worse. But the fact is there is proof out there that cell usage is worse than impaired driving.

Maybe once this is in place somebody should do a study that shows how bad other distractions are. Or maybe there should be some sort of an overhaul of the driver testing system; where you need to re-do your license every few years. As was said earlier this is designed to keep stupid people from doing stupid things. Maybe we need to stop giving stupid people licenses.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

I am surprised, actually, that studies show that talking on a cellphone while driving, is ALWAYS dangerous and distracting, since I have no trouble remaining EVERY bit as focussed on the road when the driving conditions are optimal.

The familiar refrain of the drunk driver, updated for 21st century society.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Today I drove on Crowchild and talked on the phone. Watched the cars around me by checking my mirrors. Watch the person driving slow in the fast lane and then a fast driver drive up his butt. I checked the standard places for radar. Not that I was speeding anyway. I made room for the guy who was merging over. All good.

Later in the day I was in the parking lot. A lady was going to park into a stall but she couldn't actually turn the steering wheel with one had. Of course the other hand was holding her cell phone.

Another guy on 14th was changing lanes and then turning right onto 90th ave I think. No signal. Of course how could he signal? He was holding his cell phone to his ear. And he really looked like he was having an indepth conversation. He was slowing down too much for the turn. Not paying attention.

My point? There are different kinds of drivers in the city. Some pay attention to their surroundings at all times. Checking their mirrors. Aware of what is happening around them. Some don't have a clue.

I believe that some kind of change should be made to the law such that somebody who is distracted and driving poorly that they can be pulled over and perhaps charged. Also, an additional fine can be added if that person is on a cell phone.

I do not think that driving and talking on a cell phone should be against the law.

Now, the people who have said about 10 times that they don't think a person can drive and talk on the phone at the same time and drive safely I get your point. So, no need to reply to me again. I understand your point. Thanks.

[ikaris]

Originally Posted by Azure

Have you gone through the GDL program?

Its stupid.

Driving through residential areas and making a million left turns isn't exactly teaching anyone how to drive safety.

I took my test in Lethbridge, and I drove down Mayor Magrath Drive, ONCE.

And that was after I had finished and we were going back to Western License and Registry.

ONCE. The busiest street in Lethbridge, and I drove there ONCE, without taking any turns except back into the parking lot to drop the guy off.

In fact, he made a bigger deal of not parking perfectly in my parking spot than he did for checking my blind spots correctly.

Actually, I did have to go through the GDL program too (not because I'm young, but because of stupidity).

I would suggest that your poor experience has to do with the person granting the license instead of the rules. In my case, the person that was in the car had advised me to just drive like I would normally and we went through many turns and such in the NE including going on Barlow Tr, Mcknight Blvd, and Deerfoot Tr. He seemed like a reasonable guy and only commented on my speed once. It's certainly not perfect, but I remember how simplistic the initial testing for a license was over 10 years ago (pathetic!).

I guess my point is that I generally approve of the GDL program and that I don't have a problem with further rules being implemented for driving. Especially banning the use of cell phones and other potential distractions. This is probably the only thing that ignorant farmer ed has done in his entire time as Premier that even remotely resembles something that a sane person would do.

[Gozer]

Who needs refills?

[Cowboy89]

http://www.dft.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/

For those that think that they can talk on their cell phone (even hands free)and drive safely, try this challange. For the life of me I can't pay good attention to both the conversation and the visual. I can do one but not the other. (Of course it doesn't help that the chick in the video is boring as hell)

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

http://www.dft.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/

For those that think that they can talk on their cell phone (even hands free)and drive safely, try this challange. For the life of me I can't pay good attention to both the conversation and the visual. I can do one but not the other. (Of course it doesn't help that the chick in the video is boring as hell)

What an absurd test.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

What an absurd test.

Failed, eh?

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

What an absurd test.

So I take it you either were in the 19% who passed the test or you'll argue on the grounds that the test was biased against you because it involved basic counting skills?

[Rerun]

I think I'm a pretty good driver in most instances when I'm not distracted...
but put a cell phone to my ear, someone next to me who wants to have a conversation, great scenery that I'm trying to look at while at the same time keep the car between the ditches, eat food food, or anything else other than when I have both hands on the wheel and my entire focus in on my driving... I suck!

And I bet you I'm not the only one here either. Good law.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I think I'm a pretty good driver in most instances when I'm not distracted...
but put a cell phone to my ear, someone next to me who wants to have a conversation, great scenery that I'm trying to look at while at the same time keep the car between the ditches, eat food food, or anything else other than when I have both hands on the wheel and my entire focus in on my driving... I suck!

And I bet you I'm not the only one here either. Good law.

Scenery is a big one for me. A few weeks ago me and my buddy were driving along Sarcee to a hockey game, and we passed a softball game with a bunch of hot girls near optimist arena. I made a comment about how they should ban hot girls doing anything near a main road, and while I was saying that, my buddy looked ahead and screamed, and I had to come to a screaching hault, ending up almost sideways, as traffic had come to a standstill.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

http://www.dft.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/

For those that think that they can talk on their cell phone (even hands free)and drive safely, try this challange. For the life of me I can't pay good attention to both the conversation and the visual. I can do one but not the other. (Of course it doesn't help that the chick in the video is boring as hell)

I didn't answer 8 questions, and apparently I hit 27 points of t shirts, but I don't know how...no one died screaming

Very absurd test

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

So I take it you either were in the 19% who passed the test or you'll argue on the grounds that the test was biased against you because it involved basic counting skills?

As soon as I saw 15 people walking around randomly I stopped. How is that possibily a test of driving concentration?

[jayswin]

I counted the exact right amount of pedestrians (27), but missed 8 questions from the woman on the phone. If anything, this test just proves what I already knew. I'm good at driving while talking on my phone, and I tend to block out woman when they talk.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

What an absurd test.

Agreed, I got the right number of points but apparently missed 2 questions. I blame it on the accent.

[ResAlien]

25 points, 8 questions missed, all the while wishing I could mow down the idiots walking in front of the car and checking over my shoulder to see if the VP was watching. I'm quite happy with my score, thank you.

[doozwimp]

got correct number of points but missed 8 questions.