Alberta proposes Cell Phone in vehicles law.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by ken0042

That's the problem Q- you are under the impression that talking on your cell does not impair your ability to drive. While in fact you become a horrible driver; and yet are unaware.

There have been many studies. It was shown on Mythbusters, and a few weeks ago they put the results of major university study on QR77. That study showed that 0.2% of drivers could actually pull off the multitasking required. One out of every 500 drivers.

Sorry, but the science says you are wrong.

OK well you do have a point. It is foolish for me to think that I am NOT impaired by not having both hands on the steering wheel. There are occasions when I know that I need both hands I do tell the person on the phone that I will be making a difficult merge and I need to call them back. However, driving on Deerfoot or during stop and go traffic on McLeod, I should have the right to talk on my phone, because quite frankly, I can't see an instance where I would be impared by talking on my cell phone (without hands free).

I like the rest of you do get annoyed when some idiot infront of me is driving at 25km/h in a 60 zone. However, I am more annoyed that he can't drive properly because his brain can't do two things at once.

[Barnes]

What about mouth whoopee?

That's hands free...

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I might be in the minority, but I personally think driving while talking on your cell phone should be perfectly legal. Yes, you do get those odd idiots that can't multitask, but personally I have never had any trouble driving around while talking on my phone. Seriously, what is the difference between talking to a girl while holding a device to your ear as opposed to talk to a girl while she's sitting beside you with your hand on her lap?

If you are too stupid to be able to drive with a small distraction like talking on you're cell phone, then personally I don't think you deserve to have a driver's licence.

It has to do with state of mind. On a cell phone the implicit state of mind is continuous flow of conversation. Think just like radio, there's no dead air. A pause in a telephone conversation is an awkward pause, just like a normal conversation.

In the car, however, there is a slight difference. The number one priority is manoeuvring a massive piece of equipment as relatively high speeds. If something were to happen, say to avoid a pot hole, you're cut off, or you have to swerve to avoid a cat, the conversation instantly stops, you handle the road situation, and then continue the conversation where you left off (or shift to what just happened).

Now take the scenario of driving state of mind conversation and mix it with normal pause-less conversation. When things are going normally in the car it works just fine. However, when there's an abnormal event then the brain stops functioning normally trying to keep two realms going at once. On the one hand your trying to focus your energy on avoiding an accident or a negative incident on the road, combined with your socially constructed desire to respond and stay focused on the conversation. Both tasks require the critical thinking part of your brain, and your brain isn't designed or accustomed to multi-tasking *on that level*.

I don't have time to look up studies now (ironically enough I should be studying rather than posting on CP) however it's been determined that using hands-free devices such as cell phones when driving don't reduce the number of accidents (when talking at least) because two hands on the wheel isn't the problem, it's the mental state of mind.

*note* when I say "your" I mean "you" in a general sense, I'm certain there are people that can function multi-tasking in that way, hence the study previously quoted at 0.2%. _Q_ I don't mean to single you out personally, just answer your question.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

PS: My brain is fried right now, I hope that was coherent

PPS: Damn double post, see!

[Azure]

Next up, ban people from eating in the car.

Not that I think this law is a bad idea, but there are a lot more dangerous things you can do in your car while driving.

Also, those of you who need the government to tell you to do something that is clearly dangerous and stupid, please move to China. Thanks.

[puckluck]

Originally Posted by Azure

Next up, ban people from eating in the car.

Not that I think this law is a bad idea, but there are a lot more dangerous things you can do in your car while driving.

Also, those of you who need the government to tell you to do something that is clearly dangerous and stupid, please move to China. Thanks.

Actually the new law will include eating and anything else that takes away attention from the road or not allowing you to keep 2 hands on the steering wheel.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by puckluck

Actually the new law will include eating and anything else that takes away attention from the road or not allowing you to keep 2 hands on the steering wheel.

Good God, my arms would fall off if I had to keep two hands on the wheel at all times.

[Slava]

I think that this is great, and its about time. (What took so long, really?)

That being said...I'm screwed. I eat, talk on the phone, sometimes look at email (just look, don't try to compose them or anything!), open up apps to check things out. I know its horrible, and this law is to put guys like me in my place!

[Ford Prefect]

At least they didn't say anything about reaching into the backseat to pull out a brewski.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

A hands free version of Own This World better be coming!

I'll get started on the voice commands. We'll start with "Attack Thneed". If it's popular enough we'll move on to other names.

[Antithesis]

Hm, can't find anything about eating while driving - so you might be safe there, Slava!

[puckluck]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Hm, can't find anything about eating while driving - so you might be safe there, Slava!

Trust me, it's included.

Allows enforcement officers, at their discretion, to charge distracted drivers; They also mentioned it on Global news.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Well if you have to have two hands on the wheel all the time how could you eat without removing your hands from the wheel.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by puckluck

Trust me, it's included.

Allows enforcement officers, at their discretion, to charge distracted drivers; They also mentioned it on Global news.

You're legitimizing something because you heard it on Global?



Cops have always been able to charge drivers if they're doing something that compromises their ability to operate the vehicle in a safe manner.


So in regards to this law specifically, the proposed legislation makes no direct mention of eating.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Hm, can't find anything about eating while driving - so you might be safe there, Slava!

Originally Posted by puckluck

Trust me, it's included.

Allows enforcement officers, at their discretion, to charge distracted drivers; They also mentioned it on Global news.

I get it and will just have to use the bluetooth a little more. The eating does kind of suck though. I almost always make breakfast to go in the morning and eat on the way. I'm pretty sure that the phone calls are much more distracting, but like I say I can see the point.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

It has to do with state of mind. On a cell phone the implicit state of mind is continuous flow of conversation. Think just like radio, there's no dead air. A pause in a telephone conversation is an awkward pause, just like a normal conversation.

In the car, however, there is a slight difference. The number one priority is manoeuvring a massive piece of equipment as relatively high speeds. If something were to happen, say to avoid a pot hole, you're cut off, or you have to swerve to avoid a cat, the conversation instantly stops, you handle the road situation, and then continue the conversation where you left off (or shift to what just happened).

Now take the scenario of driving state of mind conversation and mix it with normal pause-less conversation. When things are going normally in the car it works just fine. However, when there's an abnormal event then the brain stops functioning normally trying to keep two realms going at once. On the one hand your trying to focus your energy on avoiding an accident or a negative incident on the road, combined with your socially constructed desire to respond and stay focused on the conversation. Both tasks require the critical thinking part of your brain, and your brain isn't designed or accustomed to multi-tasking *on that level*.

I don't have time to look up studies now (ironically enough I should be studying rather than posting on CP) however it's been determined that using hands-free devices such as cell phones when driving don't reduce the number of accidents (when talking at least) because two hands on the wheel isn't the problem, it's the mental state of mind.

*note* when I say "your" I mean "you" in a general sense, I'm certain there are people that can function multi-tasking in that way, hence the study previously quoted at 0.2%. _Q_ I don't mean to single you out personally, just answer your question.

Well your brain isn't fried enough for this to be incoherent. It makes perfect sense. I do argue, though, that while talking on the phone while in your car, your number one priority should still be driving. Yes, it might be awkward to stop a conversation while on the phone, however, it is not as important as saving your life/property. I have on several occasions just dropped my phone while chatting because i realized that I needed to avoid an obstacle. It's not very hard to pay attention to the road while talking on the phone. I am not arrogant enough to believe that I am part of the 0.2% of the population that has superior driving capabilities. I am sure most of us can do it, you just need to set your priorities straight.

[puckluck]

Originally Posted by Ducay

You're legitimizing something because you heard it on Global?



Cops have always been able to charge drivers if they're doing something that compromises their ability to operate the vehicle in a safe manner.


So in regards to this law specifically, the proposed legislation makes no direct mention of eating.

Yah what's wrong with believing Global? I already know there is a law that doesn't allow you to be distracted(read my earlier post in this thread)

It doesn't make mention of eating, nor does it make mention of having sex while driving. It specifically says that the cops can charge you at the officers discretion if the officer feels you are doing anything that distracts you from driving.

Eating a BigMac and driving is distractive. Not sure why you're arguing when you even mentioned that in your second sentence.

[puckluck]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I have on several occasions just dropped my phone while chatting because i realized that I needed to avoid an obstacle. It's not very hard to pay attention to the road while talking on the phone.

Please read that again in your head.

[TopChed]

So what they're saying is, if someone has one arm, they shouldn't be allowed to drive with other people in the car?

[puckluck]

Originally Posted by TopChed

So what they're saying is, if someone has one arm, they shouldn't be allowed to drive with other people in the car?

I'm pretty sure you need a special license if you have one arm. I don't think there is a problem with one arm drivers causing havoc on Calgary streets.