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

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by Dion

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

Yes I agree.

And This thread could easily be derailed into another "facist" government topic because there are 2 issues here, the legislation being passed and also the issue of the powers that be telling us what's good for us, again.

...But, We all see the stupidity on the roads every day, and I'm sure for most of us the anger escalates after finding out the stupid driver was on the phone.

Either way, I'm all for this one.

[Jason14h]

What about Wifes and Girlfiends in the passenger seat? They are 10X more distracting then a cell phone!

But for that matter, let's just ban women from being in cars altogether and let the men drive around all day on their phones!!! Two birds with one stone.

[Ford Prefect]

I'm not a fan of governments legislating what we can and can't do, but I whole heartedly support this move.

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Do you believe that drunk driving should be legal?

What?

Do you really expect a response to that?

[Bertuzzied]

Thank god it is finally happening. Stelmach finally got something right.

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

I'm not a fan of governments legislation what we can and can't do, but whole heartedly support this move.

Same here but, like it has been stated already, way to many people are proving they can't make a responsible decision here.... so it had to be done.

My commute to and from work every day has the equivalent of of a 1000 drunk drivers around me due to cell phone users. I'm tired of my life being gambled with by these people. Its become an epidemic and the (amazing to me) belief system some have fostered that they are some how the exception to the rule and they are not a bad driver when on a phone has made it worse than ever. Not to mention the even more laugable "oh I use bluetooth so its different" - that is complete B.S. - you are still terrible... your belief that your not is your delusion.

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by MaDMaN_26

Same here but, like it has been stated already, way to many people are proving they can't make a responsible decision here.... so it had to be done.

My commute to and from work every day has the equivalent of of a 1000 drunk drivers around me due to cell phone users. I'm tired of my life being gambled with by these people. Its become an epidemic and the (amazing to me) belief system some have fostered that they are some how the exception to the rule and they are not a bad driver when on a phone has made it worse than ever. Not to mention the even more laugable "oh I use bluetooth so its different" - that is complete B.S. - you are still terrible... your belief that your not is your delusion.

Good points.

As well there have been enough OP's that have stated they agree with the legislation while also pointing out the fact that they are perfectly capable to operate a vehicle and use a phone at the same time.


So these people that can't chew gum and walk .. (cel phone users/Drivers) indicates to me that, perhaps it should be just a bit more difficult to acquire that license that allows the privilage of driving a Motor Vehicle.

[Methanolic]

^^^^^^.......But that's an entirely different topic.

[photon]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Studies in the US say anything with a phone is bad - even hands free.

The govt of Alberta can pry my bluetooth headset to my phone from my cold dead hands.

I guess I can buy that, since as I said talking on the phone is different than talking with someone else in the car.

I can take this further that talking with my son in the car is far more distracting than with my wife, because my kid doesn't care what's going on around us, he's just talking.

Originally Posted by rockstar

I don't know about your handling argument, photon.

I have no link, but I recall in a cognitive psych course I took a couple of years ago, there were experiments run on subjects who used a driving simulator while talking on a cellphone. Some used regular cellphones, others were given hands-free devices.

There was shown to be zero difference (in terms of attention, reaction time to certain events, etc.) between those who were talking on normal phones and those who were on the hands-free.

Wish I could provide a link to this; you'll just have to trust me.

It'd be interesting to see, but I can buy that.

[Dion]

The study, published in the June 29 issue of Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, found that drivers talking on cell phones, either handheld or hands-free, are more likely to crash because they are distracted by conversation.

Using a driving simulator under four different conditions: with no distractions, using a handheld cell phone, talking on a hands-free cell phone, and while intoxicated to the 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level, 40 participants followed a simulated pace car that braked intermittently.

Researchers found that the drivers on cell phones drove more slowly, braked more slowly and were more likely to crash. In fact, the three participants who collided into the pace car were chatting away. None of the drunken drivers crashed.

"This study does not mean people should start driving drunk," said co-author Frank Drews. "It means that driving while talking on a cell phone is as bad as or maybe worse than driving drunk, which is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated by society."

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-6090342-7.html

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by Methanolic

Good points.

As well there have been enough OP's that have stated they agree with the legislation while also pointing out the fact that they are perfectly capable to operate a vehicle and use a phone at the same time.


So these people that can't chew gum and walk .. (cel phone users/Drivers) indicates to me that, perhaps it should be just a bit more difficult to acquire that license that allows the privilage of driving a Motor Vehicle.

Oh dear god don't get me started... Seriously how is it possibly to get a license to drive in our winters during the summer? How is that not a whole other road test...

ok jees I'm stopping srry OP

[REDVAN]

I can't believe people need laws for things that should be common sense.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by 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.

Absolutely. Unless you're in your car or in your office, you look like a complete ###### bag walking around talking to yourself with that stupid blue light on.

[Bertuzzied]

How are they going to enforce it?

Also same with the seatbelt law now. Couldn't you just put on your seatbelt when the cop approaches your car? Has anyone ever gotten a ticket for seatbelts?

[habernac]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I can't believe people need laws for things that should be common sense.

That's precisely why these laws are enacted. Common sense just isn't all that common.

This is awesome news to me. I'm tired of near misses due to some dumbass talking or texting on a cellphone. My phone isn't on when I'm driving. Ever.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

How are they going to enforce it?

Also same with the seatbelt law now. Couldn't you just put on your seatbelt when the cop approaches your car? Has anyone ever gotten a ticket for seatbelts?

Lol yup, I got one once. I passed a parked cop going the other direction, then when I saw him start to move I put on my seatbelt while he waited for traffic to clear so he could turn. I did it without moving or leaning. When he asked what I was being stopped for I said I wasn't sure, he still gave me the ticket.

Now whenever we see a cop stopping a car my kid thinks it's for someone not having their seatbelt on.

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

How are they going to enforce it?

Also same with the seatbelt law now. Couldn't you just put on your seatbelt when the cop approaches your car? Has anyone ever gotten a ticket for seatbelts?

Yep I got one. He was hiding around a corner and just checking everyone for it as they came around it. I had been at a 7-11 moments before for a coffee and my work parking lot was two blocks from there, including that corner... he didn't care.

To me this is a lot different ... I wont kill you or yours by not wearing my seat belt unless my projectile body hits you... but freedom and liberty fighters can bitch about seat belts all day and won't hear me peep... I'm tired of dodging cell phone driver on my way home... cell phone driver is going to harm someone so rightfully his "choice" to do that is being removed to respect my choice to live safely.


As for kids puking in cars Fotze... well you know what they say kids in cars cause accidents, accidents in cars cause kids.

[You Need a Thneed]

If I'm talking on the phon, while trying to weave in and out of traffic, then yes that is dangerous. If I'm holding my phone up to my ear, driving in one lane, and I know that I don't need to get out of that lane, I'm no more dangerous than not being on the phone.

There are already laws in place to take care of the first scenario. Enforce those, don't ban things that can be used properly.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

How are they going to enforce it?

Also same with the seatbelt law now. Couldn't you just put on your seatbelt when the cop approaches your car? Has anyone ever gotten a ticket for seatbelts?

The fact that it is illegal will deter some people from doing it. Will it stop it completely? Probably not, but if it can deter even one person to not talk on the phone, then pass the law I say. That's one less dangerous person weaving side to side while talking on his/her cell. Most people overestimate their own driving abilities (me included) so I welcome this law wholeheartedly.

[FlamesKickAss]

So what happens when cops are using their cellphones?