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

[Hack&Lube]

I don't like this at all. I can drive and talk fine.

It's more dangerous for me to be talking to a passenger than alone in the car talking on a phone.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

So what happens when cops are using their cellphones?

You pull in front of him, hit the brakes, pop out of your sunroof with your fingers held together like a gun and yell "citizen's arrest!!!"

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by 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.

And when that car in front of you stops suddenly, or that deer runs out across the road, do you think you're just as capable of reacting quickly enough? In the first scenario, you seem to accept that the phone is a distraction and reduces safety, but what about when factors in the second scenario are out of your control?

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by 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.

yep your that guy... the guy that thinks he is the exception... Gratz.

Also the reason we need this law.

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I don't like this at all. I can drive and talk fine.

It's more dangerous for me to be talking to a passenger than alone in the car talking on a phone.

Look another! The "I can do it! trust me!" people are coming out to play...

Again you are the reason this law is being passed and thank god.

[zuluking]

So you're driving down the highway between Brooks and Medicine Hat, call ahead to the relatives in Speedy Creek to let them know when you're arriving, and *POW* get a ticket for talking on my cellphone. That's useful.

So did they do the study that determined how old people are when their reactions degrade to the point of a cell phone driver? How about new drivers that are tentative as heck? Y'know, stop in the merge lane, etc. Ban them.

Those people that sing away and drum on their steering wheels while listening to tunes in the car. Probably dangerous. BAN.

[Dion]

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?

I got a ticket a few years back for not wearing a seatbelt. They had a guy in the ditch watching vehicles go by. He radioed ahead the cars where drivers didn't have thier seat belts on. I saw the guy in the ditch and put mine on - still I was pulled over and ticketed.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

Why do you say that?

The statistics I've seen conclude that driving while on a cell phone is an impairment. It's an extra variable thrown into a very serious task. I would argue you can't take an instance where you are driving + on a cell phone and an instance where you are only driving and say that the level of attention in both instances is the same.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by MaDMaN_26

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.

Holy crap. Do you drive while that angry? Sounds like you would be far to distracted to be driving safely. Road rage much?

[ken0042]

Just to what Madman is saying, I used to be the guy who thought he was fine to talk on the phone when driving; didn't see the danger. What really opened my eyes was when I would walk 5 km per day through the Beltline to get to my car. I would say on average I would have one or two near misses with cars per week; and I think every time was with a driver on his/her phone.

Now by near misses I don't mean it was so close that I had to jump. Things like I would be crossing 4th street at a marked crosswalk with my arm out, and 3 of the 4 lanes would stop, and in the last lane would be some person wizzing by oblivious that they had evn had a near miss.

And that's just it- if you are oblivious that you had a near miss, by definition you would also not know you are a danger.

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by zuluking

So you're driving down the highway between Brooks and Medicine Hat, call ahead to the relatives in Speedy Creek to let them know when you're arriving, and *POW* get a ticket for talking on my cellphone. That's useful.

So did they do the study that determined how old people are when their reactions degrade to the point of a cell phone driver? How about new drivers that are tentative as heck? Y'know, stop in the merge lane, etc. Ban them.

Those people that sing away and drum on their steering wheels while listening to tunes in the car. Probably dangerous. BAN.

There are laws regulating stricter licensing for the elderly. And a minimum age for driving, combined with a road test to determine competence. Both these things are hazards they are trying to manage. Whether or not they are doing enough is up to your opinion. This law is for managing another hazard.

How is calling ahead to tell your relatives when you'll arrive any different than calling your buddy to talk about the game? Pull over to do it. Or call when you stop for gas. Or when you're leaving if it's not far. It'll cost you two minutes.

[Vulcan]

My guess is the one's who think they are perfectly capable of driving and talking on their cell at the same time are probably the worse drivers and are so unaware of their driving that they think they are doing great.

[Clever_Iggy]

California has a similar law. I like it.

Of course, you drive around and see lots of people still talking on their cell phones (or some believe that if you just have it on speaker phone, and you hold it flat rather than up to your ear, you are creating a distinction) but it gives the police the right to nail you.

I talk and drive less because of the law.

[zuluking]

Originally Posted by Superfraggle

How is calling ahead to tell your relatives when you'll arrive any different than calling your buddy to talk about the game? Pull over to do it. Or call when you stop for gas. Or when you're leaving if it's not far. It'll cost you two minutes.

Have you driven that road?

[The Yen Man]

Frankly, I'm surprised it took this long for this law to happen. Like I said, most people overestimate their own driving abilities. Driving isn't a right, it's a privilege, a privilege that IMO people take for granted. Like it or not, when you're behind a wheel sharing the road with other people, you are responsible for other people's well being as well as your own. Will this law inconvenience me? Perhaps a little, but that inconvenience is a small price to pay compared to potentially tragic consequences.

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by zuluking

Have you driven that road?

Is it a magical space road where it takes hours to tell someone how long you'll be? Or are there goblins at the side of the road, waiting to tear you to pieces if you stop? Any more silly questions?

[JustAnotherGuy]

I do talk on the cell phone and drive at the same time. But I do it in a safe manner. I know some of you won't agree. But I only talk during certain stretches of the drive. I don't talk for that long. I make an informed decision of when it is okay to talk on the cell phone.

I do not think that I drive any better than anyody else etc etc... (I am getting tired once again at certain posters just coming back with snide remarks.)

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

Holy crap. Do you drive while that angry? Sounds like you would be far to distracted to be driving safely. Road rage much?

Only when you just cut me off while on the phone (completely unaware and thinking you rock at driving and talking on the phone ofcourse)

I'll admit freely cell phone drivers piss me off, do I then cut people off and swerve in and out of traffic like crazy just so I can catch up and give you the finger? no... but if I am behind you I'll mouth you off as much as I want though... I'll hope it gets under your skin too. At least maybe you'll start thinking about the act of driving again.

[photon]

Originally Posted by zuluking

Have you driven that road?

Somehow I don't think suitability of a law should be determined by how convenient it is for a few specific people on a specific road...

[Dion]

Originally Posted by fotze

The people who swerve into your lane while on the phone are genuinely suprised when honked at, they actually believe they did nothing wrong, thats why they tend to get middle fingery.

Got the bird when I honked at said lady driver.