[PCWorld]

Post your comments for U.S. Group Calls for Cell-driving Bans Nationwide here

[number6]

100% of automobile accidents are caused by driving. Let's outlaw it.

[Computecam]

I suppose next they will want to ban GPS devices, radio, maps, car windows (glass can break, and its sharp), then cars altogether...


If a person can't drive safe and use a cell-phone at the same time (Or any other device for that matter) they shouldn't use the object while driving, but banning everyone from using a cell-phone because some can't in my opinion is to drastic.

[mcbarker]

Driving requires one's full attention. I've almost been sideswiped several times by careless drivers yakking on their cellphones, and not paying attention to what's going on around them. If you're mind and attention is not 100% on your driving, then you should get off the road. My thought is that cell phone abusers caught driving should be heavily fined, and on an escalating scale for recurring offenses.

[eddyz71]

Let's not forget car radios, heat/AC controls, eating or drinking while driving. Ban all drive through restaurants and remove all cup holders from cars.

[trave]

So many things should be banned while driving to avoid distractions and accidents and I would gladly support the cell phone ban if all other distractions where also banned. 1) squabbling and crying children that distract their mothers (this has caused many accidents and deaths of pedestrians). 2) smoking, drinking, eating while driving. 3) radios, cd players and mp3 players. 4) shaving, brushing hair, putting on make-up while driving.(yes this does occur). I am sure there are other things that distract the driver. Next time you go on a long trip and can be the passenger start paying attention to the other drivers and you will be surprised what you will see.

[thewazak]

Fumbling around with a small device and driving with only one hand (with the other not immediately available if needed) does indeed create a significant hazard. It should be illegal worldwide imho.
However, using "hands free" does not create a larger hazard than talking to a passenger. It boils down to driving skills: some people simply cannot multi-task!
Emergency service drivers, taxi's and Radio Hams have used mobile communications for years - without any problems. Maybe it's the simply the "phone-stuck-to-their-ear" generation that simply can't drive period!

[ohgots]

I completely agree with mcbarker, driving in L.A. is like driving in a war zone half the time and the morons who talk on their cells (hands free or not) turn off their brains to have idiotic conversations about meaningless subjects. Ban the phones and save the lives of those of us who don't talk on them.

[vufindr]

If I were a betting person I would say those who oppose this ban are the ones who are guilty of TRYING to talk & text while driving. If you absolutely can't wait to text your BFF until you get to your destination then pull over. Don't kill me or someone I care about because you are to either to inconsiderate of others on the road ,or just to stupid to care. Everybody has a call phone anymore. It doesn't make you look important, or popular to anyone.

[number6]

We can't force people to pay attention on the road. Irresponsible drivers will still be irresposible when you take the phones out of their hands.

[AuroraDizon]

There are plenty of hand free options that would work, one that even works through your car radio. Its rather like not being able to drink and drive or have a video screen in a section of your windshield. They will still be irresponsible but you can prevent deaths this way. Besides if they violate rules too many times they will have their license suspended.

[Vioarr]

Approximately 36% of people die from heart disease; I think we should outlaw specific foods next. Then I think we should ban all frivolous activity that might lead to moral decline (like dancing, etc.) Who cares if people have freedom to choose what food they want, it's bad for them so they shouldn't make their own decision.

[randyb7399]

Please deliver me from the God Damm DO-Gooders. "When cell phones are outlawed, only outlaws will have cell phones". Pledge to vote and donate to the opponents of any elected member, state,local or federal who decides he or she knows what's good for us and votes for a cell ban.

Reminds me of something Charlton Heston once said said about guns, "You can take my cell phone.....after you pry it out of my cold dead hands".

[CaptainAdam]

I absolutely agree with this. I live in Japan, a country where cell phones have been used in place of credit cards, digital cameras, and car navigation systems for years. When everyone in the US was using their Nokia bricks with one inch square screens, Japan had full color cell phones with full web browsing capability. 2.5 inch displays as well! And these are the give away models you get for just signing up. This is just to illustrate how big a role cell phones are in the lives of these people.
Drivers are fined if they are caught talking on their cell phones while driving here and it has helped to reduce the number of accidents.
Honestly, it is hard to believe that one can safely operate a 1 to 2 ton vehicle travelling at speeds up to 75MPH while talking on the phone.

My personal experience as a pedestrian has improved greatly as I don't find myself having to compete with a cell phone for the attention of drivers.
To Vioarr- If you can find me an instance of a kid being run over due to the overeating of the lady up the street. Then we can talk about the relevance of your example.

[CatsAreGods]

I call for a ban on the National Safety Council, who are obviously insane.
If simply having a conversation over a microphone caused accidents, then how can the FAA justify forcing pilots to talk on the radio all the time? They're putting all our lives in danger!!!!
/s
Seriously, if I can pilot an airplane safely while navigating in three dimensions and talking to 5 air traffic controllers in a row, why am I suddenly incapable of having a simple phone conversation the second I step into my car?
Let's ban police and fire personnel from operating their vehicles while talking on the radio or cell phones too. After all, they're under a lot more stress and are subject to much bigger and more dangerous accidents.
Good for the goose, good for the gander!

[CatsAreGods]

@CaptainAdam: I distinctly recall an incident not too long ago when a driver wiped out half a dozen people riding bicycles because she was changing the station on her car radio. Clearly, some people are incapable of operating a vehicle safely under many conditions.

[mattel1201]

If cell phones are to be banned guess we need to start with banning smoking while driving, radios, screaming children and babies, eating, drinking and everything else we do to get from point a to point b in a vehicle. And not only that but the DVDs our kids watch to keep them calm in the car. There are so many outrageoous things taht could be banned but people just need to use common sense while driving. If you are doing something thats going to take your attention away from driving then dont drive or better yet PULL OVER!

[marjan83]

100% agree, we should outlaw cell phones while driving, but wait, isn't that ilegal now????don't you get a ticket if caught?

and why is that everytime, and I am not exaggerating, everytime I see a police car, the officer driving the car is always talking on a cellphone always.

I am yet to see a cop that is not on a cellphone while driving.

[coastie65]

I agree that it should be banned and the penalties should be the same as for D.W.I., as it is just as dangerous. It is bad enough, you have a bunch of drivers out there with their heads up their rear ends, but then you add the cell phone yakking into the mix, that is an accident looking for a place to happen. I have to admit, that A lot of the legislation I've seen passed in states such as New York and California is downright stupid, but in this case, they have taken the lead in an ever growing problem. As others have stated, driving requires ones FULL attention, and if you can't devote the full attention that it requires, STAY FROM BEHIND THE WHEEL. coastie65

[number6]

The legislation should be made by individual States, not the Federal Government.