The U.K. has got it right!

[62hofner]

Now if only we'd wise up over here in The States!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/20/nmobile120.xml

It is going to be against the law to use hand-held cell phones while driving in California beginning in 2008. I can't wait to see how nobody abides by this new law. I bet jail time would get them to abide mighty quick!

[beatlelover45223]

I don't know about other states in the US but New Jersey has had a law on the books, that you cannot use the handset while driving, you have to use an earpiece and the law officials can stop you and ticket you 100.00 US if they see you with the handset, I think after X violations (maybe like 3 strikes and your out), the offender's license should be suspended for 30 days, I am sure there would be a new regard for the safety of others they were endandering while using their handsets then! :wink2:

[FPSHOT]

I got a ticket for using my mobile whilst driving a few weeks ago... € 130 which is like $ 175...it was stupid of me... yet what the article says about dangerous driving or causing an accident whilst being on the phone or sending text messages can get one in serious trouble like jail sentences here since 2002 already...

More stupid of me was that I didnt even see the police car LOL..the were behind me ..just in a small street in my village..but I only saw them when they drove next to me haha ooopppsss... what they missed though is that I was not wearing my belt hehe so I was lucky...and stupid at the same time... I behave now.

But yes I agree a jail sentence will shine a different light on things.

[Rellevart]

We have a no hand-held law in Chicago and it doesn't stop ANYBODY. I would guess that on average, at least half of the people I see on the road are yakking away on a cell phone. And nearly everybody who's almost run into me was blabbing away on one. Honestly, you do NOT NEED TO BE ON THE PHONE 24/7/365. **exhales**

[Harbidge]

I fully agree, mobile phone use whilst driving is stupid and extremely dangerous. Hands free and Bluetooth kits cost a few pounds. Better that than a human life...

[Clark Kent]

Whilst I agree with the legislation, I doubt anyone will go to jail for it because the government has recently admitted that there aren't enough prisons.

[Harbidge]

They're quite quick at putting old dears in though who can't afford their council tax.

[Legs]

Now if only we'd wise up over here in The States!!!


Oh never mind,
I thought you were talking about Beatle albums.

[Mrmoet]

We have a no hand-held law in Chicago and it doesn't stop ANYBODY. I would guess that on average, at least half of the people I see on the road are yakking away on a cell phone. And nearly everybody who's almost run into me was blabbing away on one. Honestly, you do NOT NEED TO BE ON THE PHONE 24/7/365. **exhales**

Agreed,,lots of clueless people on the road driving and talking at the same time...mostly women also..dont they ever shut the F*ck up? :clown1: :clown1: :clown1:

[beatlelover45223]

We have a no hand-held law in Chicago and it doesn't stop ANYBODY. I would guess that on average, at least half of the people I see on the road are yakking away on a cell phone. And nearly everybody who's almost run into me was blabbing away on one. Honestly, you do NOT NEED TO BE ON THE PHONE 24/7/365. **exhales**

So true Rell, I see these all these people walk out of their front door and as soon as they get in the car, the cell phone comes out, now I am aware that some people no longer have land lines but weren't you just in your house?, doesn't the cell phone work inside? :cross2:

[62hofner]

Oh never mind,
I thought you were talking about Beatle albums.

Legs... you ARE funny! I walked right into that one the way FPSHOT walked right into his ticket!

[62hofner]

My wife and I were driving home from a restaurant last night... I had a green left turn arrow and so I started through the intersection to make my turn. So, some stupid @#$! makes a right turn on red, thus infringing upon my right of way...... and, yup you guessed it - she was on her cell phone!

Cell phones are the curse of our times! They are useful in a pinch and other emergency situations. But because of them, people have lost all sense of courtesy. On top of incidents like the one I described bove, if I have to share another elevator with some idiot who is yelling into his cell phone, I might snap and take the phone and whip it against the wall.

[62hofner]

I got a ticket for using my mobile whilst driving a few weeks ago... € 130 which is like $ 175...it was stupid of me... yet what the article says about dangerous driving or causing an accident whilst being on the phone or sending text messages can get one in serious trouble like jail sentences here since 2002 already...

More stupid of me was that I didnt even see the police car LOL..the were behind me ..just in a small street in my village..but I only saw them when they drove next to me haha ooopppsss... what they missed though is that I was not wearing my belt hehe so I was lucky...and stupid at the same time... I behave now.

But yes I agree a jail sentence will shine a different light on things.

:nono5:

[FPSHOT]

I walked right into that one the way FPSHOT walked right into his ticket!

drove...

[FPSHOT]

if I have to share another elevator with some idiot who is yelling into his cell phone, I might snap and take the phone and whip it against the wall.

are you okay hofner?

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2003/cell-phone/cell-phone-driver-copyright3.gif

[62hofner]

are you okay hofner?

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2003/cell-phone/cell-phone-driver-copyright3.gif

I'm fine.... but now I have to deal with that wacky raul and his anti-American post.

[VersusBatman]

I have mixed feelings about cell phones. On one hand, it can be useful to track someone down when they need them. On the other hand, I don't think I want my privacy invaded during mealtimes, intimate moments with my husband, going out with friends or family outings.

[62hofner]

I have mixed feelings about cell phones. On one hand, it can be useful to track someone down when they need them. On the other hand, I don't think I want my privacy invaded during mealtimes, intimate moments with my husband, going out with friends or family outings.

Yeah.... people yapping on their cell phones when I'm trying to enjoy a meal out with my wife is also really annoying.

I swear... I come to a traffic light at an office building every day on my way home from work. As I sit at the red light, I always notice that nearly everyone who comes barreling out of the exit of that office building's lot are already on their cell phones! I mean, why not make your call from your f*cking office BEFORE you leave...??? or make your call while sitting in your parking space BEFORE you start moving??? :scream2:

[FPSHOT]

I have mixed feelings about cell phones. On one hand, it can be useful to track someone down when they need them. On the other hand, I don't think I want my privacy invaded during mealtimes, intimate moments with my husband, going out with friends or family outings.

Option 1 - shut it off when you don't wanna be interrupted

Option 2 - when someone calls and you dont want them, press the red buttion for 'ending call' and it will get to your voice mail

Option 3 - leave it as it is and blame the cell phone (kidding)

I use the phone for business btw and only very little for private talks..because with a few exeptions I don't like phone calls.

[FPSHOT]

Talking of being distracted whilst driving

Dutch news story this morning

Last night a man was driving his car .. . and he was supposed to cross the river Maas by waterferry... and had his Tom Tom on... so his "Annie" said "after 300 meters ... turn right" which he did... and drove in to the river

He explained it was dark and foggy and could not see that the ferry was...crossing the river..

[zipp]

Here in France it's illegal to use your phone while driving.
But that doesn't stop people doing it!

[Serena]

the uk always had it right! i think they have banned phones in some areas like new york; unfortunately that law hasn't spread far enough yet.

[62hofner]

I just read in my latest issue of Westways (AAA magazine for So. Cal) that the "no hand-held" law doesn't go into effect out here until July 1st!

I thought it was January 1st! Arghhh!!! :angry1:

[62hofner]

Talking of being distracted whilst driving

Dutch news story this morning

Last night a man was driving his car .. . and he was supposed to cross the river Maas by waterferry... and had his Tom Tom on... so his "Annie" said "after 300 meters ... turn right" which he did... and drove in to the river

He explained it was dark and foggy and could not see that the ferry was...crossing the river..

:laugh5: Glad he was ok.

[62hofner]

Just found this article, and decided to revive (perhaps) this thread:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/080102/tecnology/tech_usa_phones_traffic_col_1

[FPSHOT]

Well from what I understand from this article it is about hands free phone calls, which is maybe a bit different than having the cell phone actually in your hand... "on" your ear.

It's a pity this study is a bit one-sighted. Because there are some other ways of being distracted whilst driving the car... like an intensive conversation with someone else in the car.. either next to the driver or behind the driver... or kids arguing in the back seets... or any idea how many accidents happen because the driver is in a fight with a bee or wasp or spider... or CD player.

I am by far defending using a cell phone in the car..but studies like this do not do it for me.