NTSB proposes no cell phones including hands free

[Carbon]

Proposes coercing states to not allow cell calls (except "emergency") even with hands-free in vehicles. Sounds unreasonable to me.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-13/ntsb-cellphone-ban-driving/51874966/1

 

[Cujet]

While we are at it, we should ban radio communications for pilots. Cops too. Definitely ban radios and their inevitable use from firefighters and EMS vehicles.

Or is this going to be another situation where government can do it but the citizenry can't??? Because that defines tyranny.

 

[Sunnyinhollister]

How about banning drive thru coffee, fast food, reading the paper while driving, putting on make up, watching movies, ect.....

 

[greenjp]

I'm certainly not a fan of such a proposal 'cause I do like me some talking on the phone while I drive, but it's not all that absurd if you think about it. Being on the phone is an added risk factor for accidents and you have to balance this against whatever "good" comes from talking on the phone. From NTSB's perspective there's very little of the latter therefore it shouldn't be permitted.

Cujet your examples are quite silly and don't really address the substance here. Me blabbing with my wife on the phone about what stuff we need from the store is in no way comparable to a cop or firefighter communicating with colleagues or pilots talking to air traffic controllers.

jeff

 

[rick9009]

Originally Posted By: greenjp
Cujet your examples are quite silly and don't really address the substance here. Me blabbing with my wife on the phone about what stuff we need from the store is in no way comparable to a cop or firefighter communicating with colleagues or pilots talking to air traffic controllers.

jeff

How so? NTSB proposal includes a ban on hands free cell use. Cops and firefighters have to reach for their radios.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

I would support such a ban here. Talking on a cell phone only adds unnecessary risk.

 

[greenjp]

Originally Posted By: rick9009
Originally Posted By: greenjp
Cujet your examples are quite silly and don't really address the substance here. Me blabbing with my wife on the phone about what stuff we need from the store is in no way comparable to a cop or firefighter communicating with colleagues or pilots talking to air traffic controllers.

jeff

How so? NTSB proposal includes a ban on hands free cell use. Cops and firefighters have to reach for their radios.

Because police officers, firefighters, and pilots are trained professionals performing jobs related to public safety which require regular and real time communications to be carried out effectively. You wouldn't want a cop to have to pull over to get information while en route to a crime scene, or to stop while following a suspicious vehicle. Likewise for firefighters on their way to a fire.

Me BSing with my brother or getting updates on the shopping list etc serves no real public good and therefore the argument could be made that the positives of limiting such behavior outweigh the negatives.

jeff

 

[Kestas]

Worded a better way, the benefits to public safety of having our emergency workers use instant communication devices outweigh the risks of distraction.

I'll have to agree with Jeff on this one. This point shouldn't even be included in this thread.

 

[greenjp]

What he said

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: Kiwi_ME
I would support such a ban here. Talking on a cell phone only adds unnecessary risk.

+1 Here we are allowed to use hands free systems but the real danger is the distraction of having a conversation while driving. Good for the NTSB to have the guts to point that out.

 

[scurvy]

I just wish they'd enforce the existing handsfree-only laws. They could station patrolmen on foot at busy intersections and hand out tickets like mad during red lights. And talk about revenue generation! Get rid of speed traps and put up cell traps instead.

The bluetooth handsfree through my GPS headunit works like a charm, but so do the $2 earpiece/mics all cell phones come with these days.

 

[sciphi]

Hmm, another potential statue that will only be enforced selectively and after an accident. Count me not impressed.

While talking on the cell phone is a hazard, there are lots of folks who openly flout NY's handheld cell phone law without repercussion. It's a primary offense in NY, so LEO's can pull over for talking on the phone without a hands-free device. Start enforcing the laws already on the books, not creating more unenforceable ones!

 

[Dakota1820]

I hope to not turn this to political but Ron Paul says It best if we stop to stop all risk, crimes or bad actions we will have no liberty. I don't think you should text and drive and you shouldn't talk if you are not a good enough driver to do so. That being said. The federal govt doesn't need to propose more laws . Let tbe states decide how they want to handle it . But I think hands free being illegal is a little absurd .

 

[The_Jeff]

They should just add a 50 cent a minute fee that goes into an insurance pool. Would encourage phone use for the exchange of essential information, not gabbing about how mean everyone was at work that day for hours on end.

Implementation is of course the nightmare, as passengers should be able to gab with impunity.

Maybe one should post a couple thousand dollar bond that pays out before insurance does in the event of an accident.

 

[mechtech2]

Cujet really does have a point to consider.
How are emergency vehicle operators not affected by radios and calls? And we are???
[Also add a large glowing computer screen that must be monitored.]

 

[Eddie]

If you read, you will find that emergency vehicles are excluded.

 

[PandaBear]

cell phone is not the worst. BAN TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

 

[greenjp]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Cujet really does have a point to consider.
How are emergency vehicle operators not affected by radios and calls? And we are???
[Also add a large glowing computer screen that must be monitored.]

You missed the key point that myself and several others made. Emergency vehicles are performing a public safety function that is enhanced by their access to and use of radios. This benefit outweighs the additional risk (or so the argument goes). Can't really claim that you and I gabbing on our cell phones provides some critical benefit to public safety or any other public good for that matter.

jeff

 

[sasilverbullet]

see similar thread:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...648#Post2431648

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Carbon
Proposes coercing states to not allow cell calls (except "emergency") even with hands-free in vehicles. Sounds unreasonable to me.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-13/ntsb-cellphone-ban-driving/51874966/1

According to this CNN snippet, this regulation would NOT apply to hands-free devices:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/13/us/ntsb-cell-phone-ban/index.html