GHSA endorses total cell phone ban during driving

The Goverrnors Highway Safety Association has endorsed a total ban on mobile phone usage while driving, making their decision after carefully analyzing the results of a study by the American Journal of Public Health.

AJPH's findings saw a 28 percent rise in "distracted driving fatalities" from 2005 to 2008.

Furthermore, the report showed 16,000 vehicle-related fatalities from 2001 until 2007 were caused by drivers texting at the wheel.

"It doesn't take a Ph.D. to know that cell phone use and driving is dangerous and that lives have been lost due to this practice," says Jonathan Adkins, a spokesman for the Association.

A few states, such as California, have already banned cell phone use whilst driving, voice and texting.

The Association is a group of state highway safety officials from across the US. The group has helped shape many past transportation safety policies in the past.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Sep 2010 22:37

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38 comments

hikaricor

Most of these people would have managed to kill themselves and others in some alternate way had the not been texting. Why should the rest of us suffer because of those who clearly can't multitask and still try anyway? Sorry but fsck you, if I wanted to live in a police-state I've move to China or Australia.

26.9.2010 23:34 #1

biglo30

Originally posted by hikaricor: Most of these people would have managed to kill themselves and others in some alternate way had the not been texting. Why should the rest of us suffer because of those who clearly can't multitask and still try anyway? Sorry but fsck you, if I wanted to live in a police-state I've move to China or Australia. I can understand the texting and like you said some people really can't multitask, but removing the use of the phone entirely while driving?

27.9.2010 00:04 #2

KillerBug

Originally posted by hikaricor: Most of these people would have managed to kill themselves and others in some alternate way had the not been texting. Why should the rest of us suffer because of those who clearly can't multitask and still try anyway? Sorry but fsck you, if I wanted to live in a police-state I've move to China or Australia. The problem is not the texting idiots, but those they run into.

27.9.2010 00:06 #3

DXR88

Good ban em all, nothing i hate worse than driving behind a moron that's texting.

besides its not called a cell text, its called a cell PHONE as in ring ring, hi howya doin. its a lot easier to you should try it.

27.9.2010 00:43 #4

hikaricor

I think as long as I drive responsibly and don't get myself and other people killed, it's no one's business what I do while I'm driving. It's not just texting they want to ban cell phone usage in cars completely which is god damn ridiculous.

27.9.2010 01:02 #5

nonoitall

Originally posted by hikaricor: I think as long as I drive responsibly and don't get myself and other people killed, it's no one's business what I do while I'm driving.
So a person should only be banned from using a cellphone while driving after he demonstrates irresponsibility in doing so? Sometimes it's a little too late to react at that point...

27.9.2010 02:00 #6

KillerBug

This is not a ban on texting, it is a ban on phones, and it does not even seem to have an exception for hands-free use.

Mythbusters had an episode where they compared talking on the phone (without a hands-free device) with drunk driving...the drunk drivers did better...and that was without texting.

"I am careful when driving and talking into the handset or texting"..."I am careful when driving drunk"...is there any real difference between those two statements? Yes...driving while talking on the handset is more dangerous than driving drunk, and texting is even more dangerous than that.

Personally, I have taken several advanced driving courses, I drive a mid-engine car with racing suspension and breaks, and it is actually safer for me to drive at 90MPH than it is for a large van to drive at 60MPH...but that does not mean that I get an exception, and I still have to drive slow to avoid tickets. This is how driving works...everything is set to the worst driver in the worst vehicle under the worst conditions.

27.9.2010 04:39 #7

cmcjk

Originally posted by hikaricor: I think as long as I drive responsibly and don't get myself and other people killed, it's no one's business what I do while I'm driving. That's why the decision is not left to you. You're not the best judge of whether you driving responsibly or not, after all something like 85% of people think there an above average driver.

I have the same argument with people in the UK about speeding when they say "I'm perfectly safe driving at 90 mph instead of 70mph". I assume that if they make that statement that they have done research on accident rates at the different speeds to show there is no difference or perhaps they have tested their response times to ensure they are better than average. Unsurprisingly I am usually disappointed.

27.9.2010 07:12 #8

Mysttic

Basically for all those still wanting to text/phone and drive; suck it up. People's arrogance has made this a reality whether you are good at it or not, it's now irrelevant and you can claim police state, but then someone hits you before these laws put into place, then you raid on police when there's no charge. Now they can charge people and you whine, well suck it up. No one is saying you can't use the phone to text/talk while driving, they just stating if you get caught, then you pay with time or a fine. If you are so good as you claim, then don't get caught, but don't disrespect others either for those that take the time to drive as safe as possible, without influences.

27.9.2010 09:25 #9

Interestx

Naturally everyone likes to imagine that it's just 'the others' and that 'they' are perfectly capable of multi-tasking safely.

Well b.s.

You have no 'right' or 'freedom' to kill and maim people because you refuse to pull over & take or make a call or text.

All of one's concentration should be given to driving.
It's far too potentially dangerous an activity to not do so -
and many of our road problems originate from idiots who refuse to accept that fact.....especially idiot young men

(if you really must be a moron on the road go ride a motorbike, at least that way you're most likely to only kill or maim yourself)

The sad truth in this is all those sneering at these kind of rules and at those famous 'others' who have caused a bad crash doing this sort of thing would rapidly change their minds the instant it happened to them or one of their family or friends.

The biggest joke of all is that pretending this law is some sort of totalitarian measure (communist China, ffs).
That's just ludicrous.

Here in the UK, since Dec 2003, we have managed perfectly well since using a mobile phone (Americans say cell phone) was banned, accidents have fallen and there are people walking around today who are alive & healthy who otherwise probably would not have been.

There is an identifiable additional serious risk and if you cause a serious accident you can lose your licence to drive and be jailed.

http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/mobile_phone_report.pdf

When (heaven forbid) it happens to one of your kids be sure to let us know how that silly reflex anti-authority feeling is running, eh?

27.9.2010 12:29 #10

dEwMe

Oh to never be stuck behind some moron yacking on their cell phone again...Dare to dream!

And yeah I think the comparison to drunk driving is spot on! Also hands free still allows them to drift off in conversation so should not be allowed either. Maybe some can handle it but the vast majority can't (no matter what they think!).

Drive or don't...

Just my $0.02,

dEwMe

27.9.2010 13:26 #11

gnovak1

This law won't stop anyone. We have a law in NJ banning cell phones to the ear (they allow headsets), but i still see many drivers still talking on their cell phones.

Unless they make real stiff fines, no one is going to listen anyway and we will still have many fatalities.

27.9.2010 13:55 #12

ChiknLitl

Cell phone use while driving in California must be hands-free, not banned totally. ---Chikn

27.9.2010 15:45 #13

Hopium

Quote:Drive or don't... could be the ad campaign slogan for this :D

27.9.2010 16:47 #14

hikaricor

Originally posted by dEwMe: Also hands free still allows them to drift off in conversation so should not be allowed either. Maybe some can handle it but the vast majority can't (no matter what they think!).

Drive or don't...

Based on your opinion, people driving cars shouldn't be able to talk to passengers in their vehicles either. The could drift off in conversation and suddenly cause random things to explode! We need to move to ban speaking of any sort while in a motor vehicle.

*eye roll*

27.9.2010 18:46 #15

Tristan_2

I understand why people are pissed off at this(so am I sense I have a cell then again who doesn't) this said they endorse this and not exactly into Law yet. But if This IS accepted into law these aholes will endanger lives even farther. People who are in accidents wouldn't be allowed to call 911 when in an accident, they themselves can't call their bosses if they are late to work and the list goes on.

If this is put into law for the whole US I doubt it will pass I doubt not even Obama or G.W. Bush would allow this law especially if their would be exceptions people would be upset and would prob go insane.

27.9.2010 19:34 #16

ddp

here in ontario, canada, we have that ban on using cell phone while driving but is perfectly legal to use that cell phone in the car when you have pulled off to the side of the road. the enforcement of that ban started this past february.

Tristan, i don't have a cell phone nor do i want 1.

27.9.2010 20:24 #17

Run4two

We need to move to ban speaking of any sort while in a motor vehicle.

*eye roll* Originally posted by hikaricor

Lord, I wish!!!

God knows how many times I've told my wife to shut her trap, I'm drivin'! Never works. :(

27.9.2010 20:28 #18

Scaface43

Australia already does it, why is it so hard to pull over to ring/text somone? I think that you should be able to use a hands free device while driving, but texting is mostly a bad idea. the other day i saw a lady smoking and texting while driving with her kids in the back of her manual car, she would reshufle everything to change gear. i can understand how some people can do it, and this isnt targeted at you. id be more woried about the idiots who cant talk and drive and crash into you.

27.9.2010 22:59 #19

H0bbes

Originally posted by Run4two: God knows how many times I've told my wife to shut her trap, I'm drivin'! Never works. :( Bahaha! You and me both, sir, you and me both.

"It�s as if McGruff the Crime Dog snuck into our basement, enlisted an army of cellar rats to eat up all of our cheese, and then burned the house down when we finally locked him out � instead of just knocking on the front door to tell us the window was open." ~Revision3 CEO Jim Louderback

28.9.2010 11:31 #20

dEwMe

Originally posted by hikaricor:

Based on your opinion, people driving cars shouldn't be able to talk to passengers in their vehicles either. The could drift off in conversation and suddenly cause random things to explode! We need to move to ban speaking of any sort while in a motor vehicle.

*eye roll* K maybe the hands free ban would be a bit extreme but I have seen a few morons over the years so in depth in conversation with passengers they were all over the road. So lol...

Anyway the morons in a trance talking on their cells cause me way more grief than someone not wearing their seatbelt, yet by law I am forced to wear mine or get a ticket. I think banning non-hands free cell phone use while operating any motor vehicle would be a great idea.

Just my $0.02,

dEwMe

28.9.2010 12:26 #21

Interestx

Quote:if This IS accepted into law these aholes will endanger lives even farther. People who are in accidents wouldn't be allowed to call 911 when in an accident, they themselves can't call their bosses if they are late to work and the list goes on.

Where did you get that nonsense from?

Being in an accident is not 'driving'.
Obviously the purpose of this is to make driving safer and to get people to stop routinely using their phones whilst driving.

It has nothing to do with stopping people reporting an emergency (that accident you mentioned) or letting their boss know they've been in one and so will be late.

The point in the UK is that if you have to make a call or take a call, pull over & stop driving.

Don't be so silly.

28.9.2010 17:51 #22

xboxdvl2

I see idiots on the road everytime i drive.some of them are using a mobile phone,some look trashed and some look young and inexperienced,some just arn't paying attention.personally dont care if someones using a cellphone and driving aslong as they are paying attention to the road and not doing stupid things.

@scarface43 i thought it was illegal to smoke in a car with children under 16 in it???I'm in australia and i thought they changed the laws regarding that a few years ago.

PS2 with 12 games.
pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

29.9.2010 02:17 #23

ddp

xboxdvl2, we have that smoking ban here in ontario for the past year or so.

29.9.2010 12:58 #24

hikaricor

edited by ddp, like hell anyone is ever going to tell me I can't smoke in my car.
I don't care who's riding along, they can just deal with it. :p

29.9.2010 17:08 #25

ddp

don't come to ontario, canada with kids as you will be fined.

29.9.2010 17:12 #26

hikaricor

No chance of that happening anyway, my mdma contacts in canada dried up years ago.
What other reason is there to goto canada if not for the drugs? ^_^

30.9.2010 00:47 #27

OhRly (unverified)

Originally posted by KillerBug:
Personally, I have taken several advanced driving courses, I drive a mid-engine car with racing suspension and breaks, and it is actually safer for me to drive at 90MPH than it is for a large van to drive at 60MPH.. You had me in awe of what an impressive driver you are, with your mid-engine car, racing suspension and ... umm.... err... breaks??? Less bragging/ego stroking/bullsh!tting and more proofing, please.

Now, if you would kindly bring your rusty, wheelie-bar sporting, sh*tbox Corvair down below the legal limit ...

30.9.2010 00:59 #28

xboxdvl2

was watching tv earlier and apparently its a $218 fine and loss of 3 demerits points for talking or texting on a cell phone in australia while driving.personally i think sitting 30kmph over the speed limit & risking losing 2 demerit points and getting the same fine would be more effective than texting your boss while driving to let him know you are gonna be late at least you'd have more of a chance to get their on time.

PS2 with 12 games.
pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

30.9.2010 09:52 #29

KillerBug

Originally posted by OhRly: Originally posted by KillerBug:
Personally, I have taken several advanced driving courses, I drive a mid-engine car with racing suspension and breaks, and it is actually safer for me to drive at 90MPH than it is for a large van to drive at 60MPH.. You had me in awe of what an impressive driver you are, with your mid-engine car, racing suspension and ... umm.... err... breaks??? Less bragging/ego stroking/bullsh!tting and more proofing, please.

Now, if you would kindly bring your rusty, wheelie-bar sporting, sh*tbox Corvair down below the legal limit ... It is not a fast car; but it has great breaks and great handling...the two things you need to avoid an accident. I love my car, but it is no supercar...it is however, a very safe car. And as you may or may not have read, I don't speed (much). I was just making a point that the rules are not written on a per-person basis; otherwise a large van with old breaks and worn out suspension wouldn't even be allowed on the same roads as me.

1.10.2010 06:08 #30

ThePastor

We don't need another friggen law!
It is ALREADY illegal to drive negligently. If I kill someone and it was because I was being negligent (as in, texting or talking or eating or getting a BJ) then I'm guilty of manslaughter!
It's already against the law. Why do we need another law?

If you think this law is good then hell, why don't we ban eating or drinking or smoking? All of which will contribute to many accidents every year.
Why don't we require 5 point seatbelts and helmets for all passengers in cars? Can you argue that that wouldn't save lives?

Look, there's always something else that will make it safer. It will NEVER be completely safe.
I just wish they'd get out of my life and let me decide for myself what I am and am not capable of.
Amazingly, I've been driving for a long time and I've made many phone calls, texted many people, eaten many hamburgers/tacos/burritos and for some reason I've never ran off the road or nailed the guy who stopped short in front of me.

It's called being responsible. I don't need the government to "make me" responsible.

Unfortunately for them, all Blu-ray protections have been broken and BD rips can be found around the Internet, usually before the retail even hits shelves.

1.10.2010 20:09 #31

xboxdvl2

actually a while ago they were thinking of making a law that your not allowed to smoke in cars.I dont smoke it my car and i dont let others smoke in my car.im a smoker but i just dont want the inside of my car to smell like cigarette smoke.Dont mind if people eat or drink in my car but if they make a mess they can clean it up or pay someone to clean it up.

@killerbug if someone does something stupid in front of you or next to you theres still a chance of crashing no matter how good your driving or your car.

As for old vans/dodgy cars in england they have a road safety inspection for car once every year i think.In australia if your car is obviously not road worthy the police can pull you over and issue you with a defect.Major or minor depending on the extent of your car and how roadworthy it is.

PS2 with 12 games.
pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

2.10.2010 07:58 #32

ps355528

fine.. splendid.. we have that law here already.. it's one thing to endorse it.. quite another to have a law and not enforce it.. I can stand at the crossing in town and count cars.. every other one has no seat belt on.. and every 4th will have no belt and be holding a phone..

honestly what's the point?

irc://irc.villageirc.net/afterdawn

2.10.2010 08:41 #33

DXR88

Originally posted by ps355528: fine.. splendid.. we have that law here already.. it's one thing to endorse it.. quite another to have a law and not enforce it.. I can stand at the crossing in town and count cars.. every other one has no seat belt on.. and every 4th will have no belt and be holding a phone..

honestly what's the point? not enough officers cant afford them, that's why we have cameras everywhere except up are arse, and im sure thats next. at least till they get there new batch of chinese made robocop's

2.10.2010 09:01 #34

ps355528

ahhh.. you assume much about cameras Padawan

they aren't there to catch people doing illegal things.. they are to monitor the general population who might be joining unions or earning a couple of quid on the side.. they have nothing to do with security or law enforcement.

irc://irc.villageirc.net/afterdawn

2.10.2010 09:06 #35

ee2skater

Originally posted by gnovak1: This law won't stop anyone. We have a law in NJ banning cell phones to the ear (they allow headsets), but i still see many drivers still talking on their cell phones.

Unless they make real stiff fines, no one is going to listen anyway and we will still have many fatalities.

I found it funny that my friend got a ticket for "talking on a cell phone" when he was sitting in traffic resting his head on his hand. He didn't find that expensive ticket so funny when his cell phone was in his pocket the whole time.

4.10.2010 12:37 #36

xboxdvl2

Originally posted by ee2skater: Originally posted by gnovak1: This law won't stop anyone. We have a law in NJ banning cell phones to the ear (they allow headsets), but i still see many drivers still talking on their cell phones.

Unless they make real stiff fines, no one is going to listen anyway and we will still have many fatalities.

I found it funny that my friend got a ticket for "talking on a cell phone" when he was sitting in traffic resting his head on his hand. He didn't find that expensive ticket so funny when his cell phone was in his pocket the whole time. one of the stupidest things i saw was a cop pulled someone over and fined them for talking on a mobile when they were eating a snickers bar.they weren't even on the phone.

PS2 with 12 games.
pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

5.10.2010 00:21 #37

ee2skater

Originally posted by xboxdvl2: Originally posted by ee2skater: Originally posted by gnovak1: This law won't stop anyone. We have a law in NJ banning cell phones to the ear (they allow headsets), but i still see many drivers still talking on their cell phones.

Unless they make real stiff fines, no one is going to listen anyway and we will still have many fatalities.

I found it funny that my friend got a ticket for "talking on a cell phone" when he was sitting in traffic resting his head on his hand. He didn't find that expensive ticket so funny when his cell phone was in his pocket the whole time. one of the stupidest things i saw was a cop pulled someone over and fined them for talking on a mobile when they were eating a snickers bar.they weren't even on the phone. That's ridiculous. I guess cops like giving out that fine cause it's a lot of money for them. The irony from my story was we were driving to get our windows tinted so if his windows were tinted beforehand the cop wouldn't be able to see inside clear enough, and it's only a $40 ticket for having your front windows tinted in NJ.

5.10.2010 13:21 #38

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