Freaking Cell Phones

[Chris_]

Thanks, Dixie.

I apologize, Free.  :thatsright:

It's Friday night, I'm pretty much brain-dead right now.  :lmao: 

Now, back to the debate.   :popcorn:

Just glad to have the chance to make a joke about the topic... ;)
 

[DixieBelle]

You know as much as I detest nanny statism, I detest distracted drivers even more. And it's not always someone with a phone glued to their head either. After living here for a while now, I can totally understand why my car insurance policy (an 18 year old policy at that) went up 32% just because of our new zip code. I've seen people eating, putting on makeup, using a cell phone, reading (wtf!!!), leaning over to do something in the passenger seat, turning around to get something out of the backseat, etc...I could go on and on. These people scare me!!! I'm beginning to think that they are a plot to make people stop using so much oil/gas.

Okay, you may resume!

[Lauri]

Lauri,
I thought of free this morning as I sat behind a driver going 10 mph less then the speed limit, swerving a bit, etc...what was she doing? brushing her friggin hair... I've seen plenty of people too using cells and they drive just fine. I've seen ones who don't drive great too. My neighborhood is small enough I've seen these individuals a few times and EVERYTIME they are distracted, they drive shitty. As I said earlier in the thread, one has to have a certain skill level to multi-task in that way, but currently we don't give driving tests to determine if someone can drink coffee and drive, talk to someone in the seat next to them and drive, or yell at their children and drive...cell phone usage falls in those categories imo.

As for the 'scientific study', I have already asked what was the driving records of these individuals prior to the study. I find that very curious as a driver for 20 years now with no accidents, 2 tickets(back in my early 20's--many years ago and not for driving distracted btw), and who uses the cell phone occasionally when driving. I'd like to know if all those participants have similar driving records and abilities.

Again, another microlegislative issue which a free society should not tolerate. If you screw up because you are on the phone, you face the consequences...period. It's no different then fighting with your spouse in the car and you are distracted and cause an accident...an accident is an accident is an accident. Lobbying a phone up there with booze is simply absurd.  What next? Kids are abused ala cigarette smoking if you use your cell phone in the house while they are around? 

I know I"m being ridiculous, but since we've already went in that direction...I figure I have license

actually, you arent being ridiculous at all! seat belt laws started out as a 'suggestion' from the govt... a 'this will protect you and your family more' kind of thing.

then we started getting tickets for not wearing them.

i agree that seat belts save lives, absolutely. but why does the state get to go from a suggestion to a law? and why do state busses carrying school children get exempt but we get ticketed??

our state is in the process of trying to figure out how to enforce no cell phones while driving.. so in addition to eveything else a cop has to look for, cell phones was just added to his list and for most of us, we do just fine and arent causing accidents but we'll get ticketed anyway because it "might' happen ...

I think the problem is that it isn't "might" -- it is "more likely than not."

But if you are against mandated seat belts then at least I understand your vehemence on the subject.  You're just really libertarian, even when safety is at stake.  I suppose you are against mandated motorcycle helmets, too. 

Not an indictment, just an observation.

in the quote of mine that you quoted, i stated, "I agree that seat belts save lives" <--- that is not me being libertarian. that is me being against a suggestion turning into a law with a hefty fine.

and no, i am not against safety devices in any form.

but as jettyangel said so eloquently above, if the federal govt wants to make ANY distraction in our cars illegal, then we'd better be prepared to lose our Ipods, stereos, coca colas, food... and drive by ourselves alone, with no kids... ever.

[Lauri]

You know as much as I detest nanny statism, I detest distracted drivers even more. And it's not always someone with a phone glued to their head either. After living here for a while now, I can totally understand why my car insurance policy (an 18 year old policy at that) went up 32% just because of our new zip code. I've seen people eating, putting on makeup, using a cell phone, reading (wtf!!!), leaning over to do something in the passenger seat, turning around to get something out of the backseat, etc...I could go on and on. These people scare me!!! I'm beginning to think that they are a plot to make people stop using so much oil/gas.

Okay, you may resume!

ok, let me stop here to agree with both you and Freedumb: those things are terrible to do while driving (i myself hate my cell phone and rarely turn it on, feel better? ) but how exactly do you legislate and enforce people not getting distracted?

and again, where are the statistics showing that people on cell phones kill as many other people as drunk drivers?

[Wretched Excess]

You know as much as I detest nanny statism, I detest distracted drivers even more. And it's not always someone with a phone glued to their head either. After living here for a while now, I can totally understand why my car insurance policy (an 18 year old policy at that) went up 32% just because of our new zip code. I've seen people eating, putting on makeup, using a cell phone, reading (wtf!!!), leaning over to do something in the passenger seat, turning around to get something out of the backseat, etc...I could go on and on. These people scare me!!! I'm beginning to think that they are a plot to make people stop using so much oil/gas.

Okay, you may resume!

ok, let me stop here to agree with both you and Freedumb: those things are terrible to do while driving (i myself hate my cell phone and rarely turn it on, feel better? ) but how exactly do you legislate and enforce people not getting distracted?

and again, where are the statistics showing that people on cell phones kill as many other people as drunk drivers?

anyone who agrees with Freedumb must be wrong!

[Lacarnut]

The available evidence is adequate to support the conclusion that the answer to this question is "Yes," at least in isolated cases. The conclusion appears reasonably plausible, particularly in light of the trends in the data, the growing complexity of the technology, and the inherent distraction potential of using such devices from a moving vehicle. What remains unknown is the relative contribution of cellular phone use, per se, and charactertistics of the involved drivers (e.g., less capacity to time-share attention between cellular telephone use and driving tasks, greater propensity for risk taking, fatigue).

Again, driving record factors in here under characteristics. How many people involved in crashes like this have been cited before for driving recklessly under other circumstances? I'm betting a few. Or have received tickets for running lights or something while on the phone(showing they have an inability to multi-task while driving?)?

And I'll reiterate, there are already penalties for accidents no matter what the distraction. If someone misjudges their ability or focus and gets in an accident they should face the same penalty as anyone else who misjudges ability and focus ie those who drive when they are tired and get in an accident, those who drive too fast in hazardous conditions, those who take turns too fast, etc. The reason for it only figures in when determining responsibility and cause, it should not be isolated for legislation as a whole. But I think at this point, none of us on either side are convincing the other. 

Since experience is the best teacher, I will share mine. I was T-boned in my sports car by a lady who ran a stop sign while talking on her cell phone. Good thing she hit me behind my door because her SUV would have mashed in the door and caused serious damage to my head and shoulders if she would have creamed my door head on. As it was I had neck and shoulder pain for about 6 months. I have also had close encounters in parking lots where these dummies are not paying attention and I have had to blow my horn on many occasions so that they will not run into me. Don't have any facts, figures or news stories which you probably would not believe anyway but I do have many instances where these idiots on cell phones have almost hit me according to my own observations.

My best friend at work was rear ended by a garbage truck. The guy was running his mouth off on a cell phone. That happened over 4 years ago; she had her neck operated on but she is afraid to have surgery on her back and is in constant pain.

In conclusion, I want the damn things banned because it only takes one nitwit to seriously injure or kill me while talking on one of those contraptions. I also don't understand the reasoning behind the utter nonsense that's it is a emergency and I can not wait to call someone back. Stopping and doing your yakking on the side of the road would be a better alternative and then your multi-tasking will not have to kick in. 

[Ptarmigan]

Drivers who use cell phone while driving are annoying because in my experience they hold up traffic or drive slower than normal. I find that to be really annoying. Just pull into a parking lot or side part of a freeway and use it. Tell the truth I fell cell phone callers more annoying at a quiet place. I have had no problems with cell phones at movie theaters. They are good about it. It would be cool to get a cell phone eavesdropping device and hear what they are calling and post it on the Internet for everyone to hear. 

[Lacarnut]

Drivers who use cell phone while driving are annoying because in my experience they hold up traffic or drive slower than normal. I find that to be really annoying. Just pull into a parking lot or side part of a freeway and use it. Tell the truth I fell cell phone callers more annoying at a quiet place. I have had no problems with cell phones at movie theaters. They are good about it. It would be cool to get a cell phone eavesdropping device and hear what they are calling and post it on the Internet for everyone to hear. 

I have another beef about those that have their ears glued to them and not paying attention to where they are going and that is in 9 out of 10 cases they do not signal when they make a left or right turn. That is inconsiderate and rude if you ask me and also may cause a rear end accident. Same deal with those that have to smoke, drink and eat while driving. These people are always in a indulgence rush to do these things and then crawl along holding up traffic because they are usually driving below the speed limits. I guess those are the ones that are not too good at multi-tasking.

I wanted to add that the lady that hit me and ran a stop sign while running her mouth off on her cell phone was NOT ticked by the cop.

[Chris_]

in the quote of mine that you quoted, i stated, "I agree that seat belts save lives" <--- that is not me being libertarian. that is me being against a suggestion turning into a law with a hefty fine.

and no, i am not against safety devices in any form.

but as jettyangel said so eloquently above, if the federal govt wants to make ANY distraction in our cars illegal, then we'd better be prepared to lose our Ipods, stereos, coca colas, food... and drive by ourselves alone, with no kids... ever.

This isn't a question of distraction -- and actually, driving while distracted is already against the law. If you reach back to grab your kid in the back seat and a cop sees it, you will get ticketed (in most jurisdictions).

As I said way upthread, this is a question of biology.  You can eat, change the radio station, sing along with the ipod, etc. and still keep plenty of attention on your driving -- you are using a different part of your brain than the one you use for driving. When you are on the cell phone, you are using the same part of the brain as you use for driving and overload it.  And the cell phone conversation takes precedence, since it is immediate and interactive.

That is why cell phones get special attention.  And, unless you have successfully rewired your brain you (and people in general) can't overcome it by trying hard.

[DixieBelle]

Okay, I should have mentioned earlier, I base my opinion on my professional experience in law enforcement. I can't quote you hard data or link to any statistics, but I can tell you that cell phone usage effects the way people drive and is a factor in accidents. Now, to be fair, I couldn't tell you if some of these accidents would have happened without a cell phone being used. There are people who are bad drivers regardless. The report I linked to earlier basically came to the same conclusion.

Here's another study - http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/March/march5_drivingwhilelistening.shtml

Again, let me reiterate, I'm loathe to support nannystatism and I have libertarian streak. But, I also think perhaps more studies need to be done. (I honestly don't know how many have been done). I know people like to think that they are responsible and use their cell phone wisely while driving, and I'm sure that's true for a lot of people. But not everyone is so cautious and the brain imaging done supports the notion that you're taxed in a different way that diminishes your focus. I know the comparison to drunk driving is hard for some people to swallow because that's crime that is commonly accepted as very stupid and only an idiot would do it. Don't let that ruffle your feathers. I don't think anyone is saying a cell phone user is on par with a drunk driver in terms of morality and judgement or even criminality. The studies mentioned have just used drunk driving as an analogy because of the physical impairment.

[delilahmused]

My phone has done the same thing from time to time, MM, but my method for fixing it involves removing the battery, putting it back in, and it worked fine after that.  But it sounds like your phone's problem was worse.   

I'm going to let my contract run out and then get a pay as you go plan as well.  I have one year to go.

Yeah, I tried taking the battery out and I giggled the SIM card too.

Oh well, I told my dad and he said if it's not much he'll pay for a new phone.  I found an LG for $40.  I can always upgrade later.  And really I'll be saving money each month by going on pay as you go. 

LG phones are good, from what I hear.  Inexpensive, but they work just as well as the more expensive ones.  I may consider one too. 

I want that w580i, but I'll just wait, I don't want to spend that much right now...well my dad won't spend that much.  LOL.

I'm sure the LG will work just fine. 

The w580i is the one I have...Christmas present from my husband. I needed a new cell phone and had an ipod on my list so he got me both in one (at the time AT&T was running a special so he actually paid less than if he'd just bought the ipod). I put a 4gig memory card in it and I've yet to be able to fill it up. There's also free software you can download that converts CD's to mp3 and does so much faster than the programs you have to buy. I just love it and use it for everything...alarm clock, calendar...the thing even tracks my workouts and estimates calories burned...has a step counter for running and walking.

Haven't set up my email but actually downloaded OperaMini to surf the net when I'm riding in the car (I get bored easily). I'm still trying to figure out all the settings for that...it's a little irritating because everytime I want to go to a new page a box pops up and asks if it has permission to access the web (that's pretty obvious since I pushed the "go" button). It boggles my mind all the things they can put on one of these things. Still can't get into the blue tooth thing...the sound quality, especially when listening to music, sucks. Comes with a pretty decent ear bud set.

Cindie

[Lacarnut]

Another one of my observations about cell phone users in public places like Walleymart buying groceries is that they have one hand on the shopping cart and the other with the cell phone stuck in their ear yakking away driving the cart down the middle of aisle and not paying attention. You can shop in any Walleymart in the world for 30 minutes and see this cr@p. Now you know that these dummies can not drive worth a whoot if they can not concentrate on driving a buggy wagon; they are a danger to themselves and others on the road.

 

[DixieBelle]

^I hate that! I can't figure out the for the life of me what's so blasted important that it cannot wait until you get home from Wallyworld! These people speak loud enough for the whole store to hear about "Johnny told me he wanted to see other people, "girl, did you see what she was wearing last night??", etc...nothing that matters! Just once I'd like to overhear someone say, 'Oh my God! I'm leaving right now! I'll meet you at the hospital!".

[Chris_]

^I hate that! I can't figure out the for the life of me what's so blasted important that it cannot wait until you get home from Wallyworld! These people speak loud enough for the whole store to hear about "Johnny told me he wanted to see other people, "girl, did you see what she was wearing last night??", etc...nothing that matters! Just once I'd like to overhear someone say, 'Oh my God! I'm leaving right now! I'll meet you at the hospital!".

Ah, I see you are starting to see my point.  What silly assed conversation is someone having that trumps my right to life?  Even business discussions can wait.

What did people do before they had cell phones?  I guess their lives ended or something.

In a real emergency, hell yes use your cell. But to talk about what Marylin was wearing today can wait until you get home.

[DixieBelle]

I guess they are like we all were as teens. Well at least some of us girls. My mother used to tease me and say that I would shrivel up and die if I couldn't talk on the phone. Granted, it was a phone on the kitchen wall with a cord! LOL! People are so used to cell phones now. I can remember when my dad got one of the first ones that looked like a cinder block and was super expensive. It was surreal. Now, they are throw away plastic things that everyone owns.

[Miss Mia]

I want that w580i, but I'll just wait, I don't want to spend that much right now...well my dad won't spend that much.  LOL.

I'm sure the LG will work just fine. 

The w580i is the one I have...Christmas present from my husband. I needed a new cell phone and had an ipod on my list so he got me both in one (at the time AT&T was running a special so he actually paid less than if he'd just bought the ipod). I put a 4gig memory card in it and I've yet to be able to fill it up. There's also free software you can download that converts CD's to mp3 and does so much faster than the programs you have to buy. I just love it and use it for everything...alarm clock, calendar...the thing even tracks my workouts and estimates calories burned...has a step counter for running and walking.

Haven't set up my email but actually downloaded OperaMini to surf the net when I'm riding in the car (I get bored easily). I'm still trying to figure out all the settings for that...it's a little irritating because everytime I want to go to a new page a box pops up and asks if it has permission to access the web (that's pretty obvious since I pushed the "go" button). It boggles my mind all the things they can put on one of these things. Still can't get into the blue tooth thing...the sound quality, especially when listening to music, sucks. Comes with a pretty decent ear bud set.

Cindie

Yeah I loved my old phone.  I had personalized all these ring tones.  I get the song and then cut it to the spot and the you can upload it to the phone.  *sigh*  I miss my old phone. 

[Wretched Excess]

I ordered a new blackberry curve yesterday.

I will let you know how it checks out.

[PatriotGame]

I go to make a phone call today and it shuts off.  I turned it on and it won't do anything.  It's on, the battery's charged, but it won't actually go to the screen so I can make calls.

 

So after work I have to go to AT&T and get a new phone.  Grr. 

On the upside, I've decided to do the pay as you go instead of signing a new contract.  I really don't use my cell phone much and I'm paying like $60/month right now.  I have a gazillion roll over minutes.

My phone system never turns off, never needs batteries, never needs recharging:






 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

[rich_t]

^I hate that! I can't figure out the for the life of me what's so blasted important that it cannot wait until you get home from Wallyworld! These people speak loud enough for the whole store to hear about "Johnny told me he wanted to see other people, "girl, did you see what she was wearing last night??", etc...nothing that matters! Just once I'd like to overhear someone say, 'Oh my God! I'm leaving right now! I'll meet you at the hospital!".

The only time I use my cell while shopping is to call my wife and ask "hey do we need...(product in question).  Or she will call and say, "hey I forgot to put such and such on the list please buy it."

Such calls last about 30 seconds.

I don't use my cell phone while driving.  If it rings I'll aswer it only long enough to tell them I'll call them back.  If it is an urgent call, I pull over.

But that is me.  I disagree with legislation banning them while driving.  We already have too much government in our lives as it is.

[Lacarnut]

^I hate that! I can't figure out the for the life of me what's so blasted important that it cannot wait until you get home from Wallyworld! These people speak loud enough for the whole store to hear about "Johnny told me he wanted to see other people, "girl, did you see what she was wearing last night??", etc...nothing that matters! Just once I'd like to overhear someone say, 'Oh my God! I'm leaving right now! I'll meet you at the hospital!".

The only time I use my cell while shopping is to call my wife and ask "hey do we need...(product in question).  Or she will call and say, "hey I forgot to put such and such on the list please buy it."

Such calls last about 30 seconds.

I don't use my cell phone while driving.  If it rings I'll aswer it only long enough to tell them I'll call them back.  If it is an urgent call, I pull over.

But that is me.  I disagree with legislation banning them while driving.  We already have too much government in our lives as it is.

You are the exception rather than the rule. When I stop for a red light at busy intersection, I marvel at the number of drivers yakking on their cell phones.