US calls for ban on in-car phone use ... even with Bluetooth

[Javaman]

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/13/9418504-us-calls-for-ban-on-in-car-phone-use-even-with-bluetooth

Updated at 4 p.m. ET: The government's transportation safety experts recommended Tuesday to ban all American drivers from using portable electronic devices — including cellphones, even if you use a hands-free device.

The recommendation, which isn't binding but which is likely to influence the decisions of Congress and state legislatures in writing new safety laws, makes only two exceptions: You could still use GPS navigation devices, and you could use your cellphone in an emergency.

"No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life," Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said at a news conference in Washington.

Besides calling for government action, the NTSB also urged consumer electronics manufacturers to figure out a way to "disable the functions of portable electronic devices within reach of the driver when a vehicle is in motion

more at link...

[trumad]

1. what they want is for car manufactures to design a system

To shut cell phones down when driving. Technology doesnt exist for that yet and Im sure technolgy will counter it when it does.

[hlthe2b]

2. Technology can be good and it can be bad...

I agree that no one should ever "pick up the phone," nor look at any screen display on a hand-held or other non-navigational non-operating device (including being able to watch the tv above their heads for the kids). I can't tell you how many times I have almost been hit by a driver on a cell phone, oblivious that they have wandered into my lane.

That said, being able to speak, while on bluetooth has not really been proven to be any more distracting than speaking to someone sitting next to you, nor getting navigational directions. I'd need to see some proof that this was a major problem before supporting such an absolute ban.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

3. if they are going to shutdown conversational systems in all cars

or at least desire to...then they might as well start making single seat cars only and with no stereo...

hands free is no more distracting (and maybe a little less) than talking to the person next to you...

sP

[MindPilot]

4. More fear-mongering, prior restraint and unenforceable rules from the safety Nazis.

Fact is the accident and death rate has been trending down for decades despite more people in more cars covering more miles at higher average speeds. The supposed carnage wrought by cell phone use just isn't there.

Every day during the hour or so I spend on a couple of Southern California freeway, I see dozens of people talking, texting, gooming, eating, making out, smoking, toking, dressing (ever tried to do an overhand Windsor knot at 85?) And apparently, in defiance of the very laws of nature, they all seem to get down the road without incident.

If the NTSB is so concerned about my safety, how about making sure the traffic signals work and that 80-year-old bridge doesn't come down during the next earthquake?

[brewens]

5. Trifecta girl the other day. Cell, cigarette and a coffee.

She was using a bluetooth and talking. Cigarette in her hand on the wheel and drinking her coffee at the stop light.

I used to think just people smoking while driving was a big enough distraction. At least when they are fumbling for a cigarette and getting it lit. Add the cells to that and it's a real problem.

Insurance companies used to ask if you were a smoker. I used to always lie about that to get the discount but I never rarely smoked while driving so I figured that was fair.

I never talk on the phone driving. I drive a truck with a standard transmission so it's too difficult unless I'm cruising on the highway anyway. Then the music is cranked too loud for me to hear it ring anyway!

[HockeyMom]

6. Ban talking to a passenger?

because this is what it amounts to. As long as you are not using your hands, looking at a screen, talking on a phone is no more distracting than having a conversation with somebody in your car. Just imagine how "distracting" having a carload of kids in the back seat can be?????????

I yell have my daughter all the time when she is driving because she is CONSTANTLY changing the radio stations. You have have to take one hand off the wheel to do that. The worst I have seen is some stupid woman putting on MASCARA while driving.

[Atman]

7. A lot of new cars have features built in.

With voice dialing, a bluetooth speaker on the console, I don't see how this makes sense. What should be banned are the crazy in-dash computer systems like in the new Fords. You need an engineering degree just to adjust your air conditioning or tune your radio.

[piratefish08]

8. good