Will drivers ignore new phone bans?

[BridgeTheGap]

Talking on a cell phone while driving? Don't do it with a handheld device in California or Washington. Those states banned drivers from using handheld phones on July 1 -- joining Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah and the District of Columbia.

In California, cops can pull over any driver caught holding up a phone, and issue a ticket that could total $100. In Washington, drivers must also be committing some other offense to get the $124 ticket.

Prior to July 1, cell phone companies sent text messages and car dealerships sent e-mails to remind customers of the pending bans (and to push sales of hands-free headsets).

But are drivers listening? With little enforcement of the bans in some states and no insurance penalties for many drivers, it's not clear whether the laws are much of a deterrent.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourCar/DriversIgnoringCellPhoneBans.aspx

[driver8]

1. I live in California and still see people talking on their cell phones all the time.

I see at least two or three people a day.

[democracyindanger]

2. Yep. In practice, I think it'll end up the same

as a broken taillight violation. A cop will use it as an excuse when they want to pull you over, but generally ignore it.

[Xithras]

3. Absolutely not. I switched to texting.

Or flipping the phone into speaker mode. I found that it wedges nicely into my sun visor for clear conversations.

[BridgeTheGap]

5. Now that's a better idea! n.t

[LisaM]

9. In Washington, they banned texting before they banned handheld phones

After the entire commute was brought to a near standstill one day by some asshat texting on his way to work.

I wish they could pull people over for talking on the phone. Although I have to say that in Washington, at least, I've seen way fewer people doing it.

A couple of weeks ago I was completely stopped and pulled out my cell phone to hand to my mother so that she (not I) could make a call. I had to move forward, so I put it in my lap till I was stopped again. A policeman saw me put it into my lap and she laughed - she thought I was trying to hide theh phone from her. It didn't seem worth trying to explain to her that I never intended to make a call!

[Xithras]

13. Not in California

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[MorningGlow]

4. Here in NY it's being roundly ignored

People talk on their handhelds while driving all the time. I haven't heard of one instance where a policeman stopped a driver for talking on a phone. Hell, I've seen COPS talking on cell phones while driving! :eyes:

[groovedaddy]

6. Most of the times I see bad driving, the driver is holding a cell phone

Once, driving down the interstate, I looked over and saw a guy driving an s.u.v. In one hand, he had a cigarette, cup of coffee. In the other hand, a burger and cell phone. I just shook my head in disbelief.
In Kentucky, there is an unenforced law against eating/drinking (anything) while driving.

[AlCzervik]

7. they are ignoring it here in Ca, i still see many drivers on their phones.

sans jawbone or the other hands free devices. I drive a car with a manual transmission so the whole driving while on the phone has never been an issue for me. I still think driving with the hands free kit isn't much better, i think at least for me trying to concentrate on 2 tasks at once is impossible.

[NJmaverick]

8. The law will add a new phrase to the language

"hang on, I am passing a cop"

[lizziegrace]

12. Hehe...

I've used that line before. :)

[LeftinOH]

10. Driving around with a ridiculously-amplified sound system is banned in many places, too

(including where I live)..but you'd never know it. And, people talking on their cellphones while driving cannot be heard several blocks away, announcing their arrival (which is the case with the BASS-holes).

[Redstone]

11. Depends. In Connecticut, everyone ignores it. On Long Island, everyone obeys it. But then, on

Long Island everyone obeys the speed limit too, to an extent I've never seen eslewhere, so it might be that they have vicious enforcement there.

Redstone