Driving in Orlando

[BRobson]

Driving up and down I4 2 or 3 times a day for 21 days I noticed almost everyone in their cars were speaking on phones or in a couple of cases reading magazines:scared1:

I know there is a difference and in the US you mainly drive Automatics but it is still really dangerous :scared1: In the UK it is illegal

I just wondered if it was legal everywhere in the US or not deemed a problem

and

The amount of car accidents we saw (all minor thankfully) - anyone any idea what causes them - are tourists the main offenders?

Just curious really

[Poohbug]

I live in the US and unfortunately this is a problem everywhere. There are many accidents where people are killed and it is because they are on the phone. And now there is text-:scared1: I personally think it should be outlawed. If it is that important to talk to someone you can pull over. It's nice to hear that other countries do not have this problem.

[simonkodousek]

In the state of New York it is illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving. If you have Bluetooth in your car however, it is OK because both of your hands are on the steering wheel and you are concentrating on the road more than holding a phone in your hand.

There is not a law restricting the use of cell phones while driving in Wisconsin, but many accidents that occur here are because of people either talking or texting. A few years ago you would see a lot of people reading or writing while driving, but now (because of so many fatal accidents) it is rare that you see people doing this.

~Simon :wizard:

[checkwriter]

It is against the law in Florida as well, unless you have a hands-free device. On the other hand, it is legal to carry a licensed handgun in the glovebox. So don't go lecturing anybody about it. :eek:

[DisneyKevin]

It is against the law in Florida as well, unless you have a hands-free device.

This is not true.

There currently is no law against using a cell phone while driving in the state of Florda.

http://www.drivinglaws.org/florida.php

[exwdwcm]

it is legal in TX. they have just started implementing some laws in certain cities that you cannot be on the phone in school zones. at least that is something.

i NEVER answer my phone in the car. even when driving an automatic (i have a stick too). no one needs to talk to me that bad. i just return their call in a few minutes when i am stopped. what's so important that it can't wait until you are stopped? really? i watch my sister do it and she can not multi task and it scares me to death. and i know she isn't alone. i think it is super dangerous. whether it is the phone or something else- distraction, period is dangerous.

people drive like maniacs in Orlando anyhow with all the tourists. after I lived there, it drove me nuts. so many people trying to find their way around, reading maps and crossing 4 lanes of traffic at hte last minute to exit. it drove me crazy. add in cell phones and it is really a mess.

[bagpiper]

I have driven twice in Florida this year on vacations, once in Orlando and second in Key West.

I have driven all over the East Coast, and spent the last 25 years driving in NYC, but there were some near misses due to sloppy driving. I was on my way to Key West this week and some lady (with TX Plates) just decides to make a U-Turn out of no where. Luckily we didn't collide. I don't know where she was from, or if the car was a rental, but she wasn't the only bad driver I saw.

Be very aware and Drive Safe !

[TheTXTaylors5]

it is legal in TX. they have just started implementing some laws in certain cities that you cannot be on the phone in school zones. at least that is something.

:thumbsup2 They passed the no cell phone use in a school zone "when the lights are flashing" where we live (near Flower Mound, TX).

:confused: So, it is or isn't a law in Florida? We usually drive from TX to FL for our WDW trips. I'd hate for DH or I to break the law while there. I know ignorance isn't an excuse. We almost found that out the hard way in Destin, FL when we walked our dog on the beach. We needed a permit. Oops! The beach patrol was NOT very nice. But, I did talk my way out of the ticket. :rolleyes:

I was on my way to Key West this week and some lady (with TX Plates) just decides to make a U-Turn out of no where.

:rolleyes: I've lived in Texas for almost fourteen years (originally from MA). I've found that 80% of the people that live here, aren't from here. They're transplanted from another state/country. It must have been one of those crazy New York drivers. (Just kidding New Yorkers!;)) They DO drive crazy here. More than half the people don't even have car insurance.:scared: Uninsured Motorist insurance comes in handy here. :headache:

- Jennifer

[FireDancer]

Ohio has left the cell phone laws to the individual cities which is fun. On some of the boarder streets you can be breaking the law talking on the phone heading westbound but completely within the law on the same street heading eastbound. What will most likely happen eventually is the same thing that happened with seatbelt laws. Insurance companies will lobby congress to pass laws (either federal or state) to make it illegal to talk on phones. The cell phone companies will back the legislation because of the high margin on Bluetooth devices. For our friends in England, this is how everything gets done in the US.

[BRobson]

In the UK we can still use our phones on handsfree but you cant concentrate fully on two things at once :goodvibes

Very interested on all your comments :)

[UrsulasShadow]

I think that depending on hands-free devices lends a false sense of security, and those should be banned as well. Anything that distracts your attention from the road is a hazard, and should be avoided. That means playing with the radio, your hands-free device, dining on your Big Mac, putting on your makeup, etc.

Pay attention, people! There are other people out there!

[Cyrano]

Driving up and down I4 2 or 3 times a day for 21 days I noticed almost everyone in their cars were speaking on phones or in a couple of cases reading magazines:scared1:

I know there is a difference and in the US you mainly drive Automatics but it is still really dangerous :scared1: In the UK it is illegal

I just wondered if it was legal everywhere in the US y

:eek: I hadn't even thought that any place would allow driving and using a mobile phone. Scares me at home when you see 40 tonne trucks and the driver has one hand on the wheel and another with their phone glued to their face.
Surely the legislators place a higher value on life than allowing numpties to drive and phone/txt :confused3

[Minnie Lor]

I don't see a difference between a cell phone in your hand vs. one in your ear. I do drive with a cell phone but only when I'm not in or near traffic.

I think it's crazy when people are texting, reading the paper, putting on makeup, or turning around to swat a kid. :scared: Also, the semi's scare me. They not only have their cell phones but they have their computers up there as well.

[catycatcat4]

I dont drive yet.I can get a permint but ALOT of people my age around here wait so they dont have to spend money on it. But when i do i will never awser my phone at all. *that would nto make my mom to happy if she where to call*


but i also tend to be overly carefull. i would never drive in the rain. or to disney on the big roads my self.

[checkwriter]

This is not true.

There currently is no law against using a cell phone while driving in the state of Florda.

http://www.drivinglaws.org/florida.php

Sorry . . . Google let me down on that one . . . :confused3

BAD GOOGLE!

Chat away, travelers!!!

[disneyholic family]

I think that depending on hands-free devices lends a false sense of security, and those should be banned as well. Anything that distracts your attention from the road is a hazard, and should be avoided. That means playing with the radio, your hands-free device, dining on your Big Mac, putting on your makeup, etc.

Pay attention, people! There are other people out there!

recent studies have shown that even when you're on a hands free, your concentration level is just as bad as if you're holding the phone...
and it's just as bad as if you're drunk...
so you're right....hands free phones aren't safe either..

[BRobson]

recent studies have shown that even when you're on a hands free, your concentration level is just as bad as if you're holding the phone...
and it's just as bad as if you're drunk...
so you're right....hands free phones aren't safe either..


My Dh knows that - he travels alot for work but will not answer the phone till he can pull over - you cannot concentrate on what someone is saying and drive :headache:

[disneyholic family]

My Dh knows that - he travels alot for work but will not answer the phone till he can pull over - you cannot concentrate on what someone is saying and drive :headache:

DH uses a hands free, and talks while he drives....
all i'll say is he isn't the greatest driver who ever drove the face of the earth when he's not on the phone, so you can imagine him on the phone while he drives....:sad2:

but at least, when i'm in the car with him, i'm the designated driver....so that's good....he can talk to his heart's content..:)

[BRobson]

DH uses a hands free, and talks while he drives....
all i'll say is he isn't the greatest driver who ever drove the face of the earth when he's not on the phone, so you can imagine him on the phone while he drives....:sad2:

but at least, when i'm in the car with him, i'm the designated driver....so that's good....he can talk to his heart's content..:)

:hug:

I kind of think Mobile phones have taken over the world a bit - listen to ma 27 and sound like my granny :lmao: but the amount of times people are more interested in their phones than what goes on around them (dont flame me) . I do understand people need them for their work too :scared:

[disneyholic family]

:hug:

I kind of think Mobile phones have taken over the world a bit - listen to ma 27 and sound like my granny :lmao: but the amount of times people are more interested in their phones than what goes on around them (dont flame me) . I do understand people need them for their work too :scared:

i totally agree....

[MenashaCorp]

:hug:

I kind of think Mobile phones have taken over the world a bit - listen to ma 27 and sound like my granny :lmao: but the amount of times people are more interested in their phones than what goes on around them (dont flame me) . I do understand people need them for their work too :scared:


Oh, I totally agree! If I'm on my phone in a store, I'll finish before checking out to not be the rude, disrespectful guy ignoring the cashier's existence by talking on the phone instead of to the person in front of me.

I've had my own "customers" answer the phone while I'm talking to them. I leave. There is NO REASON we need to be on call 24/7, WHETHER WE HAVE KIDS OR NOT. Sorry; it's a myth. We all got along without cell phones for MANY years and did OK. It just took PLANNING-something people here know how to do well. Flame away if you must...:goodvibes

[bawstngrl]

the under 30 generation (for the most part - don't flame - not ALL) are the worst offenders - The woman I babysit for is NEVER without her phone to her ear!!!!!! Even when she cooks, feeds the baby, drives, does work on her computer etc. etc. My DD (19) is equally bad.....but she is always TEXTING!

Now you tell me how someone can type on a tiny keyboard and still keep eyes on the road....
SCARRY

IMHO many of the accidents in FL are tourist (or tourist caused) - driving erratically/switching lanes at the last minute due to looking for a location....driving and trying to read directions....etc....it's scary down here
(and I come from BOSTON, notoriously one of the worst driving cities in the world LOL)

bawstngrl

[OKW Lover]

I think that depending on hands-free devices lends a false sense of security, and those should be banned as well. Anything that distracts your attention from the road is a hazard, and should be avoided. That means playing with the radio, your hands-free device, dining on your Big Mac, putting on your makeup, etc.

Pay attention, people! There are other people out there!

Good point Mindy. Instead of legislatures trying to pass laws about the perceived problem du jour, they should just enforce the current ones already on the books about paying attention to the road.

[MM32830]

So, it is or isn't a law in Florida? We usually drive from TX to FL for our WDW trips. I'd hate for DH or I to break the law while there. I know ignorance isn't an excuse.

- Jennifer


It is NOT illegal to drive in Florida while talking on a cell phone, even if you do not use a Bluetooth earpiece.

However, if you get involved in a crash, you may not want to volunteer that you were talking on your phone. Most states (Florida included) have laws about "driving while distracted".

[Cyrano]

My Dh knows that - he travels alot for work but will not answer the phone till he can pull over - you cannot concentrate on what someone is saying and drive :headache:

:thumbsup2

[luke]

see I don't get that concentration bit, I see it as no different to talking to someone next to you :)

:goodvibes

[Geef]

I live outside of Chicago, and rarely get into the city anymore. It is against the law to talk and drive unless you have a hands free phone.

I was on my way into the city recently, and I realized I wasn't sure where I needed to turn. I called my Dad, he was raised in the city, to get my bearings.

We were talking for a few minutes and then he asked where I was. I said I was at the corner of Ontario & Michigan. And then the phone went dead. I thought I lost the call, so with out looking, I redialed.

My Dad picked up, laughed, quickly told me what I needed, told me I was braking the law and hung up again. All done with out me saying a word.

As I was ending the call, a street cop pointed at me and then his ear. I lowered my phone and he turned away.

Dad's are smart guys sometimes.... ....sometimes. (I'm a Dad of 2)

[UrsulasShadow]

see I don't get that concentration bit, I see it as no different to talking to someone next to you :)

:goodvibes

Exactly. That's distracting, too.

Have you ever noticed that when you're driving along, chatting with your buddy next to you, or yelling at the kids, or whatever, and something comes along on the road that demands your attention, you STOP TALKING to deal with it? That's how you should always be...letting the ROAD demand your attention.

[luke]

yep, true! But that's never said as a distraction tho.
For the record I never use hands free nor mobile at the wheel :)

:goodvibes

[Becx N Gav]

see I don't get that concentration bit, I see it as no different to talking to someone next to you :)

:goodvibes

recent studies have shown that even when you're on a hands free, your concentration level is just as bad as if you're holding the phone...
and it's just as bad as if you're drunk...
so you're right....hands free phones aren't safe either..

Actually the signal to the phone whilst moving is not as steady as if you were still, therefore if you're zooming along at 60mph some of the sound is missed (like interference) meaning your brain has to fill in the gaps (not sure if these are audiable) taking more of your attention than if someone was sitting in the car. Even if you were Nigel Mansel your brain would still have to compensate for the breaks in sounds.


I live in the US and unfortunately this is a problem everywhere. There are many accidents where people are killed and it is because they are on the phone. And now there is text-:scared1: I personally think it should be outlawed. If it is that important to talk to someone you can pull over. It's nice to hear that other countries do not have this problem.

The trouble we are now seeing here is that people just pull over (and most UK roads don't have the space to the sides of the lanes) when their phone rings - whereever they may be! So the next danger is going into the back of someone stopped round a tight corner :thumbsup2

I agree that we coped fine without mobiles but those days are long gone!

[luke]

Actually the signal to the phone whilst moving is not as steady as if you were still, therefore if you're zooming along at 60mph some of the sound is missed (like interference) meaning your brain has to fill in the gaps (not sure if these are audiable) taking more of your attention than if someone was sitting in the car.

That is an excellent point that i'd never even thought of :)

:goodvibes

[Becx N Gav]

That is an excellent point that i'd never even thought of :)

:goodvibes

I actually read it in Laboratory News that comes to work (I work for a company that refines metals and makes chemicals - I test them in the labs) they have some interesting stories and I read it when I have time to ;) Infact I think that story was in the issue I took on Eurostar when we went to DLRP. It made some good reading :thumbsup2