Cell Phone use in the car

[Pembo]

After my accident a month ago where an idiot ran a red light while talking on his cell phone...I've been very cautious about cell phone use in the car. Coincidentally, I was on the cell with my husband when the idiot hit me. It allowed him to be at the accident within minutes. (We were a few miles from home).


Just wondered what other people do...

 

[SydSim]

I believe that anything that is a distraction, shouldn't be done while driving. That being said, I use a bluetooth while in the car. I drive quite nicely while talking. Talking on my bluetooth while driving isn't necessarily a distraction, for me. There are times where I tell the person that I'm speaking with to hold on because I need to concentrate on something in particular (usually parking or looking for something specific). I'd do the same thing if someone were sitting right next to me, talking.

I used to drive over two hours to work and back, on the turnpike. Talking to friends and family during that long drive was great! Never had an accident

 

[CruisinEars]

I live in the state of Washington and we have a primary law on the books that does not allow talking or texting while driving. If it is urgent I will put it on speaker, which is allowed. Handsfree devices are encouraged in our state. I did vote that I just don't talk anymore. I have changed my habits.

 

[Mermaid02]

It is not illegal in Maine to talk on a cell phone when driving.

There are studies saying hands free devices are just as distracting- in a way, life was much easier before everyone had their phone with them 24/7. Remember when you actually had to be home to receive a phone call?? And if you wanted privacy you had to hope the cord was long enough to reach into the closet?

 

[MIGrandma]

- in a way, life was much easier before everyone had their phone with them 24/7. Remember when you actually had to be home to receive a phone call?? And if you wanted privacy you had to hope the cord was long enough to reach into the closet?

Many times I wish we could go back to those days.

Or at least back to the big, bulky bag phones that were actually called "car" phones. At least then people wouldn't be yammering on the phone to someone when they're in a restaurant, in line at the bank, in the drive-thru, at the cash register in the store, etc. etc.

Some people think the phone should be attached to their ear all the time, and I just don't get that.

 

[hulagirl87]

Here in NY it is illegal to text or talk but it doesn't stop anyone from doing it anyways. It's quite frustrating actually. I told DH that I wish that we could silly string anyone that we saw talking or texting. Doesn't hurt them but would make me feel a bit better There are several times that people have pulled out right in front of me almost causing an accident and when I look they have their phone up to their ear and don't even recognize what they are doing. I could keep going on this topic but it could get bad so I'm going to stop. I will end with this. No conversation is so important that you risk your life or mine. thanks

 

[Abbie]

Maryland's hands-free law just went into effect last week. I find myself very aggravated with it! My drive to and from work is when I catch up on phone calls--check in with my elderly mom, my kids, my husband. And it's a very hard habit to break.

The reasoning is faulty in my opinion. They say it is distracting to talk on a cell phone while driving and I do agree...but it's the actual act of talking that is distracting, not the holding of the phone! I have tried a couple of times to use the speakerphone function but I find myself looking down to find it and fumbling for it and I think that's far more distracting than actually talking.

I never had any issues with driving while talking, whether it's on the phone or to a passenger right next to me. Like a pp, sometimes I will have to pause the conversation but generally it's never been an issue. I will get a bluetooth this week but I don't think that will make a bit of difference in the "distraction" factor.

What I think the new law will do is drive people to text instead since you can do that in your lap where no one will see the cell! That to me is a far bigger danger.

 

[DrCavin]

I can see banning texting while driving, but not talking.

 

[SC Minnie]

Mine and DH's cars are both equiped with bluetooth so we always use handsfree if we have to talk while in the car.

 

[Robinrs]

Atlanta claims it's broke but if they enforced that stupid text law half as much as they monitor the HOV lanes, they'd be RICH!! I have a 5 minute commute and I see more people texting or running their mouths on a phone than I see anything else... but I DO live across from a high school!

I'm not a talker, RARELY use my cell phone at all, so I'm one of the rare ones who do not talk while driving. No problem, I'll be the one who gets hit...

 

[Angelhalo]

In the car when I talk on the phone the most. I have never felt like it has distracted me even a little bit. Some people are good at it, some people aren't. Chances are hit the person who hit you would have been an idiot whether they were on the phone or not. Now texting is a different story. No one should text and drive.

 

[Pakey]

It's been illegal in California for quite some time but you'd never know it. I wouldn't text while driving and my car has bluetooth.

 

[scrapquitler]

I sometimes talk on my cell phone while I drive, but I don't text. I live in a state that it is illegal for me to talk on the cell, but I don't think that talking on the phone is any more distracting that having the kids bickering in the back seat, changing the radio station, or drinking my coffee.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I dont like talking and driving, if its really needed I will find a place to pull over and make my call. Some one just told me they got a ticket for it and they put it on the insurance. Just like a ticket. I need to ask how long that will stay on the ins.

 

[dismom2005]

I admit, I sometimes talk on my phone in the car. It is rare but it does happen.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I talk on my phone and drive very frequently. As others mentioned, that's my time to catch up or return phone calls I wouldn't otherwise have time to do. That being said, I DON'T do it if I'm in a tricky driving situation or need to concentrate, or if I feel that it's interfering with my ability to drive.. But if I'm just on the interstate - absolutely.

 

[jodifla]

Out of 100 trips in the car, I use my phone maybe 3 times.

It has to be a pretty urgent call -- or I have to be on a long, long trip with endless highway in front of me. I was on the phone a lot when I drove from Maryland to Michigan and back.

Otherwise, I'd rather just listen to my music or my books on tape!

 

[marcyinPA]

I voted that I use hands free, but I have to say that it is rarely. Talking on the cell phone is against the law in my city and the neighboring city. It is a first offense, meaning they don't have to stop you for something else first.

 

[C.Ann]

Since people were able to manage before without using cell phones in cars, I don't see it as being necessary at all.. It's a "want" - not a "need".. If peoples lives are that jam packed full with other activities that the only time they can catch up on calls is while they're driving, I think it's time to consider cutting back - or rearranging ones lifestyle..

DD's life has been forever altered by someone hitting her while the driver of the other car was talking on a cell phone.. It was a very "important" call - the woman was trying to figure out where she could all meet up with all the other "girls" later for a night out.. Meanwhile she also had her child in the car - in the back seat - no seat belt.. Brilliant..

 

[LoraJ]

I rarely talk in the car and if I do I use the bluetooth and voice dial while at a light. It's usually listening to a meeting or telling my husband I am 5 minutes away.