U.S. withheld data on risks of distracted driving

[Capt Steve]

Using a cell phone while driving is stupid, dangerous and should (IMHO), be illegal. How can folks that have the common sense not to drink and drive use their cell phones while driving? You are just as impaired and frankly NOTHING you have to say is worth someone's life. Here is more on the latest research and the political games being played with the data:

NYT: Data shelved on distracted driver risk - The New York Times- msnbc.com

 

[BarbC]

So putting on my reading glasses and texting is out?

 

[stevieboy]

All of those who use their cellphones will driving, and in particular, those who send text messages while driving, are lucky that I'm not the Tsar with absolute authority. Because, if I were, use of cellphones while driving would merit long prison sentences and texting while driving would merit worse.

A few weeks ago I was out driving my brand new car -- just one week out of the showroom. I came to an intersection. The light was green and I proceeded to cross. As I did, a large SUV coming from my left ran the light and smashed into the left front corner of my car with tremendous force. At the moment of impact I looked at the other driver. She was a young woman who was staring at her cellphone, apparently trying to read or send a text message. She never looked up, never saw the light, never saw me. Had I entered that intersection a tiny fraction of a second earlier or had been driving a couple of miles an hour faster, the collision would have been against my driver's side door instead of my left front wheel and I might not be here to tell this story.

 

[S/W - Lifer]

I'm in complete agreement. Texting or using a Blackberry while operating a motor vehicle on a public street, road, highway, etc. should be punished by a stiff penalty. Drivers making a phone call should pull over.

This will never happen, of course. The big money involved and public convenience will take precedence over those that are killed or maimed.

 

[Wayne02]

Enough with the redundant laws/regulations already. Charge them with reckless driving, distracted driving, attempted manslaughter or the like, but lets not run around enacting "new" laws here and there. We are already regulated to high heaven in this country as it is. People are either driving safely or they are not, and if they are not then throw the book at them under the existing law structure and be done with it.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Cell phones are a problem on the highway and due to extreme amount of profit involved I doubt anything will ever be done about them.

I can't believe how much some people talk, they seem to never stop. They're worse than I am.

 

[jframe]

A damn cell phone is a problem, period. I went nearly thirty five years without one, then we decided it was a good idea. We shut them off a week ago to save ninety bucks a month, and I ain't missed it one bit yet. Just something else to keep up with and another way for people to find you. If you don't answer, they text you. If you don't answer THAT, they get pissy about it when you do talk to them. We're not only saving money, we're saving peace of mind.

 

[jkc]

And moreover --- wait, hang on, got a call coming in...

 

[Crazy K38]

in colorado it is an offence to use a cell while driving, but I think if caught using them while driving the officer should be able to confiscate them, permanantly

 

[bubbiesdad]

And moreover --- wait, hang on, got a call coming in...

and this nut in front of me is all over the road.

 

[USAF385]

I talk on my cell while driving from time to time.

I use a hands free ear piece though... so really it's less distracting than talking to an actual person in your car, since you have nobody to look at.

Texting? never.

I think eating should also be illegal. I get so mad every time I see someone stuffing a burger down their throat while driving. Now THAT is a distraction.

 

[M29since14]

...due to extreme amount of profit involved I doubt anything will ever be done about them.

Amen!

 

[MaximumLawman]

Why would you need a study to tell you that adding something else into the driving equation besides driving would increase crashes?

 

[afriqueart]

I used to drive almost 60 miles each way on I-95 from Hobe Sounnd, Florida to my office in Ft. Lauderdale. I saw a lot of stupid drivers in the several years I did that.

The dumbest thing I ever saw was a guy in a minivan holding a newspaper open and reading an article while going 70 in the middle lane of I-95. There wasn't texting then or he probably would have been texting or reading news on the 'net.

 

[9c1 lover]

you guys are wierd, blaming the PEOPLE? its the damn car thats just a killing machine those stupid dangerous things need to be banned. should be easy enough i mean the dang things dont even have an amendment protecting them so this should be a piece of cake. all in favor of outlawing vehicles...