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Cell Phone while driving

Do you support a ban on cell phones while driving?

  • Yes, I support the ban

    Votes: 21 52.5%
  • No, I do not support the ban

    Votes: 19 47.5%

  • Total voters
    40
  • Poll closed .
Cell Phones while driving should be banned. I have seen people swerving all over the highway while chatting on the cellphone. I have never seen someone do that while eating a cheeseburger.

How often have you seen someone eating a cheeseburger when driving? When I see someone eating or drinking while they drive, they are often all over the road.
 
THen simply pull over to the side of the road when you make your call.

Not always a reasonable decision, if there is a situation on the phone and one at the office.
 
Not always a reasonable decision, if there is a situation on the phone and one at the office.

Not reasonable to pull off to the side of the road while you are talking on your phone? Well, you should do that for the safety of the motorists and other users of the road around you.
 
Why don't you just follow the law instead of blaming the police for enforcing it. Do you think you are somehow better than the cops are?

I think you saw where I wrote : "I forgot about the new laws" and where i wrote : "Ministry of traffic made those laws to protect us" so dont try to turn the facts upside down.
 
It's a matter of degree. If we eliminate automobiles, I guarantee that lives will be saved. Should we eliminate automobiles?

Of course not. But in today's society you need a vehicle to get to work and to get to people in an emergency quicker. I think that the average person drives up to 1 hr on average to get to work. While yes you could still get to work on time by walking and leaving earlier this still doesn't solve the problem that driving is a necessity in today's world. Goods must still be delivered, how are you going to transport goods without a vehicle? Wagons? Wouldn't that be fun. ;) lol Anyways there are more reasons to allow driving than there are for cell phone use. Like I said the only reasonable reason to use a cell phone while driving is in emergency situations.

I can understand this, and I am not advocating that using one's cell phone for absolutely anything is fine. The optimal driving situation is one where the driver is alone, there are no distractions, and the driver is fully alert. It would be nice if we all strove towards this optimum, but it is not always possible. I certainly support reducing distractions, but elimination is ill-advised and not possible.

How is it not possible to eliminate cell phone use in a car? It's not really that needed while driving. Except of course in emergency situations. Is there any valid reason as to why a person should be saying "Honey, I love you" or talking about how to land that account at the office while driving with someone that isn't even there?
 
Cell phone bans ON THE ROAD is designed to protect innocent people.

Again, that's the surrogate story.

Politicians frequently use "public health" and "for the children" arguments to generate public support for increasing government's reach.

If the government were genuinely concerned with public health on the road, they would pass legislation which addressed ALL distractions. The fact that they focus only on cell phone use makes me want to investigate the politicians who sponsored the bill to see what financial interests they have in OnStar, BlueTooth and similar.

Driving on the roads is NOT a right.

I never said it was, and even if I did it would be a civil right which is subject to federal and state regulation.

Banning talking on a cell phone while a motor vehicle is in motion is perfectly reasonable.

I would agree if it were a part of a greater effort to address driver distractions.

IMO drivers should have to talk on a cell phone to an instructor while learning how to drive and/or testing on a course. Drivers should have to learn how to operate the vehicle while various distractions are present; from screaming infants to a pet that suddenly get's loose from the carrier, people need to at least practice bringing the car to a stop safely while these hazards are present.

Drivers should have to at least practice driving with one hand so that they can drive safely if their arm is broken, driving with their left foot in case their right foot is ever injured, with only one eye, etc.

Anyone convicted of a DUI should lose their license for a year, imo, for life on the second offence and charged with a felony if they continue driving without a license.

Cell phone use is such a small piece of the picture that focusing only on that is highly suspicious.
 
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I drive a stick-shift.

I have to take one hand off of the wheel to drive.

What about operating a window? Turning on the headlights?

For that matter, how do you make turns without taking a hand off of the wheel?

I suppose it depends on the car, but I can use my directional w/o taking my hand (singular) off the wheel as the switch is within reach of my fingers.

My right hand usually sites on the shift stick even though I drive an automatic...old forklift habit. I'm used to having the shifter as a point of reference to orient myself with the equipment I'm operating.

I was driving forklift long before I was driving a car, so maybe that's why I operate a car better with one hand than with two. When you're busy on a forklift each limb is doing something different and all are working controls at the same time.
 
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Again, that's the surrogate story.

Politicians frequently use "public health" and "for the children" arguments generate public support for increasing government's reach.

If the government were genuinely concerned with public health on the road, they would pass legislation which addressed ALL distractions. The fact that they focus on cell phone use makes me want to investigate the politicians who sponsored the bill to see what financial interests they have in OnStar, BlueTooth and similar.

I agree. If I had a dime for every time someone tried to bolster their obviously weak argument with drippy emotional appeals - it's for the sake of the children! - I would buy myself a steak dinner with all those dimes.

If Debate Politics had audio, I could accompany the posts in this thread with my violin - at least that would drown out all the sobbing over those poor, innocent children.

I put 40K to 50K miles a year on my work vehicle and 2000 to 3000 minutes a month on my cell phone talking to customers as I drive around town. Obviously, these two activities overlap.

The first and last time I caused an accident was in 1987, long before cell phones were invented, when I ran a stop sign and got broadsided.

So, tell me again why using a cell phone while driving should be banned?

Oh, I remember: The state budget is in the red so they have to conjure some new "crimes" into existence so they can balance their budget on the backs of honest workingmen who are just trying to do their jobs. That was it!

Obviously, banning cell phones is just another scam, no different than the recent "crime" of having a decorative frame around one's license plate. The state's budget is in the red and they are frantic to think of things they can outlaw so they can score some more money off the working people.

That's all it is. So please don't insult my intelligence with maudlin references to "the children" or "public health" or any of such ****. I know when I'm being scammed.
 
I agree. If I had a dime for every time someone tried to bolster their obviously weak argument with drippy emotional appeals - it's for the sake of the children! - I would buy myself a steak dinner with all those dimes.

If Debate Politics had audio, I could accompany the posts in this thread with my violin - at least that would drown out all the sobbing over those poor, innocent children.

Obviously, banning cell phones is just another scam, no different than the recent "crime" of having a decorative frame around one's license plate. The state's budget is in the red and they are frantic to think of things they can outlaw so they can score some more money off the working people.

That's all it is. So please don't insult my intelligence with maudlin references to "the children" or "public health" or any of such ****. I know when I'm being scammed.

It seems that they found a way to pay for national health care without raising taxes much after all ;)
 
How often have you seen someone eating a cheeseburger when driving? When I see someone eating or drinking while they drive, they are often all over the road.

We agree that reckless driving is something to be avoided.

The people you mention do not have the skill to eat while driving, and while I agree that people without the skill should not perform the activity, imo any legislation should be focused on increasing their skill.

After all, they're going to do it anyway, so we may as well educate them so they do it safely.
 
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Yes cell phone use while driving should be banned. Acording to studies that I have seen it makes a teen driver drive as bad as a 60 year old.

And yes eating while driving should be banned also. Whenever I go to a fast food resturant like BK I will go park the car while I eat or wait until I get home to eat.

While driving your whole attention should be on driving. Not on anything else.
Well hell, let's ban 60 year olds from the road. Let's ban teenagers too, and officers that talk on the radio while driving. Let's ban women because they fluff their hair and paint on makeup while driving. Let's ban CD receivers because people listen to music.
 
Do you believe there should be a ban on cell phones while driving?
If this is done then fast food drive-ups should be banned because eating while driving is on the same plane (level).

This coincides with my belief of the "evolution of laws and the snowball effect"!

I just voted for a ban, but with reservations: They are the same as yours. But if driving is a privilidge and not a right, and if we accept the requirement for using seat belts, mostly to ensure the safety of the driver, then a requirement that to some degree prevents injuries to innocent others should also be enforced. Actually I believe eating is so automatic that the safety issues are not nearly on the same level. Cell phones require attention on several levels of cognizance that distract from recognizing dangers. it would be interesting to be able to discover cell phone useage in all accidents where (1) failure to yield right-of-way, (2) rear-endings, or what might be called (3) "driving recklessly" are involved.

Yes cell phone use while driving should be banned. Acording to studies that I have seen it makes a teen driver drive as bad as a 60 year old.

And yes eating while driving should be banned also. Whenever I go to a fast food resturant like BK I will go park the car while I eat or wait until I get home to eat.

While driving your whole attention should be on driving. Not on anything else.

I take exception to the comment about "60 year old"s
icon_eek.gif
....actually I'm cool with that. I'm sure I'm more distracted by scenery and a wandering mind than a year ago; I'm also subject to more impetuous moves.

Just drove to Florida and back from Indiana (an every year event) and found that I came up on sudden and dangerous traffic back-ups perhaps 10 times in twenty-two hundred miles. This required consant monitoring of tail light signals in the traffic ahead of those immediately in front of us. Cell phone useage would've caused an attention deficit that the situation could not have tolerated.

When I get a call on my cell phone, I answer and just say I'll pull over before talking, and I pull over before initiating outgoing calls. Pulling over (see 2 above) can be dangerous also, so sometime I just say I'll call back ' in a few '.

When waiting at traffic signals, I'm amazed at how many times around me I see people totally absorbed in their cell phone conversations. I suppose those are really important calls like "I'm going to stop by the grocery on my way home...do you want anything from there?...wait a minute..let me get my list and pencil..."

...
 
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When waiting at traffic signals, I'm amazed at how many times around me I see people totally absorbed in their cell phone conversations. I suppose those are really important calls like "I'm going to stop by the grocery on my way home...do you want anything from there?...wait a minute..let me get my list and pencil..."

...

By introducing these people to what a text message is, this scenario can be avoided.

See? Education, not legislation, is the answer.
 
I voted against it.

I seriously don't get it, not even a little bit. I drove an ambulance while having to man two - three different radios, lights, siren, talk to my partner, and dodge traffic at high speeds. I seriously don't see how talking on a cell phone increases any risk of anything, it makes no sense. The only way to be consistent would be to ban speaking AT ALL in a vehicle; To the adult passengers, to the children you're carting around, or even singing with the songs on the radio, etc. Otherwise, it just makes no sense whatsoever.
 
I think you saw where I wrote : "I forgot about the new laws" and where i wrote : "Ministry of traffic made those laws to protect us" so dont try to turn the facts upside down.

But then you had rather disparaging thoughts regarding the police.
 
Obviously, banning cell phones is just another scam, no different than the recent "crime" of having a decorative frame around one's license plate.

We are not talking about banning cell phones, just prohibting their use while a motor vehicle (which can kill people when not operated with due care) is in motion. It is really so unreasonable to expect a person to pull off to the side of the road when they are talking on a cell phone? Nearly daily do I see drivers on cell phones do really stupid things driving their cars that puts other people in danger - on a couple of occassions, I was placed in some danger by careless drivers using cell phones. The combination is DANGEROUS! Personally, I wish the ban were more diligently enforced here in Taiwan. I support ALL cell phone driving bans. You need to talk on your cell phone, pull off to the side of the road. Please explain WHY this is such an onerous expectation!
 
I don't understand the problem. Operating a motor vehicle is licensed by the state of your residency. It is a privilege, not a right.

It is not guaranteed in the Constitution so the state can reasonably do whatever they wish to make the roads safe by the standards they set.

It is simple.

I am sick of idiot drivers holding up traffic and not paying attention to the road for whatever reason. Cell phones would be one less distraction, and a major one.
 
By introducing these people to what a text message is, this scenario can be avoided.

See? Education, not legislation, is the answer.

texting while driving is also illegal in CA and probably other states.
 
But then you had rather disparaging thoughts regarding the police.

Its just a word we use : Damn cops, you want me to Eulogizes him while he made me a fine ?!
 
texting while driving is also illegal in CA and probably other states.

I think texting while driving is even MORE distracting. However, I tell my wife if I am on a Costco run that if she needs anything last minute added to the list, text me, don't call me. I then look at the message after I park at Costco. Problem solved.
 
Without a doubt it should be banned. It is not necessary to talk and drive at the same time. I believe that every person who is an owner/driver of a car has a responsibility to take every precaution (possible) to stop their machine from being a metal bullet.

Driving is dangerous, and people are careless.
 
By introducing these people to what a text message is, this scenario can be avoided.

See? Education, not legislation, is the answer.

Unfortenately there are too many people that think that their message is just too important to send via text message. You know the type of people that thinks that the world revolves around them? Doesn't matter how well you educate those type of people...(I could say more but I don't want to get banned...I'm selfish that way. :lol: )
 
Sure, eulogize, apologize, offer him your first daughter... :mrgreen:

:poke am not married :)



Edit note: Smiley added << (Kal'Stang's style in editing) :rofl
 
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I voted against it.

I seriously don't get it, not even a little bit. I drove an ambulance while having to man two - three different radios, lights, siren, talk to my partner, and dodge traffic at high speeds. I seriously don't see how talking on a cell phone increases any risk of anything, it makes no sense. The only way to be consistent would be to ban speaking AT ALL in a vehicle; To the adult passengers, to the children you're carting around, or even singing with the songs on the radio, etc. Otherwise, it just makes no sense whatsoever.

Yes but not everyone can multi-task near as well....or for that matter near as well as they think they can.
 
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