Cell Phones and Driving
By carolbee
@carolbee (16230)
United States
August 2, 2010 7:50am CST
Lots of problems using a cell phone or texting while driving has my wheels turning. The providers should be able to preset a phone so it automatically rolls over to voicemail so the driver can pay attention to the road. Text messages could also be programmed the same way. This might help prevent some of the accidents and deaths happening as a result. Just a passing thought here. What's your take on the idea?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Aug 10
I think it's one of the most dangerous things....My daughter, granddaughter and I went yesterday on a day trip. There was a woman talking on her cell....first she passed us....then slowed down. So we passed her....we could see in the mirror that she was weaving over the white line and at one point her car went off the side of the road almost in the ditch. Did she stop talking? Nope....we were very nervous until she passed us again....luckily at our turn off.....I wonder if she made it to her destination? I don't think most of us can really concentrate when our attention is on texting or talking on the phone.....
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
9 Aug 10
Know what you mean. I have people cut me off all the time or join me in my lane when they are on the phone. I am so against it now. Had a gal pull right out in front of me the other day and she was on the phone. My husband was behind me and he even noticed it was a close call. It's just stupid. Thanks for responding.
@AmbiePam (85736)
• United States
8 Aug 10
I like the idea. I think it would catch on with a lot of people. Although, there will always be those careless people who wouldn't implement that kind of thing. Those are always the ones doing makeup in the rearview makeup while driving, or trying to pull their nose hairs in the rearview mirror while driving(seriously, I've seen this).
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
9 Aug 10
You are exactly right. I have seen women putting on makeup and mascara while driving and I also saw a man shaving while driving. It was bizarre. Wish there was a way to implement the cell phone usage while driving but think our state, and all others, need to ban cell phone usage while driving like New Mexico. It's the only way to stop it. Thanks for responding.
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
2 Aug 10
That would be an excellent idea if the drivers would actually DO it. The problem is, some people seem to be utterly unable to drive without a cell phone stuck to their ear.
I've often wondered what the IQ's of these people are. Does it take a genius brain to figure out that even the simple act of using an earphone or bluetooth device would be a LOT less dangerous? It boggles my mind!
I never answer the phone if I'm driving. If the call is important, they will leave a message. I can listen to the message when I've stopped driving. If I'm on an especially long trip, which is very rare, I'll pull over before even looking at my phone to see who had called.
I've seen some of the results of people using cell phones while driving. They're not pretty. One of them was of a man who was completely cut in half after driving headfirst into an 18-wheeler. Of course, most people who insist on having that phone glued to their ear don't think that will ever happen to them but it only takes a split-second of diversion to change a life forever.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
2 Aug 10
Thanks for responding. Our daughter and her hubby are firefighters/paramedics. They see this kind of thing on a regular basis. I'm not a big cell phone user but do carry one. I make calls when I am about to get out of the car when it's parked. Have often thought there could be a cell phone stop like a rest stop but that could be a dangerous idea. In today's world, nothing is safe.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
2 Aug 10
HI Carolbee,
In the UK, it is against the law to use the cell phone whilst driving, so what I think people should do is switch the phone right off and leave in aside as the voice mail to leave messages is still on, so when you get out of the car, then you can use the cell phone, what do you think people used to do before the cell phone was invented? just saying.
Tamara
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
2 Aug 10
I know it's against the law in New Mexico. Was visiting our daughter last year and she wouldn't answer it unless she pulled over. I think it's a great law but don't know if the police will enforce it or not. We have a law in Missouri that headlights must be used when windshield wipers are on. I've seen the police driving without their headlights on as well as a ton of other drivers when it's raining!!! Thanks for responding.
@fpsninja (874)
•
2 Aug 10
You can now get these bluetooth connections between the mobile and the car that means that the driver can answer the phone by pressing a button on the steering wheel. But having a button that says "hold up" sending the caller a message saying something like "this person is driving at the moment" could be a great idea!
@pavangeddam (31)
• India
2 Aug 10
ya datz a vry good idea i do agree with u hope this idea will be implemented!!!
