Americans still texting while driving despite bans

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Jiro said:
I don't understand your comment about traffic congestion. It's same as anywhere in the world. The german drivers were not better than us because of different "degree of traffic congestion." It's because they have a much more stringent and comprehensive driving program that emphasizes on safety.
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How do you know traffic congestion is the same around the world? Have you evaluated the traffic patterns and ratio of drivers comparing them from one county to another?
 
Hear Again said:
What I meant is that punishing a drunk driver for manslaughter is completely different from charging someone for the same reason because they are arguing behind the wheel. Making that kind of comparison is like comparing apples to oranges.
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I still don't understand your argument. When you're arguing with a passenger in your car - that is a distraction. That is the accident waiting to happen. While you're arguing with the passenger and being distracted by it - you can either hit a car or drive erratic or kill someone while you're arguing with the passenger.

Like I said - you can be charged with manslaughter or aggressive driving or any other charge at officer's discretion.
 
Hear Again said:
How do you know traffic congestion is the same around the world? Have you evaluated the traffic patterns and ratio of drivers comparing them from one county to another?
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youtube videos. There are thousands of them from around the world. I have posted numbers of them in here.

so do you know if the traffic congestion is the same around the world? have you done the research?
 
Jiro said:
so do you know if the traffic congestion is the same around the world? have you done the research?
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Actually, yes I have. I've read numerous research studies about drivers in other countries. Research studies are based on solid conclusions whereas YouTube videos are based on inconsistent variables including time of day, rush hour, street closures/construction, etc.
 
Hear Again said:
Actually yes, I do. I've read numerous research studies about drivers in other countries. Research studies are based on solid conclusions whereas YouTube videos are based on factors including time of day, rush hour, street closures/construction, etc.
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good for you but what does that have to do with this thread? Like you said - If online, anyone can say whatever they wish and there is no proof to substantiate their claims. :) (just kidding)

did you know the traffic safety reports and research are shared around the world? It's same behavior for same problem but each country has different solution for it. All has pointed to 2 conclusions - comprehensive driving program and better & simpler traffic system.

That's why the busy intersections with expensive, fancy traffic lights system in America has a higher rate of accidents than the busy intersections with roundabouts in Europe. However - this is not relevant to this thread. We can make another thread about traffic system and safety which I would love to talk about. it's what I want to make a career out of it. I've been considering entering grad school for this. It's part of Urban Planning.
 
oh btw - the research studies are mainly studied by those who drive with years of experience. That's why they know better on what works and what doesn't. That's why the experts have a scar or two to prove it. They know it best better than those who know it from books only or have never driven a car.

You can read all the research studies and books you want but you can never intimately understand it unless you have driven a car for years. The studies assume that the readers have some driving experience. so in my opinion along with over 13 years of driving, we need a comprehensive driving program and many driver safety awareness programs. Automobile Accident is teens' bigger killer. this ban law is nothing but useless bandaid to combat this issue.
 
Jiro,

I've never driven a car in my life yet that doesn't prevent me from understanding a research study. I think you're trying to scrape the bottom of the barrel again in order to come up with a valid argument.

When someone reads a research study about the efficacy of a certain medication, does that mean they need to have a particular medical condition or experience taking that med? Of course not. The same thing is true with any study. Reading and understanding a study has to do with comprehension -- not one's own personal experiences.
 
Jiro said:
good for you but what does that have to do with this thread?
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You were the one who brought up how German drivers are the best in the world, so I counteracted that claim by indicating the fact that there are different traffic patterns around the world. You then indicated that you could identify traffic patterns by watching YouTube videos to which I responded by saying research studies were/are a far more valid means of evaluating traffic patterns.

By the way, this entire discussion started after you suggested that if texting were banned, we would also have to ban arguing. You also said all drivers should be educated about the dangers of unsafe driving and thought this would be enough of an incentive to make them responsible drivers.
 
Guys, Let's get back on topic please. :)
 
Hear Again said:
You were the one who brought up how German drivers are the best in the world, so I counteracted that claim by indicating the fact that there are different traffic patterns around the world. You then indicated that you could identify traffic patterns by watching YouTube videos to which I responded by saying research studies were/are a far more valid means of evaluating traffic patterns.
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So you're counteracting my claim solely based on different traffic patterns? oh good grief..... Perhaps you should read up on German's comprehensive driver education and then compare it to American driver education. Do you know the difference between American and German driving tests? Do you know what it's required in order to get the license?

The research studies regarding traffic safety are based also on videos which are published to youtube or it can found on their sites (there are literally thousand of them). Their studies are also based on their actual driving experience. Their studies are also based on experiment with live subjects and hidden cameras in their cars. It's not in computer or books.

You would know better than me when it comes to traffic pattern because it's largely based on computer simulations and fluid mechanics theory. but when it comes to traffic safety - sorry to say but you actually have to be able to see and you actually have to drive in order to understand it and to know the effective solution to make driving safer. If I tell you that I'm proposing a new safety plan to install low-powered LEDs along the road because it increases the safety level for night driving. Well - how can you understand my safety proposal if you don't know what it's like driving at night time or to understand my proposal may be better than existing solution which is a bright white/yellow lane painting along the road?

Hear Again said:
By the way, this entire discussion started after you suggested that if texting were banned, we would also have to ban arguing. You also said all drivers should be educated about the dangers of unsafe driving and thought this would be enough of an incentive to make them responsible drivers.
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yes. I argued that the texting ban is nothing more than useless bandaid. It solves nothing. One of my biggest concern is the teen drivers who texted while driving. The statistics are already published everywhere and it shows the increasing cases of texting while driving by teen drivers which resulted in accidents. How can we fix this issue? a comprehensive driver education and frequent safety awareness program. guess what? it works for seat belt program!!! more and more teen drivers are actually fastening their seat belts than ever before! it's becoming their second nature so hoorah for that.

I don't know if you notice but lately in tv, there was this commercial about teen driving and distraction. It began with teens driving recklessly and being horrendously distracted by talking with each other and phone. There's one passenger who was very nervous but did not say anything. The obnoxious guy magically appear in the car and told teen drivers to drive safely otherwise he will crash and die. The commercial ends with a message - SAY SOMETHING! DO SOMETHING! (sorry I can't remember the exact line).

Read the title of this thread - "Americans STILL texting while driving DESPITE bans." Apparently - the ban doesn't work. Now you see what I mean?
 
Jiro,

We are just arguing in circles. Let's agree to disagree.
 
Well one way to stop texting and cell phone use while driving is the same way the FAA keeps people from using their phones on airplanes. All modern cell phones are equipped with an "Airplane mode" in which you can play games and listen to music and what not on your phone but you cannot receive calls nor can you send phone calls. It basically allows one to keep their phone on and functional while still disabling the phone features. I am sure when you board a plane something or someone politely reminds you to please turn your phone to airplane mode or turn it completely off.

We have the technology, so maybe car manufacturers can detect a cell phone within the vehicle somehow and if it's not in vehicle mode similar to airplane mode or if its not turned completely off, then a light will come on to remind the driver to turn the phone to vehicle mode or turn the phone completely off - or it can have a scrambler device on the vehicle to prevent calls and text messages from going out or coming in while the vehicle is turned on. We have the technoloy - we just have to utilize it.
 
Dixie,

I like the idea of having a scrambler device to prevent people from placing calls from inside their vehicles.

However, what does one do in the event of an emergency or could the scrambler ignore calls to 911?
 
Hear Again said:
Dixie,

I like the idea of having a scrambler device to prevent people from placing calls from inside their vehicles.

However, what does one do in the event of an emergency or could the scrambler ignore calls to 911?
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have it set up where if you need to call an emergency you need to pull over and turn off the engine. Basically, you have to call 911 from a safe location.

either that or have it set up where it automatically blocks all ingoing and outgoing calls for all numbers EXCEPT for 911.
 
Dixie said:
have it set up where if you need to call an emergency you need to pull over and turn off the engine. Basically, you have to call 911 from a safe location.

either that or have it set up where it automatically blocks all ingoing and outgoing calls for all numbers EXCEPT for 911.
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I'd love it if something like that came to fruition. I get tired of riding in cabs where the driver is yakking on his cell phone and ends up slamming on the brakes or driving so fast that it makes me nauseous. :(
 
Dixie said:
Well one way to stop texting and cell phone use while driving is the same way the FAA keeps people from using their phones on airplanes. All modern cell phones are equipped with an "Airplane mode" in which you can play games and listen to music and what not on your phone but you cannot receive calls nor can you send phone calls. It basically allows one to keep their phone on and functional while still disabling the phone features. I am sure when you board a plane something or someone politely reminds you to please turn your phone to airplane mode or turn it completely off.

We have the technology, so maybe car manufacturers can detect a cell phone within the vehicle somehow and if it's not in vehicle mode similar to airplane mode or if its not turned completely off, then a light will come on to remind the driver to turn the phone to vehicle mode or turn the phone completely off - or it can have a scrambler device on the vehicle to prevent calls and text messages from going out or coming in while the vehicle is turned on. We have the technoloy - we just have to utilize it.
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Hear Again said:
Dixie,

I like the idea of having a scrambler device to prevent people from placing calls from inside their vehicles.

However, what does one do in the event of an emergency or could the scrambler ignore calls to 911?
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cellphone jammer is illegal by FCC regulation. Ever wonder why airplanes don't do this either? there's no way in hell that FCC would permit it for civilian use. the risk outweigh the benefit and I don't support this idea.
 
Foxrac said:
Yup, it's true and there's link about according to FCC.
FCC: Wireless Services: Cellular Services: Operations: Blocking & Jamming
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yup there you go. thanks for link. for those who are too lazy to click on the link.... here -

The operation of transmitters designed to jam or block wireless communications is a violation of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended ("Act"). See 47 U.S.C. Sections 301, 302a, 333. The Act prohibits any person from willfully or maliciously interfering with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized under the Act or operated by the U.S. government. 47 U.S.C. Section 333. The manufacture, importation, sale or offer for sale, including advertising, of devices designed to block or jam wireless transmissions is prohibited. 47 U.S.C. Section 302a(b). Parties in violation of these provisions may be subject to the penalties set out in 47 U.S.C. Sections 501-510. Fines for a first offense can range as high as $11,000 for each violation or imprisonment for up to one year, and the device used may also be seized and forfeited to the U.S. government.
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