Cell phones being used in vehicles while driving. Pros. Cons.

Where I live there's some pretty steep penalties for using a cell phone while driving:

"Using a cell phone while driving results in a minimum $615.00 fine for a first offence, plus 3 demerit points on your license and a 3 day license supension; penalties escalate with repeat offenses, with fines rising up to $3,000, 6 demerit points, and longer suspensions, and novice drivers face immediate suspensions instead of demerit points."
 
I don't think everyone can handle driving and talking on even a hands free set up.
My ex DIL and my Gr-D both scare the crap out of me talking and driving because
their minds are more on the conversation and making sure they are heard.
So many sudden brakes and near missing their turn offs, I cringe.
I have been with some who can handle both fine.
 
We are not allowed to use our phones while driving , we have phone detection cameras and big fines are handed out for simply touching your phone .

Copied this**
South Australia uses AI-powered mobile phone detection cameras at fixed locations across Adelaide, catching drivers using phones for a fine of $556 plus levy and 3 demerit points, with more cameras planned to expand coverage and target more offenders
 
To add, from my above post. There have been several times the driver
I am in the car with might say or has said "Oh gawd it's work calling, I
have to answer it!" One time I said "you need to pull over and take a
call if it is that important. She was holding her phone in her hand. She
said to me "are you the reactive type about phone use in the car"
My reply " yes I am, now get off your damn phone."
 
MrPants said:
Where I live there's some pretty steep penalties for using a cell phone while driving:

"Using a cell phone while driving results in a minimum $615.00 fine for a first offence, plus 3 demerit points on your license and a 3 day license supension; penalties escalate with repeat offenses, with fines rising up to $3,000, 6 demerit points, and longer suspensions, and novice drivers face immediate suspensions instead of demerit points."
Click to expand...
I like those penalties..
 
We all have driven for years, before mobile phones,
when we had to stop and find a call-box, if we wanted
to phone anybody, I have had a mobile since they came
out, yet I have never used one while driving, high speeds
on the highways, don't mix well, distraction from a phone,
getting angry and arguing on a phone, even hands-free,
might be an express way into the next life, after this one.

Keep phones apart from driving.

Mike.
 
Mike said:
We all have driven for years, before mobile phones,
when we had to stop and find a call-box, if we wanted
to phone anybody, I have had a mobile since they came
out, yet I have never used one while driving, high speeds
on the highways, don't mix well, distraction from a phone,
getting angry and arguing on a phone, even hands-free,
might be an express way into the next life, after this one.

Keep phones apart from driving.

Mike.
Click to expand...
I VERY MUCH AGREE.
 
I avoid calls or calling when driving but I cannot get to my location without using my phone GPS. I do not look at the screen, but I have the phone lying in the passenger seat and the audio is on, telling me directions as I drive: "prepare to take the next exit in 1/4 mile," "turn right at the next stop sign in 400 feet," etc.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
I avoid calls or calling when driving but I cannot get to my location without using my phone GPS. I do not look at the screen, but I have the phone lying in the passenger seat and the audio is on, telling me directions as I drive: "prepare to take the next exit in 1/4 mile," "turn right at the next stop sign in 400 feet," etc.
Click to expand...
I do the same thing, my GPS is google map and I keep audio on, phone lying in the passenger seat.
 
If you have a hands-free setup and know how to use it properly, your hands never even leave the steering wheel.
It's actually more distracting to have a passenger or pet in the car or fiddling with the radio.
Most people's thoughts are somewhere else when they're driving anyway. Without our subconscious, we would all be dead.
 
bobcat said:
If you have a hands-free setup and know how to use it properly, your hands never even leave the steering wheel.
It's actually more distracting to have a passenger or pet in the car or fiddling with the radio.
Most people's thoughts are somewhere else when they're driving anyway. Without our subconscious, we would all be dead.
Click to expand...
What I like to do with passengers who want to jabber while I am concentrating - don't turn my head to them to look at them.
Nearly every one will begin to talk with hand gestures that reach my peripheral vision so I can see the word being emphasized
as they speak. I love doing that.
 
The fact auto makers and cell phone providers are in cahoot says how popular and profitable the marriage of phone and auto is.
There's Apple Car Play and Android Auto and every automaker has the capabilities of both or their auto is not a leader in their segment.

Have accidents gone up since the dawning of those relationships and capabilities? ... Dunno ... but the numbers don't lie.

- Texting can make a crash 23 times more likely, and using any cellphone behind the wheel increases the chance of a wreck by several times compared with undistracted driving.

- Recent figures indicate that about 3,275 people died in crashes involving distracted drivers in the U.S. in 2023; this represents a substantial number of fatalities tied to distraction.

- National estimates suggest that around 1.6 million crashes per year involve cellphone use, and that at any moment many hundreds of thousands of drivers are using phones while driving.

I don't use a cell phone while driving. I don't even have the phone connected to the automobile display or computer. I have the phone powered on but if it rings while driving, I don't answer. Either I pull over or check it out at the next stop. If home and find I'm speaking with someone who is driving, I end the call as soon as possible, for the safety of the person I'm speaking with.

Accidents aren’t caused solely by CarPlay/Android Auto, but distracted driving remains a serious issue. Distracted behavior doesn't self correct and technology has outpaced law. Common sense goes a long way. If something makes you look down or take a hand off the wheel, it probably shouldn’t be done while driving.
 
I was forced to get my first cell phone this year because our landlines were cut. We keep the one cell phone on the counter where the landline used to be and it stays there. It doesn't get to go for rides.

I instruct all my passengers that I can't talk and drive at the same time. They can talk, sing, and rattle on about things, but they may not ask me any questions. We use far more of our brains talking than we do listening.
 
Naturally said:
The fact auto makers and cell phone providers are in cahoot says how popular and profitable the marriage of phone and auto is.
There's Apple Car Play and Android Auto and every automaker has the capabilities of both or their auto is not a leader in their segment.

Have accidents gone up since the dawning of those relationships and capabilities? ... Dunno ... but the numbers don't lie.

- Texting can make a crash 23 times more likely, and using any cellphone behind the wheel increases the chance of a wreck by several times compared with undistracted driving.

- Recent figures indicate that about 3,275 people died in crashes involving distracted drivers in the U.S. in 2023; this represents a substantial number of fatalities tied to distraction.

- National estimates suggest that around 1.6 million crashes per year involve cellphone use, and that at any moment many hundreds of thousands of drivers are using phones while driving.

I don't use a cell phone while driving. I don't even have the phone connected to the automobile display or computer. I have the phone powered on but if it rings while driving, I don't answer. Either I pull over or check it out at the next stop. If home and find I'm speaking with someone who is driving, I end the call as soon as possible, for the safety of the person I'm speaking with.

Accidents aren’t caused solely by CarPlay/Android Auto, but distracted driving remains a serious issue. Distracted behavior doesn't self correct and technology has outpaced law. Common sense goes a long way. If something makes you look down or take a hand off the wheel, it probably shouldn’t be done while driving.
Click to expand...
Excellent post.
 
Catch 22 here.

Using a cellphone while driving is potentially dangerous. Bluetooth (hands free) is still dangerous, specific studies verify this.

I work DoorDash and UberEats. I have to use my phone while driving. Both apps do not give you the opportunity to pull over to engage the notifications. It's dangerous and I do my best to be hyper aware, but that doesn't make it safe.

Both companies have continually made their apps more complicated over the last 5 or 6 years.
It's only a matter of time until a tragic fatality happens that gets enough public attention (or a huge lawsuit) before someone tries to make things safer. I don't have any ideas how this could be done?

Yes, I have definitely thought about quitting. But I have medical problems that keep me from working regular and steady hours. But this is not going to be a justification if I cause an accident and hurt someone or worse...
 

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