Comments on: North Carolina: Cell phone laws, legislation

By: Al Cinamon

Al Cinamon — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:10:16 +0000

Amanda, please read my post of March 28. It may convince you that there is no difference between hand-held and hands-free. They are both equally dangerous.

Next time you walk down the street. take a good look at the person talking on the phone. They won’t even be aware of your presence. They will be “looking” at the person in the phone. That’s the way it is. Just because your eyes are open doesn’t mean you’re seeing what you should see. It’s the brain that controls everything, and if the brain is occupied with a phone conversation, then most everything else gets unnoticed.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:56:50 +0000

My family and I was driving down Old Hollow rd today, when a silver car was coming towards us head on, we had to slam on the brakes, the car behind us almost tailgated us because of the lady texting and driving in the wrong lane thank god she looked up in time to see us she swerved back into her lane. Just to think I had my 3 year old son and 2 year old daughter in the back, everyone would’ve been seriously hurt especially the lady texting in her silver sedan while we were driving a silverado truck, someone could’ve lost their life over texting and hurting innocent bystanders. I am for the ban and anyone who isn’t is crazy. My children could’ve been really hurt of an idiot texting and driving in the wrong lane because they are not paying attention. Now hands free I’m okay with because it is like speaking to someone who is in the passenger seat all i want is both hands on the wheel!

By: Al Cinamon

Al Cinamon — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:44:50 +0000

Stacy, if you want to gain some sanity maybe you should look at the research that shows there is no difference between using a hand-held or hands-free phone. The reason being that the conversation is the distraction, not the mere holding of the phone. That’s why the NTSB, in its wisdom, recommends banning all types of phones. So, if you want to keep deluding yourself, go right ahead. I just hope you don’ t have to learn the hard way.

By: stacy

stacy — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:49:48 +0000

I think not allowing you to use your phone in your car with a Bluetooth or headset is insane. I am from New York they banned handheld cellphones years ago, you still are able to use it with Bluetooth, headset, speaker. I use Google maps to get everywhere.
What’s next are they going to ban GPS navigation systems? I never look at my phone while I’m driving.

By: Al Cinamon

Al Cinamon — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 10:32:24 +0000

In response to Robin: Since cell phone laws can’t be totally enforced, maybe we should stop issuing speeding tickets. For every one who gets a ticket for speeding there must be thousands who get away with it. Your argument is absurd.

In response to Larry: So the State shouldn’t tell you “what to do.” Interesting comment. I guess the State shouldn’t be able to tell you to stop for red lights or stop signs either. When you drive you’re using public roadways and agree to be regulated. Getting a license doesn’t give you the right to drive any way you want, especially if it endangers other users on the road. If you can’t accept that responsibility, then don’t drive.

By: robin

robin — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 03:55:04 +0000

Can’t agree with you more, Larry … People are too eager to jump with cell phones, but the reason for the distraction campaign is that there are so many other distractors while driving. Research has proven over and over that all these new fangled gizmos in our vehicles are not helping but hindering. As a paramedic I see the end result.

BTW the leading group of distraction fatalities – try the 30-49 age grou

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:48:57 +0000

I have sat here reading all the post, I don’t agree with banning hands free because I use mine GPS on my phone which gives me direction in my head set so I don’t have to look at a screen. I can tell you I get just as upset with people whom are not watching when there driving. Yet this is not limited to just phones, let’s talk about you women that are putting on their makeup in the morning, I have first hand knowledge of this because I have been hit 2x while setting at a red light.

Let’s talk about the loud music someone on here said that you can tune it out, not if you’re shaking the windows lose. Oh yes that the person that brought MADD well there are people still getting 3 and 4 or more DUI’s and driving and killing people. Get over yourselves and drive if you don’t need to use the phone but don’t tell me what to do.

By: robin

robin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:52:40 +0000

@ Judy Griffin, NHTSA’s latest statistics actually show that cell phone fatalities only account for 5% of traffic deaths. I am in definite agreement that a law regarding cell phone use while driving is needed. There is no reason, why anyone needs to be on the phone while driving,

By: robin

robin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:48:38 +0000

Banning cell phone use is a good idea. HOWEVER, the enforcement is almost impossible to enforce. For every one driver pulled over, there would be at least 60 if not more that would get away on a busy highway.

Statistics show that all distractions including talking to the person next to you are impairing the drivers ability to focus.

NC still does not have effective DUI laws and the Chapel Hill cell phone ban is not a ban at all.

By: Al Cinamon

Al Cinamon — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:58:32 +0000

In response to Brenda Enders. The problem with your whole argument is that drivers have no common sense. That’s why we need speed bumps, red light cameras, school crossing guards and even a gate when a train is coming through.