Driving and using your mobile maybe against the law in the future

[SpiralDragon]

we have a law against mobile phones in cars here in leb but like all other laws that we have it is only enforced when the government feels like it and that hapens rarly... :-( and the lebanese are very law abiding citizens ..... and pigs can fly... well acording to pink floyd they actualy do but that is not the point...

[thop]

like 103 already said here in germany it is not allowed. but it isn't really enforced (i have yet to hear from anyone who got caught) and the fine is only ~20€. but if you make an accident while you where on the phone, or worst case: kill someone with your car -> big big trouble.

[Kruzin]

It has been proven that driving while talking on a cell phone is as dangerous as driving drunk.

So, if they don't outlaw cell phones while driving, they shoud make drunk driving legal

[Agent31]

it's already against the law in most, if not all Australian states, to use a mobile phone without a hands-free kit whilst driving. I just ignore my phone if it rings in the car, that's why I've got voicemail...

and you're right there Kruzin, maybe they should legalise driving under the influence

[Novdid]

In Europe there are only just 2 - 4 countries where driving while talking on the phone is allowed and two of those are Sweden and UK, can't remember the other one's though.

[Dogbert]

In israel you're only allowed to use handfree. If a policeman sees you using your cell phone in the 'usual' way (attached to your ear while driving with one hand) you'll get a huge fine.

[T'kul Bastile]

They should also ban the art of putting on make-up while driving.

However, this should not be put into the hands of the federal government. It should be left to the states. They are the ones that have to inforce such a difficult law. So they should be able to decide the best route to enforcing it.

[VJ]

Here in Belgium, driving and non-handsfree phone use is also prohibited (but I've yet to see the real results: everyday one sees people driving and calling at the same time.


Jörg

[RichL]

I've got a handsfree kit in one car and nothing in the other. It's bloody hard to change gear, steer and hold the phone at the same time, so I don't tend to answer the phone when I'm in the car without a handsfree kit. They can always send me a text message and I'll read it when I stop.
Besides, without a handsfree kit, I cant hear the phone ringing over the car stereo.

[Gurm]

TECHNICALLY, in every US state, ANYTHING which distracts you from 100% capacity while driving is illegal.

In fact, taking an aspirin before driving is TECHNICALLY illegal.

As to what you'll actually get a ticket for, that's another story. Many major urban areas already have a non-handsfree ban.

PA and NJ have adopted the non-handsfree ban for the driver statewide. Generated a huge business boom for Radio Shack...

I have mixed feelings on the matter.

If you can't drive with your left hand (bear with me Brits!) and do something else with your right hand... you shouldn't have a license.

On the other hand, anything that distracts you from having your full attention on the road shouldn't be allowed.

- Gurm

[Dogbert]

Here you simply buy the car's handsfree kit with your cell phone and they install it for you as well so it's not such a big hassle.

[az]

Gurm, now WHAT do you do with your right hand all the time while driving?

AZ

[thop]

i think there is also a big difference between europe and the US. from what i heard most (90%?) cars in the US (like in japan) have an automatic gear while most cars in europe have a manual gear (85%?). but i may be completely wrong.
anyway, with the latter you need both hands, makes using your cell in the city a bit more tricky than with automatic.

[thop]

Originally posted by az
Gurm, now WHAT do you do with your right hand all the time while driving?

since gurm is (still?) an outlaw in NJ he might be holding a pistol

[Gurm]

I use... the stickshift.

You know... to change gears?

Oh, wait. You're still paying more for "automatic" versions of your automobiles, huh?

- Gurm