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CAA wants to ban all hands-free devices while driving

By Rob Avison on February 10, 2010 in Asides, Mobile News, Various News

PEI welcomed the ban of using hand-held devices while driving back in January. If you are caught by police you could be charged between $250 to $400 (plus three demerit points). However, Gary Howard, VP of Marketing & Communications for CAA (Maritimes) says the law “does fall short” and will be meeting the government next week to request the ban be expanded to include all types of hands-free devices.

Howard states “Our concern is that it’s not at all addressing the real issue of distracted driving. You’re not paying attention to what you’re doing when you’re engaged in a conversation. You’re six times more likely to be involved in an accident, whether you’re hands-free or not.”

P.E.I. Transportation Minister Ron MacKinley says he can drive safely with a hands-free device. So… not sure how far this request will go. Image not being able to communicate while driving? Wonder if eating will be banned next?

Via: CBC

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Related posts:

  1. Ontario Doctors speak up about cell phone use while driving
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  4. Quebec to implement full cellphone ban while driving? “Your attention is not on the road. It is on the conversation”

Discussion

5 comments for “CAA wants to ban all hands-free devices while driving”

  1. So does that mean that they will also ban having passengers in your car? You’re still having a conversation whether or not the person is in the car or on the phone. I agree with the banning of cell phone use while driving, however, I think it is absolutely ridiculous that they would want to ban “conversations”. What about listening to music and singing along? Stupid decision.

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    Posted by Brian Carlson | February 10, 2010, 10:25 am

  2. Not only should you not smoke with kids in the car but you should also not talk to your kids. No talking permitted in your car whatsoever! I also think that they should ban car stereos. I may be nuts but I occasionally bop my head when a good tune comes on, maybe even dance a little bit. Wait! There’s more. Pretty girls should not be allowed to walk outside while cars are driving because they serve as a distraction for me. All pretty girls will be ticketed! Last but not least. People should not be allowed to have accidents on 400 series highways and police should not be allowed to pull people over. Those are the biggest distractions of all!

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    Posted by ya think | February 10, 2010, 11:10 am

  3. Actually, there were some tests done and that in-car conversation between two passengers (Note — They did not mean a car full of teenagers!) and found that was much safer than a cellphone conversation.

    This is observed because there was a tendancy for the passenger to pause/slow down conversation whenever there was a safety distractio, such as a car cutting in front, etc.

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    Posted by Mark Rejhon | February 10, 2010, 2:08 pm

  4. Next step ban passengers being inside the car with the driver :)

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    Posted by Brian | February 11, 2010, 2:36 am

  5. Mark,
    Any tests with the out you suggested were done with that predetermined outcome. It is not any “safer” to talk with people than on a phone in car.
    If a car pulls in front of you, whether on the phone or with a passenger, you will slow down. Talking on a phone makes no difference.

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    Posted by A. Nonymous | February 11, 2010, 6:21 am

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