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
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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
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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
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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
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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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6. 

   So far, I haven’t read a comment that isn’t sensible really & I will concede that driving while talking on the phone does distract driver concentration, as does applying make-up (I’ve seen that being done numerous times on the morning drive), or having an in-depth conversation with a passenger.

   Many ‘cellphone-while-driving’ users tend to drive slower than the flow of traffic (we’ve all seen it) & that presents other hazards to fellow motorists as it disrupts the flow of traffic.

   Any banned activity that means fines & the loss of points is just another provincial cash grab. In New Brunswick, there is not yet a ban, & there has been a multi-usage charge in existence for eons… “Driving without due care & attention” & laying that charge on drivers would serve the same purpose. Why go through all the expense of creating new legislation when it already exists & can be readily exercised?

   From my point of view, distracted is distracted whether it be from mobile phone usage, screaming kids, a too-loud stereo or anything else that takes one’s attention from the road. It’s all about being a more attentive driver & using common sense.

   For the record, police officers use cell phones very frequently, & much of the time while driving; as they do in-car computers & radio communications with their respective Comm Centres. Does that make a police officer dangerous while on the road? The short answer is no, because he or she has been taught to drive properly. That’s the key word… “taught”.

   Not only can they drive a vehicle well, they can observe what’s happening around them for 360 degrees, use the radio, & operate the full gambit of warning equipment the vehicle is fitted with. It’s all about driving habits & doing it properly.

   It’s pretty simple really:

   Don’t follow closely.
   Don’t drive in excess of the posted limit.
   Use your mirrors frequently. Know what’s around you.
   Look over your shoulder before changing lanes.
   Use your turn signals.
   Turn into the correct lane when making a turn.
   Yield doesn’t mean stop!
   Merge doesn’t mean stop!
   Merge into traffic at the speed of traffic!
   Keep your vehicle in good working order & mechanical condition.
   Do a walk-around to check your lights/signals.

   How many of you reading this can relate to situations where we have seen drivers doing the polar opposite of some of these?

   Cellphone or no cellphone, you can’t legislate common sense & there’s no cure for stupid. Enough said?

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   Posted by S. Roherty | October 21, 2010, 8:01 pm
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