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Measure that would fine drivers $50 for holding phones takes effect in 2008. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14857955)

MSNBC - Sept 15, 2006

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/SUV-Rollover.jpg
Hands free or no Cel phone use will be the law to reduce accidents in CA. from 2008 onward.

OAKLAND, Calif. - Drivers in California will need an ear piece or speaker to use their mobile phones while on the road under a bill signed Friday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Motorists could face fines of up to $50 if they violate the law, which makes it an infraction to hold a cell phone while driving. It takes effect July 1, 2008, and is similar to laws in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington D.C.

Cell-phone use is the top cause of accidents triggered by distracted drivers, according to California Highway Patrol statistics dating to 2001.

“The simple fact is, it’s dangerous to talk on your cell phone while driving,” Schwarzenegger said. “So getting people’s hands off their phones and onto their steering wheels is going to make a big difference in road safety.”

Calls made to emergency-service providers are exempt, as are drivers of emergency vehicles. Commercial vehicle drivers can use push-to-talk phones until July 1, 2011.

First of all, let me confess I got in a hurry and did not find a picture of a phone so I put in a picture of a crash - different article asserts 3000 crashes in the US are caused by distracted drivers each year.

Many of the churches I grew up in urged complete abstinence of alchol. Some would respond that use is not the problem, but misuse. This is the situation with cell phones.

We had a caravan driving from Chicago to Madison for HybridFest using cell phones and walkie-talkies to stay together. We were paying close attention to driving and using the phones to improve it. Compare this to the drivers we see daily that nearly hit someone pretending their vehicle has autopilot while in frivlous chat...

This is a thorny issue. Because some abuse it, laws are proposed to deny all drivers to use the phone. Yes, drivers do other questionable things like eat, dress up for work, etc... I think it can be said that cell phone abuse is responsible for making "distracted driver" a household word. Some articles and people are suggesting distracted drivers are the equivalent of DWI.

What to do? For right now, I sort of favor cell phone ban, but pulling over only the obviously distracted drivers. It's just like speeding - they pull over the ones going 20mph over the limit - not the ones going 5mph over. ;) The intended effect would be people are going to use them anyway, but a law might cut out the frivlous use.

Long-term, I'd like technology to "know" when a specific user is on the phone in the car. That might be both the phone and vehicle has a black box to do this. In this environment, cell phone use on the road is legal....but if there is an accident and the records indicate a phone was in use by the driver, they are charged with DWI. I just realized that privacy issues will be raised. The way I see it, if you are in public and there is an accident, it's legal to determine what happened and why.

First of all, let me confess I got in a hurry and did not find a picture of a phone so I put in a picture of a crash - different article asserts 3000 crashes in the US are caused by distracted drivers each year.
Have to say, that headline with that image....inspired.
ROFLMAO

Let's say I wanted to present the article "as is", then inject my opinion. Pictures are a sneaky way to do it....

A few months ago, I had this encounter with a cell phone driver > Road Rage? (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1005&highlight=road+rage)

Highways are just one of the places people just tune out the world and act very inconsiderately. I've had jobs co-workers would print tons of stuff and not bother to pick it up or fix the printer when it was out of paper or toner. Phones will go off in hospitals, Memorial Services, etc...

It's my general assertion that if people dealt with their psycho issues and practiced common coursey on the road, you would see a dramatic improvement in safety and fuel economy.

:Banane37: Just read and {Took-the-Time-to-Rate-Thread}.

5-STARS ***** (IMO)

Ive seen far to many cell phone induced wrecks over the last two years. I hate to see laws like this. Its seems something has to be done.

Im guilty of using the phone while driving. :( If I have to make a call or take one in city driving I almost always pull over and park or get to a parking lot. On the hwy i will make or take calls if traffic is light.