Cel Phone Ban in Ontario

[leejor]

I was down in Washington State a couple of weeks back and saw a sign, in a store, next to the Bluetooth headsets explaining that as of ( I think) July 1st, it is illegal to use a handheld mobile in the car. I hadn't heard a thing about it. I go down there every 3 or 4 weeks, no signs at the border and nothing, that I've seen, along the highway. It is long overdue here in BC. I see to many people that are unable to signal because they have the phone in their left hand.

[Onyx11]

its bad enough glued to the ear but seeing people texting is scary

I agree, saw a Dr Phil on the subject while sick last week. Girl said she did her best texting on the freeway at 70 mph than she did on residential streets - too many things to watch?. They filmed her and saw that she had her eyes off the road for 11 seconds at 70 mph, that is like 10 football fields between looks, YIKES. I am amazed there are not more texting accidents, at least with a cell you can still watch the road once you have dialed. I go hands-free when using my cell and only when necessary so I would not mind if Alberta did put in similar legislation but texting while driving should be immediate - driving with undue care and attention and dangerous driving charges. IMHO Edited October 28, 2008 by sjw2005

[MikeT]

I see too many people that are unable to signal because they have the phone in their left hand.

If they are in a BMW, the cars don't come with turn signals anyway ;)Edit: deleted extraneous apostrophe Edited October 28, 2008 by Mike T

[Onyx11]

If they are in a BMW, the car's don't come with turn signals anyway

FYI - One reason professional drivers can do the radio thing - buses have foot controlled signal lights not hand controlled.

[lebikerboy]

What was the charge? Prolly care-and-attention, eh?

Yep, driving without due care and attention PLUS filing an incorrect accident report...

[bilgladstone]

Yep, driving without due care and attention PLUS filing an incorrect accident report...

So we don't need a cell phone law, see? We already have a blanket charge that covers that and dogs-on-your lap and all that other stupid stuff.

[FlyingTigerDevelopment]

Talking on the phone, eating, drinking, tuning the radio, changing CDs, watching the kids in the back seat, conversations with passengers, adjusting the mirrors while driving, changing gears manually, reading billboards, searching for unfamiliar streets or addresses, rolling the windows up or down, turning the page in a map book, listening to CBC radio, shooing the wee doggie off your lap...

I think drivers should be trained or re-trained for all of the above. I doubt that they ever did when taking drivers ed. After you get your license, you're on your own.Our licensing system rely for drivers to have common sense. But for many people if you are not told, or taught, or enforced. They have no idea.

[smart142]

I am amazed there are not more texting accidents

I looked after someone in the ER who admitted to texting while entering the on ramp to the 401. The weather was perfect and he simply went over the side and rolled the car. He shared this info with the first people to the scene. I was there when the OPP informed him that he was being charged with careless driving and he was very surprised......DUHHH. Not only that but he sustained a spinal cord injury. Talk about a loser! It's a good thing he didn't injure anyone else.

[spinner]

I think drivers should be trained or re-trained for all of the above. I doubt that they ever did when taking drivers ed. After you get your license, you're on your own.

I'd be in favour of instant revocation of a driver's license if, let's say, holding a handset to one's ear caused them to fail to signal or respond to driving conditions, even if it doesn't lead to an accident. Such a person has become careless and lost interest in the seriousness of driving. More often than not they are visibly tuned out. So, if they want to continue to drive they should have to earn that privilege over again. Otherwise, someone else should be driving them.You know, baby, driving is a serious game

[Guest Snapdragon]

So we don't need a cell phone law, see? We already have a blanket charge that covers that and dogs-on-your lap and all that other stupid stuff.

We also have laws regarding how high your headlights are supposed to be off the ground. Problem is the cops don't ticket for laws that are barely unenforcable and will be thrown out in court. If there's a specific law that says "You can't use your phone" and you are caught "Using your phone" then it's a slam dunk and they'll ticket it.

Texting while driving, I've got you beat - how about a woman doing it while driving a loaded school bus. Yep. Amazing huh? "Professional driver" my back end.

[strawboss]

I just had an interesting drive this morning with a cabbie who had a hands free headset, had to prompt him twice to avoid turns that were dead wrong, all the while chatteringaway, I hit the imaginary brake pedal a third time as a rear-ender seemed to be next....Maybe he was a lousy driver anyway....

[flyinglow]

I wonder why many cars have the "Baby on board" sign, but now I understand, Baby is driving while they are on the phone...........

[MightyMouseTech]

I wonder why many cars have the "Baby on board" sign, but now I understand, Baby is driving while they are on the phone...........

no no no...it means you get an extra 20 points!!!!!

[yolanda]

It's so sad that we need a law to make it clear that yapping on the phone impairs your driving. I'm willing to accept handsfree as a compromise. After all, there's people with their eyes glued to the window, hands on the wheel, no radio, attention firmly focused on the road, and they still cannot drive. Then there's folks who can operate a gps on the dash, yap on a handsfree, and sing along to the music who never miss a beat while driving. We are all just different enough in our brains and our abilities that we can't assume everyone can or can't do what we can or can't do. yesterday i was sitting in traffic on my scooter. It was pretty boring waiting on light after light as only a few cars would get through and then we'd advance a bit, then wait for the full round again. The woman next to me yanked out her phone to entertain herself. Aha! so that's part of the problem. People get restless and bored sitting in stopped traffic. Then by the time they've dialled the number or started the text conversation, traffic gets flowing again and you have someone engaged.Maybe manufacturers could include something in the frame of cars that interferes with cell phone transmission so you have to hook up to an external antenna (now you need handsfree) or get out of the car to phone.I do have a cell and handsfree. I rarely use it, but pretty much because I have very few friends and fewer still who want to talk to me. :-)