Cell Use while Driving - Police Forums & Law Enforcement Forums @ Officer.com

1042 Trooper · 01-06-2009, 10:15 PM

It's more dangerous and distracting than DWUI and fatigue. I know this from experience both as a user and as a cop. I am convinced it should be illegal to converse on the phone while in motion in all states - yes - even by cops. 'Nuff about my opinion.

Whaat about yours?

LAschoolCop · 01-06-2009, 10:16 PM

I agree...I know I drive worse when under the influence of my cell phone

LAschoolCop · 01-06-2009, 10:17 PM

Wow I agree with 1042!!! Do I get invited to the BBQ now???

lionheartednyhc · 01-06-2009, 10:24 PM

Cell use is extremely distracting, and the stupid blue tooth laws are pointless. Last time I checked, holding something to my face isn't really distracting..

-Erik- · 01-06-2009, 10:28 PM

"Well if I cant call/text while I drive, then that means police officers shouldnt be able to use those computers or there radios when they drive"

I can see the complaints now.

Anyways when I drive I try not to talk on my cell phone as much as possible. I will wait till I am no longer in motion to call you back if I have too. Also I will never text while driving. I text fast, and can send whatever I need to send when stopped at a light.

texaschickeee · 01-06-2009, 10:32 PM

In 1996 I was rear ended by a women on a cell that never stopped till contact was made. Pushed me into the intersection, thankfully that the light changed as I entered it.
That said if I do need to use it I pull over. I agree the blue tooth laws are pointless as your clicking buttons to answer and still engaged to the conversation which is what causes the problem, not just holding the phone and driving with one hand.

(the was a guy on a cell in the middle of the intersection with the green light.. STOPPED his car, BOTH HANDS waving as he SCreamed INTO THE PHONE)

Monkeybomb · 01-06-2009, 10:37 PM

I do think cells phones are incredicly distracting. But I also think talking on a radio, using the MDC and trying to do your job as a patrolman is far more distracting. Yet we manage to do it everyday with few incidents.

I pretty much have to talk on the cell phone at work. If I stopped or went to a substation to call I wouldn't be very productive. I will occasionally only call from substations to make a point when everyone wants a phone call.

I did purchase a Jawbone for my cell phone so that I have both hands free to operate all the other gadegts in my squad. Off duty I have the phone with me but won't use it while driving unless there is an emergent reason. And thats a rare thing.

Retired96 · 01-06-2009, 11:24 PM

As I drive around the city I live ( 70,000) I see numerous traffic violations and a large majority of them are people yaking on a cell phone. I also see many more females vs. men talking while driving..

Jellybean400 · 01-07-2009, 02:08 AM

It's illegal here without an earpiece, and i dont do it. And i agree with the law.

Ceridwen · 01-07-2009, 02:10 AM

It's illegal here as well but I still tend to do it if I am not careful.

GlockGirl · 01-07-2009, 05:43 AM

If I didn't talk and drive while I was working, I wouldn't get anything done.

TexasAggieOfc · 01-07-2009, 05:46 AM

I already multitask in the car, and if we're going to outlaw cellphones, then eating or putting on makeup while driving should be outlawed too.

And on the food topic, I always order 'finger food' when I'm eating and driving. Just seems safer to pop a chicken nugget in than hold on to a whopper at 70 mph

irishdep · 01-07-2009, 11:13 AM

If you can't talk on the phone, eat, read the paper, put make up on and beat you kids all while driving then you shouldn't be on the road.

It's called multi tasking people!

Just kidding!

safetyallday · 01-07-2009, 11:22 AM

Illegal here in Jersey. It' amazing, it seems that one out of three motorist are yacking on the phone while driving. I'll admit that I will use the phone when working, but I don't feel compelled to have it glued to my head every minute I am driving.

01-07-2009, 12:59 PM

I HATE being on the phone in the car.

Scratch that, I don't like being on the phone, period.

When I am in the car, it is usually the only alone time I have during the day, and i want to spend it listening to music, not yakking or listening to someone else talk my ear off.

That being said, I'm still guilty of it from time to time.

I text at stoplights, but not while in motion.

I was on the highway the other day with a friend of mine driving, and she kept sending text messages while we were zipping along at 70+ mph. I kept yelling at her to put the phone down before she killed us and everyone else on the road! Texting and driving is scary!!!!

PB3021 · 01-07-2009, 01:02 PM

Agree, should be illegal. The hands free clause that I've heard doesn't help. I think it was O.com where I saw study called Incidental Blindess where the conversation was the distraction and the driver couldn't recall the last 5 minutes of roadway points of interest. I know cops do lots of multitasking (you do get used to it) and in FL we're exempt from the law reference monitor in view of driver (for obvious reasons) but I do find myself distracted when talking on the phone.

LA DEP · 01-07-2009, 01:09 PM

Its illegal here in CA without a hands free set.....it should be illegal PERIOD.....its not the holding of the phone that is the problem, its that most people cant multi task, and get too involved in whatever inane conversation they are having that just cant wait until they arent driving......

imbrium · 01-07-2009, 01:36 PM

It doesn't seem any different than having a conversation with my passenger. I talk and drive all the time. I don't see how people can not do both. Sorry, but that's my opinion.

However, I WILL NOT text while driving. That's different.

Explorer528 · 01-07-2009, 02:26 PM

I agree with Imbrium...texting is very dangerous if your driving. But I think cell phones are ok when using a hands free set, and when keeping it to a minimum. I also belevie the Mythbusters did this one...

SgtCHP · 01-07-2009, 02:30 PM

You can tell which women are using a hands free device while driving, their hands are constantly in motion.

For the life of me I don't know how they get to their destination with all of the distractions they have.

Now they are really ticked because they cannot text while driving.

cbr600_kitty · 01-07-2009, 02:44 PM

I agree with not talking and driving....heck, it would be a good excuse not to call people back ..."sorry, been driving!"...I enjpoy my music too much.

Right now, Ill make important phone calls while driving, but only when completely necessary and only with family...I'll text at stop lights...

Driving and talking/texting is dangerous....I'll be driving along and see someone going too slow, swerving, etc and I will say to myself...."I bet theyre on the phone....." and 95% of the time I am right.

Seventy2002 · 01-07-2009, 02:47 PM

We call them telephones, but they're really radio transcievers. Cops, firemen, taxi drivers, have been driving while talking on their radios for decades without anyone identifying a problem. Of course, the conversations are much shorter and usually relate to driving.

willowdared · 01-07-2009, 03:07 PM

I don't know Trooper, I was stuck behind a slow moving, wildly gesturing person trying to merge onto the freeway...it was a man.

French Rider · 01-07-2009, 03:09 PM

In France, driving with a cell phone is forbidden since a lot of years.

It cost 35 € and 2 points on the driving licence.
A lot of accident are due to the cell phone all the more we have an other gearbox system.

cgh6366 · 01-07-2009, 03:30 PM

I don't find using a cell phone any more distracting then changing a radio station, putting a CD into the stereo, eating a big mac, drinking your coffee, putting on makeup or reading a map.

They outlawed it here in WA 6 months ago. No one cares, I see people on the phone all the time.