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Whattaya mean I can't use my phone while driving?

I have received this email a couple of times. It was telling me about the new statewide cell phone ban here in Ohio, effective July 1, 2008. According to that, I could not use my phone while driving anywhere in the state. To be honest, I don't think that's too bad of a law, but the email is bogus. Someone with waay too much time on their hands copied an email going around in California about a law which was partially true. Only thing changed on the message was "Ohio" for "California."

I'm all for using hands free devices while driving, or even pulling over to talk. I'm not for someone wishing to cause a problem by sending an email that's not true.

A cell phone ban while driving wouldn't be a bad law and before I want to hear about someone's rights being violated I would like to say that it's my right to arrive home safely.

Comments

Jen said…
My husband finally went bluetooth for in the car. I'm so glad!
I Rarely talk and drive.

Now don't get me started on people in the grocery store .........they stand in the middle of the aisle oblivious to eveyone around them and .....
June 27, 2008 2:37 PM
Tim Lones said…
WIXY/Jen:
I work in a grocery store..well over 50% of the customers have cell phones. (maybe even 80%) While My wife and I have cell phones, we only use them regularly once a week.When she is calling to pick me up from work Sunday nights..(She is in church and I generally have to wait about 45 minutes for church to let out..then she calls)

Point being..what did America do before cell phones? I think cell phones are the most invasive technology we've ever had as Americans, even more so than the computer..
June 28, 2008 7:13 AM
Cliff said…
Tim and Jen: I really don't know how us baby boomers grew up without cell phones(turn sarcasm off)

When I first got my cell phone in 2001, my son was going through some emotional problems, causing him to have seizures, my mother wasn't in the greatest of health and lived over 40 miles away, and I had just got my knee replaced. With my 46 mile drive to work, we thought it would be a good thing to have one.

Now I have somewhat of a problem of phones ringing during church and people who cannot enjoy a quiet night out without their cell phones. And the camera phone is giving itself a real bad name with the way some abuse it. I have used mine for my job on occasion.

As far as talking while driving, I will say that I am guilty. But I usually do not place the call. I am eligible for a new phone soon and I will look into bluetooth.

But also my time in my car is my time in my car. I prefer to listen to my mp3 player and try to get some useful information.
June 28, 2008 9:05 PM
Anonymous said…
It amazes me how poorly people drive when they are on their cellphone. They are typically the ones driving 10-15 miles slower than the speed limit on 480.
June 29, 2008 8:16 AM
Anonymous said…
studies have shown that even hands free cell calls are distracting to the person talking.
June 29, 2008 5:37 PM
The Curmudgeon said…
jimohio nailed it.

The problem is not holding a cell phone while driving... the problem is becoming so engaged in your conversation, however you're holding the phone, that you neglect your driving.

I have used my cell phone while driving... usually to call and say I'm stuck in traffic and to revise my ETA. Then I hang up.

One time I did get involved in a work-related conversation with someone on the phone... and I missed my exit. But that might have happened if the person with whom I was conversing was seated next to me.

These cell phone laws are foolish and fail to address the problem.

Please. Remember when we were learning to drive... the big thing was getting "distracted" by the radio? Indeed, I was warned it would be an automatic "fail" on the driving test to turn the radio on at all.

It's the distraction that's the problem... and the erratic driving that follows... and the erratic driving can be observed by a trained police officer doing his or her duty without the necessity of adding any more laws.

I'll step off the soapbox now......
July 02, 2008 11:11 AM
Cliff said…
Curmudgeon: It's always good to hear from a legal professional on the topic. People also do other things while driving. Things like eat, drink, and smoke.

Years ago, the Cleveland Indians had a pitcher on their roster named Cliff Young. During the off season he was killed in an accident caused by him lighting a cigarette. This death wasn't as significant to the fans because Young had spent most of the season in the minors. This was also in 1993, the same year the the tribe lost two players, Steve Olin and Tim Crews, in a boating accident during spring training.
July 03, 2008 3:40 AM
The Curmudgeon said…
My opinion and $2 will get me on the train home tonight. But thanks.
July 03, 2008 12:22 PM
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