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1.  

   The difference

   

   kai, Jun 28th, 2001 @ 11:00am

   
   

   I understand the difference to be how the car passenger vs. the cell phone person reacts. For example, if you're a passenger and see that you're about to get in a tricky driving situation, you shut up or even warn the driver. On the other hand, the cell phone converser--oblivious to the circumstances in the car--keeps talking, or worse, tries to get your attention ... "hellllloooo???"

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2.  

   Knee, and other jerks

   

   Mark, Jun 28th, 2001 @ 11:14am

   
   

   Last month I attended a panel discussion that featured MN State Patol, AAA, CTIA, and, I think, a U of MN guy. All said the same thing: cell use is a distraction, but a minor one compared to other factors. Also, MN S.P. said they couldn't document a single accident in which cell use was a contributing factor.
   
   So, definitely, let's ban cell use in cars based on one guy's unverified anecdotal experience, and a four year old study-the results of which no one seems to be able to replicate.
   
   Mmmmm. Now that's good policy!

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3.  

   Cell phone lobby

   

   u2604ab, Jun 28th, 2001 @ 1:09pm

   
   

   All those jerks at your panel discussion were bought off by the cell phone industry/lobby. Those guys are using mafia-style tactics to keep cell phones legal for drivers.

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4.  

   Re: Cell phone lobby

   

   mhh5, Jun 28th, 2001 @ 3:40pm

   
   

   Call me a libertarian, but I don' t think a strictly enforced law is necessary. But I guess I'd be all for something like the early seat-belt laws where cops could only cite you for not wearing your safety belt if they caught you doing something else.

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5.  

   Illegal in UK for years

   

   Phillip, Jun 29th, 2001 @ 3:58am

   
   

   It's been illegal to drive whilst on a mobile for a long time in the UK. And to eat whilst driving. In fact anything that stops you from having two hands on the steering wheel. Possibly because most cars here are not automatics hence the use of two hands is pretty important. Over here, hands-free kit in the car is positively encouraged. It *is* recognised as distracting, far more than talking to a passenger (all to do with focus), but in the end people are going to take calls in their car so pragmatism rules.
   
   Phillip.

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6.  

   Make hands free kits mandatory equipment in cars

   

   techguy, Jun 29th, 2001 @ 2:31pm

   
   

   One solutions is to require hands-free equipment mandatory.
   
   This could trigger an entire industry for ex: radios with connectors that you could plug into, with voice activated dialling and sound routed through the stereo.
   
   

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