Comments on: California Goes Hands Free

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:23:26 +0000

I feel that we need to pass the same law that Ca. has with cell phone use. You should not be on the cell phone or texting while driving. It burns me up when I take my Anut to work and pick her up that people is on there cell phone changing lanes and not paying attention to there driving. We should pass laws that while you driving you should use hand free and NO texting while driving.
Paul

By: a cop

a cop — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:36:39 +0000

**ahem** it was **hypocritical**, apologies for the typo.

By: a cop

a cop — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:34:16 +0000

Amen Ray.
I drive a police car 4 days a week and given the number of distractions inside one of THOSE things, one has to be a step above when it comes to driving skills. I have a police radio to monitor and respond to, controls for my overhead lights/siren, spotlights, maps, a LoJack tracker, I use my cell phone a lot while driving, and I have a laptop in there, which frequently requires me to type. Yes, full-on typing, not just hunt and peck with one hand, we’re talking steering with the knee, two handed typing.
Is it dangerous?? HELL YES! Have I crashed? Nope, not in the 6 years I’ve been doing this.

Before you post your angry responses about how hypocrital I am or how I’m “asking for it”, consider the number of dangerous activities people routinely engage in, but remain safe doing them because of their training. Riding a unicycle is dangerous, I can’t do it, but plenty of people can. Skydiving is dangerous, but if you take the proper precautions and learn what you’re doing, it’s safe enough. Same goes for scuba diving, baja racing, hang gliding, motorcycling, being a trapeze artist and flying a helicopter. These are all activities that can cause you or others serious bodily harm or death if you screw up, just like using a laptop while you drive. The secret is – like Ray said – to be very good at the most basic element of what you’re doing before you try and add another level of complexity.

Just because you’re 16 doesn’t mean you know how to drive, just because you’re 18 doesn’t mean you know who to vote for, just because you’re 21 doesn’t mean you can handle your liquor. I highly recommend that everyone takes a defensive driving course that makes you do more than they teach you in driver’s ed.

By: judy

judy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:54:27 +0000

I am all for the law for handsfree in Nevada. One time I was on 95 to I15 to off ramp Spring Mountain exit. All this time a car beside me was on cell phone. She nearly ran me off the road several times. I could not get away from her as she was on the same route as I. I could not get her attention. and it was during heavy traffic. Something must be done so and not later, after the fact.

By: RayD

RayD — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:57:55 +0000

The problem with any law that alters behavior is the fact that is does not focus on the real issue. If you are a experienced driver who knows when it’s ok to deviate one’s attention to briefly do something else while driving then you are still a safe driver who can now be penalized. Drivers will still be able to devert thier attention to something else like texting which will make things no safer. How about a law that says you have to be proficient with real driving skills before you can drive anything.

By: Sales Guy

Sales Guy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:01:30 +0000

Great law except that the fine is too low. I would vote for that in a heartbeat.

By: driving instructor

driving instructor — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:50:39 +0000

Full marks to California – the new law will save countless lives.
Chatting on the phone is never going to be as important as driving safely, and the sooner everybody realises that the safer we will all be.