Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Cell Phone Update
This morning on the WNOX Hallerin Hill radio program guest host Angie Wilson discussed driving while talking on a hand held cell phone. Angie recounted the day when she was at a traffic light at Northshore and Westland Drive. A Ford Excursion blew through the red light while a woman driver chatted away on her cell phone.
Dave Foulk of WNOX told the story of almost being run over in downtown Knoxville as a woman ran a red light while talking on her hand held cell phone. We all know that this affects men and women equally but where are the stories about the male drivers running red lights while talking on cell phones?
Various callers gave their experiences but the interesting part is when Angie asked if the callers used their cell phones when they drive. Most said they continue to use their cell phones while driving. It seems that each person believes that this only affects other drivers and they are some how immune to the distraction of using a cell phone while driving.
The most interesting fact I have learned researching this is that using a cell phone while driving increase your chances of an accident by 400 percent. Incoming cell phone calls account for 42 % of cell phone related accidents.
Many large companies like Exxon prohibit cell phone use while driving for employees and contractors while on company business.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Drive-Now/exxon.html
Many websites are dedicated to the loss of a family member who died because of a cell phone caused car accident.
http://www.morganlee.org/
http://www.drivenowchatlater.com/
The most interesting part of today's WNOX radio program was the recounting of a phone call to "Cartalk" the very popular radio talk show on PBS. Ray and Tom were talking live on the radio with a legislator who was pushing a bill to ban cell phone use of hand held cell phones in moving vehicles. Another legislator from another state called in while driving to give her opinion that cell phones did not cause accidents and that banning them was unneeded. While taking she said an expletive and then the sound of a crash was heard on live radio. She had a traffic accident while talking on her cell phone on a national radio program. Ironic isn't it? You can hear "Cartalk" on Saturday morning on 91.9 at 10:00 AM.
The best weblink I have found for this topic is:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Drive-Now/articles.html
Even though there is no law at this time for hand held cell phone use in a moving vehicle I offer the following suggestions. Most importantly pull over to make your cell phone call. Buy either an ear bud or a hands free kit. Use you cell phone as little as you can when you drive. Answer your call and tell them you will call them back or let your cell phone voicemail take the call. Use the voice activated dialing feature if you must make a cell phone call while driving. If the conversation becomes heated or you have to remember something complex tell the caller you will call them back later.
This is a decision each driver must make. What will you decide to do?
Dave Foulk of WNOX told the story of almost being run over in downtown Knoxville as a woman ran a red light while talking on her hand held cell phone. We all know that this affects men and women equally but where are the stories about the male drivers running red lights while talking on cell phones?
Various callers gave their experiences but the interesting part is when Angie asked if the callers used their cell phones when they drive. Most said they continue to use their cell phones while driving. It seems that each person believes that this only affects other drivers and they are some how immune to the distraction of using a cell phone while driving.
The most interesting fact I have learned researching this is that using a cell phone while driving increase your chances of an accident by 400 percent. Incoming cell phone calls account for 42 % of cell phone related accidents.
Many large companies like Exxon prohibit cell phone use while driving for employees and contractors while on company business.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Drive-Now/exxon.html
Many websites are dedicated to the loss of a family member who died because of a cell phone caused car accident.
http://www.morganlee.org/
http://www.drivenowchatlater.com/
The most interesting part of today's WNOX radio program was the recounting of a phone call to "Cartalk" the very popular radio talk show on PBS. Ray and Tom were talking live on the radio with a legislator who was pushing a bill to ban cell phone use of hand held cell phones in moving vehicles. Another legislator from another state called in while driving to give her opinion that cell phones did not cause accidents and that banning them was unneeded. While taking she said an expletive and then the sound of a crash was heard on live radio. She had a traffic accident while talking on her cell phone on a national radio program. Ironic isn't it? You can hear "Cartalk" on Saturday morning on 91.9 at 10:00 AM.
The best weblink I have found for this topic is:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Drive-Now/articles.html
Even though there is no law at this time for hand held cell phone use in a moving vehicle I offer the following suggestions. Most importantly pull over to make your cell phone call. Buy either an ear bud or a hands free kit. Use you cell phone as little as you can when you drive. Answer your call and tell them you will call them back or let your cell phone voicemail take the call. Use the voice activated dialing feature if you must make a cell phone call while driving. If the conversation becomes heated or you have to remember something complex tell the caller you will call them back later.
This is a decision each driver must make. What will you decide to do?
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Hat tip to Michael Silence on the following article in the KNS.
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/state/article/0,1406,KNS_348_3773980,00.html
Proposed bill would make teens hang up, just drive
By Associated Press
May 13, 2005
NASHVILLE - A bill that would prohibit teenagers with a learner permit or intermediate driver's license from talking on a cell phone while driving passed the House on Thursday.
The legislation passed the Senate earlier in the week and is on its way to the governor to become law.
The measure does not apply to a vehicle that's not in motion, emergency calls or a teenager talking to a parent or custodian. A violation will result in a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of $50.
Critics of the bill say the only way an officer could tell if a teen was talking to a guardian would be take the phone and check the last number called, which they believe is a violation of that person's rights.
But the bill's sponsor, Rep. Henri Brooks, D-Memphis, said she's "not telling authorities how to enforce" the legislation, which she believes will "save lives."
"It's a good piece of legislation for our children," Brooks said. "They are inexperienced drivers, and talking on the cell phone is a distraction."
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/state/article/0,1406,KNS_348_3773980,00.html
Proposed bill would make teens hang up, just drive
By Associated Press
May 13, 2005
NASHVILLE - A bill that would prohibit teenagers with a learner permit or intermediate driver's license from talking on a cell phone while driving passed the House on Thursday.
The legislation passed the Senate earlier in the week and is on its way to the governor to become law.
The measure does not apply to a vehicle that's not in motion, emergency calls or a teenager talking to a parent or custodian. A violation will result in a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of $50.
Critics of the bill say the only way an officer could tell if a teen was talking to a guardian would be take the phone and check the last number called, which they believe is a violation of that person's rights.
But the bill's sponsor, Rep. Henri Brooks, D-Memphis, said she's "not telling authorities how to enforce" the legislation, which she believes will "save lives."
"It's a good piece of legislation for our children," Brooks said. "They are inexperienced drivers, and talking on the cell phone is a distraction."
Well, that bill seems like a good one to me, except it should apply to all drivers, not just teenagers! Besides, how are you going to tell who looks like a teenager and who isn't. Heck, people still card me for 'r' rated movies and I'm 35!
Also:
Deputies still looking for pickup that caused fire truck crash
The crash occurred May 13th in Halls and sent two firefighters to a hospital with what are described as muscle and bone injuries.
Witnesses say the pickup driver was talking on a cellular phone when the crash occurred and took off when he saw the fire engine crash.
Deputies still looking for pickup that caused fire truck crash
The crash occurred May 13th in Halls and sent two firefighters to a hospital with what are described as muscle and bone injuries.
Witnesses say the pickup driver was talking on a cellular phone when the crash occurred and took off when he saw the fire engine crash.
# posted by 
: 1:58 PM, May 16, 2005
: 1:58 PM, May 16, 2005
Farragut Republican -
Welcome to the Rocky Top Brigade!
As for the topic, my conservative principles have to push me toward the lack of regulation in this area. I guess I look at it like sex and the old crime of adultery. Sure, I think that people should be educated about safe practices (whether it is sleeping with multiple partners or driving with one hand on the cell phone, one on a Mountain Dew, and steering with the knees), but I'm not so sure that the government should be regulating such practices. Do I talk on my cell while driving? Yes, in most areas of East Tennessee. Did I in Washington or Chicago, my last two non-Tennessee residences? No way. That would have been foolish, given the traffic situations in those locales. In my view, it is a situational practice, an area that the law isn't particularly good at regulating.
Stop by anytime!
Cheers,
Rob
Welcome to the Rocky Top Brigade!
As for the topic, my conservative principles have to push me toward the lack of regulation in this area. I guess I look at it like sex and the old crime of adultery. Sure, I think that people should be educated about safe practices (whether it is sleeping with multiple partners or driving with one hand on the cell phone, one on a Mountain Dew, and steering with the knees), but I'm not so sure that the government should be regulating such practices. Do I talk on my cell while driving? Yes, in most areas of East Tennessee. Did I in Washington or Chicago, my last two non-Tennessee residences? No way. That would have been foolish, given the traffic situations in those locales. In my view, it is a situational practice, an area that the law isn't particularly good at regulating.
Stop by anytime!
Cheers,
Rob
Thanks Rob. It is great to be included in the RTB.
The cell phone issue is a controversial topic. I lean towards a law that allows hands free cell phones in cars but does add an extra charge of distracted driving if it can be proven that the cell phone was in use at the time of an accident.
The City of Knoxville, The Town of Farragut, Knox County, and the State of Tennessee should create an awareness campaign to educate drivers. Not enough is being done regardless of whether any new laws are but on the books.
BTW, I am not a fan of new laws. We already have more laws than any human being can possibly understand.
The cell phone issue is a controversial topic. I lean towards a law that allows hands free cell phones in cars but does add an extra charge of distracted driving if it can be proven that the cell phone was in use at the time of an accident.
The City of Knoxville, The Town of Farragut, Knox County, and the State of Tennessee should create an awareness campaign to educate drivers. Not enough is being done regardless of whether any new laws are but on the books.
BTW, I am not a fan of new laws. We already have more laws than any human being can possibly understand.
Off-topic, but you just got added to SKBubba's Big Tent, and I thought I'd welcome you.
Especially as Http://talesoftadeusz.blogspot.com is focused on improving my local community as well.
Eric R. Ashley
Especially as Http://talesoftadeusz.blogspot.com is focused on improving my local community as well.
Eric R. Ashley
Witnesses say the pickup driver was talking on a cellular phone when the crash occurred and took off when he saw the fire engine crash.
Two firemen are hurt and a 4 million dollar fire truck is totaled all because someone had to make a cell phone call on a hand held cell phone. Yet the driver of the fire truck probably saved the pickup truck driver from serious injury when he steered the fire truck off the road.
How is this different from driving while drunk? Aren't the results the same?
Two firemen are hurt and a 4 million dollar fire truck is totaled all because someone had to make a cell phone call on a hand held cell phone. Yet the driver of the fire truck probably saved the pickup truck driver from serious injury when he steered the fire truck off the road.
How is this different from driving while drunk? Aren't the results the same?
You can have my cell phone when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
# posted by : 5:10 PM, May 20, 2005
: 5:10 PM, May 20, 2005
Anonymous said...
You can have my cell phone when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
Unfortunately that is exactly what happens when some people talk and drive. Drive now and talk later.
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You can have my cell phone when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
Unfortunately that is exactly what happens when some people talk and drive. Drive now and talk later.
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