I’m pretty damn conscientious about only using my phone with a hands-free device when driving, and have been since before it became law. Having driven stick-shift for years, I’m used to holding the wheel with one hand, but I’ve read the studies, and there’s no question regarding the safety hazards. That said, I’m a little mixed on the recent National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) recommendations that use of cell phones while driving be banned entirely—with or without hands-free devices.

Again, I don’t doubt the data on “distracted driving,” but it’s not like folks don’t have conversations in cars without cell phones. And if you really want to talk about distractions, the NTSB should do something about all those people driving with screaming babies or quarrelsome children in their cars.

“No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

Really? If that were true, wouldn’t we also halve the legal blood alcohol limit, or go to zero tolerance entirely? Because I’m damn sure there are many, many accidents caused by the diminished capabilities of drivers with a legal .08 percent. In fact, just getting behind the wheel of a car endangers both the driver and others. Maybe we should just ban driving while driving?

I don’t mean to dis the NTSB recommendations entirely, but as a generally cautious and conscientious driver, I’d think we’d see more of a benefit from enforcing the laws we already have (like maybe, ticketing people for not using their turn signal while shifting lanes), than by launching into a long and controversial fight to ban cell phones.

9 replies on “Time to Mandate Children-Free Driving?”

  1. Something about the brain being limited to applying executive control to only one cognitive motor skill at any one time. Both talking and driving involve motor skills and compete with each other for attention. Awareness jumps back and forth between the two never overlapping into consciousness.

  2. @Tom – Um, yeah, thanks, we understand their complaint. But how is talking on a hands-free device worse than talking to a passenger? Or fiddling with the radio? Or putting on makeup, or any of the other distracting things that don’t seem to necessitate a legal ban?

  4. Yes, if you can’t have your phone in the car then children shouldn’t be allowed in cars. There is 100% equivalence.

    You aren’t talking about anything important/interesting anyway.

  7. I was being sarcastic Spike. I am fine with banning cell phones for drivers.

    I watched a girl sit at a green light for nearly a minute this morning. She was looking down, obviously texting, and didn’t hear the too-polite little honks of the car behind her. She moved in time to let through herself and one other car, while about seven had to wait for another light.

  8. Y’all commenters postin’ in a Goldy thread (where logic goes to die)

    @7 The answer to your problem isn’t to ban texting while driving, but to ban women from driving. Those Saudis are really on to something

  9. Goldy, you should do some basic research. There is no .08 “legal limit.” While it is true that .08 makes one presumptively under the influence of alcohol you can certainly get convicted of a DUII in Oregon with less than .08 if your driving is impaired by alcohol or intoxicants. Please ask a lawyer before you start publishing inaccurate statements about the law. Driving around with a .07 could get you and someone else hurt. And it could get you a DUII charge especially if there is other signs of impairment. Not as likely as a .09 will, but still – don’t do it.

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