Effectiveness of drivers' cellphone ban is debatable

I'm from Oregon, but I work in Washingtom. And no one even complies. I see people in Vancouver talking on their cell phones all the time, even though you are not supposed to.

McCartt said several studies show that hands-free versus hand-held cellphone use may be a moot point because it's the distraction of the conversation that's the real impediment to driving, not how motorists are holding the phone.

This is what you have to stop to make a difference, the actual conversation, but there's no real way to do it.

I'm all for the hands-free laws though.  If the illegality of it makes even a few people more aware of the dangers of talking on a cell while driving and causes them to talk on their phones less while driving, great!  The roads will be that much safer.  As for everyone else - look at it as another way for broke states to make money without raising your taxes.

[shrug] We are a nation of blatent scofflaws, and often the ethic seems to be "if you can get away with it, it's cool."

Some think it goes all the way back to the revolution... that we've been rebels ever since. I think it goes back to Prohibition and is now fed by the (completely failed) "war on drugs."

When you make illegal something that millions of citizens enjoy and don't perceive as worthy of being illegal, you naturally create a population that feels it can pick and choose among the laws it feels apply.

Bottom line, anyone dumb enough to think yacking on a cellphone while driving is okay, is also dumb enough to think they don't have to obey the law about it.

Cell Phone in car ban: Pffft...There are literally millions driving and talking on cell phones. Cell phone talking/car driving related accidents are few and far; it's just bad drivers period. If cell phone talking while driving is a distraction, then so is talking to another person in the car. Ever been a passenger in a car piloted by one of those that have to look at you for your response? Like 5 seconds or even more? Now THAT is dangerous. It really annoys me when govt. has to'protect' the flotsam that make things difficult for all of us. Like when all media report when a gun handled by an idiot 'goes off' or 'discharges'...no...the trigger was PULLED.

I sick and tired of the self-righteous thinking they can legislate safety WITHOUT FIRST TEACHING THEIR CHILDREN RESPONSIBILITY. Talking on the Cell Phone is no more dangerous than eating, applying lipstick, arguing with your children, etc. in the car!!!

The stupidity of this, as an example in California, is that they passed a law prohibiting holding your phone to talk (requiring hands-free), but you must hold your phone to dial (mot phones do not yet have voice dialing) AND it is still currently LEGAL to send an email or text message -- while DRIVING!!! Its a stupid and INCOMPLETE LAW -- what was the point?

AND my PHONE (an iPhone, as many other SmartPhones do) has GPS Driving Directions which I need to view while driving -- Let's face it, trying to READ A MAP while driving IS NOT SAFE EITHER...

So, let's hope the big brains in Washington, don't try to solve one problem and end up creating a whole bunch of new ones!!!

I hate that I am even spending the 5 minutes to comment on this issue.  It is unbelievable that this would be thought of by the legislature.  So many important things to fix. Maybe I should not speak either while I drive.  If anyone knows how to send mail to stop this let me know!