Cell Phone Law
7 01 2007Recently article “Proposed State Law Targets Cell Phone Drivers” — it raised some concerns about using cell phone while driving vehicle in Texas.
Personally, I’ve experienced couple near-accidents in the past. Yet I can’t help it but I still texting while driving vehicle everyday. It is like addicted and hard to put it down or pulled off the road.
In fact, cell phone and PDA-type (Blackberry, Sidekick, Treo, etc.) are not only issue we face everyday. Many of us still eat or chat while driving the vehicle. What about listening to radio? Some of us do read newspaper or something, too. What about laptop with cell phone based card on it? Yes, it falls into same category.
I know some of you can do it very well while driving. Some people cannot do it regardless. It’s pretty scary. What’s more, I disagree that hand-free device is OK to use. No way. It’s not fair that deaf people like you and I can’t really text the message without touch it.
Oh yeah, few cities and states already banned it from using cell phone and handheld. (New Jersey, District of Columbia, etc.) To view cell phone law list, click here.
Maybe you want to add this as part of your new year resolution by reduce this habit. It is one of my resolution for 2007.
Can you live without it while driving the vehicle? Why? Why not?
It is true cell phones are getting more popular among the hearing and deaf then it is an addiction for them to use without doubt they love it.I dont have one myself but I have seen many drivers use them while driving but for those deafies using hand held phones is a double jeopardy because it is more dangerous than with hearing users.Try your best not to use while driving and my belief is those devices is only good for emergency purpose. Use common sense is the best approach.
Good post!
Lately, I have been thinking about that Cell Phone Law before I saw your post on DeafRead.com. I concluded back then that I have a problem with drivers holding cellphones and pagers while driving, but I don’t have a problem if a hearing driver use a hands-free phone. My parents have a built-in, voice-activated cellphone service in their new truck. They use it for emergencies only. For an example, my mom needed to call my dad at his work, she dialed the number by voice. After she made the call, she commented that she wondered how can a Deaf person use this hands-free cellphone service?! There got to be another way. I don’t think there is another way, just use the pagers like Sidekick, Dash, Blackberry or Treo, etc. It’s one of my pet peeves when a Deaf friend drive with a pager in hand.
OMG, just pull over or wait until the car arrives in a safe spot, then continue on pager!!!
Yakking on a cellphone while driving is scary enough. Texting while driving? Are you nuts? I cannot imagine a better way to drive right off the road while reading messages or hunting around for the buttons. Ugh. Don’t do it!
BTW, love the cat demanding attention in your vlog.
BTW, my reaction to reading newspapers and other material is the same: are you nuts? Just to clarify. I like all drivers, regardless of hearing levels, to have two hands on the wheel and two eyes on the road…
Absolutely ban cell phones and any form of texting while driving.
A family member was driving a minivan and a woman talking on her cell phone broadsided him with her little car. She was going so fast that she ran a red light and her car went under the minivan, tipping it over. Luckily airbags saved her life and she was able to get out, STILL ON HER CELL PHONE, and inquire after my loved one. He, too, is OK after being checked out all day at the hospital and off work for the rest of the week.
There’s another alternative to using cell phones while driving. They are bluetooth behind the ear device. It is connected to the cell phone wireless. My parents have them and they loved it. Most accidents caused was because they were focusing on pushing buttons rather than just listening and talking.
Would GPS device be banned? because I would think people focus on GPS mapping device to guide them in driving. It could cause accidents as well!
Deaf258: Perhaps we should invent newest touchless Sidekick. It would be awesome
fellow deafie: Actually its my dog. Haha…
MAS: They didnt say anything about GPS yet but you are right that GPS could be dangerous, too. Gulp. Haha..
MAS has a good point, although the GPS in my car will “lock” while the vehicle is moving. If I change my mind about where I’m going, I have to pull over and re-enter the info. While the vehicle is moving, it will continue to show the map and give me directions. I actually feel that this causes LESS accidents, because I can see when I have to turn up ahead, instead of yanking over four lanes just to get off the exit because I overlooked the sign or didn’t realize how close it was.
Driving on the roads for 40 years without any serious car accidents, my hand is always on the top of wheel steering all times but blocked seeing the speed meter
because of long length to move faster rather than using two hands to move shorter
in case of any incident. It allows my other hand free to use the pager for simple
messages or few words or abr. Thank you to my deaf (sharper) eyes for wide
view on the roads. View knowledge is very important to see other’s car tires and
rear light (red) beam bounced on wetting road under cars.
My deaf pilot in Missouri told me that hearing pilot depends very much on radio (pager or cell phones?) as it was big opposite on deaf pilots.
According to deaf digest news, the company’s insurance policy changed removing
deaf operators from dirty loaders, then use hearing operators.. suddenly there were accidents. that is funny and irony facts. So we need more data better.
Pay attention to your pets! hee hee.
My SUV crashed slightly onto the back of the little car when I was texting my old Talkabout 900 pager in 2002. The pager I was texting blocked my view of the car ahead of me when I saw the light above turning green .
I had a Blackberry pager and I was able to use it with one hand when driving and now I have a Sidekick2 that prevents me from using it when driving because it requires both hands at a time.
I think All of states need to cell banned. Insurance is higher. and Seem getting worse!
I almost hit other car. but in the past of years ago in 1998. you should looking at http://www.seekgeo.com/?p=124. Very recently I did commented to viewer that I go through hard time after car accidents.
My neck/back sometime pain and much worsen off and on for long time by the driver who use cell phone when she hit my car. My car has not totally. somewhat It was very hard impacted on me. my neck was windsplashed.
Taught and learn something from them and I am also tempted to who is called or email me? Texting, too.
Margaret