F/U texting and driving, that Missouri crash, NTSB recommends ban on cell phone use while driving

[Grace62]

"As a result of the discoveries about the (2010 Missouri) accident, federal accident investigators are recommending states ban the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by all drivers except in emergencies. The board doesn't have the power to impose regulations, but its recommendations are heavily considered by lawmakers.

Investigators are seeing texting, cell phone calls and other distracting behavior by operators in accidents across all modes of transportation with increasing frequency. It has become routine for investigators to immediately request the preservation of cell phone and texting records when they launch an investigation."

Driver texted 11 times just before crash

[silvarios]

Radios? GPS? Overly complex electronic climate controls?

[Grace62]

silvarios wrote:
Radios? GPS? Overly complex electronic climate controls?

If a connection is found to multiple accidents over a period of time, then that would be looked at.
I see this as about what activities, statistically, are linked to the most accidents.

[Gareth]

Ban the automatic transmission. Force people to be more involved in their driving and they'll have less time to text.

[NewtonMP2100]

...that is F......'d....Up.......??

[OWC Jamie]

Children? Spouses? A vehicle has any number of distractions and not all are electronic

Oh and dare I forget - mirrors and makeup? Sorry ladies, I have zero respect for you putting on eye shadow at a traffic light.

[OWC Jamie]

Gareth wrote:
Ban the automatic transmission. Force people to be more involved in their driving and they'll have less time to text.

no exceptions ?




edit: besides,( supposedly ) the average and typical driver would get horrible gas mileage driving a standard.

[hal]

gotta start with cigarettes - I suspect that they have been the main cause of a LARGE % of accidents.

and Video players - c'mon, that's kinda obvious...

[Paul F.]

Here's a novel concept...
How about just "ban" distracted driving, and save about $500 million in legislative costs trying to ban each and every single possible way to BE "distracted" while driving.

I don't care if someone is texting while driving, or doing their makeup, or changing a diaper while behind the wheel.. they're distracted from driving.
We don't need a separate law for each potential distraction.

[Carnos Jax]

Makes sense Paul.

Adding my own 2-cents...considering that there are very stiff penalties for what seem like absurdly low levels of blood alcohol content, imposing restrictions on cell phone use (even hands free) seems to make sense.