Cell phone abuse

Originally Posted by RaInEdomThoughtz

So whats the difference between holding a conversation on the cellphone, opposed to holding a conversation while driving with a passenger in your car?

I used to think that too, until I started using a cell while driving, which is something I try not to do. Though we have the ability to multi task, and I reckon holding a conversation with a passenger while driving would be multitasking, when on the phone concentration for the road is broken IMO and FME to a more dangerous degree. Trying not to drop the phone, checking call waiting, dialing. I think these things take attention away from the road. That's been my experience. I noticed the few times I am on the phone while driving my attention to detail and caution isn't nearly as good as when I'm not on the phone. I know it may not be the case for everyone but it would explain why a larger percentage of mine and many people I know's close calls with car wrecks are due to a person's cellphone usage. JMO.

[RaInEdomThoughtz]

Originally Posted by RanRan

I used to think that too, until I started using a cell while driving, which is something I try not to do. Though we have the ability to multi task, and I reckon holding a conversation with a passenger while driving would be multitasking, when on the phone concentration for the road is broken IMO and FME to a more dangerous degree. Trying not to drop the phone, checking call waiting, dialing. I think these things take attention away from the road. That's been my experience. I noticed the few times I am on the phone while driving my attention to detail and caution isn't nearly as good as when I'm not on the phone. I know it may not be the case for everyone but it would explain why a larger percentage of mine and many people I know's close calls with car wrecks are due to a person's cellphone usage. JMO.

I understand that. As far as trying not to drop the phone, thats were my head piece comes in. That way I dont have to hold my phone at all. When my phone rings, its just a matter of touching the button on my head piece. I agree, trying to dial out proves difficult when on the road. But I rarely dial out when im driving, if I have to I attempt to wait until Im at a stop light. If my phone rings, its just a matter of flipping it open. As far as checking call waiting, I rarely do that. But, I also understand that not everyone does things like this, its just how I personally conduct myself. And you're right, there are a lot of reckless people out there.

[love2talk]

It's a huge annoyance to be around people talking on cell phones who have no concern whether they are discreet about their business or not. I don't need to hear about who got pregnant and cheated on her husband-yada, yada, yada. I think it makes more sense to not waste cell minutes on meaningless conversation when you can just go home & talk for free.

This talking & driving is getting way out of hand. I remember seeing a lady in my neck of the woods who was so caught up talking, she turned through a red light (*keep in mind that the light had been red, it wasn't yellow and just then turning*) and nearly hit a car. I think I especially hate it considering I was involved in a near fatal car accident myself.

Originally Posted by love2talk

I don't need to hear about who got pregnant and cheated on her husband-yada, yada, yada.

Wait now, hearing those conversations aren't so bad when you're waiting in a long, boring line with nothing else to do.:wink:

[urfan2c]

Originally Posted by RanRan

Wait now, hearing those conversations aren't so bad when you're waiting in a long, boring line with nothing else to do.:wink:

lol for real, i've learned a great deal of things about ppl on campus and back home!

[love2talk]

Now, I could see if they were someone I knew who was talking about someone I knew, but these are people talking about people I've never seen or heard of in my life, and I can't say, "oh- so Shaquetta done got knocked up again??" It's much more entertaining when you're eavesdropping on conversation that pertains to people you know.

[Celeste]

Looks like the Governator signed off on a bill which will make hand-held cell phone use while driving illegal in Cali (law matures in 2008 if I'm not mistaken)...but earpieces and headsets are still legal for drivers, and the fine for using a hand-held while driving is only $20 (not much of a deterrent!). Bump that fine up to $200 and we'll start to see a change!

Originally Posted by XenOcidE

I am enraged by the use of cell phones while driving. I do it myself occasionaly but only if someone calls me or I need to call someone for something important. And even so, it's only a 2 min. call. The folk who just hop in their cars n' ride out n' get lost in la la land are the one's that agitate me to a great extent. The past 4-5 times someone's pulled out in front of me or almost hit me it was because they were on a cell phone. I'd look to see exactly why they failed to see me and it always turns out to be a cell phone up to their damn ears. It's really gettin' outta hand n' something needs to be done about it. I know they've made it illegal (you have to have a headset) in some states but it really needs to be mandatory for the nation. I'm not even sure if it's illegal here in the state of FL.

Don't worry---they'll all have horrible incurable tumors of the brain and inner-ear in the years to come. But I agree it's totally out of control at this point

[MzKwietStorm]

I actually live in SC and I think we do have a ban on driving and talking on the cell phone at the same time. Everytime I have to blow my horn at someone for coming into my lane or pulling out in front of me, their on a cellphone. Or whenever I go to the movie theatre and the slide goes off that says turn off cell phones, someone always has to answer the phone to let the person know they're in the movie theatre. It really has gotten ridiculous.

[LadyNoir]

Here is a poll from February 2006. It seems cell phone usage in public is becoming the number one complaint as an act of rudeness according to people who are polled every year. Here is the latest poll on the subject.

Poll: Rudeness in America, 2006
It's the #@%! Cell Phones

Analysis By JON COHEN and GARY LANGER

Feb. 3, 2006 — - In the ranks of rudeness, cell phones reign.

While vast majorities of Americans experience a range of rude behaviors at least occasionally in their daily lives, the one transgression that occurs most often is accompanied by a ring tone: People talking on cell phones, in public places, in a loud or annoying manner.

Eighty-seven percent of Americans in an ABC News "20/20" survey say they encounter that kind of gabbing at least sometimes, and a majority -- 57 percent -- hear it often. That takes the cake for frequency; by contrast, just under four in 10 often experience generally rude or disrespectful behavior, cursing, near-cursing or people interrupting conversations to use e-mail or cell phones.

More on other acts of rudeness according to the same poll:
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/print?id=1574155

[MadameX]

Originally Posted by saraphen

It's really annoying when people don't turn off the ringer in public places like the movie theater, church, concerts. Then have the nerve to answer the phone...and TALK!!!

Agreed. Those individual are rude and lack some hometraining.