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Car Tech: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars?
- 5/22/07 5:29 PM
Phones are OK, GPS....maybe not.
by dflorea69 - 5/30/07 4:29 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I don't have any problem with cell phone users driving while talking, though it seems they should be encouraged to go hands-free. If they can't do it, and get in trouble in the process, their responsibility. Same with the GPS navigation systems. I'm not in favor of more regulation when it can be handled differently -- nanny-government lovers not withstanding. Actually, I thought that when I first read the 'speak up' question that we were talking about GPS being built into one's cell phone and whether that was good or not. I do have a serious problem with that, unless I can turn it off at will...
Jesus is the Way
by jonpepe - 5/30/07 4:34 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I really don't care about GPS or cell phones. GPS beats reading maps. If they let drivers find their way and get out of mine that is great. I personally read the paper when I drive.
GPS maybe, Cell Phones Maybe, DVD screens NO!
by jl54 - 5/30/07 4:38 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I travel for a living (30+yrs) and am on the highways daily and am always amazed at the number of drivers talking on hand-held cell phones and not paying attention to the road or their surroundings. GPS isn't as much of a distraction as a cell phone, so I'm not totally against them. I do think it should be manditory that all drivers use a hands-free head set. I hate to think the number of times I have pulled up behind a driver that is talking on the phone in the left lane and not aware someone is behind them and they are holding up traffic. With the proliferation of cell phones almost everyone is talking while driving. The odd thing is all cell phones come with a FREE wired headset and bluetooth ear piece prices are lower and of decent quality, why would anyone NOT use one?
I can't see how anyone would defend themselves in an accident of their fault if they were talking on the hand-held phone. I can see insurance companies somewhere in the future refusing to cover a claim if it's proven a hands-free device wasn't being used! If I was a insurance company exec. that may be one of my priorities to increase profitablity.
What about the people driving down the highway with the dash mounted DVD players going and they're trying to watcha movie? Shouldn't that be as bad? Go Figure!
Age limitations and warnings won't work, stiff fines or loss of driving priviledges should be manidatory. Road rage isn't pro-active, it's almost always reactive! My $.02
Against
by jimmucklin - 5/30/07 4:39 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
As a professional driver who logs over 100,000 miles per year I have seen it all some people should not be allowed to drive let alone try to work a piece of electronics. Most humans can not walk and process distance, have you ever been run over buy a shopping cart in the supermarket? When you are out on the highway at 55(everyone does 55,especially when being pulled over for speeding) this multiples to long distances of not being in your lane, running people off the road, and in some intense conversations people slowing to 45 in a 65mph zone. You can not take your eyes off the road. When NY state went hands free that was a noticeable improvement, make it hands free/voice.
GPS Good, Cell Phones Bad
by plbyrd - 5/30/07 4:40 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
GPS is a godsend, and the heavier and more screwed up the traffic, the better it is. This isn't like talking on a cell phone where you are distracted for several minutes at a time, this is a device that gets people where they need to go and can help congestion and thus eliminate some bad driving from people who are lost.
I'm against phones in the car-while driving.
by kladybug - 5/30/07 4:42 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
On a recent trip across 4 towns we were almost run off the road three times by people chatting away on their phones instead of driving. I only make calls before leaving but I admit, just like Pavlov's dog, I answer when I hear the bell ring. I pull over if it's going to be more than a need millk call. I use my cell on a need to know basis, never to chat. But I see and know people who have them glued to their heads.
Most People can't multitask while driving
by Delphiman716 - 5/30/07 4:46 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I think hands free cell phone use may be acceptable. That would be no more than carring on a conversation with a passenager. However gps in cars is fine too but it should be inoperative if the vehicle is in motion; if the driver needs directions stop in a save area and use the gps system to obtain the needed directions.
Cell Phones
by hankjaracz - 5/30/07 4:49 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I am against cell phone and gps usage while driving.
There should be stiff fines and confiscation of phone after first offense..........
It's not a matter of IF, but rather when and where
by Renee - 5/30/07 4:51 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
Basically I am not against these.. many times they are both very valuable tools. When I am traveling on a forsaken road in the middle of the night and my car stops running, I sure want to be able to use my cell phone. When driving in any city during rush hour, one should probably even turn off their radio, music or ANYTHING that would distract them. Ditto with GPS - if you don't know where you are going in a city during rush hour especially, you should pull over and look at a map and have your route in your head. I agree there should be stiff, additional penalties for folks who have accidents when they are using ANYTHING in their car to distract them. (Try driving with kids - don't know what we can do about that:)
That's what bothers me the most
by Andy77e - 6/10/07 9:41 AM In reply to: It's not a matter of IF, but rather when and where by ReneeThe most dangerous people I've seen on the road recently is the single or solo mother with children in the back seat. She's screaming and yelling at them (great parenting technique) and doing that great reach around thing, hunting for some toy that was dropped. I've seen them wandering all over the road, one almost hit the curb, and nearly rare ending a car in the parking lot. Scary people.
I'm against...
by JohnMcGrew - 5/30/07 4:52 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
...incompetent drivers. If getting a license was as difficult as it is in most of the rest of the industrialized world, this would not be a problem.
Against - based on proof
by bearbehind - 5/30/07 4:53 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
It is demonstrated many times daily during my commute that people cannot talk to someone else - whether on the phone or in the passenger seat -- and drive competently at the same time. More attention is paid to the conversation than to the driving and the flow of traffic. Can't use turns signals to change lanes or turn a corner because that hand is holding the phone. Turning an unsignalled corner with one hand, while the head is tilted toward one shoulder. Not moving the eyes around to notice a pedestrian about to enter the street the driver is about to turn into, nearly hitting the pedestrian and getting hit by an oncoming driver. Etc. Etc. Etc. And they are totally oblivious to the dangers they have created!
Distractions in cars
by artpoz - 5/30/07 4:56 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
It really is up to the driver. Some people can do other things while driving, while others cant walk & talk at the same time. Its all about knowing which one you are & driving accordingly.
Keep it legal, discourage yak-yak
by LaurieEm - 5/30/07 5:00 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I always fear they'll add to the tyranny of the government Behemoth when some people act stupidly. Access to a phone on the road is a wonderful thing. Things like reporting hazards and calling for help become possible. Quick conversations can ease stress and misunderstanding as schedules change and worries are allayed.
But far too many people talk way too much, and sometimes they're the worst drivers in the first place. Young drivers in particular.
If you have a one track mind then stop driving
by desmo4 - 5/30/07 5:00 PM In reply to: Are you for or against GPS and cell phones in cars? by wcunning
I have an excellent stereo in my car which also has a blue tooth link to my cell phone. As it is a convertible and sunlight generally washes out the display I don't use it to place calls and it is also not possible to tune the radio. So I do neither when I am moving. If a call comes in, I need only push one button which is conveniently placed, I don't have to look at to answer a call. I don't find taking to be a distraction from driving any more than I would allow a passenger to distract me. I also have a GPS. It is the pinnacle of drivers aides. If in an unfamiliar area or plotting a trip, it takes some of the stress out of driving. In the community where I live Richmond, VA I see most people driving with cell phones stuck to their ears. I would give each one a night in jail. Nothing else would impact them to at least get a headset or understand that having a phone conversation while driving 40 mph in the left lane of a freeway is unacceptable.
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