Study: Banning Cell Phones doesn't reduce rate of accidents

[Buzz Killington]

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-cell-driving-ban,0,4721082.story

LOS ANGELES -- Laws banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving may not have reduced the rate of accidents in California, the District of Columbia and two other states, according to a new study.

The report by the Highway Loss Data Institute compares insurance claims in California, New York, Connecticut and D.C. before and after the bans took effect. It also compares the data to other areas that do not have cell phone bans.

HLDI found no fluctuations in collision rates.

"The laws aren't reducing crashes, even though we know that such laws have reduced hand-held phone use, and several studies have established that phoning while driving increases crash risk," said Adrian Lund, president of the Highway Loss Data Institute.

also, red light camera actually INCREASE the rate of accidents. What a bunch of fuckwads in GOVT.

 

[maxiep]

Perhaps the issue isn't the distraction of holding a device to your ear, but rather the distraction of having a conversation with someone who isn't right next to you.

 

[Buzz Killington]

Its a pain in the ass for me to have to activate my bluetooth (don't leave it on all the time) and then find my headset then turn it on. So much fucking easier just picking up the phone.

 

[Rodolfo]

We're in our first month of the ban here in Oregon. I talked to a cop the other day and asked him if he was giving tickets out yet. Said he was just warning people but he knew of other cops that were giving tickets. I'd be nice if they'd all give warnings for a few months!

I have a piece of Velcro in the middle of my steering wheel. Put my cell phone right in front of me and put it on speaker phone. Works pretty well!

 

[ehizzy3]

i kind of agree with chad in portland for once...why didnt they make eating a bigmac illegal too

 

[Rodolfo]

i kind of agree with chad in portland for once...why didnt they make eating a bigmac illegal too

I was thinking the same thing while I was eating a balance bar in the car 15 minutes ago. I think you're a lot more focused on the road if you're eating, compared to talking on the phone.

 

[MARIS61]

Why don't they just ban accidents?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Its a pain in the ass for me to have to activate my bluetooth (don't leave it on all the time) and then find my headset then turn it on. So much fucking easier just picking up the phone.

Why don't you just turn on and wear your headset everytime you get into the car? After a few days of this, it becomes habitual, and no longer "a pain in the ass".

 

[Buzz Killington]

Why don't you just turn on and wear your headset everytime you get into the car? After a few days of this, it becomes habitual, and no longer "a pain in the ass".

lazy.

 

[STOMP]

Why don't you just turn on and wear your headset everytime you get into the car? After a few days of this, it becomes habitual, and no longer "a pain in the ass".

thats basically what I do though my hands free device is a wire. Prior to taking off it takes all of 10 seconds to get situated so that the cell is secure with my head phones on. If I receive a call there's a button about chest level on the wire that allows me to answer without fumbling. So simple!

I ride my bike a lot and have grown to despise people who still don't use a hands free device as I've seen way too many stupid distracted drivers. When I come to an intersection thats the biggest red flag I'm looking for.

STOMP

 

[Colonel Ronan]

We're in our first month of the ban here in Oregon. I talked to a cop the other day and asked him if he was giving tickets out yet. Said he was just warning people but he knew of other cops that were giving tickets. I'd be nice if they'd all give warnings for a few months!

I have a piece of Velcro in the middle of my steering wheel. Put my cell phone right in front of me and put it on speaker phone. Works pretty well!

Furry or spiky side on the cell phone?

 

[Shapecity]

How about the bitches who do their make-up driving 75 MPH on the freeway?

 

[Colonel Ronan]

How about the bitches who do their make-up driving 75 MPH on the freeway?

Dunno, ask Vinny.