swcornell

Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.

When I was learning to drive in the 70's, my father wouldn't even let me drink a can of coke while driving! Besides we all learned on stick shifts and had to keep our hands free. Now back to the phone issue: Get a Bluetooth earpiece.

Ron Granger

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.

"Will a law that bans cell phones really change the root casue of this issue? No." It will save lives. Guess you didn't read the entire article: "In Washtenaw County alone, 701 people were involved in distracted driving crashes from 2008 to 2010, and 115 people were involved in cellphone-related crashes. Two people died."

walker101

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.

Unfortunately this is not the last time, it doesn't matter if they are young or have been driving for 40 years, so sorry for your loss.

FCBarcelona1899

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.

When I'm operating a motorized vehicle I don't answer my phone when/if I hear it go off. If I have the chance I'll pull over into a parking lot then answer it; if not I just let it ring.

Fatkitty

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.

&quot;A Purdue University research team that studied five years of motor vehicle accidents in Washington State concludes antilock brakes and airbags don't minimize accidents or injuries because those systems may encourage more aggressive driving. Fred Mannering, a Purdue professor of civil engineering, led the study. The results, which are bound to be controversial with auto makers and safety experts, say the innovations designed to improve safety also make drivers less vigilant.&quot; (go here for the complete article: <a href="http://wardsauto.com/ar/researchers_question_abs/)" rel='nofollow'>http://wardsauto.com/ar/researchers_question_abs/)</a>. I know this is true - I've seen it. I have had the morons tailgating me so close on I-94, at 70-80 mph, that I can't even see their HEADLIGHTS in my rearview mirror. OK, so these technologies (ABS and airbags) add a false sense of security to operating a vehicle, especially at high speeds and less than perfect conditions. Add to that, the nitwits who drive with one hand on the wheel and the other texting or emailing or holding the phone, and what do you get?

Jon Saalberg

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 2 p.m.

You will never stop people from talking or texting on cellphones while driving - even the police do it. What would stop it is if cars were designed to prevent people from talking on cellphones while the car is in motion - I am certain that that could be engineered without too much trouble - as to whether society would ever tolerate that is a different matter.

Carole

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 11:48 a.m.

Many folks are distracted by electronic gadgets, phones, ipods, etc. Cell phones should not be used while driving, and joggers should not be using ipods while out running.

ChelseaBob

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 11:34 a.m.

Its parents responsibility, not the state. Parents can tell their kids no cellphone use in the car. They won't listen? What makes you think they'll listen to a state law then? You can check call logs to enforce it, or even get one of those phones that doesn't operate when the car is moving. We don't need more laws, we need more responsible citizens.

Erocypsi

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 11:16 a.m.

Maybe we should only ban drinking and driving for inexperienced drivers... That makes about as much sense as this. How about a ban for all drivers because ALL people drive poorly when talking on the phone.

Deputy_Dog

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 4:19 a.m.

About 10 years ago, my friend was killed on a snowy two-lane road while attempting to pass another vehicle. Guess what, no cell phone was involved. Perhaps the teen should not have been driving if they were unable to make a distance judgement or go the speed limit..

julia

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 4:07 a.m.

I am somebody, who without someone else in the car, or without being on the phone: has a tendency to fall asleep at the wheel, or get tunnel vision. I used to have a hour+ commute to Flint every morning for classes, and would call my mom in Tennessee in the AM, and talk to her until I arrived safely. Being on the phone kept me awake, and focused. I dont blame the cell phones at all, I blame the irresponsible people on the roads. The people who dont pay attention, dont check blind spots, speed, do under the speed limit, cut in and out of traffic ect. Cell phones have nothing to do with them.

Ann English

Tue, Feb 7, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.

Talking on a cell phone, whether hand-held or not, engages the mind apart from the road ahead. The other person isn't in the car with you and has no idea of what the drivers around you are doing. But you yourself must be aware of the vehicles in front of, behind, and on both sides of you as you drive.

scott

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.

Not everyone is safe all of the time in every situation???? Sounds like we need MOAR laws! rabble rabble rabble....

Mike

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 11:02 p.m.

This is a parenting problem, not something that needs another law on the books. Don't people have anything to do except create government rules, regulations, and bureaucracies? We had a revolution against the British because they were oppressive????? Do you think it's more oppressive or less today? Be honest with yourself. I can hardly keep up with all of the new rukes and regulations and all of the fines that go with them.............

Tom Joad

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 10:50 p.m.

Your only business behind the wheel is driving the car. A vehicle in motion demands 100% concentration. There is simply no room for extraneous distractions.

MRunner73

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 10:20 p.m.

Is there already a no cell phone while driving law on the books? Yesterday, I saw a guy eating while driving. Maybe the real answer is $5/gal gas. That might keep enough folks off the road. Distracted driving is a national epidemic. Too many people think getting to or causing an accident won't happen to them. Those same people don't take driving seriously. Wait until we get another inch of snow during morning or evening rush hour.

ToddAustin

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.

There are more than enough rigorous studies now that show that any cell phone use, whether hand-held or hands-free, reduces the reaction time of a driver as much as legal intoxication. I long ago lost count of the number of foolish and dangerous actions on the road I've seen committed by people who chose to be absorbed by their mobile device, rather than pay attention to the potentially lethal activity in which they were engaged, driving. I agree with the recent NTSB recommendations. Ban ALL use of cell phones while driving. It has become a public health emergency.

alarictoo

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.

Maybe it's just me, but does she think this law would have stopped her daughter from talking on the cell while driving? If so, perhaps it would have been effective to give her child appropriate boundaries (vis a vis, a rule not to use her cell while driving). It seems to me that she gave her child driving privileges, and a cell phone, but she did not give her rules regarding cell phone use in the car. Either that, or she did give her rules regarding cell phone use in the car, and the daughter disobeyed. Which brings us back to my first question. Seems like a legislative solution to a parenting issue (in this case). Unfortunately, neither will bring this poor girl back.

Atlas Shrugged

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.

It is a horrible incident, but drewk, manbearpig, and others, are right. We don't need more of a nanny state, more laws, particularly when there is a &quot;higher authority&quot; -- parents -- who should be setting and enforcing the rules and making sure there are consequences for failing to follow the rules before a tragedy like that that has befallen this family occurs.

hail2thevict0r

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.

Banning cell phones is an unrealistic goal. Especially with hands free equipment in most new cars there's no way a cop would be able to tell, let alone prove, you were on a cell phone. It's no different than banning radio use or talk radio while driving. Heck sometimes on my way to work I'm listening to some talk radio station and find myself in a zombie like state listening to what they're saying. Furthermore, to me this sounds more like an inexperienced driver than a cell phone causing a crash. With our without a cell phone it seems like this crash would have happened. Passing on a snowy road with another car in that lane is not good judgment no matter if you're on a phone or not. I think, just in general, drivers education needs to be ramped up. It's just far too easy to get a license. Especially for people who get their license after the age of 18 when &quot;drivers ed&quot; becomes a non-requirement. Rather than try and ban every distraction in the car I think it would be helpful to look at our states, and every state's, drivers ed programs and see how we can make them better. You only need something like a 70% on the written test to pass.....I don't know about the rest of you - but if someone is making a mistake on 3 out of every 10 things that happen on the road I'm not OK with that.

annarborkid

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.

It is silly to try and place a ban on novice drivers only. How will a cop be able to differentiate a 15 year old from a 21 year old driving at high speeds?? if you're going to place a ban on cell phones, do it for everyone! I'm not saying I'm for it, but parents should also be more proactive in making sure their teens are being responsible. I know my mother did!

Former A2rite

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.

The loss of a child is the worst and I understand the mothers campaign. It's also sad to hear the mom say: "If I had known the danger, I could have saved my daughter's life." There has been talk for YEARS about cell phone use while driving and the huge, potential dangers which can result...whether it's involving texting or talking. Honestly, I think they need to ban cell phones while driving period, but even worse (and very pathetic of me), it would be tough for me to follow it! I'm an a 44-yo mom of a soon-to-be teenage driver.

Lovaduck

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.

It''s too bad that using a cell phone while driving (as dangerous if not in some cases MORE dangerous that impaired driving) doesn't have the cachet that drunken driving (of which, of course, I DON'T approve ) does! With drunken driving one has the &quot;fun&quot; of punishing the horrible monster that did this, possibly convicting them of &quot;vehicular homicide&quot;! One never admits one has or does sometimes drive with an over .08 alcohol content, and so it's always the evil other fellow or gal. With cell phone use, everyone seems to do it (even where it's illegal, the laws are a joke) and no one takes it seriously since it might be YOU who are endangering everyone, or perhaps your son or daughter. My heart goes out to the parents in this case and I wish them luck; but no one really--sadly--cares about cell phone use and texting while driving.

Booradley

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 8:17 p.m.

Many states already have a law that says you cannot talk or text on a cell phone while driving. We need one in Michigan since cell phone drivers/users are the cause of too many accidents.

LBH

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.

We wouldn't need &quot;nanny state&quot; laws if people didn't behave like 3-year-olds. I want what I want when I want it, and I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it. If you want to wrap your own personal vehicle around a tree, or a rock, or plunge into a river, or whatever I personally could care less, just don't take anybody else with you. When you endanger me because are a spoiled, entitled, selfish, egomaniac then I support 'nanny state' laws.

souljacker

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:47 p.m.

Distracted youths should be banned from driving and using cell phones, until they're old enough to be distracted while driving and using cell phones.

Davidian

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.

An inexperienced teen driver attempted to pass another vehicle on a snowy two lane road while talking on a phone. No offense, but it sounds like terrible judgment is to blame, period. I think most people, regardless of their age, would know better than to try a stunt like this. Will a law that bans cell phones really change the root casue of this issue? No. We have to accept the fact that there are dangerous, stupid drivers everywhere. Sorry if that sounds insensitive, but I'm just being direct.

lumberg48108

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.

i have long felt teens and texting while driving would lead to the end of my life... I even thought about how at my the trial, I would be looking down (or up) and watching sobbing teens and ignorant parents pleading for mercy for their kid that ran me over &quot;she is a good kid&quot; sob sob Not a chance for mercy -- - this issue needs to be treated the same was drinking and driving was 25 years ago by schools/parents/police. It was during the mid-80s MADD and SADD got some clout and forced the hands of all of us to get serious about this; now it needs to be done with texting until there is REAL education and REAL consequences, this trend will get worse pass all the laws you want, they wont help. too complicated, too tricky, legal issues of looking at a phone w/o a warrant, police having better things to do -- and if caught, its only a ticket - not like DUI where u lose license THIS STARTS with parents educating their teens to the dangers and taking away the car if the violate the terms... then the schools have Assembly's and the have the wrecked cars on display ... bumper stickers ... and finally - real juice in the terms of violating the law Otherwise folks, I will come back from my inevtable death at the hands of your teen driving and I will haunt you forever

SMC

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.

Distracted driving, whether caused by phones, food, radios, hot beverages, texting, passengers, or whatever else you care to pin it on, is only a symptom of the underlying condition: Americans do not take driving seriously enough. It's just that simple. Prior to the graduated licensing laws, obtaining a driver's license through the Secretary of State was only slight more difficult than getting plastic toy that Lucky the Leprechaun had buried in his box of breakfast cereal. Nowadays, I understand it isn't much harder. Countries such as Germany or Finland take licensing seriously. The driver's ed programs take roughly 4 years to complete, require studying books that are thicker and denser than a telephone directory, and have multiple exams and road tests, covering all possible scenarios one might encounter while driving (emergency maneuvers, poor weather/road conditions, etc). Here, they tell you that a driver's license is a privilege, not a right, but that statement sounds rather hollow when you realize that trained chimps would be better at operating a motor vehicle than many of the drivers you'll encounter in a given day. If passing drivers ed were half as challenging as it is in Germany, there would be fewer accidents and fatalities on our roads.

djacks24

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:21 p.m.

If your going to ban all cellphone use wile driving it might as well be across the board including but not limited to eating, smoking, brushing teeth, shaving, putting on makeup, talking to passengers, screaming at kids, breastfeeding, messing with ipod/mp3 players, reading the paper, using laptop, changing radio station, watching TV, etc...

Fatkitty

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.

Ban cell phones. Period. We managed without them before, right? I'm always amazed at people yakking on the phone, one hand on the steering wheel trying to make a left hand turn, or driving at all with the phone to their head. What could be so darn important that can't wait until (1) you get home, (2) you find a place to pull over off the road, or (3) ignore the ring and check your voice mail ---- later, when you're home and parked in your garage.

manbearpig

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 7:02 p.m.

Nanny state

drewk

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 6:21 p.m.

So pass a bill to make it a law. What happened to tell your kid they are not allowed to use the cell phone while driving. If caught, your license gets taken away. Has worked for years in our household!