More groups are deciding that cell phone bans are the way to go.

"A northern Indian village has banned unmarried women from using cell phones for fear they will arrange forbidden marriages that are often punished by death, a local official said Wednesday.

The Lank village council decided unmarried boys could use mobile phones, but only under parental supervision, council member Satish Tyagi said. Local women's rights group criticized the measure as backward and unfair."

A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is taking effect in Delaware.

Beginning Sunday, drivers will have to carry on their cell phone conversations using hands-free devices. The law also bans texting while driving, and drivers cannot use pagers, Blackberrys, PDAs, laptops, games or any other electronic devices.

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Good for Delaware. Too bad there's no evidence whatsoever that using a "hands-free device" is inherently any safer than holding the phone in your hand while you jabber away. In fact the research shows just the opposite - it doesn't matter how the phone is activated. The mere act of being involved in the conversation lessens your awareness and/or increases your reaction time.

Seguin has joined several area cities in banning texting and using applications on cell phones while driving.

The new ordinance went into effect Saturday, joining bans already in place in San Antonio, Universal City, Selma and Converse. The Seguin City Council voted unanimously in November to ban using wireless communication devices while driving.

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Cellular carriers, having spent years trying to blanket the nation with phone service, are now working on ways to stop people from getting calls and texts when they are behind the wheel.

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That's good news; I have a feeling that "mistylindyloo" was behind the wheel when she posted that awe-inspiring question earlier today.

quote:

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The mere act of being involved in the conversation lessens your awareness and/or increases your reaction time.

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I guess they should ban passengers, too.

The difference between talking on a cell phone and talking to a passenger is that the passenger also is aware of traffic and his or her surroundings. I know that I have occasionally had to warn a driver who got a bit too involved in a conversation to watch out for this or that driver, red light, etc. The person on the other end of the cell phone conversation as no idea what is going on around the person in the vehicle.

Janette A

You see it all the time. Cell-phone drivers become absorbed in their conversations and disconnected from their immediate surroundings. Their driving reactions are delayed or non- existent. Not the same as talking to most passengers where they contribute their alertness--whether sought after or not!

On this subject, how does one "drive" with a cellphone in one hand, a cigarette in the other, the radio on, a cup of coffee, and kids in the car? I have seen this more than once!

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On this subject, how does one "drive" with a cellphone in one hand, a cigarette in the other, the radio on, a cup of coffee, and kids in the car? I have seen this more than once!

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I would say, "Not too good!"

Lawmakers in at least two states are looking to pull the plug on texting pedestrians and iPod-obsessed runners, claiming their diverted attention borders on disaster.

Details.

I thought of this thread as I drove to work this morning behind a truck with "SO" (state official) plates who was talking on his cell phone the entire time we were on the highway together.

I thought about taking his picture and posting it here but decided that would be TOO DANGEROUS and irresponsible.

Imagine how state lawmakers would react if handed a bill to legalize drunk driving.

Clearly such a measure would go nowhere fast.
Why then, have lawmakers been reluctant to impose a ban on texting while driving when some studies indicate it's more dangerous than drunk driving?

It's also more difficult to detect and enforce than drunk driving, but that's no reason to ignore the danger.

A bill to ban texting while driving was defeated in the South Dakota House last year by a 32-37 vote. Sen. Craig Tieszen, R-Rapid City - the prime sponsor of last year's bill - believes the measure has a better chance of passing this year.

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But one powerful member of the Texas House wants to put an end to texting while legislating.

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This is no LOL matter: Texting while driving could soon be prohibited statewide. But using other applications on a smart phone, like GPS or Facebook, would not be banned - as long as you're reading, not typing.

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Law enforcement officials in Iowa say a new law that makes it illegal to text and drive has been difficult to enforce.

The Legislature enacted a law last year that bans texting while driving and forbids the state's youngest motorists from using cellphones while driving. The goal was to reduce crashes caused by distracted drivers, but lawmakers wanted to ease into the new law, giving motorists a one-year grace period that ends June 30. Starting July 1, violators could be fined $30.

Details.

In a surprise move, a ban on texting while driving was approved tonight by the Texas Senate.
The vote was 19-10.

The legislation was attached as an amendment to House Bill 242 by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, who said texting, reading emails and instant messaging while driving are dangerous practices.

Details.

The 14 COA in Houston yesterday reversed and acquitted a defendant convicted by a jury of criminal negligent homicide for using a cell phone while driving, noting that it's not yet illegal in Texas.

http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?OpinionId=88342

That decision will not hold up on PDR. An act doesn't have to be specifically illegal to constitute criminal negligence. And the State doesn't have to prove some general acceptance (sounds a lot like SCOTUS use of international opinions) for an act to be recognized as dangerous. That's what juries decide.

A very strangely written opinion that second-guesses a jury on social policy.

Governor announces texting while driving is reckless! To read the twist to this story, click here.