Comments on: Bills Want RI Drivers to Hang up Cell Phones http://bikeprovidence.org/2008/01/16/bills-want-ri-drivers-to-hang-up-cell-phones Providence Bicycle Coalition (PBC) Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:10:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Mark http://bikeprovidence.org/2008/01/16/bills-want-ri-drivers-to-hang-up-cell-phones#comment-206 Mark Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:19:48 +0000 http://bikeprovidence.org/2008/01/16/bills-want-ri-drivers-to-hang-up-cell-phones/#comment-206 I've read about similar studies stating it's really the act of talking on the phone while driving that is the problem. Oddly, the same studies often find that talking on the phone is worse than talking with someone in the car. Either we interact with a phone in different way or we are trying to carry on a different type of conversation. As far as I'm concerned, anything they can do to try and get people to actually concentrate on driving while driving is a good thing. Forcing people to use hands free setups will create one more barrier to entry, albeit a rather short one. I'm completely flabbergasted that anyone could consider text messaging while driving a safe activity. I’ve read about similar studies stating it’s really the act of talking on the phone while driving that is the problem. Oddly, the same studies often find that talking on the phone is worse than talking with someone in the car. Either we interact with a phone in different way or we are trying to carry on a different type of conversation.

As far as I’m concerned, anything they can do to try and get people to actually concentrate on driving while driving is a good thing. Forcing people to use hands free setups will create one more barrier to entry, albeit a rather short one.

I’m completely flabbergasted that anyone could consider text messaging while driving a safe activity.

]]> By: Don R. http://bikeprovidence.org/2008/01/16/bills-want-ri-drivers-to-hang-up-cell-phones#comment-205 Don R. Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:13:34 +0000 http://bikeprovidence.org/2008/01/16/bills-want-ri-drivers-to-hang-up-cell-phones/#comment-205 It has been demonstrated that it doesn't actually matter if it's handheld or not. It's not the dialing or single-handedness that affects driving, it's the cognitive displacement of having a phone conversation. It takes attention away from the physical environment in the same way, whether it's handsfree or not. Unfortunately I don't have a good citation at my fingertips, but the studies are out there. Also, the prohibition on one of these RI bills that addresses texting will only apply to motorists under 18. That may be helpful, but it's clearly not enough. The man who killed the young cyclist in Taunton while texting was 31. The other RI bill, which prohibits handheld phones for all ages, also prohibits texting for all ages. Interestingly, cell phone companies are neutral-to-supportive of this type of legislation. So why are lawmakers not more supportive themselves? The RI legislature actually passed a ban on handheld phones in 2001, but Gov. Almond vetoed it. It's come back often since then, but never with enough support to pass. It has been demonstrated that it doesn’t actually matter if it’s handheld or not. It’s not the dialing or single-handedness that affects driving, it’s the cognitive displacement of having a phone conversation. It takes attention away from the physical environment in the same way, whether it’s handsfree or not.

Unfortunately I don’t have a good citation at my fingertips, but the studies are out there.

Also, the prohibition on one of these RI bills that addresses texting will only apply to motorists under 18. That may be helpful, but it’s clearly not enough. The man who killed the young cyclist in Taunton while texting was 31.

The other RI bill, which prohibits handheld phones for all ages, also prohibits texting for all ages.

Interestingly, cell phone companies are neutral-to-supportive of this type of legislation. So why are lawmakers not more supportive themselves? The RI legislature actually passed a ban on handheld phones in 2001, but Gov. Almond vetoed it. It’s come back often since then, but never with enough support to pass.

]]> By: Mark http://bikeprovidence.org/2008/01/16/bills-want-ri-drivers-to-hang-up-cell-phones#comment-204 Mark Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:36:31 +0000 http://bikeprovidence.org/2008/01/16/bills-want-ri-drivers-to-hang-up-cell-phones/#comment-204 The specifically mentioned that people could use hands-free setups. What isn't clear to me is a) whether the distraction level is really any less using a hands-free setup and b) whether an ear bud or other bluetooth headset would be permissible. It's illegal to drive with any sort of headphones. The specifically mentioned that people could use hands-free setups. What isn’t clear to me is a) whether the distraction level is really any less using a hands-free setup and b) whether an ear bud or other bluetooth headset would be permissible. It’s illegal to drive with any sort of headphones.

]]> By: Connie http://bikeprovidence.org/2008/01/16/bills-want-ri-drivers-to-hang-up-cell-phones#comment-203 Connie Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:16:17 +0000 http://bikeprovidence.org/2008/01/16/bills-want-ri-drivers-to-hang-up-cell-phones/#comment-203 This is good news! I very often see people who are totally distracted by their conversations! People are just too comfortable in their cars. They try to multi-task and drive as though the car will do most of the work and all they have to do is apply 10% of already limited brainpower to the task! I assume this doesn't apply to hand-free (Bluetooth, ear bud, etc.). This is good news! I very often see people who are totally distracted by their conversations! People are just too comfortable in their cars. They try to multi-task and drive as though the car will do most of the work and all they have to do is apply 10% of already limited brainpower to the task!

I assume this doesn’t apply to hand-free (Bluetooth, ear bud, etc.).

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