News flash: people were being killed in motor vehicle accidents for decades before mobile phones existed. There are also laws on the books to prosecute people for vehicular manslaughter if they're driving carelessly, and more recently, there are laws on the books to allow people to be ticketed for using their phones in a way that interferes with their driving. So far the system seems to be working.

Like I said before (and a couple of people have responded to), if you're in an enclosed space with someone talking on a cell phone and it bothers you, then stand up for yourself and others and politely ask them to stop. The worst thing that can happen is they politely ask you to fuck off. I have seen situations where inconsiderate people talking loudly on their phones were asked to keep it down and it's worked.

(In fact, I've actually been one of those inconsiderate people and it's made me much more conscious about the way I use the phone ever since.)

If you think the issue won't be solved that way and you really feel passionately about how it's impacting everyone's quality of life, talk to your local representatives about enacting legislation to fix it. Work within the system. How do you think the smoking ban in restaurants came about?

Using one of these cell phone jammers is, IMHO, the worst possible way to handle this issue.

I like that some countries have jammers built into their theaters. That would be nice. I've lost count of the times that some moron not only let their phone ring during a movie, but actually answered it and carried on a conversation.

Anyone here go to the symphony? Our local conductor Michael Tilson Thomas tries really hard to have a sense of humor when asking the audience to shut off their phones, but totally lost it when one went off during a recent concert. He threw his baton down, turned around, and just stared at the audience for a few seconds before starting the movement again. He's a pretty mellow guy usually. Can't say I blamed him for losing his cool that night. If you have to leave your phone on during a concert of movie, how hard is it to turn the ringer off and set it to "vibrate?"

As Roger said, you're talking about people driving recklessly (a situation which didn't begin and won't end with cellphones). I'm talking about the foolish idea of preventing passengers from being able to use their cellphones.

I'm pretty sure way more people's lives have been saved thanks to use of a cell phone from inside their car than have ever been lost due to passenger use of a cell phone.

You've obviously never tried that over here. Depending on who you're asking, you'll get yourself a hiding. If you get told to 'fuck off' you'd be quite lucky.



Could you back this up? Just curious is all.

Gotta agree with everything Parka has said.

And yes - it's so self-centered of me to not want to be killed by someone carelessly (not wrecklessly) running a red light because they're busy with their cell phone. Wreckless driving and careless driving are two entirely different things, yet can have the same fatal result. Cell phones cause careless driving.

And hands-free is not an answer. There have been studies done that show that cell phone conversations - whether hands-free or not - are far more distracting than listening to music or talking/interacting with a passenger. It's the fact that it's a conversation with someone not in the vehicle that makes a person divert more of their attention away from driving.

I have heard this as well.

Not to stray off topic, but they should also ban GPS systems that are viewable by the driver and any other visual distractions to the driver such as DVD players. Finally it should also be against the law (if it isn't already) to drive with headphones and music player.

And that seems really surprising to me, because all of my experiences with Australians gave me the impression that (and I realize I'm generalizing) most of them are pretty relaxed and considerate people.

Just to nitpick, "wreckless" driving would imply that you're not getting in any accidents. I think you meant "reckless." ;pIt seems to me that your mind is made up. What are you willing to do about it, then?It is in New Jersey. That legislation was enacted back in the 80s when the Walkman was the big thing.

Ha ha! How right you are!


Not much, other than complain.

Are you calling me an Australian!

umm i believe senor parkas in the UK....

Oh, crap, I'm sorry! I thought you were a Skullbrainer from down under, but I just checked your location. I wonder who I'm confusing you with.

If I told someone to politely "hang up the phone" I'd probably get shot in the face.

I'm serious.


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