What should be done about mobile phones in cars? Almost every stud I've seen, including this one, says that using a phone -- hands-free or not -- while driving increases the risk of an accident by 400% to 500%. That makes talking on the phone while driving as dangerous as driving drunk. As the article indicates, small fines don't do much to reduce the problem.
So what's the solution, or is there one? I have libertarian sympathies, but I'm all in favor of laws that prohibit drunk driving. People should be able to do whatever they want on their own property, but in public space the majority has the right to set the rules. Is the problem that the fines are simply too small, or is the risk of a crash still so small that people can't properly judge it and act appropriately?
For myself, I try very hard to use the phone only rarely while driving. The temptation is great, but I don't want to be one of the people who looks back and regrets making a dumb decision. Plus, I see all the people talking while they drive and it's obvious how divided their attention is.
I categorized this post as science because there must be a technological solution to the problem of making phones safer or reducing their use.
One simple solution that I do, whenever possible, is simply to hang back and put a lot of space around yourself and your car when on the phone. i.e. give yourself a buffer so if your attention wavers you're not close to anything. Get in the middle lane of the highway, slow down to, you know, the speed limit. Then talk. If you get into higher traffic, then stop.
Finding that buffer zone doesn't always work, especially when traffic is heavy, but when it's light I think it helps.
But I still don't buy the driving-while-using-cell-phone = driving-while-drunk comparison. In the end, how much more concentration does it take than holding a conversation with someone else in the car?
I think some people get too bent out of shape over cell phones. No one can doubt the drunk driving is far more dangerous (unless its on a golf course), but are cell phones worse than eating or drinkign in the car?, yelling at the kids?, Singing with the radio?, Shaving? Putting on makeup? Putting on nylons? Reading the newspaper/map? Looking for something in the car? Tying a Tie?
There are plent of stupid habits people have in the car, cell phones just seem to be the favorite whipping boy.
Pirate,
They're a favorite whipping boy because it's far more common than is shaving or doing makeup and I would say more dangerous than eating. As for having a passenger in the car, the passenger can help you drive ("Look out!") in the way that someone on a cell phone cannot.
That said... I don't think you should illegalize it. I try to use mine only on the open freeway and since I spend two hours on the freeway every day I am loathe to consent to doing nothing during that time. What's really scary to me is that California tried to ban smoking in one's car. There are some traffic jams that smoking has kept me from flying in to road rage on.
I agree with the prior commenters about talking on a cell phone while driving on an uncongested freeway and similarly "automatic" situations vs. driving under more difficult circumstances where your undivided attention is needed. That's where the analogy to drunk driving breaks down: if road conditions change suddenly, and all at once you have to be 100% on task, you can hang up and focus on the road almost instantly, but you can't magically turn off your drunkenness.
I also think that the topic of the conversation is important. Some stuff you can shoot the breeze about while doing other things in the background. Other things you can't. Calling someone to confirm you're coming is unlikely to run you off the road, but calling to break up with your (soon to be) ex-girlfriend is a whole 'nother matter.
There are hands-free headsets and voice-activated phones...
Here's another study on the subject.
http://www.nsc.org/library/shelf/inincell.htm
I've just read another one today done in Australia. I don't have the link but they claim that you were about 4% more likely to have an accident if you used a cell phone while driving. It lowers to about 3% with "hands-free" type phones.
I've always said "Just Hang Up & Drive!"
I followed your link and guess what? It's the very same one I saw earlier. Oops.
Must be hot here and stuff...
I would make all phones send back a message to the person ringing that says "Driving" then if it is urgent you press the 'urgent contact driver' button and it sounds the 'urgent ring tone' the driver then has to find somewhere to stop to answer the phone. Or your press the 'will call back at soonest' button. It would mean every vehicle would have to be fitted with a transponder to control the phone. Only an idea but far too expensive, perhaps all new phones and cars could be kitted out with this system and hands free as standard.
WH: Studies show that hands-free phones are just as dangerous; I said that in the post.
Lorenzo: I like the idea of having an "away" mode for cell phones that would work similarly to IM software and respond to the caller with a short message. That shouldn't be hard to do.