Should Colorado prohibit holding a phone while driving? (cars, friendly)

[Wheatridger]

This law makes no demands of new car drivers, but it discriminates against old car owners. The average car in use today is 11 years old, so I've heard. My 2009 doesn't come with bluetooth, or even an input jack to the stereo. But it's a good car, worth keeping.

Does anybody really think that a driver using a hands-free connection is no longer distracted? No, their mind is on their phone call, or their mapping app, or their text messages. You just can't see it, because they don't have a phone up to their ear. Problem solved?

[Vision67]

Originally Posted by Wheatridger

This law makes no demands of new car drivers, but it discriminates against old car owners. The average car in use today is 11 years old, so I've heard. My 2009 doesn't come with bluetooth, or even an input jack to the stereo. But it's a good car, worth keeping.

Does anybody really think that a driver using a hands-free connection is no longer distracted? No, their mind is on their phone call, or their mapping app, or their text messages. You just can't see it, because they don't have a phone up to their ear. Problem solved?

A $40 accessory solves the problem for old cars

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_142BTA...MOUTH-III.html

[Wheatridger]

Which plugs into the car's AUX jack, which I told you, my car doesn't have.

Even if you mount your phone on a gooseneck mount, which I have, you still have to punch in numbers and addresses, and read maps. For my sixty-something eyes, reading maps and street names is best done at close range. So a fixed mount is of little benefit to me.

Once again, I prefer to hold the phone to make the call. By making the phone easier (and invisible) to use, you just make it more tempting and encourage more phone use.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by Wheatridger

This law makes no demands of new car drivers, but it discriminates against old car owners. The average car in use today is 11 years old, so I've heard. My 2009 doesn't come with bluetooth, or even an input jack to the stereo. But it's a good car, worth keeping.

Does anybody really think that a driver using a hands-free connection is no longer distracted? No, their mind is on their phone call, or their mapping app, or their text messages. You just can't see it, because they don't have a phone up to their ear. Problem solved?

Regardless whether it is hands-free or hand-held, who the flock made cell phones our master anyway?

There is a simple way to keep it from being a hazard to other people: SHUT IT OFF when driving, or leave it on but ignore it. No special features or new technology required for either of those choices, merely a tiny bit of self-discipline. Problem solved.

I agree with ColoradoRambler. Ramp up the fines, bigtime. That won't make the distractees disappear but it will eventually reduce the number of incidences. The fine for each incidence per driver would have to be increased to have more of a deterrent effect.

First time--you gambled, got caught, you lost.
Second time--you're not that bright, are you?
Third time--this must be a habit of yours! Insurance surcharge for YOU.

[Vision67]

Agreed, turning off phone or go direct to voicemail while driving is the best solution.

The problem with that is that people won't do it. Those phones have become their virtual reality.

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by pikabike

Regardless whether it is hands-free or hand-held, who the flock made cell phones our master anyway?

There is a simple way to keep it from being a hazard to other people: SHUT IT OFF when driving, or leave it on but ignore it. No special features or new technology required for either of those choices, merely a tiny bit of self-discipline. Problem solved.

I agree with ColoradoRambler. Ramp up the fines, bigtime. That won't make the distractees disappear but it will eventually reduce the number of incidences. Each incidence per driver would have to be increased to have more of a deterrent effect.

First time--you gambled, got caught, you lost.
Second time--you're not that bright, are you?
Third time--this must be a habit of yours! Insurance surcharge for YOU.

Couldn't have said it better.

Day before yesterday I almost got creamed on U.S. Hwy 50 near Fruita High School, had the green light to turn left, noticed an SUV was not slowing down--stopped as I got halfway in the intersection. The driver had the right hand to the ear. And blew right through the stop light, missing me by just a few feet.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by Vision67

Agreed, turning off phone or go direct to voicemail while driving is the best solution.

The problem with that is that people won't do it. Those phones have become their virtual reality.

People say they need private time. Well, they can start by keeping the phone off while driving.

If this were only a matter of their own lives, it wouldn't be important except to them and theirs. But they are endangering other people.

[Alonso Gil]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

Couldn't have said it better.

Day before yesterday I almost got creamed on U.S. Hwy 50 near Fruita High School, had the green light to turn left, noticed an SUV was not slowing down--stopped as I got halfway in the intersection. The driver had the right hand to the ear. And blew right through the stop light, missing me by just a few feet.

Did you do a U-turn and report the driver to police? I sure would have. This nonsense must stop.

[ajr1995]

Originally Posted by Vision67

Colorado toughens penalties for texting while driving

"DENVER — Colorado’s penalty for texting while driving has increased from $50 to $300.

Drivers also will get four points on their license instead of one point per violation under a bill signed into law Thursday by Gov. John Hickenlooper."



Although this is a step in the right direction, we ought to follow California and prohibit people from holding cell phones while driving. I see people doing this every day.

Most newer cars have a bluetooth wireless connection built in so there is no reason to hold a phone other than ignorance or laziness.

This isn't the best option for everyone. My job is to deliver food to people so i often need to look at google maps to find my way. I pay attention to the road but sometimes I need to glance at my phone for directions. Also I have a vehicle from 1998 so it has no extra bells and whistles.

[Vision67]

Originally Posted by ajr1995

This isn't the best option for everyone. My job is to deliver food to people so i often need to look at google maps to find my way. I pay attention to the road but sometimes I need to glance at my phone for directions. Also I have a vehicle from 1998 so it has no extra bells and whistles.

I use a Garmin mounted on top of the dash for navigation.

The maps are all pre-loaded, the display is large, and it lets me keep both hands on the wheel. It cost less than $100.