Legal Restrictions on Cellphone Use Gain Traction

Carl Bialik writes "The Wall Street Journal is reporting that States are scrambling to impose tougher restrictions on cell phone use by drivers, addressing what safety experts say can be a deadly distraction. From the article: 'Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia have written legislation on the issue, mostly since 2003, [...] This year, other legislatures are tackling the subject, and two states have passed laws on it. [...] While no state has banned talking on a cell phone while driving, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C., have the most restrictive laws: Except in emergencies, motorists in those states can use cell phones only with hands-free devices, such as earpieces. Restrictions vary across other states. Some prohibit teenagers, bus drivers and drivers with learning permits from using cell phones -- even with earpieces.'"

Comments

I'm all for it

[rabbot]

I really hope laws are passed through every state that will completely ban cell phone use while driving a car. I am very suprised at many of the comments here that think this is ridiculous.

Driving around in a car is dangerous enough without people chatting on their cell phones while they are trying to yell at little Jimmy in the back seat and apply their make-up.

Go talk on your cell phone all you want when my life is not in your hands.

It's nice to see something like this, even if it is only because of elections coming up.

YES!

[hummassa]

I am dying to tell my wife she can't talk to me on the phone while I'm driving... hell, make that she can't talk to me on the phone at all, and I'll give a nice tip.

Re:try children

[ziriyab]

Just give them half a benadryl for the long road trips. Better yet, don't have children.