Ontario considers ban on gadgets while driving

[hoodlum]

I wonder how far they would go with this. GPS is mentioned by the Premier.


http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=3e353344-fb55-4355-abb4-1b50ef8e78f4

Mr. McGuinty said he has asked Minister of Transportation Jim Bradley to look at the "next-generation legislation" that would outlaw cellphones and other electronics that also cause driver distractions.

Mr. McGuinty said other jurisdictions have only banned drivers from using cellphones while other electronic devices are just as dangerous to use on the road.

"I've asked Minister Bradley to see if there is anything we could be doing in keeping with police advice that takes into account not just the latest gadget, cellphones, but GPS and other activities," Mr. McGuinty said. "I call it the next generation which deals with distracters generally, in particular electronic," he said.

[yearoftherat]

There are a lot of countries that ban the use of cellphone too.

http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/

IMHO it should be imposed here too.

[LockOut]

I just have 2 comments about this.
1) They keep mentioning the banning "hand held cell phones". I think that this is pointless. If someone is talking on their phone, the distraction is the conversation, not the physical phone. Basically what I'm getting from this ban is that they want 2 hands on the wheel at a time...
2) I agree that GPS systems are extremely distracting. And I'm guilty of it. However, a lot of factory installed systems require being parked in order to use the system. I think this is a great feature. Now, I understand that it is (nearly) impossible for aftermarket GPSs to do this, but I think that it's a great idea, and should be thought about.
Sorry for the incoherentness of my thoughts. Really tired and at work.

[Cardinal Fang]

I have no problem banning the use of cell phones or any device that allows you to text message while driving a vehicle. Studies have shown the distraction a driver receives is equivalent to being impaired while driving.

Using a GPS (programing it) while driving is just as dangerous. Typically, you set it up before you get going. I think this is the intent of the legislation. Not to ban the items but to punish the driver for actively using the items while driving. This can be true of any device including changing CD's. They need to enforce the current legislation which allows them to charge drivers that do not pay attention. "Careless operation of a vehicle." If they want to further pinpoint or separate these actions I have no problem. I'm tired of being cut off by people on their cell phones.

While we're at it can we ban people singing to songs on the radio? It distracts the living fark out of me especially when they sing off key.

[LockOut]

Studies have shown the distraction a driver receives is equivalent to being impaired while driving.
I hardly call MythBusters a 'study.' :chuckle

[Xerox]

a lot of factory installed systems require being parked in order to use the system. I think this is a great feature. Now, I understand that it is (nearly) impossible for aftermarket GPSs to do this, but I think that it's a great idea, and should be thought about.


I know at least the Garmin has feature that will not allow programming while you are moving. It can easily be turned off though.

[Cardinal Fang]

I hardly call MythBusters a 'study.' :chuckle

No but that was funny episode. This was the study.

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/DrivingIssues/20060830105036.html
http://www.insurance-canada.ca/consinfobusiness/IFG-CellPhone-Driving-507.php

[Fobio]

You guys drive with hands? How about a sandwich in one hand, Blackberry in the other, gas w/ right foot, clutch/declutch w/ left foot and steering w/ left knee? While shifting...

Cell phones are bad, drivers gossiping on it in the left lane are the WORST!

[mleblond]

yeah when I get a call I usually pick up and tell them I would call them back in a bit. No sense having a conversation as it is a distraction.

[Wild Weasel]

How will they enforce this though? I can understand the hand-held cell thing. They can see you holding a phone to your head. What about the other stuff though? They say you were programming your GPS and you say you were just reaching for your sunglasses, or can of coke, or whatever. How can this be proven one way or the other in court?

[bunchi]

I think it's hard for them to ban everything right now as even Mr. McGuity said how about those distracting devices that are not invented yet? They should at least start with something and banning celphones is a good start IMO. Celphones are very distracting and it drives me crazy seeing somebody driving carelessly near me only for me to see that the dumbass is chatting on the phone. :AH I can't even drive while on the phone.It's either I won't know what's happening on the road and wonder how I got there, or I just say yeah yeah on the phone because I'm paying attention to the road and don't really hear what the person on the other side of the line is saying.

[openuser]

I find driving while talking on the phone is quite challenging especially after I bought MS3..
Previous car, being an automatic, didn't require me to operate it with two hands.
But now that I need to shift quite often (thanks to MS3's short ratio transmission), it's impossible to drive and talk on the phone..... I think that's a good thing.
Though it's damn annoying if I have to answer the cellphone while driving.. (No shifting while talking!)

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I would be completely okay with them banning this.

------------------------------
Sent from HTC Touch on hwy 404 doing 130km/h while drinking an XL 1c/3s Timmies.

[hoodlum]

On my way to soccer practice yesterday, the car in front of me had a lady talking on her phone and a child in the back seat hanging out the window with no seatbelts on. If I could have got her attention I would told her to "hang up the bloody phone and look behind you". :loco

[Videcak]

I just mute the stereo and put my cell phone into loud speaker mode...

[oni]

Agreed..there's already way too much distraction while your driving.

[Fuman]

if u can't talk and drive,
they should ban eatting and driving, make up and driving.

[p-o-g-i]

People shouldn't be holding a cellphone to their ear while driving..... or eating.... putting on make- up.... etc. Hands free cell phones I have no problem with. Yes you are talking, but if you can't talk and drive at the same time, then you shouldn't be driving at all as that's a pure lack of concentration. Banning GPS is questionable. Yes it's distracting if you're constantly watching it, but that's why they have the voice activated ones :)