Banning hands free calls

[lord bunberry]

I’m just watching the news and there’s a report on banning hands free calls while driving. Surely this is just madness. Saying people aren’t concentrating properly when talking on the phone is just ridiculous when you think of all the other distractions there are when driving. Are they going to ban singing along or even listening to the radio, or following satnav?

[brianmc]

What next? Banning children in cars?

If it's a straight question of which is the most distracting: (a) your 2 kids having a hissy fit and/or fighting in the back seat. or (b) chatting to someone on the hands free
It's glaringly obvious the answer is option a FFS

And whilst we're discussing this bonkers proposal, how in the name of the wee man is this possibly enforceable?
Employing lip reading wardens?
Madness!

[lord bunberry]

What next? Banning children in cars?

If it's a straight question of which is the most distracting: (a) your 2 kids having a hissy fit and/or fighting in the back seat. or (b) chatting to someone on the hands free
It's glaringly obvious the answer is option a FFS

And whilst we're discussing this bonkers proposal, how in the name of the wee man is this possibly enforceable?
Employing lip reading wardens?
Madness!
The list of possible distractions are endless. Driving while needing a piss is torture and very distracting, are they going to ban that as well? The attempt to control every part of our lives is relentless these days.

[DetroitHibs]

How’s it any different than talking to someone in the passenger seat. Actually safer as your not turning round and conversing.

[Killiehibbie]

I've read that a fatigued driver is far more dangerous than somebody holding a phone. Better go to bed now, just to be safe in the morning.

[speedy_gonzales]

How’s it any different than talking to someone in the passenger seat. Actually safer as your not turning round and conversing.

The passenger can see what the driver sees. Should something happen up ahead, the passenger will stop conversing whereas the other person on the phone has no idea what's going on.
There have been numerous studies that have shown a mobile conversation lowers the drivers attention to that of low level drink driving.
Also, given the fact that we all like to complain about other drivers inabilities, this probably isn't a reaction to how the many drive but the few.
I work for a company that has recently banned the use of any telephony equipment whilst driving, even to the point where passengers are encouraged not to have lengthy calls so as not to distract the driver. And just in case we can't be trusted, we also have to enable the "do not disturb" function on our iPhones that activates automatically when it thinks we're driving.
So far, I seem to have managed ok.

[Sylar]

I noticed there was an ad campaign the other day about trying to dissuade from loud music in the car...

It's absolute madness. Car companies have spent millions, if not billions, putting the correct technologies in place via Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity to enhance safe calling while driving.

They're trying to back people into a position where driving is just a headache. That's all fair and well, but they'd better significantly improve public transport if that's their end goal.

[lapsedhibee]

I work for a company that has recently banned the use of any telephony equipment whilst driving, even to the point where passengers are encouraged not to have lengthy calls so as not to distract the driver. And just in case we can't be trusted, we also have to enable the "do not disturb" function on our iPhones that activates automatically when it thinks we're driving.
So far, I seem to have managed ok.
All good imo.

[Scouse Hibee]

My car is like my office at times, not being able to talk on the phone whilst driving would be tough.

[DetroitHibs]

The passenger can see what the driver sees. Should something happen up ahead, the passenger will stop conversing whereas the other person on the phone has no idea what's going on.
There have been numerous studies that have shown a mobile conversation lowers the drivers attention to that of low level drink driving.
Also, given the fact that we all like to complain about other drivers inabilities, this probably isn't a reaction to how the many drive but the few.
I work for a company that has recently banned the use of any telephony equipment whilst driving, even to the point where passengers are encouraged not to have lengthy calls so as not to distract the driver. And just in case we can't be trusted, we also have to enable the "do not disturb" function on our iPhones that activates automatically when it thinks we're driving.
So far, I seem to have managed ok.

What studies have been done to show the difference about driving alone and driving with a passenger? I’m sure driving with a passenger can just be as distracting, if not more.

[speedy_gonzales]

What studies have been done to show the difference about driving alone and driving with a passenger? I’m sure driving with a passenger can just be as distracting, if not more.

Must surely depend on the passenger and how engaging their conversation is :)

I'm not aware of any studies but if you're asking my opinion, I'd initially think that driving with company rather than not would have more distractions. However, a fellow passenger can help stave off the distraction of fatigue.
As this story has blown up on social media, there have been lots of posts asking how distracting young (or not so young) kids can be when kicking off in the car. The answer is very. I'd like to think responsible parents would pull over and sort the situation out rather than deal with it on the move.

[DetroitHibs]

Must surely depend on the passenger and how engaging their conversation is :)

I'm not aware of any studies but if you're asking my opinion, I'd initially think that driving with company rather than not would have more distractions. However, a fellow passenger can help stave off the distraction of fatigue.
As this story has blown up on social media, there have been lots of posts asking how distracting young (or not so young) kids can be when kicking off in the car. The answer is very. I'd like to think responsible parents would pull over and sort the situation out rather than deal with it on the move.

All good points. I think there’s a ton of distractions in the car, just think banning hands free calls is too far. Listening to the fitbaw or a podcast could be just as distracting. In the grand scheme of things, are many people dying due to accidents with drivers talking while driving. Have no clue what that statistic is, but don’t imagine it would be very high.