Hawaii should restrict driving with cellphones

California and Washington has joined four other states that ban the use of hand-held cellular phones while driving.

[Antonio Cheung]

Passing this law would lead us in the right direction, but we also need to investigate how big the difference is between talking on the phone while driving and talking with a passenger while driving.

As a psycholinguist I can recall that the earliest study of the impact of talking on the cell phone while driving can reduce driving performance significantly (30% for following a car or driving along a straight line). We already know that one should not be talking with a bus driver while the bus is in motion, but drivers of other vehicles should also learn not to talk (on the phone) unless their driving performance matches that of an expert driver who needs much less mental attention than a new driver (say, with less than 5 years of driving).

If we are right in prohibiting passengers from talking with bus drivers, is there any reason not to pass this kind of law in Hawaii?

[SBReader]

For the sake of a safer highway, Hawaii should pass a law similar to California's. I lived in Northern Virginia when the District of Columbia passed a similar law; its police department reported a decrease in traffic accidents due to cell phone distraction. As to a driver being distracted while talking to a passenger, this can be sorted out during the investigation following an accident. Pure and simple, this law is beneficial to the safety of pedestrians and drivers. Hawaii< get with it!

[John W Bienko]

The dangers of using a cell phone while driving a vehicle are well known. Hawai`i should ban this practice.

[willie]

The USA should pass a law similar to Australia where is is against the law to talk on a cell phone in a car, even if it is parked! We have all seen people swerving n and out of their lanes and causing all kinds of issues whwn on the phone, hands free or not. We do NOT have some sort of right to chat away when driving. I say drive now, talk later.

[kanehi]

I agree we should adopt just like California. The difference between talking with passenger is that the person is 'live'. Driving with a cell phone you have to concentrate what the person is saying due to poor reception thus losing your concentration. Also most times the person on the other line will make you upset and it comes out as aggressive driving. I've seen people actually driving slower using a cell phone because that person is leisurely conversing and don't know that their speed has changed.

[ProfessionalDriv er]

Holding a cell phone while driving should be banned outright at the very minimum. Nearly every country outside the US has already done this years ago. As it's up to the states, we should definitely have it banned here. Too many dummies paying attention to their phone's phonebook, reading text messages, and the like.

[realmerv]

Only the Hawaii legislature can get the ball rolling on banning the use of cell phones while driving. It is so obvious that it isn't safe to be talking on the cell phone while driving so I wonder why the legislature doesn't ban it yet.

Oh, come to think of it, it must be the same reason why they don't ban sign waving near intersections or traffic lights during the political campaign season.

[traveling_local]

HORAY! Hawaii is getting with the program, if only Guam could do the same.

[kahealani]

yes a ban is good..however the police have to police the situation..they pass cars with expired safety checks and registration..they also have to be alert..and must i say must enforce it............

[Loco Moco]

maybe dey should get one da kine driving test ...

try see if dey can walk and chew bubble gum at da same time ...

if can, can ...

if no can, den no can ....

[DirectSalesManag er]

I agree on the need for a ban on using cell phones while driving. Come to think of it, why not while in restaurants and bookstores, or standing in check out lines. The cell phone isn't the whole problem, it's rude inconsiderate people. Yesterday I waited (and waited thru 2 lights) to turn right at a intersection behind a woman who was talking on her cell phone. Finally I tapped my horn thinking maybe she didn't realize I was behind her - at which point she fipped me the finger and drove off!

[small okole]

Yep, talking on the cell phone getting into an accident injures and even kills the innocent.
Now being allowed to talk on the cell phones while in flight, imagine the possibilities of what can and will happen to those around the yakkitiyak cell user on a plus 5 hrs flight.
The good news, we can't afford to fly anymore due to high fuel surcharges, fares and fees that haven't been thought of yet; e.g. using a/c, breathing cabin air and using the clean(ok, dirty toilets), cushion seat

[Keith Haugen]

Almost everyone who drives, it seems, does talk on a cellphone while driving. And it is not safe.

As a commuter on TheBus, I see what seems to be about 75 or 80 percent of the autos passing my bus stops with only a driver (no passengers) and the driver is usually on the phone. And the number of drivers engaged in other distractions is equally frightening.

I think there is already a law about "inattention to driving" that might cover the use of cellular phones while driving, as well as eating, drinking, smoking, watching TV, reading, writing, shaving, putting on makeup, combing or brushing hair, driving with dogs on one's lap, shouting obscenities at other motorists, and many other things that we see drivers do every day while at the wheel.

Instead of a separate law for each of these distractions while driving, maybe they are already lumped together in one that is not being enforced?

[Wacko]

Ban should be in effect. Too many distracted drivers. Heavy fines need to be implemented, but will the legisture have the GUTS to do it? I don't think so... its too controversial. a do nothing legislature is what we have in this State/.

[Bunda]

realmerv wrote:

Only the Hawaii legislature can get the ball rolling on banning the use of cell phones while driving. It is so obvious that it isn't safe to be talking on the cell phone while driving so I wonder why the legislature doesn't ban it yet.
Oh, come to think of it, it must be the same reason why they don't ban sign waving near intersections or traffic lights during the political campaign season.

You're abolutely right. The legisture should ban those sign waving idiots off the intersections as they are distracting drivers. They don't even know what they are doing. They are a traffic hazard. Shame on them.

[Disgusted]

A specific ban needs to be implemented for cell phones. Maybe this gutless legislature will follow the lead of other the other states. They will never take the lead in anything anyway.

[Fitiuta]

Driving while using cell phone can be dangerous.

[Thomas]

Yes definately cell phones should be banned while driving ! Cell phones have caused more driving deaths than people being accidentally killed with handguns ! Cell phones should also be banned on buses as well as librarys ! Some rude people do not care who hears their conversations or how load they talk over the cell phone !

[Hankolulu]

Indeed! Regularly, I observe...and swerve... due to dangerous drivers. Consistent factor: cell phone raised to the ear, eyes in a glaze.

[Yeah]

realmerv wrote:

Only the Hawaii legislature can get the ball rolling on banning the use of cell phones while driving. It is so obvious that it isn't safe to be talking on the cell phone while driving so I wonder why the legislature doesn't ban it yet.
Oh, come to think of it, it must be the same reason why they don't ban sign waving near intersections or traffic lights during the political campaign season.

If you've ever been to Oahu on certain days, they have "organizations" that go out to intersections with traffic lights and collect "donations." Some of these people are running between cars picking up / asking for money.

When the light turns green, you're not sure if it's safe to move forward or not.