I have a long-running dispute discussion with a colleague regarding the argument that driving while talking on the cell is the same as drunk driving.
[ed: We have no disagreement vis: texting and driving - we both agree that this warrants the immediate application of the death penalty]
My take is that talking on the phone using a hands-free device is no more risky than listening (and talking back) to the radio, or to one's spouse in the passenger seat. Bill thinks that pretty much any use of the cell while driving is inherently more dangerous than either of those two activities.
So, who's right?
Well, score one forthe good guys me:
"A comprehensive study on distracted driving has found there is no conclusive evidence that hands-free cell phone use while driving is any less risky than hand-held cell phone use ... there is no evidence that cell phone or texting bans have reduced crashes."
Is this dispositive? No, not really: the study itself contained enough contradictory findings that the case is still open. But it does recommend that states without such bans hold off a while before enacting them, which also tells you something.
CORRECTION: Bill M begs to disagree: He thinks that the study actually proves his point that there's really no difference between hand-held and hands-free in terms of risk, and that the study actually supports his position.
What say you, dear readers?
[ed: We have no disagreement vis: texting and driving - we both agree that this warrants the immediate application of the death penalty]
My take is that talking on the phone using a hands-free device is no more risky than listening (and talking back) to the radio, or to one's spouse in the passenger seat. Bill thinks that pretty much any use of the cell while driving is inherently more dangerous than either of those two activities.
So, who's right?
Well, score one for
"A comprehensive study on distracted driving has found there is no conclusive evidence that hands-free cell phone use while driving is any less risky than hand-held cell phone use ... there is no evidence that cell phone or texting bans have reduced crashes."
Is this dispositive? No, not really: the study itself contained enough contradictory findings that the case is still open. But it does recommend that states without such bans hold off a while before enacting them, which also tells you something.
CORRECTION: Bill M begs to disagree: He thinks that the study actually proves his point that there's really no difference between hand-held and hands-free in terms of risk, and that the study actually supports his position.
What say you, dear readers?
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