And yet more bad cell phone news

(CNN) -- A study released Tuesday said drivers who use cell phones --
even hands-free models -- are four times as likely to be involved in
wrecks involving a serious injury than are drivers who do not use cell
phones.

"There was no safety benefit whatsoever from using a hands-free
phone," said Anne McCartt, one of the authors of the study, which was
published in the British Medical Journal and paid for by the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety.

Researchers for the institute compared information on 456 crashes with
driver cell-phone records and interviewed the crash victims shortly
after they were treated in hospital emergency rooms.

"Our findings indicate that laws that still allow drivers to use
hands-free devices will not eliminate the crash risk of phone use,"
said McCartt. "In fact, to the extent that drivers perceive that
hand-free phone use is safer, in some sense, these laws could have a
detrimental effect if drivers increase their use of hands-free phone
use."

Connecticut and Chicago are the latest locales to ban cell phone use
while driving unless it's hands-free.

In the study, neither gender nor age affected risk.

The study was conducted in Perth, Australia, which bans driving while
using cellular phones that are not hands-free.

McCartt said she had wanted to carry out the study in the United
States, but phone companies would not release customer billing
records, even with a customer's consent.

Still, she said she saw no reason why the findings would not apply
equally to drivers in the United States.

The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, a
Washington-based trade group, downplayed the findings, saying the
distractions associated with mobile phones are no different from those
encountered by drivers who eat or talk with passengers as they drive.

"Hands-free is a matter of convenience, a matter of comfort," said
John Walls, vice president of communications for the association. He
called for education and heightened awareness about any problems to
driver safety that might be posed by distractions. "That's the way to
change behavior," he said.

The CTIA contends that following these guidelines can minimize risk:

# Assess whether a given call can wait.

# Do not take notes while driving.

# Do not talk while in heavy traffic.

# If possible, pull off the road and park in a safe location to use a
mobile phone.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety disagrees, maintaining that
its study shows that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while
at the wheel significantly raises the risk of a serious crash, and
following those guidelines will not lower that risk.

What's the difference between talking to a passenger or a hands free cell.
They going ban passengers too!
"RichA" > wrote in message
...
> (CNN) -- A study released Tuesday said drivers who use cell phones --
> even hands-free models -- are four times as likely to be involved in
> wrecks involving a serious injury than are drivers who do not use cell
> phones.
>
> "There was no safety benefit whatsoever from using a hands-free
> phone," said Anne McCartt, one of the authors of the study, which was
> published in the British Medical Journal and paid for by the Insurance
> Institute for Highway Safety.
>
> Researchers for the institute compared information on 456 crashes with
> driver cell-phone records and interviewed the crash victims shortly
> after they were treated in hospital emergency rooms.
>
> "Our findings indicate that laws that still allow drivers to use
> hands-free devices will not eliminate the crash risk of phone use,"
> said McCartt. "In fact, to the extent that drivers perceive that
> hand-free phone use is safer, in some sense, these laws could have a
> detrimental effect if drivers increase their use of hands-free phone
> use."
>
> Connecticut and Chicago are the latest locales to ban cell phone use
> while driving unless it's hands-free.
>
> In the study, neither gender nor age affected risk.
>
> The study was conducted in Perth, Australia, which bans driving while
> using cellular phones that are not hands-free.
>
> McCartt said she had wanted to carry out the study in the United
> States, but phone companies would not release customer billing
> records, even with a customer's consent.
>
> Still, she said she saw no reason why the findings would not apply
> equally to drivers in the United States.
>
> The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, a
> Washington-based trade group, downplayed the findings, saying the
> distractions associated with mobile phones are no different from those
> encountered by drivers who eat or talk with passengers as they drive.
>
> "Hands-free is a matter of convenience, a matter of comfort," said
> John Walls, vice president of communications for the association. He
> called for education and heightened awareness about any problems to
> driver safety that might be posed by distractions. "That's the way to
> change behavior," he said.
>
> The CTIA contends that following these guidelines can minimize risk:
>
> # Assess whether a given call can wait.
>
> # Do not take notes while driving.
>
> # Do not talk while in heavy traffic.
>
> # If possible, pull off the road and park in a safe location to use a
> mobile phone.
>
> The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety disagrees, maintaining that
> its study shows that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while
> at the wheel significantly raises the risk of a serious crash, and
> following those guidelines will not lower that risk.

You would sure think that there would be no difference between talking to a
passenger and a cell, but apparently, there is. I have seen so many drivers
do stupid things while on cell phones that I thought about investing in a
jammer. At least I could enjoy a meal in a restaurant without being having
to listen to, first the f**king phone ring, then 1/2 of the conversation.
The only thing that keeps me from buying one, (besides the fact that they
are very illegal) is the thought of cutting off someone's call, and having
them hit someone (me) while fiddling with their phone.
People who can not drive and use a cell phone should be allowed to do
either.



"razz" > wrote in message
...
> What's the difference between talking to a passenger or a hands free cell.
> They going ban passengers too!
> "RichA" > wrote in message
> ...
> > (CNN) -- A study released Tuesday said drivers who use cell phones --
> > even hands-free models -- are four times as likely to be involved in
> > wrecks involving a serious injury than are drivers who do not use cell
> > phones.
> >
> > "There was no safety benefit whatsoever from using a hands-free
> > phone," said Anne McCartt, one of the authors of the study, which was
> > published in the British Medical Journal and paid for by the Insurance
> > Institute for Highway Safety.
> >
> > Researchers for the institute compared information on 456 crashes with
> > driver cell-phone records and interviewed the crash victims shortly
> > after they were treated in hospital emergency rooms.
> >
> > "Our findings indicate that laws that still allow drivers to use
> > hands-free devices will not eliminate the crash risk of phone use,"
> > said McCartt. "In fact, to the extent that drivers perceive that
> > hand-free phone use is safer, in some sense, these laws could have a
> > detrimental effect if drivers increase their use of hands-free phone
> > use."
> >
> > Connecticut and Chicago are the latest locales to ban cell phone use
> > while driving unless it's hands-free.
> >
> > In the study, neither gender nor age affected risk.
> >
> > The study was conducted in Perth, Australia, which bans driving while
> > using cellular phones that are not hands-free.
> >
> > McCartt said she had wanted to carry out the study in the United
> > States, but phone companies would not release customer billing
> > records, even with a customer's consent.
> >
> > Still, she said she saw no reason why the findings would not apply
> > equally to drivers in the United States.
> >
> > The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, a
> > Washington-based trade group, downplayed the findings, saying the
> > distractions associated with mobile phones are no different from those
> > encountered by drivers who eat or talk with passengers as they drive.
> >
> > "Hands-free is a matter of convenience, a matter of comfort," said
> > John Walls, vice president of communications for the association. He
> > called for education and heightened awareness about any problems to
> > driver safety that might be posed by distractions. "That's the way to
> > change behavior," he said.
> >
> > The CTIA contends that following these guidelines can minimize risk:
> >
> > # Assess whether a given call can wait.
> >
> > # Do not take notes while driving.
> >
> > # Do not talk while in heavy traffic.
> >
> > # If possible, pull off the road and park in a safe location to use a
> > mobile phone.
> >
> > The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety disagrees, maintaining that
> > its study shows that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while
> > at the wheel significantly raises the risk of a serious crash, and
> > following those guidelines will not lower that risk.
>
>

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 09:48:53 -0700, "Me" > wrote:

Every time I am confronted with a "rude and intrusive use of a cell
phone " I take a great interest in their conversation. Last year a
woman in a doctors office proceeded to make all her business and
personal calls while waiting for her appointment. Of course she was
sitting next to me. I turned and started to nod and smile and look
genuinely interested in her conversation...which was the last one she
made in the office before she went outside to finish the remaining
calls. It unnerves them. If they insist on sharing the
conversations with the rest of us we can participate too.



>You would sure think that there would be no difference between talking to a
>passenger and a cell, but apparently, there is. I have seen so many drivers
>do stupid things while on cell phones that I thought about investing in a
>jammer. At least I could enjoy a meal in a restaurant without being having
>to listen to, first the f**king phone ring, then 1/2 of the conversation.
>The only thing that keeps me from buying one, (besides the fact that they
>are very illegal) is the thought of cutting off someone's call, and having
>them hit someone (me) while fiddling with their phone.
>People who can not drive and use a cell phone should be allowed to do
>either.
>
>
>
>"razz" > wrote in message
...
>> What's the difference between talking to a passenger or a hands free cell.
>> They going ban passengers too!
>> "RichA" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > (CNN) -- A study released Tuesday said drivers who use cell phones --
>> > even hands-free models -- are four times as likely to be involved in
>> > wrecks involving a serious injury than are drivers who do not use cell
>> > phones.
>> >
>> > "There was no safety benefit whatsoever from using a hands-free
>> > phone," said Anne McCartt, one of the authors of the study, which was
>> > published in the British Medical Journal and paid for by the Insurance
>> > Institute for Highway Safety.
>> >
>> > Researchers for the institute compared information on 456 crashes with
>> > driver cell-phone records and interviewed the crash victims shortly
>> > after they were treated in hospital emergency rooms.
>> >
>> > "Our findings indicate that laws that still allow drivers to use
>> > hands-free devices will not eliminate the crash risk of phone use,"
>> > said McCartt. "In fact, to the extent that drivers perceive that
>> > hand-free phone use is safer, in some sense, these laws could have a
>> > detrimental effect if drivers increase their use of hands-free phone
>> > use."
>> >
>> > Connecticut and Chicago are the latest locales to ban cell phone use
>> > while driving unless it's hands-free.
>> >
>> > In the study, neither gender nor age affected risk.
>> >
>> > The study was conducted in Perth, Australia, which bans driving while
>> > using cellular phones that are not hands-free.
>> >
>> > McCartt said she had wanted to carry out the study in the United
>> > States, but phone companies would not release customer billing
>> > records, even with a customer's consent.
>> >
>> > Still, she said she saw no reason why the findings would not apply
>> > equally to drivers in the United States.
>> >
>> > The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, a
>> > Washington-based trade group, downplayed the findings, saying the
>> > distractions associated with mobile phones are no different from those
>> > encountered by drivers who eat or talk with passengers as they drive.
>> >
>> > "Hands-free is a matter of convenience, a matter of comfort," said
>> > John Walls, vice president of communications for the association. He
>> > called for education and heightened awareness about any problems to
>> > driver safety that might be posed by distractions. "That's the way to
>> > change behavior," he said.
>> >
>> > The CTIA contends that following these guidelines can minimize risk:
>> >
>> > # Assess whether a given call can wait.
>> >
>> > # Do not take notes while driving.
>> >
>> > # Do not talk while in heavy traffic.
>> >
>> > # If possible, pull off the road and park in a safe location to use a
>> > mobile phone.
>> >
>> > The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety disagrees, maintaining that
>> > its study shows that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while
>> > at the wheel significantly raises the risk of a serious crash, and
>> > following those guidelines will not lower that risk.
>>
>>
>

That's a great idea!

One of my cell phone stories: I was driving back to work one afternoon on a
two lane highway, 55 MPH Speed limit. Following a white 1/2 ton Chevy
pickup. The guy was going about 45,drifting around the lane quite a bit
(Thought he might have been drinking.) The road curved to the left and the
guy was drifting toward the center line. Coming the other way was a guy
driving a white 2 1/2 ton Chevy truck, also drifting toward the center line.
It really looked like they were going to meet, head on, at the apex of the
curve. They both had about half of their vehicles across the center line
when they simultaneously woke up and jerked their steering wheels to the
right, missing each other by scant inches. By this time, I had pulled over
and was almost stopped. As the guy driving the big truck passed me going the
other way, I saw that he had a cell phone in his ear. I speeded up and
caught the Chevy truck ahead of me, and, you guessed it, he also had a cell
plastered in his ear. (Cell phone stupidity is not restricted to one
particular gender)


"Sarah Czepiel" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 09:48:53 -0700, "Me" > wrote:
>
> Every time I am confronted with a "rude and intrusive use of a cell
> phone " I take a great interest in their conversation. Last year a
> woman in a doctors office proceeded to make all her business and
> personal calls while waiting for her appointment. Of course she was
> sitting next to me. I turned and started to nod and smile and look
> genuinely interested in her conversation...which was the last one she
> made in the office before she went outside to finish the remaining
> calls. It unnerves them. If they insist on sharing the
> conversations with the rest of us we can participate too.
>
>
>
> >You would sure think that there would be no difference between talking to
a
> >passenger and a cell, but apparently, there is. I have seen so many
drivers
> >do stupid things while on cell phones that I thought about investing in a
> >jammer. At least I could enjoy a meal in a restaurant without being
having
> >to listen to, first the f**king phone ring, then 1/2 of the conversation.
> >The only thing that keeps me from buying one, (besides the fact that they
> >are very illegal) is the thought of cutting off someone's call, and
having
> >them hit someone (me) while fiddling with their phone.
> >People who can not drive and use a cell phone should be allowed to do
> >either.
> >
> >
> >
> >"razz" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> What's the difference between talking to a passenger or a hands free
cell.
> >> They going ban passengers too!
> >> "RichA" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > (CNN) -- A study released Tuesday said drivers who use cell phones --
> >> > even hands-free models -- are four times as likely to be involved in
> >> > wrecks involving a serious injury than are drivers who do not use
cell
> >> > phones.
> >> >
> >> > "There was no safety benefit whatsoever from using a hands-free
> >> > phone," said Anne McCartt, one of the authors of the study, which was
> >> > published in the British Medical Journal and paid for by the
Insurance
> >> > Institute for Highway Safety.
> >> >
> >> > Researchers for the institute compared information on 456 crashes
with
> >> > driver cell-phone records and interviewed the crash victims shortly
> >> > after they were treated in hospital emergency rooms.
> >> >
> >> > "Our findings indicate that laws that still allow drivers to use
> >> > hands-free devices will not eliminate the crash risk of phone use,"
> >> > said McCartt. "In fact, to the extent that drivers perceive that
> >> > hand-free phone use is safer, in some sense, these laws could have a
> >> > detrimental effect if drivers increase their use of hands-free phone
> >> > use."
> >> >
> >> > Connecticut and Chicago are the latest locales to ban cell phone use
> >> > while driving unless it's hands-free.
> >> >
> >> > In the study, neither gender nor age affected risk.
> >> >
> >> > The study was conducted in Perth, Australia, which bans driving while
> >> > using cellular phones that are not hands-free.
> >> >
> >> > McCartt said she had wanted to carry out the study in the United
> >> > States, but phone companies would not release customer billing
> >> > records, even with a customer's consent.
> >> >
> >> > Still, she said she saw no reason why the findings would not apply
> >> > equally to drivers in the United States.
> >> >
> >> > The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, a
> >> > Washington-based trade group, downplayed the findings, saying the
> >> > distractions associated with mobile phones are no different from
those
> >> > encountered by drivers who eat or talk with passengers as they drive.
> >> >
> >> > "Hands-free is a matter of convenience, a matter of comfort," said
> >> > John Walls, vice president of communications for the association. He
> >> > called for education and heightened awareness about any problems to
> >> > driver safety that might be posed by distractions. "That's the way to
> >> > change behavior," he said.
> >> >
> >> > The CTIA contends that following these guidelines can minimize risk:
> >> >
> >> > # Assess whether a given call can wait.
> >> >
> >> > # Do not take notes while driving.
> >> >
> >> > # Do not talk while in heavy traffic.
> >> >
> >> > # If possible, pull off the road and park in a safe location to use a
> >> > mobile phone.
> >> >
> >> > The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety disagrees, maintaining
that
> >> > its study shows that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while
> >> > at the wheel significantly raises the risk of a serious crash, and
> >> > following those guidelines will not lower that risk.
> >>
> >>
> >
>

They were probably talking to each other.... LOL Had they survived an
accident, and found their cell phones, they probably would have ended
up using speed dial to cal their insurance companies, only to find
they had each others' phones which had continued flying through the
air and ended up in the opposite vehicle.

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 14:30:55 -0700, "Me" > wrote:

>That's a great idea!
>
>One of my cell phone stories: I was driving back to work one afternoon on a
>two lane highway, 55 MPH Speed limit. Following a white 1/2 ton Chevy
>pickup. The guy was going about 45,drifting around the lane quite a bit
>(Thought he might have been drinking.) The road curved to the left and the
>guy was drifting toward the center line. Coming the other way was a guy
>driving a white 2 1/2 ton Chevy truck, also drifting toward the center line.
>It really looked like they were going to meet, head on, at the apex of the
>curve. They both had about half of their vehicles across the center line
>when they simultaneously woke up and jerked their steering wheels to the
>right, missing each other by scant inches. By this time, I had pulled over
>and was almost stopped. As the guy driving the big truck passed me going the
>other way, I saw that he had a cell phone in his ear. I speeded up and
>caught the Chevy truck ahead of me, and, you guessed it, he also had a cell
>plastered in his ear. (Cell phone stupidity is not restricted to one
>particular gender)
>

Spike
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior; Vintage 40
16" rims w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A gForce Radial
225/50ZR16 KDWS skins; surround sound audio-video.

"When the time comes to lay down my life for my country,
I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it."
-JFK Inaugural Address

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 14:30:55 -0700, "Me" > wrote:

>That's a great idea!
>
>One of my cell phone stories: I was driving back to work one afternoon on a
>two lane highway, 55 MPH Speed limit. Following a white 1/2 ton Chevy
>pickup. The guy was going about 45,drifting around the lane quite a bit
>(Thought he might have been drinking.) The road curved to the left and the
>guy was drifting toward the center line. Coming the other way was a guy
>driving a white 2 1/2 ton Chevy truck, also drifting toward the center line.
>It really looked like they were going to meet, head on, at the apex of the
>curve. They both had about half of their vehicles across the center line
>when they simultaneously woke up and jerked their steering wheels to the
>right, missing each other by scant inches. By this time, I had pulled over
>and was almost stopped. As the guy driving the big truck passed me going the
>other way, I saw that he had a cell phone in his ear. I speeded up and
>caught the Chevy truck ahead of me, and, you guessed it, he also had a cell
>plastered in his ear. (Cell phone stupidity is not restricted to one
>particular gender)

Great although scary story. No stupidity using cell phones
isn't limited to one gender. I've seen both men and women do some
pretty stupid things. Funny thing though now that I think about it, I
rarely see young males driving and using a cell phone. Teen age girls
yeah but not the guys, At least in my neck of the woods.


>"Sarah Czepiel" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 09:48:53 -0700, "Me" > wrote:
>>
>> Every time I am confronted with a "rude and intrusive use of a cell
>> phone " I take a great interest in their conversation. Last year a
>> woman in a doctors office proceeded to make all her business and
>> personal calls while waiting for her appointment. Of course she was
>> sitting next to me. I turned and started to nod and smile and look
>> genuinely interested in her conversation...which was the last one she
>> made in the office before she went outside to finish the remaining
>> calls. It unnerves them. If they insist on sharing the
>> conversations with the rest of us we can participate too.
>>
>>
>>
>> >You would sure think that there would be no difference between talking to
>a
>> >passenger and a cell, but apparently, there is. I have seen so many
>drivers
>> >do stupid things while on cell phones that I thought about investing in a
>> >jammer. At least I could enjoy a meal in a restaurant without being
>having
>> >to listen to, first the f**king phone ring, then 1/2 of the conversation.
>> >The only thing that keeps me from buying one, (besides the fact that they
>> >are very illegal) is the thought of cutting off someone's call, and
>having
>> >them hit someone (me) while fiddling with their phone.
>> >People who can not drive and use a cell phone should be allowed to do
>> >either.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >"razz" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> What's the difference between talking to a passenger or a hands free
>cell.
>> >> They going ban passengers too!
>> >> "RichA" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> > (CNN) -- A study released Tuesday said drivers who use cell phones --
>> >> > even hands-free models -- are four times as likely to be involved in
>> >> > wrecks involving a serious injury than are drivers who do not use
>cell
>> >> > phones.
>> >> >
>> >> > "There was no safety benefit whatsoever from using a hands-free
>> >> > phone," said Anne McCartt, one of the authors of the study, which was
>> >> > published in the British Medical Journal and paid for by the
>Insurance
>> >> > Institute for Highway Safety.
>> >> >
>> >> > Researchers for the institute compared information on 456 crashes
>with
>> >> > driver cell-phone records and interviewed the crash victims shortly
>> >> > after they were treated in hospital emergency rooms.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Our findings indicate that laws that still allow drivers to use
>> >> > hands-free devices will not eliminate the crash risk of phone use,"
>> >> > said McCartt. "In fact, to the extent that drivers perceive that
>> >> > hand-free phone use is safer, in some sense, these laws could have a
>> >> > detrimental effect if drivers increase their use of hands-free phone
>> >> > use."
>> >> >
>> >> > Connecticut and Chicago are the latest locales to ban cell phone use
>> >> > while driving unless it's hands-free.
>> >> >
>> >> > In the study, neither gender nor age affected risk.
>> >> >
>> >> > The study was conducted in Perth, Australia, which bans driving while
>> >> > using cellular phones that are not hands-free.
>> >> >
>> >> > McCartt said she had wanted to carry out the study in the United
>> >> > States, but phone companies would not release customer billing
>> >> > records, even with a customer's consent.
>> >> >
>> >> > Still, she said she saw no reason why the findings would not apply
>> >> > equally to drivers in the United States.
>> >> >
>> >> > The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, a
>> >> > Washington-based trade group, downplayed the findings, saying the
>> >> > distractions associated with mobile phones are no different from
>those
>> >> > encountered by drivers who eat or talk with passengers as they drive.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Hands-free is a matter of convenience, a matter of comfort," said
>> >> > John Walls, vice president of communications for the association. He
>> >> > called for education and heightened awareness about any problems to
>> >> > driver safety that might be posed by distractions. "That's the way to
>> >> > change behavior," he said.
>> >> >
>> >> > The CTIA contends that following these guidelines can minimize risk:
>> >> >
>> >> > # Assess whether a given call can wait.
>> >> >
>> >> > # Do not take notes while driving.
>> >> >
>> >> > # Do not talk while in heavy traffic.
>> >> >
>> >> > # If possible, pull off the road and park in a safe location to use a
>> >> > mobile phone.
>> >> >
>> >> > The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety disagrees, maintaining
>that
>> >> > its study shows that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while
>> >> > at the wheel significantly raises the risk of a serious crash, and
>> >> > following those guidelines will not lower that risk.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>>
>

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 09:45:41 -0500, "razz" >
wrote:

>What's the difference between talking to a passenger or a hands free cell.
>They going ban passengers too!

Before cell phones, I rarely ran into MORONS driving at 40mph
on the highway. Now it's all the time.

>"RichA" > wrote in message
.. .
>> (CNN) -- A study released Tuesday said drivers who use cell phones --
>> even hands-free models -- are four times as likely to be involved in
>> wrecks involving a serious injury than are drivers who do not use cell
>> phones.
>>
>> "There was no safety benefit whatsoever from using a hands-free
>> phone," said Anne McCartt, one of the authors of the study, which was
>> published in the British Medical Journal and paid for by the Insurance
>> Institute for Highway Safety.
>>
>> Researchers for the institute compared information on 456 crashes with
>> driver cell-phone records and interviewed the crash victims shortly
>> after they were treated in hospital emergency rooms.
>>
>> "Our findings indicate that laws that still allow drivers to use
>> hands-free devices will not eliminate the crash risk of phone use,"
>> said McCartt. "In fact, to the extent that drivers perceive that
>> hand-free phone use is safer, in some sense, these laws could have a
>> detrimental effect if drivers increase their use of hands-free phone
>> use."
>>
>> Connecticut and Chicago are the latest locales to ban cell phone use
>> while driving unless it's hands-free.
>>
>> In the study, neither gender nor age affected risk.
>>
>> The study was conducted in Perth, Australia, which bans driving while
>> using cellular phones that are not hands-free.
>>
>> McCartt said she had wanted to carry out the study in the United
>> States, but phone companies would not release customer billing
>> records, even with a customer's consent.
>>
>> Still, she said she saw no reason why the findings would not apply
>> equally to drivers in the United States.
>>
>> The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, a
>> Washington-based trade group, downplayed the findings, saying the
>> distractions associated with mobile phones are no different from those
>> encountered by drivers who eat or talk with passengers as they drive.
>>
>> "Hands-free is a matter of convenience, a matter of comfort," said
>> John Walls, vice president of communications for the association. He
>> called for education and heightened awareness about any problems to
>> driver safety that might be posed by distractions. "That's the way to
>> change behavior," he said.
>>
>> The CTIA contends that following these guidelines can minimize risk:
>>
>> # Assess whether a given call can wait.
>>
>> # Do not take notes while driving.
>>
>> # Do not talk while in heavy traffic.
>>
>> # If possible, pull off the road and park in a safe location to use a
>> mobile phone.
>>
>> The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety disagrees, maintaining that
>> its study shows that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while
>> at the wheel significantly raises the risk of a serious crash, and
>> following those guidelines will not lower that risk.
>

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 16:08:53 -0400, RichA > wrote:

>
>>What's the difference between talking to a passenger or a hands free cell.
>>They going ban passengers too!
>
>Before cell phones, I rarely ran into MORONS driving at 40mph
>on the highway. Now it's all the time.

Then you've never driven Rte 128 around Boston or anywhere on the
Beltway around DC.

That's because before cell phones there was no roaming, and the morons
didn't know they could leave home. : )

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 16:08:53 -0400, RichA > wrote:

>On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 09:45:41 -0500, "razz" >
>wrote:
>
>>What's the difference between talking to a passenger or a hands free cell.
>>They going ban passengers too!
>
>Before cell phones, I rarely ran into MORONS driving at 40mph
>on the highway. Now it's all the time.
>
>>"RichA" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> (CNN) -- A study released Tuesday said drivers who use cell phones --
>>> even hands-free models -- are four times as likely to be involved in
>>> wrecks involving a serious injury than are drivers who do not use cell
>>> phones.
>>>
>>> "There was no safety benefit whatsoever from using a hands-free
>>> phone," said Anne McCartt, one of the authors of the study, which was
>>> published in the British Medical Journal and paid for by the Insurance
>>> Institute for Highway Safety.
>>>
>>> Researchers for the institute compared information on 456 crashes with
>>> driver cell-phone records and interviewed the crash victims shortly
>>> after they were treated in hospital emergency rooms.
>>>
>>> "Our findings indicate that laws that still allow drivers to use
>>> hands-free devices will not eliminate the crash risk of phone use,"
>>> said McCartt. "In fact, to the extent that drivers perceive that
>>> hand-free phone use is safer, in some sense, these laws could have a
>>> detrimental effect if drivers increase their use of hands-free phone
>>> use."
>>>
>>> Connecticut and Chicago are the latest locales to ban cell phone use
>>> while driving unless it's hands-free.
>>>
>>> In the study, neither gender nor age affected risk.
>>>
>>> The study was conducted in Perth, Australia, which bans driving while
>>> using cellular phones that are not hands-free.
>>>
>>> McCartt said she had wanted to carry out the study in the United
>>> States, but phone companies would not release customer billing
>>> records, even with a customer's consent.
>>>
>>> Still, she said she saw no reason why the findings would not apply
>>> equally to drivers in the United States.
>>>
>>> The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, a
>>> Washington-based trade group, downplayed the findings, saying the
>>> distractions associated with mobile phones are no different from those
>>> encountered by drivers who eat or talk with passengers as they drive.
>>>
>>> "Hands-free is a matter of convenience, a matter of comfort," said
>>> John Walls, vice president of communications for the association. He
>>> called for education and heightened awareness about any problems to
>>> driver safety that might be posed by distractions. "That's the way to
>>> change behavior," he said.
>>>
>>> The CTIA contends that following these guidelines can minimize risk:
>>>
>>> # Assess whether a given call can wait.
>>>
>>> # Do not take notes while driving.
>>>
>>> # Do not talk while in heavy traffic.
>>>
>>> # If possible, pull off the road and park in a safe location to use a
>>> mobile phone.
>>>
>>> The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety disagrees, maintaining that
>>> its study shows that the simple act of talking on a cell phone while
>>> at the wheel significantly raises the risk of a serious crash, and
>>> following those guidelines will not lower that risk.
>>

Spike
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior; Vintage 40
16" rims w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A gForce Radial
225/50ZR16 KDWS skins; surround sound audio-video.

"When the time comes to lay down my life for my country,
I do not cower from this responsibility. I welcome it."
-JFK Inaugural Address