Cell phone drivers an increasing menace on the road on clarkhoward.com

Clark has been trying to cut down his cell phone usage. In the last month alone he's managed to go from 5000 to 232 minutes, and he hopes to do even better next month. This initiative came about after almost getting hit on his scooter by a driver who was chatting on her cell. Cell phone distraction has become a real problem today. He notices that most people go into a "zone" and just don't pay enough attention to the road when driving and talking. Wireless bluetooth headsets don't really help, either, since it's not the phone but the conversation itself that's causing the distraction.

And there are other ways to lose focus. Clark says he now pulls over if he has to dial a number that's not on his speed dial. Young people, in particular, blast music so loud that they can't hear what's going on around them. The bottom line? You have to be extra aware on the road these days. Keep your eye out for "cell phone drivers" who might run a stop sign or change lanes without signalling because they're too distracted on the phone. If you find yourself so focused on a conversation that you've forgotten what you're doing, or can't recall how you got from Point A to Point B, you know it's time to pull over.

What others are saying

Driving and talking on the phone
Somme people can't concentrate on two things at the same time. That's why they can't talk on the phone and drive the same time.
By Alex Hoarau @ 07/21/08 07:24:30 PMreport abuse
You can't hold your Cell Phone
Cell phone driving to me is just like drunk driving. I have scene it many times where the lady driving running over curbs swerving across lanes the mind is engaged on the conversation and not the road. Hands free will not take care of this problem. The only solution will be to no longer allow cell phone use while driving for there will be no way to distinguish a level of competence of driving with a cell phone(compared to a level of drinking where there is a mesurable level standard .08) I believe driving and engaged in a cell phone conversation will one day be against the law or limited to a brief conversation(a minute or 2).
By JM @ 07/02/08 10:52:30 PMreport abuse
Cell phones and driving
I am a State Trooper here in GA. I have noticed more motorists crossing the center line in front of me lately. With a little observation at the time of the incident or questioning after a traffic stop, I have learned that a lot of that is because people are texting while driving down the road. It a big threat to the motoring public. I'm sure you would agree. Please get the message out to stop driving and texting at the same time. Thank you.
By Byron Mims @ 07/02/08 09:34:40 PMreport abuse
Cell phone drivers an increasing menace on the road
But isn`t the distraction from a blue tooth the same as listening to talk radio while driving...where is it going to end there many distractions on road.
By William Morales @ 07/02/08 12:03:41 PMreport abuse
profession dress code
too much skin---way too tight and way too shabby. i guess casual dress code Casual means you can come to work dressed like a bum. Personally I destest teh shirt and tie scene BUT this casual stuff has gone way too far.
By jack @ 07/01/08 07:10:48 PMreport abuse
scooter in traffic
you're brave to be scootin' in today's maddening traffic with people distracted by cell phones and other things. hope you survive the rush.
By jack @ 07/01/08 07:07:44 PMreport abuse

Driving and talking on the phone

Somme people can't concentrate on two things at the same time. That's why they can't talk on the phone and drive the same time.

By Alex Hoarau @ 07/21/08 07:24:30 PMreport abuse

You can't hold your Cell Phone

Cell phone driving to me is just like drunk driving. I have scene it many times where the lady driving running over curbs swerving across lanes the mind is engaged on the conversation and not the road. Hands free will not take care of this problem. The only solution will be to no longer allow cell phone use while driving for there will be no way to distinguish a level of competence of driving with a cell phone(compared to a level of drinking where there is a mesurable level standard .08) I believe driving and engaged in a cell phone conversation will one day be against the law or limited to a brief conversation(a minute or 2).

By JM @ 07/02/08 10:52:30 PMreport abuse

Cell phones and driving

I am a State Trooper here in GA. I have noticed more motorists crossing the center line in front of me lately. With a little observation at the time of the incident or questioning after a traffic stop, I have learned that a lot of that is because people are texting while driving down the road. It a big threat to the motoring public. I'm sure you would agree. Please get the message out to stop driving and texting at the same time. Thank you.

By Byron Mims @ 07/02/08 09:34:40 PMreport abuse

Cell phone drivers an increasing menace on the road

But isn`t the distraction from a blue tooth the same as listening to talk radio while driving...where is it going to end there many distractions on road.

By William Morales @ 07/02/08 12:03:41 PMreport abuse

profession dress code

too much skin---way too tight and way too shabby. i guess casual dress code Casual means you can come to work dressed like a bum. Personally I destest teh shirt and tie scene BUT this casual stuff has gone way too far.

By jack @ 07/01/08 07:10:48 PMreport abuse

scooter in traffic

you're brave to be scootin' in today's maddening traffic with people distracted by cell phones and other things. hope you survive the rush.

By jack @ 07/01/08 07:07:44 PMreport abuse

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Jul 01, 2008 -- Cell phone drivers an increasing menace on the road

What others are saying