Cellphones while driving

[mchastek]

I know in CA, the cellphone law goes into effect in July of 2008. For those of you living in a state that has already banned cell phones while driving (unless you use a hands-free headset) - have you noticed an improvement in traffic, or a reduction in the number of distracted drivers? I'm curious to know whether or not the ban is effective.

[BluffGuy]

In New York it has been law for some time, has not made a difference, idiots still wandering all over the road with phones in their ears, women are the worst ! It is not enforced very much unless they pull you over for something else and see you talking while you are pulling over ! I was rear ended at a red light, the driver of the car that hit me ( no license, no insurance, did not speak English ) was dazed by the air bag and when I got to the car he still had the phone in his hand. I told the cop this, still no ticket for cell phone, too much work to enforce.

[wallis]

There is a law, only in this country, that make it against the law to block cell calls. You can buy blocking devices overseas, but don't get caught. I september a device to create a screeching noise, will be marketed, it skirts the verizon law. These devices will really irritate the rude drivers, can't wait to get one myself!

[Gaston]

we've had the no phones while driving law a long time (almost 2 years now) here in Ontario but for a long time no one ever paid any attention, including the police who were supposed to be enforcing it.

That was until about a month ago when 3 accidents related to driving while on a phone killed several people in quick succession.

Now it's all over the news. In many ways I agree with the law, but the enforcement by media pressure is the wrong way to have handled the situation up here.

The fact is that there was a law that was in place to prevent such accidents and the police responsible for enforcing that law willingly chose not to enforce it. So why is the head of the police not out on the street?

I understand that it's the driver that is accountable but the police are at large part responsible for making it "okay" to break the law in the first place creating an environment of apathy.