>> It's not what your hands are doing; it's what your mind
>> is doing.

> If they weren't hands-free phones, then the MythBusters
> evidence doesn't support that conclusion.

> Why, it may not support it well, small sample size for
> one.  But they where not dialing or answering the phone
> during the trial.  Just talking on it, trying to do
> complex mental tasks at the same time as they where trying
> to do difficult driving tasks.  And both suffered.

It doesn't support the conclusion that the problem is with talking
rather than with the phone because if it's not a hands free phone,
then the phone demands more of them than a hands-free phone demands.
The sample is invalid to make that conclusion. It is valid if the
conclusion is that talking on a non-hands-free phone has the same
effect as drinking, but not if the conclusion is that talking on any
phone is more dangerous. The need to hold the phone, whether you do so
with your hand or your shoulder (canting your head to the side)
changes the environment and as a result all else is not equal. The
requirement for the conclusion is that all else be equal.

Did I really need to explain this?

The paper I had to sign for my insurance last year actually said
specifically that hands free phones are equally as dangerous as normal
cell phones, which I simply don't believe, partly because I know their
statistics were based on accident reports and as a result are not
reliable.

It occurs to me also it's probable that prohibiting hands-free phones
will backfire. The end result will be that manufacturers will stop
making hands-free equipment (because the law _can_ enforce that part),
consumers will no longer be able to get it, and will simply use
non-hands-free phones (because the law _can't_ enforce that part)
instead of opting to not use the phone at all while in the car. I'm
not saying everyone, yeah, some folks will adhere to the law sure,
some folks pull over to talk on the phone now, but not everyone. And
I'm sure some folks who like hands-free phones are more concerned with
their comfort while driving than they are with the dangers of using
the phone on their hip. So by trying to make the roads safer they'll
actually make them more dangerous.

Prohibiting hands-free equipment for cars is probably one of the
dumbest ideas I've ever heard actually in this light.


s. isaac dealey     434.293.6201
new epoch : isn't it time for a change?

add features without fixtures with
the onTap open source framework

http://www.fusiontap.com
http://coldfusion.sys-con.com/author/4806Dealey.htm


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