Talking of in car distractions, I knew a guy who crashed his brand new car 'cause he was being given a blow job whilst driving.

Mr. Killjoy, I love that! My boyfriend and I were out to dinner at a very nice restaurant a month or so ago. It was fairly late and we and one other couple were the only people in the back room. Seated right next to each other. The woman would not stop jabbering on the phone! Her name was Penny Lieberman, we quickly found out, her daughter Lisa had suggested she come to this restaurant, she had to call Lisa and ask what they should order and okay everything her companion ordered with Lisa... on and on and on. I even said, loudly, "You know, now the train to the Hamptons has signs up all over the place asking people not to talk on their phones! The Jitney does the same thing!" to no avail. Her companion did notice our glares and tried to get her off the phone... Unbelievable!<BR><BR>I'm not a big fan of cell phones in general, basically have one for emergencies, so I don't use it in the car while driving. Who needs to factor in another thing to concentrate on? Sheer stupidity, in my mind. Noone needs to get somewhere so quickly that they can't pull over to make a quick call.

Why don't all you people with cell phones get a hands free setup in your car? We have to take calls sometime for work, but as soon as we get in the car, the phone gets popped into the hands free holder. When the phone rings, it cuts off the radio, so no fiddling with the car stereo. And you can look straight ahead (or wherever necessary) with a hands free unit. <BR>BTilke

I got my cellphone almost 2 years ago. Never thought I'd use it that much. When I drive, it's on the seat beside me. If I have to hunt to find it, I won't answer it.<BR><BR>My children get off the school bus at the house about 30 minutes before I do. I usually touch base with them at least once on the way home. Typically the calls are under 1 minute.<BR><BR>My children are also now finally old enough to stay at home while my husband and I go out to dinner in the evening too. When we rarely take advantage of that, the cell phone goes on the table just in case they need us.<BR><BR>I love mine, but have received calls from someone other than my husband/children only 5 times in 2 years. If I'm in a situation where traffic is too tight, I'll say so and hang up!

I have a hands-free 'gizmo' and I still do not make or answer cellphone calls while driving. <BR>A physician I know gets paged constantly. Rather than phoning for messages while driving, he waits to pull over. His theory is if there is a crisis, he could never manauver his vehicle simulataneouly while making a responsible medical decision. <BR>He has cautioned me not to use a cellphone while driving. I'm following this suggestion.

My problem is not cell phones per se, but soccer moms in SUVs using cell phones! Yikes!! Nearly every day I either have to pass a slow-moving offender OR one blazes by me at such speeds as to cause great concern. Either way, it's obvious that they don't even realize I (and my full-size car) are on the road...

Which actually raises an interesting point, Jim.<BR>Driving skills vary widely.<BR>I truly believe some people can probably operate a vehicle quite responsibly while using a hand held cell phone. <BR>Some drivers shouldn't even be allowed to chew gum or have the radio on (speaking of soccer moms in SUV's blitzing thru traffic oblivious to the world around them).<BR>Primary offenders?<BR>John Rocker would name names.<BR>I'll just leave the rest to Francis P or some other bold soul.<BR>

I'm a mom who drives an SUV and I too am surprised at the number of moms in those and vans who drive recklessly and exceed the speed limit in residential areas as though getting their kids to the next event is more important than the safety of the children in the neighborhood. Throw in a cell phone and it's really a huge accident waiting to happen. Odds are though, that it won't be her kids who are injured!

I'm suprised that no one is concerned that another Freedom of being an American is gone for an alleged safety reason. Pretty soon we can wait for the govt. to take us wherever we want to go. As long as we have permission.

Oh puuhhlleeeasse!<BR><BR>I suppose you're also in favor of repealing drunk driving laws?<BR>And why shouldn't all citizens be allowed to carry loaded guns in their cars along with open alcohol containers?<BR>And why don't we just legalize heroin and crack while we're at it since their none of the government's business?<BR><BR>Because there are a whole lot of people who can't handle some of these 'freedoms'.<BR>Without any restrictions society would implode. <BR>

Jesse, at *socar*--I know you're getting up there in years, but don't tell me you forgot that you represent NORTH Carolina rather than South Carolina.<BR><BR>James, my libertarian buddy, you miss the mark. You should be ranting against motorcyle helmet and seatbelt laws instead. Those laws decrease personal freedom for the impermissable purpose of protecting one against oneself. The cell-phone driving ban seeks to protect others from the cell-phone user's inattentive driving, which is as justifiable as any other traffic safety law imposed to protect one motorist from the misdeeds of another. If you have a problem with the underlying assumption that using a cell phone in the car is in fact a danger, you should make that argument instead.

Chuck, the *socar* is actually an acronym.<BR><BR>Silly<BR>Old<BR>Coots<BR>Always<BR >Rant<BR>

Jesse, <BR><BR>great acronym! Speaking of SC, do you have one for Strom?