You have to have a bluetooth device to talk on your phone in Cali and you can not text while driving. There is a small fine the first time you get caught and then the fine will go up each time. The news just did a report the other night that people are still not complying with the law and they are going to be cracking down more. I hope so cause I always see people on their phone like they are above the law.

I see that ALOT around here in Norcal and it's frightening and here's the part that bothers me….i've seen COPS doing the same thing!

According to the law, cops are allowed to use their cell phones as if there was a major disaster that wipes out the police radioes then they need to be able to communicate. That is the biggest bunch of crap that I have ever heard.

I'm wondering how others feel about this. How do you feel about people driving and talking or texting on their cell phone at the same time. Working in EMS, I've seen numerous wrecks where people weren't paying attention. Others I've seen on the Interstate driving 45mph in a 65 trying to talk at the same time. Now if there is an emergency and they are calling 911 that's fine. Here it's only illegal to drive in an active school zone while using a cell phone.

My solution is to ban cell phones while driving. If caught the law enforcement officer can confiscate the cell phone as evidence. The phone will be returned when the fine is paid or the case is settled in court.

What do you think of this problem that is growing everyday and getting worse?

Texting, yeah thats just bad. I mean, Iv gotten pretty good at not looking and texting since Iv memorized my keyboard (thank you boring classes!!). But most people dont. And some phones even need two hands now (I have just learned this with my full keyboard phone I just got).

But in my opinion theres a difference between texting and talking. Texting you must remove your hand(s) and look down. Now how do you expect to know where your going and whats going on if your eyes are pointed at the floor? Talking on the other hand you are looking dead ahead (or should be as it does not require head movement to move your jaw). Now with headsets you dont even need hands for it. I, personally, hate headsets. But I still dont hold my phone. I flip it open (that automatically puts it on speaker) and its in my lap. I may look like Im a complete nut talking to myself but it doesnt affect my driving at all. in fact it affects my speaking lol. Iv had a few phone conversations where I had to pay attention to an exit or something on the road and didnt listen nor respond which prompted a "Hello? Are you even listening to me?!".

Cops feel they are above the law. Iv seen them also talking and even texting! But Iv seen other things like a single cop go in the carpool lane even over the double line (and no they did not have their lights or siren on and just cruised in there for a while). Also speed when they werent going anywhere (again no lights or siren and I actually had to get off at the same exit and saw where they went. McD's run must have been important).

As bad as texting is how can they enforce it? Iv seen a few people hold it right up in front of their face (and with how dumb they look Ill take the talking to myself look any day). But dont most text in their lap? Thats a hard thing to prove.

There was also something here in Cali of the Gov's wife (blanking on her name) talking with out a head set. They even had a picture! Yet nothing happened….hmm…..They were so gung ho with this so why cant they follow it?

Texting, yeah thats just bad. I mean, Iv gotten pretty good at not looking and texting since Iv memorized my keyboard (thank you boring classes!!). But most people dont. And some phones even need two hands now (I have just learned this with my full keyboard phone I just got).

But in my opinion theres a difference between texting and talking. Texting you must remove your hand(s) and look down. Now how do you expect to know where your going and whats going on if your eyes are pointed at the floor? Talking on the other hand you are looking dead ahead (or should be as it does not require head movement to move your jaw). Now with headsets you dont even need hands for it. I, personally, hate headsets. But I still dont hold my phone. I flip it open (that automatically puts it on speaker) and its in my lap. I may look like Im a complete nut talking to myself but it doesnt affect my driving at all. in fact it affects my speaking lol. Iv had a few phone conversations where I had to pay attention to an exit or something on the road and didnt listen nor respond which prompted a "Hello? Are you even listening to me?!".

Cops feel they are above the law. Iv seen them also talking and even texting! But Iv seen other things like a single cop go in the carpool lane even over the double line (and no they did not have their lights or siren on and just cruised in there for a while). Also speed when they werent going anywhere (again no lights or siren and I actually had to get off at the same exit and saw where they went. McD's run must have been important).

As bad as texting is how can they enforce it? Iv seen a few people hold it right up in front of their face (and with how dumb they look Ill take the talking to myself look any day). But dont most text in their lap? Thats a hard thing to prove.

There was also something here in Cali of the Gov's wife (blanking on her name) talking with out a head set. They even had a picture! Yet nothing happened….hmm…..They were so gung ho with this so why cant they follow it?

I agree with you that there is a difference between talking and texting. But, I have noticed many people can't drive and talk.

Our family has had two accidents from people talking on their cell phones, one running a stop sign, the other just ran in to the back of our car. Not everyone can handle it, imo. The person who ran the stop sign, was screaming at someone, and making their hands go. It was like you knew they were going to hit you, in a split second and you could not do anything quick enough. I spend quite a bit of time driving to accounts with my job and see many talking on their cell phones, and some seem to have their reaction time distracted. The other thing at lights, I have noticed many people arguing and screaming on their cell phones. They are loud, and you can't help hearing them scream, windows down in nice weather. I've seen a few people just sobbing or beating a steering wheel. When ever someone runs a stop sign while I'm driving 9 out of 10 times they are on a cell phone.

My thing is this, I've always felt you should never get behind the wheel if you are very upset, your focus is off.

What about the people who argue and drive while on their cell phones? I don't think their mental state is of one who should be behind a wheel.

I have always pulled over to use my phone, if needed. Or I wait until my next account. Nothing to me is that important, and I can call them back. I probably make about 50 or so calls a day for work. For me the thing is, if I'm distracted for one second while driving and talking and harm or kill someone I could not live with myself, so I made my own self rule.

Even with a head set. I've seen people just not paying attention and pulling out in front of others.

For me, cell phones should be banned in all states for the driver.

Sad, I still see school bus drivers using their cell phones while driving the children. This really hacks me off!