By Million Mile Driver

September 20, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

I am a better driver then most people out there…It’s not just luck but skill. You don’t drive over a million miles for a living without an accident on luck. If you can’t handle driving and talking at the same time then shut off the phone and leave those of us that can alone.

By nyc

September 17, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this

u cant hold a cell phone to your ear..and drive defensively at the same time….gambling is just that…a big gamble…to raise money and anticipate jobs…is that all the ohio leaders can come up with..to better the state??…if it is..then ohio has major problems..

By jude

September 15, 2009 5:48 PM | Link to this

I talked while driving nearly 10 years ago. Never again. It is very distracting I missed my exit and got lost. My vote,thumbs up,would be banning cell phone use while driving

By Andy

September 15, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter if this becomes law or not. The Ohio State Highway Patrol only cares about enforcing the speed limit. In order to get cited for anything else by them you have to be speeding first…or kill someone.

By Dave

September 15, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

Noname, here’s the problem … walk into a room full of people and ask everyone who thinks they’re a little less skilled behind the wheel than those around them to raise their hand. I could offer to pay you five bucks for each hand that goes up, and you probably wouldn’t have enough to put half a tank of gas in your car. EVERYBODY thinks they’re a good driver. And if everybody is right, then who’s causing all these accidents? I consider myself to be a good driver, and apparently you do as well. Hopefully we’re both right. But that doesn’t mean I’m any safer with a cell phone in my hand than the teenager next door. So what makes you safer? Could you use that as an excuse if you got pulled over with a beer in your hand? “But officer, it doesn’t affect me … I drive safer when I drink because I know my reaction time is affected.” Anyway, I won’t change your opinion and you won’t change mine. It’s been a good discussion, and hopefully we’ve all gotten something positive from it.

By SSGTUSMC

September 15, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this

Yes, more gambling, the welfare checks are coming, YAHOO lets go to the tracks and boats… B…..S… Gambling is not needed,It brings on more corruption and vice.

By noname

September 15, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this

I guess I don’t understand why it’s a sin to say that someone may actually be a better driver than another person. Why would you assume that all drivers operate with the same skill levels, experience, maturity and responsibility? I believe some drivers ARE more skilled than others. Sometimes you make your own “luck.”

By SSGTUSMC

September 15, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this

Yeah trucker, doing all that in a 45 MPH speed zone. hahahah stoopid!!!

By Dave

September 15, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this

Wow, I feel safer already. Seventy-five percent of the population agrees that it’s not safe to drive a 4000-pound car while you talk on the cell phone, but somehow it’s okay to drive a 72,000 pound semi with the same distraction? I would think most “professional” drivers would fully understand the effect of distractions behind the wheel. But then again, it’s the old “I’m a better driver than the rest of you idiots.” Sorry, I don’t buy it. But that’s okay. We all have our own opinion, and we’re entitled to it. I don’t think we need a new law, but I still believe using a cell phone while you drive is a distraction that makes you less safe behind the wheel. I used to drive a semi as well, and I knew “professional” drivers who snorted coke to stay awake on the road. Guess that makes it safe …

By SSGTUSMC

September 15, 2009 3:38 PM | Link to this

No problem folks there are many hands free devises to use while talking on a cell phone and driving. Be safe and use the technology available. Think..BlueTooth !!

By Million mile driver

September 15, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this

No…it’s skill. I can also walk and chew gum at the same time. Why just this afternoon, I changed the radio station while doing 65 mph and took a drink of coffee.Yea Baby,Living on the edge!

By Doc

September 15, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this

Jeez, some of you people, just because your LUCK, not skill, has held and have YET to cause/have an accident are only deluding yourselves by believing you are better. Or different. Or more skilled because you’ve driven for 17 yrs. without an accident. For over 1 million miles. Who cares. It’s a matter of time…

By Million mile driver

September 15, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this

Why should I have to give up talking on the cell phone while driving, because some of you idiots can’t do it doesn’t mean I can’t. Been driving a truck and using a phone for 17 years without any problems.If you can’t talk and drive at the same time then, turn your phone off and let those of us that can continue to do so.

By Dave

September 15, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

Ray, I agree – nothing can take the place of responsibility. But just as responsibility tells us not to drink and drive, it should also tell us not to talk on the phone while we drive. I’m not advocating a law against it, and given the chance I’d probably vote against it. Because, as so many others have pointed out, it’s really no different than eating, lighting a cigarette, chatting with passengers, or putting on makeup while driving. All I’m saying is that it is a distraction, and by that fact alone it makes us more likely to cause an accident. Just because a person chatting on the phone has never been involved in an accident doesn’t make them a safe driver. All too often, they never even realize they almost caused somebody else to have an accident. We can’t legislate stupidity out of our world. But a little common sense can go a long way.

By Ray

September 15, 2009 2:21 PM | Link to this

Dave - Noname knows what they’re talking about and I agree. I used to ride a motorcycle and during and from that experience, I am a much more alert car driver. Laws don’t make people more responsible rather accepting responsibility makes people more responsible.

By Dave

September 15, 2009 2:19 PM | Link to this

Noname, you’re right – I don’t know you and I don’t know your driving habits. But I think we can all agree that any distraction makes us a little less safe behind the wheel. How much less? I don’t know. What I do know is more often than not, when I see somebody do something completely stupid on the road, they’ve got a cell phone to their ear. And US Constitution – you need to read before you respond. I don’t use a cell phone while I’m driving.

By us constitution

September 15, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this

dave, the bad driver who almost caused an accident while blabbing on the phone is you. you were to busy talking to notice. hang up shut up and drive. all cell phone drivers think they are good drivers NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

By noname

September 15, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

Dave, I will admit that I might be wrong. However you don’t know me, you don’t know my driving habits, you’ve never seen me drive - so you may also be wrong. I have a feeling that thought may be a foreign concept to you.

By us constitution

September 15, 2009 2:02 PM | Link to this

to sb, where in the constitution of the united states does it say talking on a cell phone is a right. and if you recall the courts have upheld every law that keeps knuckleheads like you from injuring the rest of us

By Dave

September 15, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this

Noname, while I agree with you that we don’t need another law, I think your assertion that you’re a safer driver when you’re using a cell phone is about as asinine as people who say they drive better after a couple of beers. You’re only kidding yourself.

By A Caring Horseman

September 15, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this

Thinknot,You are Mis-Informed.

By noname

September 15, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this

I would not want a ban on cell phone usage while driving. Just like anything else, some people can handle the responsibility and others are just stupid about it. I’m tired of laws which restrict my activities just because some other person doesn’t think. In over 30 years of driving I’ve never had an accident and never even had a ticket. I’d wager that I’m possibly a better driver when I’m on my cell phone because I make a point of being particularly attentive. You just can’t regulate and legislate everything to try and save idiots from themselves. For the rest of us it’s called defensive driving. You have to be aware of not only cell phone users, but french fries eaters, music changers, kid discipliners, map readers, confused and lost drivers, dui’s, and so on. I say no to another stupidity law.

By Ray

September 15, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this

Let’s ban smoking while driving and running red lights w/o a cell phone in hand. Let’s make America a communist country because at the rate we’re going it won’t be long anyway. Phones, guns what next??

By Ray

September 15, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this

Let’s ban smoking while driving and running red lights w/o a cell phone in hand. Let’s make America a communist country because at the rate we’re going it won’t be long anyway. Phones, guns what next??

By FreedomWriter

September 15, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this

I think that OVI should be the law that could deal with this problem, because isnt it considered driving while impaired because of the distractions it causes. Makes since to me that if you cause a wreck and provin to be on the phone at that time, you are no less guilty than somebody out there drunk or all doped up? Makes you think now doesnt it?

By Dave

September 15, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this

Anon, I agree that it’s not practical to write a new law, especially one that won’t be enforced any more than that pesky “headlights on after dusk” law. My point was that, regardless of what some people say, using a phone while driving is inherently dangerous. I just wish people would admit that, instead of trying to convince everyone that they’re somehow better than everyone else.

By Doc

September 15, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this

The world seemed to operate fairly well before cell phones were in everyone’s hands. Our lives and businesses worked well without this LUXURY before. What’s the big deal? It’s not like you were born with it. It’s not an extension of your being. Hang up and drive, knucklehead. EVERYONE is distracted while driving and talking on the phone. You’re NOT special.

By Anon

September 15, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

If you want to ban talking on a cell phone while driving, let’s do it right. Let’s ban all talking in vehicles. Let’s ban listening the radio, playing CDs and videos, smoking, eating, putting on makeup, and all of the other distracting things we do while driving. Let’s put the driver in a little box where he/she can’t see, hear, or do anything other than pay attention to the road. Obviously the idea of banning cell phone usage is silly (and will be unenforceable for those using hand-held devices). Let’s address the problem of distracted driving, not cell phones. While you can make an argument in favor of the idea of eliminating the use of hand-held phones in favor of hands-free driving, but to totally ban cell phone usage while driving is something that just doesn’t make practical sense.

By Dave

September 15, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

RM25483 - I’m not sure what kind of test you took, but I truly doubt its authenticity. I ride a motorcycle, and that forces me to pay much closer attention to those around me. And every single time another driver has forced me to take evasive action, they were on the phone. I don’t need a test or study to convince me that using a cell phone while driving is dangerous. All I have to do is observe what’s going on around me.

By not affected

September 15, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

hope the cell phone ban does pass. you see, i am like all other americans, if it does not pertain to me then i am for it. dont own cell phone so ban them and tax the living daylights out of them

By sb

September 15, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

I am not voting for another right to be taken away fom the American people concerning the ban on cell phones. If this passes then what right will be taken away next? People should use common sense and sometimes unfortunately some don’t when talking on cell phones. I very rarely use my cell while driving but every once in awhile I will get an important call and need to answer it. I do not want this right taken away from me.

By RM25483

September 15, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this

This is just another case of idiots ruining something for the rest of us. I’ve taken the tests comparing cell phone users to drunk drivers and aced them every single time. It is truly all in your head. Perhaps instead of an all-out ban we should have another test that grants permission. No, that makes too much sense and would be too expensive to implement. Then people would start complaining that it somehow favors over . We are vastly better off automating the automobiles than trying to control uncontrollable idiots one new law at a time that will not be followed anyway.

By Bob

September 15, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this

lovetotalk, save a link to this page; it’ll support your counter-suit that UrbabDweller provoked the accident in hopes of suing your insurance company for some easy $$.

By Hudy

September 15, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this

BigJack is wrong,there is no law in OH about “distracted driving”. The law he means is Operation w/o Being In Reasonable Control,ORC 4511.202.The wording is very vague to apply towards texting & cell phone use.That’s why a new law is needed.

By Steve

September 15, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this

Have to agree with UrabDweller, If you need to talk to a family member , then do so and complete the call before you start to drive off. I was just in a car accident the other week. The other person was on a cell phone and not paying attention.

By Dave

September 15, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this

The problem with a “handheld cell phone” law is that it does nothing to address the real problem, which is the distraction of carrying on a phone conversation while driving. Dozens of studies have shown that when talking on a phone, even hands-free, you’re as dangerous to those around you as a drunk driver. And the effect lasts for up to five minutes after the call ends. Take a look around – nine times out of ten, if somebody pulls out in front of you or drifts into your lane, they’re on the phone.

By Dave

September 15, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

The problem with a “handheld cell phone” law is that it does nothing to address the real problem, which is the distraction of carrying on a phone conversation while driving. Dozens of studies have shown that when talking on a phone, even hands-free, you’re as dangerous to those around you as a drunk driver. And the effect lasts for up to five minutes after the call ends. Take a look around – nine times out of ten, if somebody pulls out in front of you or drifts into your lane, they’re on the phone.

By UrbabDweller

September 15, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this

lovetotalk, is there any reason why you can’t call your mom, family and so forth when you get off work BEFORE you get in your car to drive home? You’d better have pretty good insurance because I assure you I will sue you @ss off when you hit me because you were paying more attention to whom you were dialing than to the road!

By BigJack

September 15, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this

I’m cool with the gambling thing but not so much for the cell phone ban. I mean, come on, do we really need another law? Distracted driving is already an infraction no matter if you are driving while talking on a phone, texting, putting on makeup, correcting your kids or any other thing that keeps your attention off the road.

By mlh

September 15, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this

I’m with “a voice”. I’m ready to vote for the amendment that allows the legislature to authorize AND REGULATE gambling with non-restrictive geographic locations, but will not vote for an amendment to give permanent permission to C, C, C & T to monopolize this industry.

By mlh

September 15, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this

I’m with “a voice”. I’m ready to vote for the amendment that allows the legislature to authorize AND REGULATE gambling with non-restrictive geographic locations, but will not vote for an amendment to give permanent permission to C, C, C & T to monopolize this industry.

By Tony

September 15, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this

If cell phone rule passes, then there needs to be a rider with a construction project to build pull-offs on the highways and city streets for cell phone use.

By InconvenientFacts

September 15, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

“But who has the money to go buy a freakin bluetooth?!” Best Buy has at least 5 different bluetooth headsets for $30. If you can’t afford $30, then perhaps you should re-evaluate your budget and decide if you can really afford that cellphone in the first place.

By lovetotalk

September 15, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this

I think the law regarding cell phone should NOT be passed. I need my phone to call my mom, family and so forth when I get off work. I understand alot of people do not pay attention. As long as we are able to use the bluetooth and hands free I guess I would be okay with it. But who has the money to go buy a freakin bluetooth?!

By Craigster

September 15, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

I am all for the banning of talking\texting on cell phones while driving. Too many times I see people get in their cars and the first thing they do before they even put their seat belt on is get on their cell phone. It needs to be just like drinking and driving because while your talking on the phone you are paying more attention to the phone call then the road.

By a voice

September 15, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this

Quinnipiac didn’t contact this voter! You don’t change the constitution for gambling. If the legislature votes for it, and an Ohio company, owns it, an Ohio company builds it, and it employs Ohioans fine. The issue as it stands is a set up.

By Jim

September 15, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

I like the cell phone ban. I see way too many drivers just blabbing away not paying attention to the road.

By flipper

September 15, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this

They must have released the study results very early today since you had time to read and write your article and get it on the web befopre 10:00am. I’m thinking maybe it was released yesterday.

By Hamburgler

September 15, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this

No driving with handheld cell phone. If thats passed we need to write laws about eating, reading and makup application. When we drive we should only drive.

By thinknot

September 15, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

horse race tracks are cruel and inhumane places where perfectly good horses are raced until they are spent and many end up for slaughter and shipped as food overseas. Even our triple crown winners. Race tracks are money driven, they care not for the animals. Slot machines don’t belong at racetracks where they will perpetuate the underlying cruel industry. Let the death knell toll for race tracks and people can find another way to make money other than on the backs of poor animals.