Ed, I can't live without my phone! Ack...now I've become pretentious!

Not you Deb

I would have to say that cell phones do have their place but when you are driving you should try to limit the use. I do not mean to sound like anybodies father but I drive about 55 miles one way to work and the use of the cell phone depends on the person that is using. Some individuals have not problem driving and talking but others will just phase out. To me I see the hands free as not a solution, but an excuse. However, I have and do have to use a phone when I drive for business. Besides if someone can not handle the phone then chances are they will not be able to handle having a conversation with someone in the passenger seat. Just a thought...

It's been proven that holding and especially dialing a cell phone while driving breaks your concentration from driving.

It is against the law here in the UK to drive while using a cell phone. You can have a hefty fine and possibly lose your license if caught. There was one horrific case when a woman driver was busy arguing with her husband on the phone and ploughed through a bus queue killing six people plus two children. It simply isn't safe to use a phone to your ear while driving with one hand. Not only do you not have proper control of your vehicle, but your concentration is elsewhere.

Mac, we had a few accidents like that here in NYC which was the reason the law was passed to prohibit driving and cell phone use. However, as with all things that man makes laws on someone finds a way around them. What has happened here is that you can have your cell phone plugged into a gizmo that allows you to dial, talk and hear without touching the phone. While not as dangerous as holding a cell phone, it still messes with a persons concentration on the road.

Very true Ed , we have the same gizmos here.

i used to have a cell phone but i sacrificed it to the ancient stone gods and the bowls of the earth envoloped it and devoured it forever.

translation: i dropped it one the street and went into a gutter

i never used it much so i canceled my subscription and was over ti

Well the handsfree was originally developped for that specific rason so i dont see any reason why someone dont use them

The thing that irriates me so much about cell phones is that everyone in the Memphis, TN area has one, and they all use it while they drive. The only times that I drive are early in the morning (around 6:30), and just before the afternoon rush hour stops. What puzzles me is that every morning, I usually get stuck behind someone that is much more interested in talking on their phones rather than drive. Since Memphis drivers can't drive at all, what little mental capacity they have is turned toward the conversation at hand, rather than on the already overcrowded and unsafe roads. Mind you, this is at 6:30 in the morning. With rush hour as bad as it is here in Memphis, its one heck of a journey to try to travel in town. Personally, I have never used a cell phone while driving (if I call anyone, I'll call them before I leave while sitting in the parking lot). As bad as the conditions are in Memphis, there should be some sort of law or fine for using a cell phone. I know that this rant doesn't really mean anything to anyone not around the city of Memphis...and I don't wish it on anyone...cell phones while driving gets a wholehearted NO from me.