WTF! Driving whilst using cellphone in US is legal?
 

So I took time out yesterday to look up a long lost friend who lives here in LA.

Whilst waiting at a busy intersection, I could'nt help notice that practically every other driver seemed to be using their cell whilst driving.

Upon pointing this out to my friend, she told me that it is perfectly legal.

Is driving whilst using a cell legal in all of USA?

You get an ass kicking if you do that over here...

It varies from state to state. It's illegal here in NJ, but I think it's just a secondary offense. And I know of a few cities in PA where it's illegal.

I am not normally a fan of restrictive government interference, but this law does make sense. Using a mobile device whilst driving is distracting.

Yah its legal, no biggy here.

Yeah its legal here in California for at least another year, around mid 2008 they're gonna start requiring wearing headsets while driving.

Because why? Because drivers where you're from are so much better than those from everywhere else?

Have some idiot cellphone driver slam his or her vehicle into your wife's car, or maybe they run your kid over because they were yap yap yapping on the phone instead of concentrating on their driving with both hands on the wheel and then come back and tell everyone that it's still "no biggie here".

It's a biggie everywhere.

I'm okay with the wireless or otherwise hands-free types of car phones, because I think it's not much different than having a conversation with a passenger while driving. But I'm very much in favor of laws restricting the use of hand-held phones while operating a moving vehicle. Plus it looks stupid have a cellphone stuck to the side of your head while driving.

And yes, I have been cut off in traffic by cellphone drivers obviously not paying full attention to the road.

Studies have shown that headsets and other hands free devices are just as distracting as holding your cell phone to your ear and talking.

I think it's legal in most states, and you only can get fined in the other stats if you get pulled over for speeding, or cause and accident, while on your cell phone

Saying whilst instead of while is illegal in Alabama...

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Well if they want to ban those to then so be it.

But like I said already, I'm not sure I see a difference between that and talking to someone who is sitting in the car with you while driving. Both are hands-free talking.

I don't think I'd be in favor of a law that made it an offense for the driver to speak at all, would you?

Hands-free I can live with.

$200 ticket up here and they will cut the insurance if you end up in an accident

why any states or countries would have it legal is beyond me...

haha :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

lol u beat me too it, it's also illegal in fla.

Yep state to state but here it's legal for now. You can eat, talk, and drive at the same time actually.

Also illegal in NY.

I don't know how to break it to you, but LA is not all of the USA. So the answer to your question is, No.

Only illegal in liberal, no rights states that want to controll every move you make..like NJ, PA, CA, NY - parts of these

Not sure what law they are going to change to make that legal, as currently it is illegal to wear headsets while driving in the State of California.

Your ability to convey a simple message is astounding.

Some people are able to handle doing more than one thing at a time, and some arent. Only need common sense to regulate it, not a law.

Yeah, I also noticed that you can get fined up to $200 for eating or drinking (anything) on the subway metro, which I thought was a bit harsh.

That makes sense . . you eat/drink/spill = mess/cleanup/falls/injuries/lawsuits

People should not be able to talk while driving!

I agree we should all tape our mouths with duct tape before we put it in drive. Do you agree?

in LA it is normal to talk on the phone, watch the news, eat a sandwich..all at the same time, while driving, it is our office...and honestly if traffic is only going at 20 mph, you need something to keep busy..

Well, im from NY and it's illegal here, they are working on it in other states. I think it is a great idea to make it illegal.

I always talk on the phone while driving, well until they pass a law saying I can't.

i heard it was illegal in West Hollywood to do so about a year ago. Not to sure if they can directly pull you over for being on your cell phone, but im guessing if you did something else like ran a light then can write you up for that as well

News Flash: It's not the phone/headset that is distracting, it's people who are to dumb to talk and drive.

Sorry I meant 'hands free device' type of phone headset,

http://www.sb1613.com

Though I don't know if a $20 fine will deter many people.

yep... from state to state man!

yeah but its legal to smoke weed and drive there...

It isn't the fines that get you, it it the 300% penalty assessments they tack on that make tickets expensive in CA.

I dont answer my phone when I'm driving. But I will make a quick call or text when I need to while at a stoplight.

a couple years ago this model who lives a little way up the hill from us was driving while talking on the cell phone and didn't even notice when she ran over and killed a child walking home from school.

some people can talk safely while driving - the ones who focus their main attention on driving - but most people seem to foruc on either the conversation or the mechanics of having the phone in their hand while driving...

pssst: hate to break it to you, but people have been backing up over their kids and killing them long before there were cellphones.

some people can't chew gum and drive safely