Driving & Talking On A Cell Phone: Is This Legal In Your Neck Of The Woods?

[Taffi Abernathy]

A few days ago, I was driving on Roosevelt Boulevard, a main thoroughfare running through much of the city of Philadelphia. I was keeping up with the flow of traffic, driving about 60 mph when lo and behold, what do I see? A teenage girl yapping on her cell phone, driving about 35 mph. and seemingly oblivous to her surroundings. I, along with the other drivers, appeared visibly perturbed since her driving put her at risk (and others) for an accident, but she didn't notice our reactions. Can you legally drive and talk on your cell phone where you are? Do you have any stories similar to this you want to share?

[jdc]

you can only use a mobile (cell) phone with a hands free kit in UK. If caught handheld while driving it is a fine of £60 and 3 points on licence

[Taffi Abernathy]

Speaking on a cell is legal in my state, but if I cross the bridge over into N.J., it is forbidden (speaking on the phone that is, not crossing into Jersey).

[Watchdog]

No way. Big ticket out here on the West Coast, and the cops are ALWAYS looking for it.


Talking on the cell phone while driving is clearly dangerous, but the one that kills me (figuratively) and has got to kill many (literally) is texting while driving. I just cannot believe people do it while cruising down the highway as they pilot thousands of pounds of potentially deadly steel.

[abigsecret]

I think it's still legal here, but texting is not!
I have bluetooth in my car so I don't have to worry about holding a phone while I'm calling.

My husband, some friends and I were hit by an 18-year-old who was talking on her phone while driving and ignored a red light! I was pretty beat up, everybody else was fine, including the 8-year-old who was in the car with the 18-year-old.
The witnesses unfortunately all ran off and we had no proof we had the green light, so it was our word against hers, and we ended up paying for the deductable and stuff. My car was totalled.

[Skullring]

Not illegal in my state. Texting is especially dangerous and should be illegal everywhere.

[Saxon007]

Talking on the phone while driving is not illegal in Texas.

But it should be. A hands free device would be okay though.

[Art 1]

Still legal. Shouldn't be. Driving age is 16 in Fla. My daughter got hers at 16 yrs and 1 day. That was her mother's, my wifes doing. IMO the driving age should be 18.

[mcjp6]

Definitely illegal in NSW and I am pretty sure the other states as well. As it should be.

[forza1976]

Legal here in Denver but hopefully they change that soon. However I only use my bluetooth built into my car.

[Idle Swede]

I don't have a typewriter in my car so I don't have to worry about texting.

[Lowflight]

no problem here. of course I trust myself and usually use a bluetooth.

[boa2]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

I think it's still legal here, but texting is not!
I have bluetooth in my car so I don't have to worry about holding a phone while I'm calling.

My husband, some friends and I were hit by an 18-year-old who was talking on her phone while driving and ignored a red light! I was pretty beat up, everybody else was fine, including the 8-year-old who was in the car with the 18-year-old.
The witnesses unfortunately all ran off and we had no proof we had the green light, so it was our word against hers, and we ended up paying for the deductable and stuff. My car was totalled.

Wow, Mireyna, what a terrible incident!

Hands-free only in NY, but I see people violating the law all the time.

[bodybump]

hahahaha i just love florida...Its ok even when your texting...

[SLS]

In CA it's illegal to be on the phone without a handsfree device, it's also illegal to text....but what annoys me is that there is NO LAW Against having a fricking dog on your lap? Give me a break, that's even more dangerous than the above two!
Scott

[vh_bu98]

Originally Posted by Saxon007

Talking on the phone while driving is not illegal in Texas.

But it should be. A hands free device would be okay though.

It is illegal in certain cities, although it may be limited to school zones.

[Brunotheboxer]

Funny that you say this because I took this pic today and I swear that these guys who were driving very erratically must have been texting or something.

[weizhen77]

It is illegal here in Singapore.
We learn to drive with both hands over here

Wonder if it would be illegal to eat and drive

[Mike B]

If you get caught talking on a cell phone here in CT, it's a $100 fine.
It's funny though, because 90% of the drivers I see, are STILL on thier cell phones. Not only that but a lot of (most of them are late teen-mid 20 female drivers) people who TEXT while they drive. I've only tried the text while driving thing once, and let me tell you, I'll probably never try to do it again. Talk about an accident waiting to happen . . .

[2careless]

It's only legal if you are on hands free, otherwise 3 points and I think $145 on the spot fine.

[AIKO]

Probably should not be but it is legalk to talk and text away.

[Mrdi]

It is Illegal in CAlifornia EXCEPT for teenage girls
must be

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by SLS

In CA it's illegal to be on the phone without a handsfree device, it's also illegal to text....but what annoys me is that there is NO LAW Against having a fricking dog on your lap? Give me a break, that's even more dangerous than the above two!
Scott

I am guilty of driving with "a fricking dog" on my lap. I like to think of Taffi as my "wingman," a canine navigator. BTW, it is not illegal to talk on the cell whether or not you are using hands-free equipment. At rush hour, cars are backed up and everyone's yacking away. Philly is one of the country's largest cities so it's not like living in a rural area with minimal traffic, if you receive my meaning.

[HYDROMAROC]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

It is Illegal in CAlifornia EXCEPT for teenage girls
must be

X2 And it's the people's republik of Kalifornia....

[Kokyuryoku]

It's illegal in Japan, but I'm sure about the fine. I think it's something like 5,000 yen or so.

I found this link too.

http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/

Personally I think it is common sense, but as we all know common sense is not necessarily as common as we think.

[Taffi Abernathy]

Thanks for that informative link, Ryan.

[rainman_16]

I'm a firm believer that whether the phone is hands-free or not, it is a major distraction and his an impact of one's driving abilities. Many drivers only drive with one hand on the steering wheel anyway so I don't think freeing a hand will make much difference.

Originally Posted by Taffi Abernathy

I am guilty of driving with "a fricking dog" on my lap. I like to think of Taffi as my "wingman," a canine navigator

I have once driven with my cat on my lap for 2 kms. Although I really enjoyed her company, I really found it could be difficult to turn the steering wheel a full turn or more with her there. Additionally I got to thinking about what if my airbag had for whatever reason deployed... bad for the cat, bad for me

[abigsecret]

Originally Posted by rainman_16

I'm a firm believer that whether the phone is hands-free or not, it is a major distraction and his an impact of one's driving abilities. Many drivers only drive with one hand on the steering wheel anyway so I don't think freeing a hand will make much difference.

So you don't talk to your fellow passenger?
I don't see a problem with that...

[Jocke]

It's legal here but it should't be, in the rest of the Europe (I guess) is it not. I see things
happends often when people drive and talk and it's close to a accident.

Jocke

[idk01]

Originally Posted by mcjp6

Definitely illegal in NSW and I am pretty sure the other states as well. As it should be.

Originally Posted by 2careless

It's only legal if you are on hands free, otherwise 3 points and I think $145 on the spot fine.

100% illegal here in AU doesn't seem to stop the "P" platers here in Sydney :banhgead:

I'm safe, I use a blue tongue!.........


I mean blue tooth head set thingy anyway hehehehhe