For New Zealanders, No More Phones As Sat-Nav Devices 364
rixth writes "From the 1st of November, it will be illegal to use cell phones while driving in New Zealand. Today, the Government clarified that you can't use your mobile phone as a navigational device, even if it is mounted on the dash board."
Bad decision? Is it? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Bad decision? Is it? (Score:5, Interesting)
A similar law is on the way in Victoria, Australia. I believe the reasoning is that they want to totally ban people hand operating phones while driving. Using the phone as a GPS gives drivers a way around the law. The Government is trying to close this loophole.
Re:Bad decision? Is it? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Hands-free is allowed (Score:3, Interesting)
Most sat navs now have a feature that disables the interface if the car is moving. A quick Google search will turn up many forum posts describing how to disable this feature, on the grounds that it prevents a passenger from operating it too.
Probably protecting Navman (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:from TFA... (Score:5, Interesting)
Next thing you know they will impose speed limits, minimum mechanical requirements for cars and, God save us all from the freedom hating governments, require drivers are certified to drive by passing a standardized test.
Sometimes you "freedom" people come across as real dicks.
Re:Hands-free is allowed (Score:3, Interesting)
Passengers should be banned, too. That increases reaction time.
Except, you know, for the fact that they don't. At least, not nearly as badly. Realistically, there needs to be a limit on what is and what isn't considered distracted driving. We already have one threashold based on BAC. Why look at the quality of people's driving at and above that level, and say any behaviors that reduce your driving ability as much or more than that are illegal. As numerous studies have pointed out, talking on a phone meets that requirement. Listening to the radio or talking to a passenger does not.
Re:Rigged Tests (Score:3, Interesting)
I do what you do pretty much, however ... most people are too slow to do that. Cell phones won't change that fact, but to exaggerate the problem.
The problem is simply slow reaction times. As previously stated, talking on the phone IS a diversion of mental resources. If you're already barely capable of driving without getting yourself and someone else killed than a cell phone could easily be the bit that puts you over the edge in a bad situation.
Of course, its those same people that need anti-lock brakes because they don't react to a skid and let off the brakes, and day time running lights on other cars to know that the car on the road is in fact moving.
You and I may be able to handle most of these situations, but the fact that any moron can get a drivers license in America without really being a competent driver means that we have to place some general restrictions to ensure everyone is safer.
I'm all for banning cell phones while driving, its not like you can tell when I'm talking via hands free, which having just switched to a manual transmission a few years ago, is almost a must if you drive in traffic. Too much of a pain in the butt to shift and talk with a phone too your ear, look to change lanes and all that, just switch on hands free and you're basically the same as having a passenger in the car.
Of course, I have no problem ignoring the person on the phone when the situation requires more of my attention, just like what happens when you have someone in the car with you.
These studies are generally bogus, but as most IT people know, occasionally you have to flat out lie about the way things work/happen because otherwise the morons your dealing with will screw it up when they think they know better than you do.
Example: 'Is there any way to make one user not be bound by the required password change rules?' of course you say 'No' as there is no reason to exempt anyone, regardless of how lazy/bitchy they are.