Why the NTSB Is Wrong About Cellphones 1003
YIAAL writes "After a multi-car pileup involving two school buses, the NTSB is urging states to ban all cellphones and personal electronic devices in cars, even hands-free phones. But on looking at the NTSB report, it appears that the big problem was a school bus driver who was following too closely, and another school bus driver who wasn't watching the road. Why is the NTSB targeting gadgets instead of bad drivers?"
Because it's easy (Score:5, Interesting)
It's easier to say "ZOUNDS, we must BAN this THING" than it is to say "Our driver training is not up to scratch, we don't review our training at regular intervals and we don't have mandatory retests for the people we entrust our children to" because that would sound like they've not done their job.
Sadly this isn't restricted to driving buses either.
Probably not what it seems (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:multitasking (Score:5, Interesting)
Like the low IQ moron this morning texting that kissed the guard rail and then bounced across 4 lanes of traffic. and ended up against the other guard rail. The loser never put his stupid phone down as I could see the glow of the freaking screen the entire time 4 cars back.
Re:Probably not what it seems (Score:5, Interesting)
MY solution to that has been two 140db airhorns on my bike. Twice I have scared the crap out of a lady texting so badly that her phone went out the window.
Re:Is it worth the risk? (Score:5, Interesting)
Exactly: the fundamental problem is that humans shouldn't be driving themselves in most cases. We have the technology to do better, and we've had this technology for decades. We just need to design and build a Personal Rapid Transit system like SkyTran that takes you where you want to go, using far less energy than a 6000-pound car and far more safely. Obviously, this system wouldn't replace cars and trucks for every conceivable use, but installed in metro areas, it would vastly cut down on the number of miles driven by regular vehicles just by taking care of commuters. The only problem with this system is all the idiots who complain that it won't work for people living in the middle of nowhere.
Re:multitasking (Score:4, Interesting)
it is much more dangerous to eat-while-driving than text-while-driving
Now, at first I would say that I don't believe that for a second. However I suppose it depends on what you are eating/drinking. I often eat a granola bar on my way to work. The picture at your link is certainly foolish and stupid since the guy looks like he needs more than 2 hands just to eat that thing, much less hold food and drink at the same time. But eating a candy bar or drinking from a properly contained drinking vessel is perfectly fine, as long as it is done when it is safe to do so and not trying to make some sort of menuver.
However I was standing at a corner waiting to cross the street when I saw a guy driving a car and eating breakfast. Cereal, from a bowl, with a spoon. Perhaps they are on to something here with calling for a general ban.
Re:Dunning-Kruger effect (Score:5, Interesting)
How about a cert on you liscense if you can pass the drivers test while texting? Or drinking for that matter. If I can pass the test with a 1.2 BAC I should get a stamp allowing me to do so. Not all people are equally impaired by the same thing.
Might as well ban drivers if people are stupid (Score:4, Interesting)
The kid DID cause the initial crash, not the bus drivers. The fact is this accident wouldn't have happened without the kid.
Roads should NOT be used by anybody but professional drivers.
For everyone else, they should take public transportation or use commercial car services/delivery services. 95% of the people on the road should never be allowed to drive.
A drivers license should cost at least $10,000.
This would be the start of a proper transportation infrastructure. Leave driving to professionals, so the general public doesn't waste 2 hours a day on useless labor like driving, when they should be doing something more economically productive like reading or sleeping or programming on a computer.
Really, it's the 21st century, and we force the population to do hours of manual labor per day to even get to work? Make them sit in a car and force them to drive to get to work? They can't read a book or work on their computer while going to work? Really?