Transport ministers around Australia want to ban mobile phones in cars, even when used hands-free or on Bluetooth.
And I am not impressed.
Okay, so talking whilst driving is distracting. This is true. And when I first got my license about 150 years ago, I couldn’t talk to anyone whilst at the wheel, so scared was I that it would disturb my concentration. (Sadly, even in complete silence I kept backing into other people's cars.) These days I still turn off the radio and tell the kids to be quiet when attempting a tricky reverse park.
But in regular circumstances, I am perfectly able to drive my car whilst conducting a conversation, which is convenient, as I usually have three children in the car with me. In fact, not only do I have to talk to my kids whilst driving, I have to moderate disputes, pass out food, ensure seatbelts remain securely fastened, and provide regular updates on our Estimated Time of Arrival.
Believe me, if I can do all this, I can conduct a hands-free telephone conversation. After all, at least I can be certain the person on the other end of the line isn’t going to reach out and pull my hair when I refuse to pull over for an ice-cream.
The whole idea of banning conversations – any conversations - seems to me to be completely nonsensical. Think about it. Under the proposed laws, I would be permitted to engage in a heated debate with my husband whilst driving, provided that he is sitting in the seat next to me. I would not, however, be allowed to have a brief conversation with him via Bluetooth about what to eat for dinner.
I would be allowed to do my makeup whilst driving. I would be allowed to smoke a cigarette whilst driving (except that I’d become dizzy and run my car off the road, but I’m talking theoretically here). I would be allowed to take my hands off the wheel and adjust my undies. I would be allowed, if I was deaf, to have an animated discussion in sign language whilst driving (and, having been a passenger in a car driven by a very chatty deaf driver, I can assure you this is a very perilous activity). And yet I would not be allowed to have a hands-free conversation.
So why is this a problem? Why can’t I just give up my phone privileges whilst I’m in my car? Well, I live in Sydney, and the traffic is an absolute killer. I spend upwards of two hours in my car every single day just driving the kids to and from school, a mere four suburbs from my house. It kills me to have to waste so much precious time out of my short, short working day; for gods sake at least let me get some of my calls out of the way whilst sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic in suburban streets.
Besides, legislating against mobile phone use isn’t going to solve every driving issue. Nor is legislating against make-up application whilst driving, or eating whilst driving, or arguing whilst driving, or singing along to the radio whilst driving, or looking around frantically for a bathroom stop whilst driving. Ultimately, safe driving comes down to common sense and good judgement, and unfortunately no government can legislate that.
So in the meantime, let me make my calls in traffic. And who knows? If I’m distracted from the agonising frustration of 150 cars stretched out in front of me, perhaps you might even prevent a road rage incident or two.
I never talk on the phone while driving, so the laws wouldn't really affect me. For those who spent long periods of time commuting (like yourself), I understand that being able to use this time productively with hands-free phone conversations makes sense.
ReplyDeleteTo me, the bigger problem is targeting those drivers who insist on actually holding their phone while driving or worse, who send and read texts while driving. The technology to go hands-free is readily available, why are they risking their lives (and mine and my children's) trying to turn corners and change lanes with only one hand on the wheel. I try to be a calm driver, but to be honest these people absolutely infuriate me.
The only way we will be able to have completely safe driving conditions is when they find a way to legislate against stupidity, which unfortunately doesn't seem likely. Until them, sensible limits seems more reasonable than extreme bans that they will never be able to enforce.
I agree with everything you said. The car is the best place to conduct telephone meetings - it's called multi tasking Minister! Clearly the good Minister is a man. No idea about multi tasking!
ReplyDeleteWhy can't they ban parents from having to drive their children everywhere and instead provide a free child-ferrying service to every family? I know that would have saved me from at least two bingles.
ReplyDeleteWhat about professional drivers who need to call with ETA's or who need to change plans/jobs at short notice whilst on the road?
ReplyDeleteThey're not prolonged conversations but still necessary. Especially if I'm stuck in traffic and the Minister wants to know why I am 2hours late with the delivery of his beloved pet to his home (in reply I would then whinge to him about the state of Sydney's roads and the traffic!) :-)
I may be wrong (and as a male I am actually able to occasionally admit when I am wrong) but it isn't illegal to speak on a CB radio using the handset, and taxi drivers and truck drivers have been doing this for decades.
ReplyDeleteAgree. With everything you said. If I can listen to David Oldfield on 2UE legally while wanting to punch out the radio, a bit of hands free chit chat with my mum is a better option? No?
ReplyDeleteLove Mrs Woog xo
I don't have a mobile (hey look! 99% of the people reading this just went "Whaaaaaaat? How is she accessing the internet from the Mesozoic era?") so I can't really comment, though I will say your reasoning makes perfect sense to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat I did want to remark on though is TWO HOURS IN TRAFFIC EVERY DAY?? You don't just need a phone in there. You need a bathroom, a coffee maker, your laptop and your BeBe. But perhaps don't get the last one out until you've already dropped the kids at school.)
I think they should also ban passengers in the car so you won't be distracted....
ReplyDeleteWell the only upside I can see about such a ban, is that we can all go back to the good old days of the CB radio.
ReplyDeleteCopy that?
This is Ruuuuber Duckie signing off. Over.
Not to worry, public outrage will save your (and my) mobile phone and Minister will have another "brilliant" (read terrible) idea tomorrow. And the cycle continues...
ReplyDeleteI'm such a geek - I love bluetooth. Is that sad? Multi-tasking rules and just like I can write with the TV on and kids screaming to make them some dinner, I can drive and talk. Actually I can do ANYTHING and talk at the same time.
ReplyDeleteMobile schmobile. It's the five kids in the car that affect my ability to concentrate on anything while I am in my car (well actually it's more a bus)...as much as I try to activate my Maxwell Smart "cone of silence"!
ReplyDeleteChattin' on the phone is way down in terms of what me dangerous on the road!
Kerri, I was going to agree with you,and spit bilious comments about wanker politicians who have no fucking idea, when I saw KylieL doesn't have a mobile. I was so dumbfounded, I lost my train of thought....Oh yes, what the fuck did these pollies think Bluetooth was for? Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a mobile phone either. I think we need an ad campaign with the slogan 'Driving is Enough'. You don't need to multi-task whilst driving (ok, aside from dealing with the people in the car- and that's distracting enough)- just drive. No putting on make-up or peeling an orange or texting. Just drive. And in Sydney traffic - you never know what any driver is about to do - you need to concentrate on driving.
ReplyDeleteI'm also flabbergasted that you choose to spend two hours a day driving the kids to and from school. Are there really NO schools closer that the kids could walk to, or catch the bus?? Would you be happy to move to the country knowing you would drive the kids an hour to and from school? For me, living in Sydney means the kids can walk to and from school - often by themselves. We are at the school so often - sometimes I'm there five times a day - before school dance group, after school band, popping in to watch the kids do something special, P&C meetings. Geez, the closer the better I reckon.
First up, let's just say my brother who is a cop, buys me a new bluetooth kit every Xmas to "remind" me to do the right thing. Point Taken.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, if they want to outlaw something in the car, can't it be James Blunt? Surely there should some law against him surprising you at 8am?
Motherhugger: Thanks for your comment and lucky you! I wish school was around the corner! No, there is no primary school within walking distance of our house. Even though school is only a short distance away, it takes 25 minutes to get there in peak hour traffic (more like 10 minutes on the weekend). And my youngest is only 3 so no bus yet. One day!
ReplyDeleteYou (or the politicians as the case may be) cannot legislate against stupid; and the stupid people will just find other ways to be bad drivers, phone call or no phone call.
ReplyDeleteJust a few short weeks ago I saw a guy with the local newspaper spread across his steering wheel reading it as he drove along - lets ban newspaper reading whilst driving I say! Oh what's that? You have decided to use your iPad instead.
as someone who has a husband who rides a motorcycle everyday, i'm for banning anything that distracts a drivers attention even slightly.
ReplyDeleteeven when drivers AREN'T being distracted by anything they don't appear to be able to see his HUGE LOUD motorycle, throw in a mobile phone, some kids etc and really what chance does he have? i've been on the back of that thing with him and honestly you feel like everytime you manage to make it home alive is a good day.
true handsfree where you dont have to reach for anything, or take your eyes off the road for even a nanosecond to dial someone, i have no problem with but very few people use this when driving and talking on a mobile.
and 2 hours?!? lol you must have nerves of steel and a super comfy car ;-) i dont mind 2 hour commuting distance wise but not time wise eg traffic.
great post!
~x~
2 hours a day in the car? Holy crap. For that you should have your own network service. While there have been discussions about this here also, one of the issues raised is how on earth would the police actually monitor this? Frankly I'd rather they spend their time catching criminals. Oh wait, I'd be one then wouldn't I? What a mess!
ReplyDeletePeak hour traffic changes everything when it comes to taking your kids to school. Our school is a 6 minute drive....in the middle of the day.....OR a 30 minute drive during peak hour. One way. So I too, spend 2 hours a day driving for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteIt is an unbelievably frustrating amount of time to lose out of your work day. I can really relate to the fact that you want to at least get some calls out of the way while stuck in suburban traffic.
Trish
xx
Kerry - issues here that are bigger than you and I. Yes, there's no outlawing stupid. My partner used to cycle to work, until he was hit by a car. You think you're dong the right thing, then BAHM. Can you really make calls with three kids in the car? Because frankly, if you can, you deserve a medal. I have trouble making myself heard over the constant chatter of my three. And, ironically, when I went to pick up the kids from school yesterday, after posting here, the school secretary asked me to buy myself a mobile phone. Oh dear.
ReplyDeleteMotherhugger: GOD no. Of course I can't make phone calls with 3 kids in the car. I can't make phone calls when I'm HOME with 3 kids! But I can definitely talk on my mobile on Bluetooth when crawling along Bondi Rd at 10kph after I've dropped my kids at school. Absolutely no problem. Just like I can chat to my husband or sing along to the radio.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm very sorry about what happened to your husband. Hope he's okay!
Yes, thanks, he's ok. Catches the train now, though.
ReplyDeleteI almost was about to suggest that a change of gov't might help with access to schools, but then I came to my senses...
ugh, traffic... what else are you SUPPOSED to do then? Hands-free conversation comes in so handy at times.
ReplyDeleteugh, traffic... what else are you SUPPOSED to do then? Hands-free conversation comes in so handy at times.
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks, he's ok. Catches the train now, though.
ReplyDeleteI almost was about to suggest that a change of gov't might help with access to schools, but then I came to my senses...
Kerry - issues here that are bigger than you and I. Yes, there's no outlawing stupid. My partner used to cycle to work, until he was hit by a car. You think you're dong the right thing, then BAHM. Can you really make calls with three kids in the car? Because frankly, if you can, you deserve a medal. I have trouble making myself heard over the constant chatter of my three. And, ironically, when I went to pick up the kids from school yesterday, after posting here, the school secretary asked me to buy myself a mobile phone. Oh dear.
ReplyDeleteI may be wrong (and as a male I am actually able to occasionally admit when I am wrong) but it isn't illegal to speak on a CB radio using the handset, and taxi drivers and truck drivers have been doing this for decades.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said. The car is the best place to conduct telephone meetings - it's called multi tasking Minister! Clearly the good Minister is a man. No idea about multi tasking!
ReplyDelete