The cellphone debate

As a heavy user of mobile technology, and the first TV journalist in New Zealand to own a cellphone (my contractual arrangement became a template for others down the track), I have both applause for the move to ban handheld cellphone use in cars, but also questions about it.

Firstly, I think all of us can attest to hair-raising moments involving cellphones and drivers. However, according to official police stats only 32 fatalities over the past six years can be attributed to cellphone use.

That's five people a year from a 400 per year road toll. I'm not convinced that this is a major road safety issue on those figures, especially as cellphone use has exploded over the past decade while the road toll is now hitting its lowest ever figures. Whilst the number of accidents involving phones has gone up, it is probably just a reflection of cellphone penetration of the market overall. The biggest distraction in a car, I've found, are children who don't understand the perils of driving and who therefore fight/squawk/ask questions at hazardous moments which adult passengers are sensitive to.

Secondly, the issue of handsfree kits. Now I've tried a few of these. I think plug in headphones are as unsafe as holding the phone in your hand - possibly more so. The cords are distracting, they can fall out as you turn your head prompting a further scramble.

I have a bluetooth handsfree kit (Sudio), which is effectively a loudspeaker/mic combo that replicates the early hard-wired car kits. I find this can be distracting as well, because ambient noise can require excessive concentration on the "handsfree" conversation.

The only mobile phone in-car set up that I have found utterly compatible with driving is the bluetooth earpiece. The lack of wires means I can listen to the conversation on the phone but have utterly unrestricted movement of my head and arms which is of course essential for driving.

It is not the conversation that distracts, so much as the subsconscious restrictions of having to either hold something, or keep your head close to a loudspeaker, or restrict your movements so wires don't become entangled.

Comments

[Boffin]

At 800-900 MHz radio frequencies damage cells b upsetting the regulatory mechanisms involved in cellular computation, such as the centrosome, and the primary cilia.
Once membranes are permeabilised by RF radiation, certain storage compartments known as lysomes, for example, can rupture their contents causing protracted damaged to cellular organelles that will result in cancer or abnormal cell development.

The choice is but for the informed. Just look at male sperm quality after 20 minutes per day ...

[carkitter]

@Boffin
Cellphones do not cause cancer, eating and breathing does.

On the topic of cellphone use while driving, I am all for a ban on handheld use. As a former handsfree carkit installer with over 1500 installations to my credit, I've tried all the options and the two best are the Bluetooth (BT) headset and the fully integrated BT or wired carkit.

I use a Sony Ericsson BT headset which works very well and is the best option IMO for portable use. In my wife's car I have installed a Nokia CK-15W BT 'full installation' carkit which is simply superb. It has an LCD screen which displays Caller ID, battery and reception info at a glance and works with voice and speed dialling. Radio mute is the 'killer app' which renders those sunvisor kits as gimicks; it really does make a difference on the road.

Another option not often mentioned is BT compatible OEM and aftermarket stereo's which are becoming common on high-spec cars these days, but the problem is that Japanese Used Cars seldom have any carkit compatibility and these are the vehicles driven by the young drivers most at risk.

I feel that an education program is needed here for young learner drivers to explain the consequences and provide some alternative ideas.

It's time for handsfree carkit use to move out of the business orientated market and into the mainstream. Perhaps Telecom and Vodafone could help by including a BT headset along with the phones it sells to young people? They certainly should think about the consequences of providing $10 plans which link one mobile to a landline contract. After all, who do they think uses this facility? I knew one truck driver who would talk for 2hrs to his partner, then hang up and ring her back! Virtually on the phone all day! It very common for truck drivers to use a handheld device and thier bosses just avoid the issue.

There are many aspects to this debate and I'm worried that our politicions will push through some punitive, unworkable, junk legislation based on a knee-jerk reaction and a once-over-lightly look at the options.

After all, thats what they specialise in...

[mickmac]

I've got a wired hands free which we fitted on buying the car with the tow bar.

at $350 I don't think it is that expensive for a car of +$20k.

There is a visa mounted Bluetooth unit at $180 which sound fine.

Not tried the Bluetooth earpieces but have used the dangly one.

personally lets change the law and make it compulsory to use a hands free.

then there is no excuse.