I don't think it should be outlawed completely for the average driver. I do think the use of a handsfree device should be required. Carrying on a phone conversation, while using a handsfree device, is no more dangerous than having a conversation with a passenger in your vehicle, although there are biased surveys showing "strong" results for either side.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE COMPLETLY BANNED THEY ARE A DISTRACTION TO EVEN EXPIERNCED DRIVERS WHO ARE TOO PIGHEADED TO ADMIT IT THEY SHOULD BE FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY WHILE DRIVING ANY VEHICLE PASSENGERS ARE OK BUT NOT THE OPERATOR.

i use a cell phone every in my work. but i do belive that you should have to park to talk. there have been studies that show that cell phones can be as bad as drinking. but the state i live in doesnt even care , they have no laws thats s.c.

Everytime I get behind someone who doesn't go when the light turns green or is driving wierd or slow, I see they are on the phone. I wish I had a speaker to say, "Shut up, Hang up, and Drive!
I have talked on the phone while driving but only for a few minutes because holding that phone and talking does effect my thinking and reactions. I actually use my phone very little. It's there if I need it.I have a bluetooth but usually only use on long trips. I am amazed that to me if feels no different than having someone sitting next to me in the car and talking to me. Great for traveling by yourself.

Using a cell phone, whether handheld, headset, or speaker, while driving is definitely distracting and dangerous. It is NOT the same as talking with a passenger in the same vehicle. The passenger is usually aware of traffic conditions and can adjust the conversation accordingly. However, there is no problem with a passenger talking on the cell phone.

I very rarely use my cell phone while driving. In the few instances that I have, I have noticed that even with a hands free device that I am very distracted while driving. I am putting some of my focus on what's going on at the other end of the line. If this happens to me, I am sure it happens to others. Hands free is safer than a handset, but not at all is best.

Not everyone can walk & chew gum @ the same time. Talk & drive is the same thing. There just aren't people with enough aptitude to do it - & they are more common than anyone would like to believe. But it is unfair to penalize the 20-30% who are capable of doing 2 things simultaneously. So I would like to see laws that repeal outright bans and instead up the fines for infractions committed while on the phone (& officer has right to look thru call history to verify). Let's say your phone-addiction gets you into an accident - triple the at-fault fine & report it to insurance (who will then drop you, of course) There you go. Problem solved by forcing responsibility without taking away freedom.

I am a safety professional (great career by the way)and collect articles on the cell phone issue. Research studies have consistently shown that cell phone use, regardless of whether the cell phone is hands-free or not, measurably impacts the safe driving performance of the user. Legislatures that pass banning laws that still permit the use of hands-free cell phones are deluding themselves. THEY ARE PROTECTING NO ONE! Cell phone use while driving should be completely banned and an educational campaign on the hazards of cell phone use while driving - and other distraction activities - should be launched. Over 40,000 people a year are killed in auto accidents. And it is climbing back towards the higher totals experienced in the 70's and 80's (over 50K). This would not be tolerated if the deaths were from criminal murders or wars, why should it be tolerated for auto accidents?

THINK PEOPLE! When you drive a motor vehicle, you are in charge of a potentially lethal weapon/machine. DRIVE ACCORDINGLY!!