Banning cellphones said bad for business TERESA WRIGHT The Guardian
If the province bans the use of hand-held cellphones while driving, a local woman says her business will close.
Robbie Keen, owner of Advantage Couriers, said she relies heavily on cellphones for her small business. And when deliveries come in quickly or unexpectedly, a quick phone call to her drivers is necessary, Keen told the standing committee on social development Tuesday.
This provincial committee is exploring the safe use of cellphones and has been holding hearings across the province.
“I average on my own cellphone about 6,000 calls a month, but most of my calls are 10 seconds or less,” Keen said.
She told the committee she’s tried many other options, including two-way radios and Bluetooth speakerphones, but has not been able to find an alternative that works.
“I did a test for one month and speakerphones took longer because everyone was like, ‘What? I can’t hear you.’”
And since Keen is hearing impaired, she is not able to use speakerphones.
“There’s almost like a fax machine noise that comes through Bluetooth for myself,” she told the committee.
She asked the committee to reconsider any decision to ban the use of hand-held cellular phones in cars, as it will severely impact her ability to do business.
“If we are banned from using cellphones, my business will close,” Keen said.
The committee has been travelling across the Island, hearing from groups and individuals giving their opinions on a proposed provincial ban of cellphone use while driving.
Transportation Minister Ron MacKinley told the committee in September he already has draft legislation to put such a ban in place.
The ban would include pagers, personal data assistants, portable computers, MP3 players, fax machines or other hand-held electronic devices decided by cabinet. It would also ban texting while driving.
When MacKinley appeared before the committee, he said the province is looking for direction on potential exemptions, including those for farmers, long-haul drivers, plow operators and emergency personnel.
Keen said she hopes the committee will indeed recommend this kind of exemption for her own business.
“There should be some sort of a restriction. Can we not leave some kind of an open door for people like couriers and cabs?”
But Barrie Smith, who also presented his opinion to the committee Tuesday, said he thinks all drivers should pull over if they’re going to use cellphones while driving.
“I’ve had three or four occasions where I’ve nearly been killed because of people talking on cellphones — coming across the yellow line to my vehicle and I had my wife with me,” he said.
“When you’re talking or you get into an argument with somebody on the phone, your mind is not going to be on the highway.”
Smith said he’s not against the use of cellphones completely. But he urged the committee to recommend government ban using hand-held cellphones while driving.
“It’s just common sense, safety. And common sense says it’s time to do something before something serious happens,” Smith told the committee. “If you can save one life by doing this, you’re doing a good job.”
The committee is now preparing its report and will present its recommendations to the legislature.
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Jean elmer from egmont, pei writes: Is this woman serious? Her business will close if cellphones are banned? Does she live in her car? For Gods sake pull over or make a call from home. This woman has no clue what she is talking about.
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ADAM ANDERSON from PEI writes: Well I dont feel bad for the woman but oh well, let her lose her job... Id rather safer roads! I have found taxi drivers to be very annoying to drive behind, cause they're always on the cell phone
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Islander from Chalottetown, PEI writes: Banning cellphone use makes perfect sense.
There are plenty of bluetooth options that work well. In fact, I use a jawbone and it works better than talking on my top-line phone anyways.
The complainers are either too cheap to buy one or too dim to use one.
They work, they save lives and the only reason it is not in place across Canada is because some politicians are in the pocket of cell companies.
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sjj jen from chtown, p.e.i. writes: for gods sake put lives before money cell phones have to be banned we almost got hit by a couier today in chtown he went through the lights at sears and almost got
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PEISlander from PEI writes: As stated above: The ban would include pagers, personal data assistants, portable computers, MP3 players, fax machines or other hand-held electronic devices decided by cabinet. It would also ban texting while driving.
What ever happened to common sense?
While I understand the concerns of losing business there has to be other options...an answering service maybe where the lady could call and get messages and return them every 1/2 hour? This way you could pull off the road or into a parking lot and be out of harms way. I can't tell you how many times I have been cut off or watched someone go through a red light all the while talking on a cell phone. This is very frustrating as I always have children in the car. Often I wonder if the person on the phone realizes the pain and loss that would be suffered if the other person wasn't as aware...Personally I feel that for the safety of my family - and yours - it is better that cell phones stay in your purse or pocket while driving.
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shawn worth from burnaby, b.c writes: If you want your driver's to use their cell phone while driving ,ok. If your driver's hit's someone walking or hit's another car/truck becase they were on the cell phone with you, l hope that person sues you for causing the accident..
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Advantage Couriers need to be safe drivers, too! from PEI writes: Answer to Advantage excuse; PULL OVER!!!!!
Ban cell phones while driving. Period! Companies like Advantage need to adapt for the safety of others, or go out of business to make way for a company that WILL obey the law.
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Don't believe the Hype from PE writes: I feel for this woman as hands free devices do not work for her due to a hearing impairment, but it comes down to public safety. Hand held devices should be banned in vehicles, and enforcement should be strict.
You may need to look at better phone. I have used the speaker phone option on mine, and had to turn it down. It was like the person on the other end was yelling at me.
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c.a. from pei writes: How did these people run their businesses before cell phones????
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Head Shaker from pe writes: The last refuge of not having another argument.
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Larry from NS writes: You can talk all you want about the Ban. Here in NS it has been law for about a year and still every 3rd car you see someone with the phone to the ear. Yea alot of people do now have the Bluetooh and they work Great I love mine. But if it is not enforced and around her it is not you can make all the laws you want. Do you not have the Speeder and Rolling Stop signs in Ch'twn. That is law but who obeys them.....
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CB Radio from PEI writes: One thing Advantage deliveries could do is to go back to the good ol CB radio. Hire a dispatcher. Not hard. Might cost a bit more..but just think of what you would have to pay if you were in an accident while on your cell phone...there goes Advantage Delivery service.
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TA from pei writes: Its great to read the posts by people recognizing the hazards of using cell phones while driving. Anyone who believes that the use of cell phones while driving is safe, just examine your own driving while on the phone. Do you slow down? Do you weave? Are you still aware of your surroundings relating to other vehicles and pedestrians? We see the results on a daily basis of driver's on the phone being distracted. I'm biased because I choose not to own a cell phone and I do just fine thank you. The bottom line is public safety and driving is a privilege not a right and with that privilege comes responsibilities no to pose a danger to others that share the road with you. That may be difficult for the me first generation to understand.
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Seriously from PEI writes: Does she really think these are valid excuses?
Truckers and cabbies have been using radios for a long time. What makes her company so special that those aren't good enough?
If her workers couldn't hear her, maybe they should get their ears checked because other companies don't seem to have problems with them.
If the company closes because of something like this, then you shouldn't be in business in the first place.
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Heather from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Being killed in an accident by an inattentive driver is bad for her business. It would be one less potential customer to use her services. Her business would probably fail should one of her drivers cause an accident. Who would wish to use her delivery vans, should someone was severely injured or killed?
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Otherthingsmoreimportant from PEI writes: I think people are making a big deal out of this. Instead of worrying about something small like cell phone use, why don't you put you efforts into stopping the sales of tabacco to minors and the drug use around communitities. And one last question. Are CB radios hands free.? No so they should be banned as well... gimme a break people
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anne smith from stratford, pei writes: way to go jean elmer,where in the name of god do these people come from,what and how did they excist before cell phones. i never heard of anthing so foolish in all my life,hope i don't have an accident with her,her fault of course, pull over you fool,and if you are hearinf impaired all the more reason to pull over. this is the only prov that is not moving on this issue of driving with cell phones,what is it going to take? oh i know somebody who is important is going to get killed and then it might happen. come on gov.stop trying to impress the nation,it's not working
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Confused from PE writes: Will this legislation make it illegal to use hands free options, too?
I think we should ban using the cell itself as it takes a hand away from the wheel as well as holding the phone to your ear blocks your view, but I see nothing wrong with wired & bluetooth devices that free up your hands and don't restrict your vision.
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whew from PEI writes: The ban would include pagers, personal data assistants, portable computers, MP3 players, fax machines or other hand-held electronic devices
WHEW.... at least I will still be able to dress on the way to work, do my hair, makeup, brush my teeth, read the paper I picked up at tims while eating my breakfast on the way to work.. since none of those are are electronic..
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Sean from Finland writes: I agree with banning cellphones, simply because most people aren't great drivers to begin with... However, I think the bluetooth headset is the way to go.
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June from PEI writes: I am still waiting to hear how they ran the business before we had cell phones. I have no problem with hands free cell phones. I think that if you dont have one you should go to side of road to chat. I was always told we should have two hands on the wheel...I also tell my kids that. How do we teach our kids stuff if we don't do it ourselves. I pray nobody gets killed because of a mistake of talking on a stupid cell phone.
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KingStreeWestEnder from NS writes: I am all for the cellular phone ban while operating a motor vehicle.
Research indicates that there is an increased risk of collision when using a cell phone, even if it is hands-free. Distraction that arises from the need to think about the conversation is still present. Hands-free phones reduce only the requirement to physically operate the phone
This debate happens in every province and the long and short of it is that people are too distracted when driving. If I was delivery guy , I would use the new technology or if you can always duct tape that phone to your head .
In NS , they passed a law and still people are using there phones while driving. There is very little enforcement and I have not seen any comprehensive published articles that says there has been anyone convicted of violating the law. Secondly, has the number of accidents been reduced ? I would like to see the numbers. Driving requires you full attention even if it is your business to be mobile. If you are a true professional driver than you would realize this! It takes one second of distraction to cause a real mess. Driving is not a right either so your personal freedoms should not be stamped upon. How important is that conversation as compared to driving through a red light and bouncing some kid though your windshield.
I strongly believe there should be a strong effort of behalf of insurance companies and governement to change attitudes on automobile operation. How many people would pass their driver's test now? Maybe every five years people should have to take a defensive driver's course. Futhermore, there are even pedestrians crossing major intersections talking on cell phones as well. I have seen them talking while driving bicycles as well. Get the phone out of you ear and the Crackberry out of your life, you don't need 24/7. You used to be able to spot the drug dealers that way! Just like seatbelt use, helmet laws, driving drunk, speeding laws and the like. If we have to Legislate comman sense then do so.-the problem lies in enforcement and punishment.
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Deb from NS writes: It didn't help the bar and restaurants when the owners said that banning cigarettes would cause them to lose business or even to close and we didn't present a clear and present danger as tons of metal and steel coming at you presents so apparently, they don't take loss of business into consideration. In saying that, drivers should have their total focus on the roads and are a danger if they do not, for example, talking on cellphones when they could just as easily park the car and talk to their heart's content for as long as they want. Texting and bluetooths are just a quick money maker and new toy for people and companies as the problem of chatting and your attention being taken from the roads is still there and the danger has not been addressed at all. Yes, in Halifax, cellphones have been banned when driving, but people are still using them while driving. If you can't enforce, then don't put laws in effect. Bluetooths look like aliens have landed.
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KingStreeWestEnder from NS writes: I am all for the cellular phone ban while operating a motor vehicle.
Research indicates that there is an increased risk of collision when using a cell phone, even if it is hands-free. Distraction that arises from the need to think about the conversation is still present. Hands-free phones reduce only the requirement to physically operate the phone
This debate happens in every province and the long and short of it is that people are too distracted when driving. If I was delivery guy , I would use the new technology or if you can always duct tape that phone to your head .
In NS , they passed a law and still people are using there phones while driving. There is very little enforcement and I have not seen any comprehensive published articles that says there has been anyone convicted of violating the law. Secondly, has the number of accidents been reduced ? I would like to see the numbers. Driving requires you full attention even if it is your business to be mobile. If you are a true professional driver than you would realize this! It takes one second of distraction to cause a real mess. Driving is not a right either so your personal freedoms should not be stamped upon. How important is that conversation as compared to driving through a red light and bouncing some kid though your windshield.
I strongly believe there should be a strong effort of behalf of insurance companies and governement to change attitudes on automobile operation. How many people would pass their driver's test now? Maybe every five years people should have to take a defensive driver's course. Futhermore, there are even pedestrians crossing major intersections talking on cell phones as well. I have seen them talking while driving bicycles as well. Get the phone out of you ear and the Crackberry out of your life, you don't need 24/7. You used to be able to spot the drug dealers that way! Just like seatbelt use, helmet laws, driving drunk, speeding laws and the like. If we have to Legislate comman sense then do so.-the problem lies in enforcement and punishment.
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JD from PE writes: Anyone ever hear of Purolator Courier or any other courier company that has been around for years.
Courier Companies existed long before cell phones in fact most of them never even bothered to switch to cell phones.
This persons argument is as laughable as it is scary that anyone would use it.
If cellphones are their only way to survive than pull over to take a call. If the calls are only 10 seconds than stopping for 10 seconds should not be a problem.
If the calls are only 10 seconds and they get 6000 per month than that is only 16 hours per month on the phone and since there is an average of 20 working days per month that is less that 1 hour per day on the phone.
So less than an hour per day on the phone spread over the who day stopping shouldn;t be a problem.
The arguments against banning cell phones is so lame I feel sorry for the people who actually believe they NEED them so bad.
I know exactly what my own solution for Advantage Courier will be. I will NOT use them anymore to deliver packages for me if their need is greater than my or anyones safety.
I can;t imagine any company would use this argument.
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UGGHH from PEI writes: Give me a break, this island is full of complainers and thats it. So, what about other distractions that people can have while driving, a mother with a crying child? passengers talking in general? so do we ban those sorts of things too? If someone is going to use their cell phone while driving then let them, they pay for the cell phone, they should be allowed to use it when they want. Everyone goes on the road at their own risk and just because one person can't drive while talking on their cell doesn't mean that everyone is the same.
No wonder there are so many people leaving the island, all anyone does here is complain and try and take away any freedom we have
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get over it from pei writes: If a law is passed stating you cannot use cellphones while driving, then you can chose to go out of business or find an alternate way of doing things. Personally, I welcome that law. In the past month, I've sat behind a car at a green light while the little lady in front of my chatted on her phone until I blew the horn, which elicited a finger salute. I had a large truck cross lanes so fast I had to slam my brakes on...while the truck driver was on a cellphone. A man in a business suit came out of a drive through while on his phone, gesturing with his free hand and cut me off. A young woman with three carseats in her van with kids in them went through the red light at the Hillsboro Bridge. That is in one month. Thank heaven I am vigilant in my driving. So, to the business people who think their livlihood depends on cell phones in cars, my life depends you your driver's attention. Not everyone can walk and chew gum at the same time, and I don't want someone who can't paying attention to a conversation on a phone while driving near me. Ban the phone on wheels.
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robbie keen from charlottetown, pei writes: well i see alot of people were not at the meeting to voice their opinion, i was there to voice mine. when i say i need cell phones for business it is because i have 50+ drivers out there that take calls as they come in. I'm sure the one who suggested that i have a dispatcher and send calls out every half hour or so meant well, however i DO dispactch from an office (95%) of the time however yes my drivers do live in their cars for the time of their shifts. so i'm sure if i were to wait every half hour or so the pizza, chinese food, etc would be very cold and there are approximately 200-4-- a day that order the food. What the media didnt say is that the calls are 10 secs (no longer than tuning your radio) and if it is gonna be a lengthly order the drivers DO pull over. AND what my point of the meeting was about is just this.....we already have a law called undue care and attention! why spend $16,000 to enact a law that we can already be charged with if we are driving in a reckless manner? take the money and put into law enforcement and maybe the police can have more resources to pull over and FINE the driver who is not paying attention. The problem is that you are rarely pulled over for behaviours like, eating while driving, applying makeup, talking with many people in the car, reading, texting, etc. So just use our current law to enforce proper driving habits. people rolling stop signs, running yellow lights, going wrong way on one way streets, these are larger issues of the roads today. I'm not saying that the police shouldnt fine people who are not paying attention to the roads...i'm saying why enact another law that won't ever be enforced anyway. oh and btw...do you have any idea how many impaired drivers we have helped to get because we followed the driver until police caught up to us, while we told them our path on a cell phone? you wouldnt believe how many. so is it ok that we took the impaired driver off the road while talking on the cell phones? just wondering? while i have meetings with my staff on a regular basis regarding proper road safety i feel that i do take the safety of the people on the road very seriously. and one more thing. i have never had a driver get into an accident while talking for the 10 secs on the phone to me. but i did when we used 2 way radio's because its an open mike for all the drivers to be talking to each other. That answers the question to seriously from PEI i hope. And it is not my drivers that can't hear it is me who is hearing impaired. The media didnt quite quote everything that was said so maybe this explains a little bit more of what i was actually saying at the meeting.
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JD from PE writes: How do you dispatch from your office....well it is pretty basic.
You have on phone number which has to be cheaper than 50 cellphones and dispatcher and radios in each of your vehicles.
This concept has worked for Taxis and trucking companies for years.
This is simple case of someone settled in their ways and they don't give a damm about public safety.
10 seconds per call is laughable...MMMM How long does it take for a vehicle to drive through a red light and hit someones less than 10 seconds i imagine.
How Long does it take to hit the child in the crosswalk because courier driver was on the phone for 10 seconds.
10 seconds is long time when you are driving over someone you just hit.
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outraged from charlottetown, pei writes: So, seeming as its been awhile since i commented on anything here, i figured this would be a good time to bring back my comments to the people of pei,,,, here we go, I used to work for Robbie, there are many ups and downs to cell phones in cars, but face it, anyone who cannot answer a cell phone while driving should not be driving to begin with, THEY ARE THE HAZZARD, the ten seconds or less is true, the call volume for these delivery drivers are not a lie, they work hard and fast to ensure that what ever they maybe delivering gets the in a timely fashion, for anyone on her that took time out of there day to complain about this issue are more then likely the same people who tell off people in the food service about there food being late !! is this really all we have time for in charlottetown..complain complain complain, and also i bet half the people who complained have more then likely talked and texted while driving to begin with.... oh and a side note for the paper .. IS THIS REALLY WHAT MAKES NEWS IN PEI? LIKE REALLY HOW SAD THAT THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO READ EVERYDAY SAD PATHETIC STORIES THAT SHOULD NEVER BE PUBLISHED
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don't wizz on the electric fence from pe writes: you guys are all cry babies! good god!
i love lamp by the way....
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Brakie's Fender Bender Repair Shop from PE writes: This will also mean less business for me!
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JP from PE writes: I just can't wait until this new law comes into effect and then PEI can finally be a utopia of fairies and unicorns.
I mean, no one would ever dream of breaking the law by talking on a cell phone. Sure, not everyone stops at stop signs or obeys the posted speed limits but this law will be different I'm sure. If they do break the law, I'm sure there will be a police officer there to ticket them even though we don't seem to have enough to catch the people who are driving under the influence, running red lights, etc. And once they get a ticket, I'm sure they'd never do it again.
Also, since apparently having something in your hand that requires action (I'm assuming this since so many of you are saying that hands-free cell conversations are OK) is so dangerous, I would also propose that people should have to pull over to drink coffee, smoke or change the radio station. It's just not safe. Yesterday I was cut off by someone holding a Tims. If only he'd been paying attention to traffic! We just can't afford to have these coffee-drinking maniacs on the roads.
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Deb from NS writes: Robbie: The police should definitely enforce that law on undue care and attention for all drivers. Hands free means more bluetooth owners looking like aliens. Are you sure there aren't any strange messages coming through those ear pieces along with the cancer causing radiation coming from the cellphone towers?
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Islander from PEI writes: My husband could have been killed last month when a drunk driver rear-ended him while texting on her cell phone and driving at a high speed. Maybe we need to start blaming the irresponsible drivers who make poor judgement calls instead of blaming the cell phones and other electronic devices. If you take away the cell phones (if people even listen to the law, which I'm betting they won't) they'll just do something else to take their attention away from the road.
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Come on Keen Please from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Please Keen, don't cite the media for the overwhelming negative reaction to the story. It's common sense not to use a cell phone while driving, especially if your drivers are as busy as you say.
Did you ever think how bad this will be for your business? I wish you no bad luck, but before heralding such a mindless argument, you might want to think ahead.
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Red Nex from PEI writes: Well, I know where I wont be shopping, this persons arguments, are what I would expect from a 5 year old.
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Barb from Alberta writes: I think it would be safer for people to talk on their cell phones when driving rather than having almost every second call pull over on the streets and highways. Did anyone thing about that?
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Out to Lunch from Charlottetown, PE writes: There's an amazing technology called voice mail. If you are a courier and are stopping every few minutes anyway, take a minute and check your voice mail instead of answering the phone while you are driving. I really doubt you would miss any business.
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Chester Field from pei writes: I think where the problem really lies with the abuse of cell phones while driving are the ones that are calling and just talking to friends. Take yesterday for example, I am sitting at a red light, I see the car with a teenage female driving up behind me, she has the cell phone to her ear, and then she disappears from site to pick something up from the floor of her car, and she gently bumps into me, what does she do, she backs up and continues talking on the phone. What in the H#ll did these people do before cell phones? I think that a lot of these people need to get a life, if you cannot take a drive and not be on your cell phone the whole time. I hope that the cell phone rate goes up so high , except for businesses, that people will think twice about calling on a cell to talk about nothing.
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Voter from Charlottetown, PE writes: Ban cell phones while driving!
Just because a dangerous activity may hinder a business, doesn't mean it should continue to be accepted in society.
If we permitted people to drink and drive, bars would make more money, perhaps we should consider how our driving under the influence legislation hinders all the bars across the province?
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CFA from Charlottetown, PEI writes: If there is going to be a law passed on banning cell phones then the following laws should equally be passed ..... No one should be allowed to drive with small children in their vehicle, since this definitely takes driver's eyes away from the road in order to pick up soothers, calm the child, turn around to see what they've thrown on the floor, look in the rearvie to make sure they're still alive, etc....... Anyone sightseeing should be fined, since I have been behind drivers on numberous occasions that constantly stare (not just take their eyes off the road for a split second -- I mean stare) at the yard sales along the road, or some scenery, or more often than not carry on a conversation with the person next to them (and most of these folks I have personally witnessed swaying back and forth from over the yellow line to nearly in the ditch due to this)..... Anyone caught grooming themselves while driving should also be fined because this occurs on a daily basis as well..... You might as well just go ahead and outlaw sound systems of any kind (and clocks while you're at it) because these also divert attention away from the road.... Drive thru-s might as well be abolished -- I'm sure there are no hard numbers on this, but I'm willing to bet on the fact that more than one accident has been caused by someone spilling a condiment of some sort on themselves while eating (or a hot coffee) and then had the urgent need to wipe it off, all the while taking their attention off the road.... Another senseless law like this makes no sense to pass, we should be working on the real issues here like doing a little more to enforce things like drunk driving, or those caught while driving with a suspended license and such.
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Head Shaker from PE writes: Those laws should be enforced, and would include anything that is covered under the new law.
Saying the enforcement of the old law negates the reason for the new law is one thing. Stating that government shouldn't make a law to promote public safety because it is bad for business is another thing.
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Been There from Halifax, NS writes: Just remember if you ban the use of cell phones and people pull over to answer, they have to pull back into traffic and that alone can be a nightmare!!!!
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marty from PE writes: what is so wrong with talking on a cell phone?
cell phones dont cause accidents stupid people cause accidents, i have put many people behind bars for driving while under the influence, wonder why? my cell phone.
so because of cell phones I possibly saved a few lives.
if we ban cell phones, can we still talk to the person beside us? really tho how many people have two hands on the wheel so there is no real difference between having a conversation between someone on a phone vs the person beside us. so if we do ban cell phones, we will have to ban many other things, i have personally almost been hit by someone driving with there knees while eating a big mac, and they are big so you always need two hand. people should stop complaing about this situation
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Den from PEI writes: What a load of crap. Just an excuse for these no lifers who have to look like they're important by yapping on a cellphone. Does Ms. Keen do all the courier work herself? Sounds like it, if she's getting 6000 calls. Maybe the cellphone ban is not the biggest problem in her business.
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kenny from chtown, pei writes: I think it is time the insurance companys got into this and ask if you talk on your cell phone while driveing you pay a larger premium Hit the idiots in the wallet
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rottin ralphie from charlottetown, pe writes: We need an exemption for commerce. RCMP use portable computers and cell phones in their cars. The courier/taxi business also need an excemption. Legitimate business shouldn't be impacted by this legislation. It isn't the courier drivers causing all the accidents out there.
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E. Coli from Chtown, PEI writes: Cell phone use in vehicles in NS was banned a few months ago and the system is working.
You can purchase a headset or Bluetooth device for under $30.00.
So what is your problem Mr. Keen? How would you feel if you killed someone while being impaired while driving and using a cell phone?
That's how the court looks at it. A person is just as much impaired using a cell phone on the road as if they are looped up with alcohol or drugs.
Mothers against Drunk Drivers need to change their name to cover these other impaired types of deaths too.
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Another look from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Ban cellphones, save lives.
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Chris from PEI writes: This is stupid the reason it is dangerous to use a cellphone while your driving is because your talking and not paying attention to the road if your using a bluetooth headset your still talking away and not paying attention to the road. It doesnt make sense to ban the use of a cellphone driving but you can use a bluetooth headset to talk on your phone while your driving?
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Lt Cranky Cranky from Chtown, PE writes: It doesn't matter how many times you're all told, I suppose it will never sink in...that driving without due care or attention is already a law that encompasses cellphones - and anything else that distracts you from driving. It's also never going to be enforced. Oh, once a month or so you'll see some gratuitous speedtraps, but you'll NEVER see a ticket handed out for this law in PEI, EVER. It's amazing how little you people think when you're angry. It's already a law, it's not going to be enforced anyway...but don't let that slow you all down from demanding the word cellphone be added to the current law. Lawyers are laughing at you all the way to the bank. I'm just amazed you're all still so rabidly in favor of adding a term to a law for no reason whatsoever. NONE. Amazing. There will be another 50 posts asking for a ban on cellphones after this....it's like trying to teach a horse to ride a bike.
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Miles MacGregor from PEI writes: I really don't think cell phones are much more dangerous than any other distraction while driving, plus i doubt many people will stop using phones while driving simply because the law says they can't. You can make laws, but not everyone is going to follow them...
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Deb from NS writes: What happened to walking? People could use cellphones and walk places also they could lose weight and smoke because they are outside.
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eastern P.E.I. from georgetown, P.E.I. writes: i travel over 100,ooo km /year on the island and not once did i see anyone performing any of the horror stories that have been talked about in these blogs. This is just another example of complaints by jealous/negative people.
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dazed from charlottetown, pei writes: to deb from ns....if you want a delivery, do you want it walked to you or would you like it there the 'same day'? and who said anything about losing weight or smoking? what makes you think these people need to lose weight or smoke? i dont recall anyone saying anything about that in the ad from the guardian. i happen to use this courier company and i know that the owner doesnt allow smoking in the vehicles while they have orders on board, so make sure you know the facts before you condemn. I rely on this company to get my products out in a very timely manner, i don't think they would be able to carry large parcels on their shoulders, and if they could i'm sure it would not be 'same day ' delivery. wow...i cant believe the ignorance of these bloggers. i believe that what the owner was saying in her proposal was that why create a law for something that we already have a law for. ? start enforcing the current laws and fine the ones who are not driving with due care. i think that is quite simply...logical.
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dazed from charlottetown, pei writes: to deb from ns....if you want a delivery, do you want it walked to you or would you like it there the 'same day'? and who said anything about losing weight or smoking? what makes you think these people need to lose weight or smoke? i dont recall anyone saying anything about that in the ad from the guardian. i happen to use this courier company and i know that the owner doesnt allow smoking in the vehicles while they have orders on board, so make sure you know the facts before you condemn. I rely on this company to get my products out in a very timely manner, i don't think they would be able to carry large parcels on their shoulders, and if they could i'm sure it would not be 'same day ' delivery. wow...i cant believe the ignorance of these bloggers. i believe that what the owner was saying in her proposal was that why create a law for something that we already have a law for. ? start enforcing the current laws and fine the ones who are not driving with due care. i think that is quite simply...logical.
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