I don't know about the rest of you but I intend to "drive" my RX-8. That is for pleasure, business or just cruising around.
I use a cell phone in my business like millions of others. I find it a pain in the *ss to try and juggle a six-speed, drive the car, drink a coffeee and answer my cell phone. Therefore, I hope Mazda offers a "hands-free" system. I hope it's an option so that those that don't need it or want it, aren't paying for something they do not want. I for one, would order such an option in a heart beat.

 

I'm down for any option that will keep someone from plowing into the back of me. I've already had a brand new Z28 toasted because some dude was talking on his cell and didn't see traffic stopping.

 

click here or for more detail here .

"Talking on a cell phone while driving is more dangerous than driving while being over the United Kingdom's legal alcohol limit -- even if using a hands-free phone, New Scientist reports."

Please drive safely.

 

TRUE!! i was just thinking the exact same thing when i saw the title of this post, Rich...
the real danger from cel phones isn't that they either tie up a hand (if they're very small), or that they contort your body, inhibiting your ability to control the car (if they're bigger, ie older... ), but that it would take one's attention away from the road.
i've not read Rich's link, but i know what it'll say... although hands-free systems integrated in luxomobiles are spiff, and they do allow you to keep you hands on teh wheel (after you've pushed the button/pulled the lever/whatever-the-hell-you-do-to-recieve-the-call...), it will only more conveniently distract the driver from their main task at hand: driving. this point is especially poignant for those of use who live, shall we say, "dramatic" lives?? when people (as a growing number of us are) have trouble controlling their emotions while driving, even if uninhibited in any physical way from controlling the car, or even going so far as to say paying attention to what's happing around and with the vehicle, talking with anyone about anything which could affect the driver's mood could be potentially dangerous, regardless of how the mood is affected.

pulling over to the side of the road, or for cripe's sake at least slowing to the limit and pulling into the right lane (something i seldom see cel-drivers do as they unabashedly fly by me in my Toyota economobile) i haven't a problem with... and yes, i'm sure that you boowana are also very prudent with its use, and would use such a system only when truly needed, but many MANY others would abuse it (instantly most of the people i know come to mind), putting themselves and everyone else on the road at risk. i'm sorry, but only as a high dollar option, that isn't really advertised (just in the options list that's in fine print at the back of the brochure), so only those who REALLY need it and ask for it will get it...

 

I certainly concur with all of you regarding safety issues. I wish the damn things had never been invented. The problem is they are here for good and have become an integral part of every day living.
What the hands-free does is to make a bad situation a little better. I use hands-free now and other than pushing a button to receive a call (not any diffrent than changing a station on the radio), I can keep my eyes on the raod and my hands on the wheel.
The only outgoing calls I ever make are voice activated and limited to a very few. Once again, all I need to do is push one button, recite the name and bingo...I'm talking to that person.
In summary, hands-free, voice activated phones are better than tucking a hand held under your chin after one-hand dialing the damn thing.

 

I also talk on the cell phone while driving.. although I try to limit that as much as possible.. And if the call is really important I pull over. I always find that after hanging up, I don't have a sense of "history" of my driving.. ie I don't really remember how I got there.. It seems that since my mind is busy concentrating on talking, the driving part is in a sort of "auto" mode.. I wouldn't be surprised if soon talking on the cell phone while driving isn't banned all over the world.

 

It's really a left brain/right brain multi-tasking conflict issue, imho. If humans were programmed to multi-task in such a way I would have no qualms, but it's impossible to visually concentrate with situational awareness(mirror/lane/auditory/traffic- checking, etc.) when in a heated, problematic or client phone conversation that requires maximum negotiation and mental or written note-taking while driving. Oh it can be done, but one motor skill will suffer accordingly. It's ironic that those hi-mileage account-types who require the most skilled motoring skills to drive are the ones needing cell access 24/7. I wish more would keep the conversation short, sweet, or pull over if critical, regardless of hands-free kits.

 

I'm posting this relpy while driving. :p

 

Your honor, the defense rests. :D

 

It's all about abuse... I'd use a hands free kit to talk to friends/relatives about where we're meeting or just to say, I'll be there in 30 minutes... but talk to clients... or take mental notes... forget it.

It's all about how much you have to concentrate on the conversation..... if it's just a friend and the converstation you're having is no different than if they were sitting next to you then I don't see a problem.

 

When I deal with clients, I want their total undivided attention and ask them to call back when they can provide it. I want them to understand every statement and verbal nuance and gesture I infer. It's part of doing business. Calling with background road-noise and distractions says alot about their commitment to their customer and how much effort they put into the business relationship.

 

Yeah, what he said.

---jps

 

I think there was a study in the UK not too long ago that pointed that cell phones specifically were not the problem, but when typing in #'s on the keypad, flipping though the menus, or trying to reach and hit the talk button when receiving a call, provided more distraction than most people could safely cope with. They pointed out that talking on the cell phone and driving only had a minor effect in driver ability, depending on (of course) how animated the driver was while talking.

 

really?? that's very interesting... exactly what i wouldn't expect to find...
but, on average (AVERAGE guys, okay?? not all of you... just the ficitious Mr./Miss Average) UK or European drivers are far superior in training and sense of purpose than N. American ones, if not skill too... ('cause of the $$'s, school, tests, etc. etc.)

-Andrew

 

I agree with that assesment, as I grew up in Europe and now live in Canada.
At the risk of sounding conceited I consider myself a very good driver, a lot better than most of the general North American public. I have taken car control, auto-x and track school. I've attended both auto-x and track, driven on the Autobahn at 240km/hr and never had a collision that was my fault. I still get that odd dual personality feeling while talking on the phone. Never mind operating the phone... So my point is talking on the cell phone will make a lesser driver no matter what skill with the allowance that drivers that are better originally 'might' be distracted less than others.