Drivers cited for not using seat belts

mike j.
Minneapolis, MN     11/03/2009 6:05 PM

The problem isn't the responsible people. You can't develop a product that is limited in how it works. It wouldn't work in a car (your suggestion) but needs to work in airplanes, subways, metal clad buildings, basements, etc. The most reliable products survives. So, you pull over on a freeway, you could die. Step out of the car and get rained on. Adding some layer of complication to a consumer product to enforce a law is sidestepping what the cops do. We've had inattentive drivers since day one and idiot proofing a phone won't change that.

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b.a. c.
Osakis, MN     11/03/2009 4:53 PM

Having a hard time seeing your arguement, mike. I don't know what it's like in the area you live, but I'm already seeing people pull off to the side of the road to use the cell. Surprised me the first time I saw it, but getting used to it. Makes me want to turn around and tell them how much I appreciated it! I don't think these responsible adults would be in the least put out by my suggestion. K.I.S.S.? No, thanks.

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mike j.
Minneapolis, MN     11/03/2009 10:08 AM

Gizmo's break. K.I.S.S. , People buy gizmos that work, not that tell them how to run their life. Salesmen need to call ahead, Passengers don't need their phones shut off. We all have a gas pedal and it's not limited. Police just need to enforce the abuse of any device. The local politicians determine which laws get enforced by the resources they devote to them. If litter is a concern, it gets attention. Same with anything else. They run for office by promising to fix stuff. Sometimes, they have to come up with problems that we weren't even aware of. "Climate Change" , Sex life of worms or fish, etc. ,whatever they can sell their solution to the voters.

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b.a. c.
Osakis, MN     11/03/2009 8:47 AM

Good point, mike. I suppose it wouldn't be too hard to set the gizmo up to allow only 911 calls from inside the vehicle?

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Like-minded extreme right wing lemming. I.
Bushland, TX     11/02/2009 6:38 PM

"As far as the seatbelt interlock, I think it was tried years ago. (Mopar?), and people just buckled the things and sat on them." LOL - very clever!

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mike j.
Minneapolis, MN     11/02/2009 5:37 PM

Hello, 911. I got this cell phone for emergencies. So, I'm following a drunk driver-----bank robber, ----- kidnapper--etc. But, I lost him when I had to pull over to call. DUH.

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b.a. c.
Osakis, MN     11/02/2009 5:19 PM

michael w, I'm thinking the frame of the vehicle would block the jamming signal sufficiently if it's low enough power. Maybe not even completely block the signal, but make enough 'noise' that it would be hard, if not impossible, to use the phone? As far as the seatbelt interlock, I think it was tried years ago. (Mopar?), and people just buckled the things and sat on them.

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j h.
Alexandria, MN     11/02/2009 5:18 PM

...Michael W... "take off my seat belt the engine shuts off and I no longer have power steering or power brakes"...you may want to just pull over....

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michael W.
Tucson, AZ     11/02/2009 4:54 PM

Domald and B.A.C...... Both good ideas and the technology already exists, there are just a few problems. B.A.C -- How do you keep the device in your vehicle from blocking the signal to my cellphone when I am not in your vehicle but next to it? Domald -- If you have the engine run circuit connected to the seat belt indicator then the motor would shut off if you needed to momentarily take your seat belt off while driving. For instance I sometimes have to remove my seat belt for a few seconds to get my wallet out or to get my water bottle that just fell out of the cupholder and is now on the floor under my brake pedal. However with your idea now as soon as I take off my seat belt the engine shuts off and I no longer have power steering or power brakes. Otherwise very good ideas. As far as the banning cellphones while driving aspect of things (and the radios); they are already banned if they are causing the driver to be distracted (distracted driving is illegal and includes eating, changing radio stations, even picking your nose).

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b.a. c.
Osakis, MN     11/02/2009 4:47 PM

Hey, Larry. Now I'm thinkin' "Hmmm". Wonder why?

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