jackh@zehntel.UUCP (jack hagerty) (05/10/85)
> ...if you're going to drive, drive! I can't stand the thought of > operating a car with only 1/2 of your mind on the task at hand, that > being driving. > > -- Chris Yoder > Since the subject of attentive driving has been brought up, has anyone else felt uneasy about those cellular car phone ads? The ones around here show the busy executive driving to work in his Cadillac while conducting business on the phone: making deals, arranging meetings, etc. Geez, those guys are only half here to begin with. When they put their Caddy on cruise control, they treat it like auto pilot; their head's off in the board room somewhere. I agree that a high quality, reliable mobile phone system could be a good thing, especially in emergencies. But with the current prices (>$1000 for the phone plus ~ $100 per month in fees and unit charges) the companies are aiming the market at these high rollers. The last thing we need is to divert what little attention they have left! -- Jack Hagerty, Zehntel Automation Systems ...!ihnp4!zehntel!jackh
chas@ihuxe.UUCP (Charles Lambert) (05/16/85)
> Since the subject of attentive driving has been brought up, has anyone > else felt uneasy about those cellular car phone ads? The ones around > here show the busy executive driving to work in his Cadillac while > conducting business on the phone: making deals, arranging meetings, etc. Perhaps mobile 'phones should be an illegal installation, unless dealer-fitted to operate only when the ignition is off. Charlie @ the Death Star, IL.
royw@hound.UUCP (#R.WALTERS) (05/16/85)
Why should Mobile Telephones be treated any different than CB radios? -- Roy W. H. Walters Jr. 201-949-5743
jackh@zehntel.UUCP (jack hagerty) (05/21/85)
> Why should Mobile Telephones be treated any different than CB radios? > > -- > Roy W. H. Walters Jr. 201-949-5743 Because CB radios are generally used as low level time passers when your brain is is slow-mode anyway. It's always a grab bag as to who you're going to talk to since it depends on who's in the area, whether they have a CB, if it's set to your channel, etc. (this does not, of course, diminish their value in an emergency). A celluar phone, on the other hand, ties directly into Ma Bell [and all the little baby Bells :-)] hence allows you to talk to anyone you want at any time you want. My uneasyness stems from the advertising. These things are being aimed at high powered businessmen who generally view driving as a frustrating waste of time; time they could be spending on the job moving and shaking. Cellular phones now give these guys the tool to remove the last shred of attention they used to spend on driving and turn it towards more "profitable" pursuits. -- Jack Hagerty, Zehntel Automation Systems ...!ihnp4!zehntel!jackh
mzal@pegasus.UUCP (Mike Zaleski) (05/22/85)
> Why should Mobile Telephones be treated any different than CB radios? >> Because CB radios are generally used as low level time passers when your >> brain is is slow-mode anyway. It's always a grab bag as to who you're >> going to talk to ... >> A celluar phone, on the other hand, ties directly into Ma Bell ... [and] >> ... hence allows you to talk to anyone you want at any time you want. This argument is pure rationalization. Chatting to one's regular CB pals can be just as distracting as talking to one's friends on the phone or in the the car if they are with you. The only difference with CB radios and mobile telephones is that you also have something in your hand. Not that I am oposed to CB radios (I have one in all three of my cars) or mobile telephones, but I recognize them for what they are - ways of distracting the driver. But the thought of a few more slightly distracted drivers just doesn't bother me much. -- "The Model Citizen" Mike^Z Zaleski@Rutgers [ allegra, ihnp4 ] pegasus!mzal