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Should India Ban Mobile Phone Use While Driving?

Techtree News Staff, Jan 15, 2009 1746 hrs IST

University of Utah patents Key2SafeDriving system that can turn off mobile phones while user is at the wheel

Talking on a mobile phone while driving is now being taken as a serious offence in the US, with New York and Washington already banning the use of phones behind the wheel.

As we all know, talking on cellphones while driving has led to an increasing number of accidents and the resultant loss of lives in our country; its time we have some rigid traffic rules.

Recently, the University of Utah patented a new Bluetooth device that can turn off mobile phones while you're at the wheel. With a rather unimaginative name, the "Key2SafeDriving" system is all set to hit production floors and would be on sale this year in the US. The system, once installed, initiates a wireless signal to the connected mobile phone and blocks the device, and essentially prevents users from texting or calling while the user is at the wheel.

Research has also proved that talking on a hands-free mobile phone while driving can be more dangerous than drinking and driving. They argue that it is always the level of concentration that is affected, and it doesn't matter whatever device you use.

However, the ambiguity revolving around the ban on the use of hands-free devices while driving still exists.

Techtree asks its readers, should India also enforce such a rule? Leave your comments in the section below and participate in our poll.

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University of Utah patented Bluetooth device Key2SafeDriving hands-free wheel texting New York Washington

Discussion Board

Suresh Raju

,Hyderabad, on Oct 30, 2009 02:00 PM

Let us wait for a day where the driver will be seen with plaster on his lips so that he won’t talk even to the co passengers…. Please don’t compare countries like the US or Europe to India at least when it is about Road safety, let us stop JUNGLIES jumping signals , wrong side driving, shopping while driving, erratic lane change, overloads in autos, The above are more dangerous than answering a call on a Bluetooth.

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Eric Koehlmoos

,Pierce NE., on Feb 06, 2009 01:40 AM

this is a great idea it would stop a lot of accidents from happening

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Shimul

,Dhaka, on Jan 31, 2009 09:04 PM

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Manoj

,Basti, on Jan 31, 2009 10:54 AM

I talking to mobile phone to internet

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vikram

,hyderabad, on Jan 19, 2009 08:31 PM

yes they should be banned.i am doing my bit by educating my friends against using cell phone while driving.i personally stand as an example for them by stopping by the side if i get an emergency or important call for sure.people should be educated and must be fined heavily

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ppkakkar

,Delhi, on Jan 16, 2009 05:52 PM

India should definitely ban use of mobile devives while driving. It not only takes away the concentration of the driver from driving but also distracts others. The driver is not only endangering his own life but also the life of other occupants in the vehicle and of others on the road.

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Chaitanya S. Te

,Mumbai, on Jan 16, 2009 03:01 PM

India should surely enforce the rule "Not To Use Mobile Phone While Driving". Somebody has correctly said that Using Mobile While Driving May Make One Immobile :).

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vjm

,bombay, on Jan 16, 2009 02:18 PM

Most definitely, YES. Driving while talking is a hazard to the oneself and the general public. Justin, I like your additional ideas for things to ban while driving. I'd just like to add one more - honking. Our people use the horn instead of the brakes.

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Srini

,HYD, on Jan 16, 2009 01:21 PM

YES, WE HAVE PUT VERY BIG FINE ON PEOPLE WHO USE MOBILE WHEN DRIVING, THEY ARE CAUSING ACCIDETNS AND TRAFIC JAMS. I HOPE NO ONE THAT BUSY DON'T HAVE TIME PARK VECHILE AND TAKE CALL.

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Kavi Rama Murth

,Bangalore, on Jan 16, 2009 10:58 AM

Absolutely. There should be a very hefty fine (say Rs. 500) for a single offense and repeat offenders should lose their driving license.

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Justin Jerald

,Coimbatore, on Jan 15, 2009 12:41 PM

In India our government should ban the following while people driving on vehicles and seriously punished the offenders. 1. Talking on Cell phone 2. Spiting from a speedy vehicle (Most dangerous for drivers behind them to avoid the hit on their face) 3. Zig-Zag and Room-Vroom drivers 4. Over Speed 5. Those who are all think that Traffic Signals are not form them. The offenders who caught for the second time should be put in jail and their license to be cancelled for ever. The owner of the vehicle also should be punished.

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pavan

,hyderabad, on Jan 15, 2009 11:59 AM

yes, absolutely.. if the call is so important and one cant afford to miss it, then stop at a side n recieve it.. i see this happening mostly with college goers .. firstly, they drive so fast and on top of it, this aweful habit.. someone has to make them realize..by hook or by crook..

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NIsha

,Delhi, on Jan 15, 2009 11:08 AM

yes india should go for this system......

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