New System Detects Calls While Driving

Gary writes "Talking on your cellphone while driving isn't a crime in most states, but it should be. Studies have shown that people who drive and talk are many times more likely to have an accident. A new company is releasing a device to automatically detect drivers talking on their cell phones. Instead of police officers needing to observe a cellphone in use, the system automatically detects a cell phone call and records which car was making the call." The article is fairly light on details, but it would be interesting to see how the system differentiates from a driver talking on a cell phone versus a mere passenger.

Sooo...

[Tuoqui]

Who thinks a blow up doll in the car will fool this technology?

Not just cell phones

[badc0ffee]

I was driving down the freeway with all the other traffic doing about 70MPH when I noticed this blond in the car next to me putting on her makeup in the rear view mirror. She started creeping into my lane, and upset me so much I dropped my cell phone into my coffee, which got my donuts all wet and soggy.

I go for a bicycle ride every morning and have noticed that in about 1 of 4 cars, the driver is either not looking at the road while dialing, talking or just finishing a call. If I have to cross traffic, I make sure the driver sees and acknowledges my presence. If they are on a cell phone, even at a stop sign, they are either oblivious to my presence or the invisibility cloak is working.

Re:Here it comes

[russ1337]

There was a radio breakfast show in Melbourne Australia talking to the legendary (and not very bright) Warwick Capper [wikipedia.org] who they were interviewing by phone while he was in his car. Warwick says he has to put the phone down because there is a cop up ahead and does so... you then heard the high-pitch thick aussie accent shrill of a female saying "Warrick.... I'm the one driving".

Re:Sooo...

[Tablizer]

Who thinks a blow up doll in the car will fool this technology?

Still hoping your "companion" investment will pay off, eh?
     

Re:it's just a hidden tax

[Anonymous Coward]

Sneezing while driving is illegal?

Re:Legal cell phone use

[Anonymous Coward]

this is your wife. i hope you find the couch comfortable.

Re:What's the difference?

[caluml]

The person on the other end of the phone just keeps babbling away, unaware that a semi is not totally in his lane and I have to decide whether to pass or ease off the gas.

You need silence for that? Shit. I must be Michael Schumacher or something.

Re:Like seatbelt laws....

[paganizer]

Smoking?
I quit smoking a while back, but I'm pretty sure that outside of the lighting process, absolutely no brain activity is required whatsover to smoke.
Which might be why so many people do it, come to think of it.

But but but...

[w3woody]

If you outlaw blow jobs, then only outlaws will get blow jobs.