Mobile Magazine » cell phone ban

North Korea: Use a Cell Phone, Go Straight to Jail

Michael Kwan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:05:13 +0000

We already know that things are pretty strict in North Korea, but even with the passing of “Dear Leader,” it looks like the rules are getting even stricter. In fact, if you are caught using a cell phone, you will be a deemed a war criminal and dealt with accordingly. And you don’t want to be dealt with.

Apparently, this is part of an official 100-day “mourning period” for the death of Kim Jong-il. During this time, there is a cell phone moratorium. That’s right. If you want to call your mom to tell her that you’re going to be late for dinner, that’s a war crime. It’s unclear what the prescribed war criminal punishment will be, but we know that Pyongyang doesn’t mess around. Forced labor camps and execution are definitely within the norm.

But there is a silver lining. It’s unlikely that too many people are going to be caught using a cell phone in North Korea during this “mourning period,” because less than five percent of their population can afford to have one in the first place. Speaking for myself, I know I’d be pretty ronery without my phone. How else would I be able to tweet on the go… oh wait, I guess I’m not allowed to do that either. Poor rittle me.

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Should there be a total ban on ANY cell phone use while driving?

Michael Kwan — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:06:39 +0000

You could be living anywhere from Toronto to Los Angeles, with the majority of cities having one sort of law or another preventing the use of handheld devices while driving. And now, a safety group wants to take things one step further by outright banning cell “conversations” regardless of any hands-free device used. You can thank a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health, “distracted driving fatalities caused by cell phone use and texting.” According to this study, we are to believe that an increase of 28% between 2005 and 2008 is because of cell phone usage. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), drivers 20 years and younger tend to be the most distracted while driving, but those aged 30 to 39 are most likely to be found using a cell phone while driving.

These reports show that it’s not the handheld-ness that causes accidents, it’s the distraction that drivers have when engaged in cell phone activities. I can drive just fine with one hand on the wheel (and the other on my phone), but conversing is what takes my attention away from the road. Do I endorse such a ban? Intellectually, I think I should since it could help save lives. But I still want to be able to chat, text, and Twitter while driving, that may be selfish, but new technologies are allowing for this to take place by simple voice commands. And this new ban would ruin those technologies and make about as much sense as not allowing drivers to speak with passengers in the vehicle, because really, you’re just having another conversation.

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Cell Phone Ban Results in MORE Cell Phone Usage?

Michael Kwan — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:00:57 +0000

You know how you’re not allowed to have a handheld cell phone while behind the wheel in California? A similar law has recently been activated in my hometown of Vancouver too, but it seems that these bans aren’t exactly effective, at least according to a recent survey conducted by the folks at the Transport Research Laboratory.

They did a study with car drivers in the UK and found that more drivers are using handheld mobile phones today than before the tougher penalties were introduced two years ago. More specifically, about 2.6% of drivers used handheld phones in 2006, but that has increased to 2.8% now. The new penalties include a 60GBP fine and three points added to licenses.

It seemed that the introduction of the stiffer penalties had a strong initial effect. In the first year following the new law, only 1.4% of drivers were found using handheld phones. After that, the number started to rise again, up to the current 2.8%.

So, what does this mean exactly? What are supposed to make of this data? Well, I guess people got used to the fines after the initial scare. This is not unlike what happens when speed limits change on major roads, I suppose.

Source: BBC

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Ontario Cell Phone Ban Kicks in October 26

Michael Kwan — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:07:12 +0000

Remember a few months ago when we learned that cell phones would be banned in Ontario? This would follow in teh footsteps of other jurisdictions, like California, where it is unlawful to use your handheld cell phone while behind the wheel of a vehicle. At the time, we didn’t know too much regarding the particulars, but we’ve learned a little more now.

Most importantly, we know about the effective date for Bill 118, also known as the “Countering Distracted Driving and Promoting Green Transportation Act.” There are some other stipulations in there, but the most important part for our purposes is the restriction on handheld phones while driving.

The Ontario cell phone ban kicks in on Monday, October 26, 2009. That’s less than a month away, so you may want to go shopping for some sort of handsfree device. I’m sure all the Bluetooth accessory retailers in Ontario are more than happy with the passing of Bill 118.

The new law goes into effect on October 26, but ticketing doesn’t start until February 1st of next year. That gives you some buffer time to adjust to the change, but if you do get caught, you can be hit with a ticket as high as $500. You won’t get any “points” though.

Source: MobileSyrup

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Americans in Favor of Ban on Texting While Driving

Michael Kwan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:54:00 +0000

OMG. Given how much we have come to rely on our cell phones for nearly every aspect of our lives, it’s interesting to see how this new survey turned out. Nationwide Insurance asked Americans whether they would support legislation that would ban drivers from sending text messages while driving and the overwhelming majority said they’d back that bill.

This follows in the footsteps of laws already passed in places like California where it is illegal to use a handheld cell phone while behind the wheel. That usually pointed toward voice communications, but the ban on handheld cell phone use would effectively block text messages and emails too.

The difference is that this possible upcoming legislation would come from US senators and the rest of the crew in DC, meaning that we could be looking at a nationwide ban on texting while driving. Of those surveyed, 80% said that they would support this ban.

Interestingly, it’s not just the technophobic older demographic who want to get these damn kids to put away their cell phones; support for the ban came from just about every walk of life and every age group. In fact, the mobile savvy Americans from Gen X and Gen Y (aged 21-44, collectively) “showed resounding support for texting restrictions.”

Studies have shown that cell phone distraction, as is the case with sending and receiving text messages, can be just as harmful as drunk driving. We don’t let people drive under the influence, so I guess this nationwide ban could be the next logical step. What about Canada? Are we getting a ban too?

Source: Intomobile

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