Oh sweet irony...

[friendofjimmyk]

Ok, my question is...Were you really talking on the phone and driving with your elbow?

Yes, I was on the phone - with another driver - however, I was NOT driving with my elbow!!!!

[Giggle Goose]

To be the devils advocate, hands-free headsets are a red herring, as it really doesn't decrease the driver's level of distraction.

I agree. I heard somewhere that it's the conversation itself that is distracting, not necessarily having just one hand driving. It certainly helps to have both hands, but it's no guarantee that it's perfectly safe to be talking on a headset.

however, I was NOT driving with my elbow!!!!

This is the part that got me. I don't know how that's even possible. Unless your elbow has an opposable thumb-like appendage growing out of it.

[MadMike]

I agree. I heard somewhere that it's the conversation itself that is distracting, not necessarily having just one hand driving.

No argument there. I can't even begin to count how many times I've done something like miss my exit because I was deep in conversation with someone who was in the car with me. I wasn't on the phone, and I had both hands on the wheel, but I got distracted by being so deep in conversation.

[KuzcoLlama]

Along with what Madmike said: On Mythbusters they showed that driving while talking on the cellphone is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.

[zelper]

Maybe. However, there are people who will abuse those "report" lines just to make trouble for someone. These include people calling because a truck is going "too slow" (i.e. obeying the speed limit) and they're in a hurry.

Yes, that's absolutely true.

But given the OP has admitted to using a phone while driving that is not the case here.

[friendofjimmyk]

Yes, that's absolutely true.

But given the OP has admitted to using a phone while driving that is not the case here.

*Sigh* yes I admitted it because 1) it's not against the law here and 2) it was job related! So, I have no issue admitting I was on the phone and I am sure I'll do it again - However, I'm more interested in how she thought I was driving with my elbow or even remotely close enough to think I was driving with my elbow. I have attempted this in our parking lot, away from other vehicles just to see if it's remotely possible or even what I may have been doing to make her think I was elbow driving. Hmm???? Eh, its not that big a deal

[B&NGoddess]

oh, its possible to drive with an elbow or two. or a knee. or a foot, for that matter. especially on straightaways. i also saw one dude with his arms over the steering wheel and his chin resting on his arms. i was like, "how the fuck are you driving?"

douchebaggery at its finest.

[Andara Bledin]

They felt the need to pass a law about driving while on your cell phone here in California unless you're using a hands free set.

It's a really lame law, and it's just one of those "feel good" things to stop people whining.

I say this for two reasons:

1) Technically, if you're not using a hands free unit, you are breaking the law. There are some old laws on the books that are almost never enforced that state that you must have both hands on the wheel while driving except when you must use your hand to shift gears, or when you are using your arm to signal.

So, eating food, sipping soda, holding your cell phone, aeroplaning with your hand out the window are all ticketable offenses and a cop can pull anyone over for any of them at any time. Don't ask me why they didn't already do this.

2) As mentioned, it's the distraction of the call itself that's dangerous, not that you're holding a phone.

So, what it boils down to is that they passed a redundant law that will have no effect on how well people drive since all of those bozos will have hands free units and be just as distracted.

Back OT: Your elbow? Maybe for a very short moment on a straightaway, but after about a quarter mile, you're going to start drifting more than you can correct with an elbow. There's just not enough traction.

^-.-^