We already have them. They're called off ramps and connect to surface streets where it is safe to stop and talk. Except in the most desolate parts of the country one is never on a freeway and more than 10 minutes away from one.

My favorite observed cell phone accident was a woman in a stick shift on a hill in San Francisco. She didn't notice she was rolling backwards and front-ended the car behind her at the grand speed of about 2 miles an hour. Despite the honking of that other car.

I talk on work calls while driving all of the time and have used a bluetooth headset for several years now. It''s a necessity with my job as I'm either driving or walking dogs when I'm out and can't handle a phone safely while I'm doing those things. My bluetooth was eaten by Thurston a week ago and, I'm am only grateful that I didn't have a lot of phone work to do while I was without a headset. I have the non-bluetooth ear buds I can use while driving but they aren't practical while walking dogs.

The other advantage of my headset is that it rings in my ear before it rings on the phone. So, I actually hear the phone when it rings as opposed to it being in it's case and I miss a call. Missing a call means dialing and I really don't like to even look at my phone while driving.

As for the blinking light, the only purpose is to signal that the headset is on. I always take mine off in theaters or other dark places. Even I can see the blue glow and it is annoying and, I'm not going to be using my phone there anyways.

We lived for years without the internet, and yet we wouldn't want to live without it (chances are pretty good that most people reading this are doing it from work). We lived for years without automobiles. You can't look back.

Speaking strictly for myself (and myself only), I feel very confident in saying that I am a SAFER driver when I am on the phone.

How you ask?

Simple: I drive slower (usually the speed limit), don't change lanes, and stay within the flow of traffic when I am on the phone. Whereas when I am usually speeding and frequently changing lanes when I am not on the phone.

No, that isn't the right solution, but it is mine.
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Similar to NA, I use the time I am driving (usually on my way home from work, and almost exclusively on the freeway) to talk to people that I might otherwise NOT call. It is a productivity tool for me and I use it as such.

Bluetooth is not an accessory; unless you're this guy.

And I feel confident in saying you're wrong about being safer. But yeah, if you're an asshole driver normally it may be hard to tell the difference and maybe it is a net improvement. Though if you're an asshole driver normally, I'd just go ahead and ask you to stop driving.

I also would encourage people to not use the internet while driving either. Or watch TV. Or put on their make-up. Or read the newspaper. Or paint their toenails. Or sew a new pair of cargo pants.

Talking on the phone via bluetooth is no different than talking to a person in the car.

Yes it is, and studies have demonstrated it repeatedly. The nature of phone conversation seems to differ in some fundamental way with talking to other people in the car.

Too bad. Still gonna use my phone in the car.

With my cool new Bluetooth.

Didn't expect otherwise.

But if all the drivers are wearing headsets, how am I supposed to reach in and throw their phone in the gutter after they almost run me over in the crosswalk?

(Not that I ever did such a thing)