Faces of distracted driving - Please read!

[MIB41]

It's like anything. Proper use and application should be taught and promoted, especially where kids are involved. From my perspective its about tolerance and what you project as a parent. I don't let them fall into a mindless text session in their rooms for hours. And their forbidden to view any internet sites unless their supervised. There are scores of parents who excuse themselves from accountability with the blanket excuse, "Well all the kids do it." No sir. Not here they don't. Sure, you have to administer some degree of trust and let them roam and find things out for themselves. But where predators exist, I make my presence known. They exist both online and in text messaging, so I'm vigilant without apologies for it. No, you can't shelter kids from society, because that only makes them naive adults when their older. But I want them to have their eyes wide open. And where they can't, that's where I will be. I started this thread because I feel like it applies to all ages. And hopefully if it gets one person to reconsider how they use their cell phone, especially when their driving, then starting the thread was worthwhile. Alot of good people on this forum and I don't want to see them suffer any of the tragedies profiled on that report.

[huedell]

By that same reasoning they should make roads have no speedlimits if you have an emergency and must get somewhere quickly.

That's faulty reasoning because by the time you get into specifics with things like the type road, type of driving scenario etc etc etc then
you're talking apples and oranges and the analogy falls apart.

[johnmiic]

I don't get why a person needs a phone to "text". It's so stupid! Put the earphone in yer damn ear and "talk" hands free/eyes up and forward.

I do think tho, the cell phone was an invention we as a people were not ready for. People are not responsible enough to own cell phones. I see adults driving while talking with the phone in their hands which is illegal in NY. The law don't help. People are determined to do the wrong thing regardless.

[Duncan]

I talk on my phone, drink coffee, eat, etc., all the time while driving, and (knock wood) don't have an issue. On texting I agree: you can't do it with eyes on the road and at least one hand on the wheel. That's not safe. But drinking coffee - how is that different than driving a stick? Eyes on the road, one hand on the wheel...what's wrong with that? Anyone who can't maintain control with one hand shouldn't have a license. Even when my other hand is empty, I usually keep it on the shifter or arm rest.

[TrueDave]

Driving is dangerous as HELL.

Your emergency isnt MY emergency. Whatever your emergency phone call is has instantlly made driving along side you more dangerous. Its an instant direct threat to my life and I react badly to scary threats like that.

if you drive and use your phone keep in mind there is ME out there driving along too. I see you and I feel threatened. You should too.
Think about that before you dial while driving. You are putting yourselves in danger of ME!
Sadly I dont have the social skill or mental stability to NOT reach in and haul someone out of thier car at a stop light. eventually It will happen.

I have been fired and arrested my whole life cause i acted out. So if phone drivers need a deterrent there it is.

[torgospizza]

I see a lot of people holding up the flow of traffic by messing w/ their cells. Maybe we should just start laying on the horns are interrupting their calls. Of course, if they don't get it now, they won't get it then.

[Duncan]

If you look at the research on why people tend not to drive well while talking on the phone, you'll see that the main issue has to do with brain function. Most people can't do two demanding things at once, like driving well while carrying on a real conversation. This also applies to driving with passengers in the car, but is often mitigated because passengers are smart enough to shut up when the driver is doing something important - say turning left at a busy intersection. The person on the other end of the cel phone has no idea what the driver is doing, and therefore can't respond in the same way.

The solution that my wife and I have found is pretty obvious: when we actually have to do something behind the wheel, we feel free to put down the phone or just block out the other person. Quite often after making my left turn, I'll have to ask the wife to repeat whatever she's said for the past 30 seconds, because I haven't been listening. It's understood that this isn't rude or insulting; it's just necessary. For me, driving with passengers (kids) is much more challenging because I can't make them be quiet, and our conversations tend to be more engaging in person.

[huedell]

Maybe we should just start laying on the horns are interrupting their calls. Of course, if they don't get it now, they won't get it then.

Good wisdom you got in there...horns are often little more than vengeful noise.

For careful drivers horns are virtually unnecessary.

I've been in the car for squillions of hours with my dad...and only seen
him blow his horn a couple times.

[huedell]

Driving is dangerous as HELL.

Your emergency isnt MY emergency. Whatever your emergency phone call is has instantlly made driving along side you more dangerous. Its an instant direct threat to my life and I react badly to scary threats like that.

if you drive and use your phone keep in mind there is ME out there driving along too. I see you and I feel threatened. You should too.
Think about that before you dial while driving. You are putting yourselves in danger of ME!
Sadly I dont have the social skill or mental stability to NOT reach in and haul someone out of thier car at a stop light. eventually It will happen.

I have been fired and arrested my whole life cause i acted out. So if phone drivers need a deterrent there it is.

I'd tell your "victims" not to live in fear of bullies....
but merely to behave in a smart manner when utilizing cells
in their vehicles along the lines of what Duncan has been posting about....
that's a better mindset and plan than threats to the world populace
over an Internet message board.

[TrueDave]

I'd tell your "victims" not to live in fear of bullies....
but merely to behave in a smart manner when utilizing cells
in their vehicles along the lines of what Duncan has been posting about....
that's a better mindset and plan than threats to the world populace
over an Internet message board.

Never claimed to have a sound mindset.

All it takes to properly fear the deadly power of the auto is a head on collison and a totalled truck. Having a camera tube shoved up your nose to check for a crushed windpipe ( worse than the wreck) and having your front teeth grinded and bonded, over and over. Laying in a crowded emergency alone all night in shock. . . .



Call it PTSD.

Bullies START fights. You think the lady in the original post wouldnt prefer getting busted for a fistfight if it would bring back her daughter?

If someone at my shooting range started walking around with a loaded shotgun not observing the safety rules I guarente you someone would tackle the moron.

I know it's ugly. I know it's harsh and i am nausous at FEELING violent but it is a "flight or Flight " response.

My Life In Direct Jepordy. Distracted Drivers. = Self Defence.

I am wrong. I feel sickly terrified I know. But Distracted driving isnt okay.

And putting peoples lives at risk needlessly is wrong too.

Remeber the texting train tram operator a year or two ago? It was in CA or NYC. 25 dead.

I like you guys. I dont mean to of put anyone. this is my Hotspot. It isnt a Tornado, Polio or SIDS, its something that can be prevented.

Its the only hopeful thing I ask of the goverment anymore. We should have had tech laws from the beginning. We knew. After cars, trains, tv, raido, we should have known.

I want Zero Tolerance laws. Please.