Driving and the cell phone.

[achris]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I take this issue VERY seriously.

I hope and pray those of you who don't take this seriously never suffer the pain of having one of your own die because they had a head on collison with someone texting.

It is humanly impossible to focus on these two things at once (driving and texting) the brain dosen't function that way. If I get time, I will find the study that was done recently and only 2% of human beings can do this. Trust me, chances are you are not in the 2 percentile.

I'm with you on this LF... The thing is that 98% of the population think they are in the 2%.... It's down to the 'it won't happen to me' syndrome.

We have a 'no phones' law here but I still see people talking/texting while driving, virtually every time I go out.... Ever more annoying is that they are (usually) young girls, or tradies. And the tradies should know better.

What is it with young girls and cell phones? Do they really need to be talking/chatting to their friends every single second of the day?? We had a visit from my step-daughter (from Russia) and when we took a drive up north she screeched with horror when we left the city and had no cell coverage for 2 hours! It was like her life was over. Can someone explain this to me, because at the moment I'm damned if I can understand it....

C.........

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I dont know why but it is almost inposible to stop a young girl with a car and a cell phone from driving while using it. They can see friends die from it and it wont stop them.Nothing will stop them.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I take this issue VERY seriously.

I hope and pray those of you who don't take this seriously never suffer the pain of having one of your own die because they had a head on collison with someone texting.

It is humanly impossible to focus on these two things at once (driving and texting) the brain dosen't function that way. If I get time, I will find the study that was done recently and only 2% of human beings can do this. Trust me, chances are you are not in the 2 percentile.

Very well said Ladyfish. I am in complete agreement with what you say.
My thoughts are that the 98% think they are the 2% and the 2% are not crazy enough to do what the 98% think they can.
Just my thoughts though.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I don't have a cell phone, my wife does, and she only talks on it while I'm driving. When I'm by myself, without a phone, I feel pretty independent

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I don't have a cell phone, my wife does, and she only talks on it while I'm driving. When I'm by myself, without a phone, I feel pretty independent

I like my privacy.Don't want to be answering a phone when sitting down.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

New company policy at work, must stop and pull over when in company vehicle when using company or personal cell phone.
This is a zero tolerance policy for the COO on down.
Get caught and it is immediate termination.
BTW it is illegal to operate a cell phone while moving in any commercial vehicle while moving....get caught and it is a $2750 fine per FMC law

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

^^^^^ I wonder how that affects taxi and shuttle bus drivers. The use hand held, two way communications devices quite often. The law here prohibits use of hand helds except if it's a part of your job.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I think they should be disabled as soon as you sit at the steering wheel.

 

[achris]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

^^^^^ I wonder how that affects taxi and shuttle bus drivers. The use hand held, two way communications devices quite often. The law here prohibits use of hand helds except if it's a part of your job.

Generally two-way radio conversations are over and done with in about 30 seconds... The big problem with cell phones is people get on them and stay talking for 5-10 minutes.

It should be law that if the GPS in a cell phone detects that it is traveling more than, say, 10 mph, then it automatically disables.

Chris...

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

What about a device that blocks all cell phone signals in your car that will give people who have it a discount on insurance. The ones that will defend the right to use one while driving will have to pay MUCH more for insurance.

 

[skargo]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

What about a device that blocks all cell phone signals in your car that will give people who have it a discount on insurance. The ones that will defend the right to use one while driving will have to pay MUCH more for insurance.

Great idea!

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Use my cell while driving about 8 times a day. I do not text. Never ever had a near collision while on the cell. I've been accident prone not using the phone,usually the person infront of me is going to slow entering a rotary.

"Warning: Never stop, go, then stop in a rotary when I'm behind you."

 

[nlain]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Have seen them texting but the local law enforcement here talk on cellphones all the time, don't know what they will do if a no cellphone law goes into effect here.

 

[achris]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

Have seen them texting but the local law enforcement here talk on cellphones all the time, don't know what they will do if a no cellphone law goes into effect here.

Probably just ignore it, like they do everywhere else...

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

My work supplies my cell. In town with busy traffic, I ignore calls. Out of town in the boondocks with no traffic, then I'll receive calls. I tell them right off that I am driving and make it short. Tell me what you need and want me to do. If the call is going to be of any length and require distracting thought, I'll pull off the road. Its no fun talking being distracted and miss your exit which requires a 40 mile detour. Its best to pull off if you know you are going to be distracted in any way.

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

So i have a question,

Here in washington state it is illegal to drive and talk on the phone (unless you are using a hands free device). It is a secondary offense here, and if you get pulled over you can get a ticket for talking on the phone.

Here is the question, how many people have this law and still see police officers talking on there phones? I see it all the time around here, and yet i will get in trouble for it. This really irritates me.

For example, a couple months ago the chief of police in seattle was off duty and checking email on his phone. He rear-ended a person at a stop light. All he had to do was give a public apology and even tried to play it off as "this is why we don't use our phones and drive" kind of thing. Do officers not have to abide by the same rules I do? am I missing something?

Please also don't get me wrong, I have the greatest respect for what the men and woman in blue do for my community around here, and I know that they put there lives on the line all the time for my safety. I do however feel on some things, they can get away with too much.

Just some thoughts on this cell phone subject.

New law in Washington--it's no longer a secondary offense. Starting in June (I think. . .) you can be pulled over just for talking on your cell phone.

As to police officers using them, the Chief in Seattle was driving as a private citizen when he screwed up. He'll pay the fine and his insurance will pay for the damage. Being a cop doesn't make you immune from making mistakes, including some which are illegal.

As to cops talking while driving, I've got mixed opinions. I don't think they should do it, but the fact that they make a mistake doesn't mean that other people should make that same mistake. They often need to use cell phones as part of their job ensuring public safety. They also get to drive over the speed limit. Doesn't mean that I can.

 

[QC]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

This is always a heated debate and I understand why. I actually agree mostly with Rick back a few pages.

Forget dialing for a second, and of course texting. What's the difference between listening to a hands free conversation and listening to talk radio? Of course I said "listenting" and your reaction was that's passive but talking is active. OK, got it. Now, when you "listen" to talk radio, do you ever say inside your brain "that guy's a flippin' fool!" or "yeah, I agree with that"? If you are even close to human, I think the obvious answer is "of course, idiot . . . what's your stupid point?" OK, so if you were able to formulate those thoughts in your head while listening to talk radio, was there any distraction? OK, and what about those of us who actually scream at the radio "you stupid, son of a gun, global warming is . . . " (thought I'd go there huh?) . . . But seriously, don't you ever yell at the radio? What about the news? Do you ever react? i.e process info and formulate an opinion?

Sooooooo . . . again, forget dialing for a second. What's the difference between what I just described and a cell phone conversation by hands free?

And then, what's the difference between that and picking up your kid from school and saying "how was your day?"

Soooooo . . . if we are pulled over to dial, or we answer an incoming call (hit the button, just like changing the radio station). What is the difference? Are you zero tolerance types prepared to outlaw radios? Conversations with live human beings? Thoughts?

I'll never understand how these types of discussions aren't carried through to their logical conclusion . . .

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

This is always a heated debate and I understand why. I actually agree mostly with Rick back a few pages.

Forget dialing for a second, and of course texting. What's the difference between listening to a hands free conversation and listening to talk radio? Of course I said "listenting" and your reaction was that's passive but talking is active. OK, got it. Now, when you "listen" to talk radio, do you ever say inside your brain "that guy's a flippin' fool!" or "yeah, I agree with that"? If you are even close to human, I think the obvious answer is "of course, idiot . . . what's your stupid point?" OK, so if you were able to formulate those thoughts in your head while listening to talk radio, was there any distraction? OK, and what about those of us who actually scream at the radio "you stupid, son of a gun, global warming is . . . " (thought I'd go there huh?) . . . But seriously, don't you ever yell at the radio? What about the news? Do you ever react? i.e process info and formulate an opinion?

Sooooooo . . . again, forget dialing for a second. What's the difference between what I just described and a cell phone conversation by hands free?

And then, what's the difference between that and picking up your kid from school and saying "how was your day?"

Soooooo . . . if we are pulled over to dial, or we answer an incoming call (hit the button, just like changing the radio station). What is the difference? Are you zero tolerance types prepared to outlaw radios? Conversations with live human beings? Thoughts?

I'll never understand how these types of discussions aren't carried through to their logical conclusion . . .

Heres your answer..You see any conversation requires MORE concentration than just hearing someone talk on the radio. Also in case you didnt know any distraction that can affect your driving is already against the law in most states.

 

[QC]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

I knew they were planning to take my kids away. Knew it!!!

 

[aspeck]

Re: Driving and the cell phone.

And bees flying in the window! They will be outlawed also!

I try not to give them any attention, but it is just too dang hard not too!