Cell phones and Driving...

steffen19k

So I was on my way back today. I saw this chick CLEARLY texting. The phone was up about steering wheel height.
We're at a red light, so I give her the "hang up" gesture. I wish she had had her window down so I could tell her to hang up.

She flips me off, and then proceeds to behave as if I just told her to do something offensive.

And somehow, I get the impression that if I were to take action I'd be in the wrong...

Why is it people can get a license to drive a 5000 lb vehicle that can move at 60 mph more easily than someone can get a license to wield a fire arm???

And why isn't it self defense to shoot people using a cellphone and driving???

Obviously these are somewhat rhetorical questions. But its still something I contemplate...

Any thoughts on what I can do to handle these situations better???

Clearly I am sick and tired of risking my life on the road around people who arent paying attention because of cars that do everything and a lack of willpower to let it wait until they're off the road.

I wish I could find a real ambulance chaser so I could file a frivolous lawsuit against the people who make it possible for phones to work in a moving car.

Eli

steffen19k wrote: »

Any thoughts on what I can do to handle these situations better???

Wear your seatbelt.

Be aware of other cars around you.

When at a red-light, mind your own business.

ilove22s

since driving is a prividge (but people think its a right) and if those that abuse it should pay for it in one way or another. you could have snapped her pic and posted it on the web.

just a side not, a local guy is running for Mayor? has iirc, 6 driving violations w/o a license. so it was brought up why hes running for Mayor but i would have to ask, how someone can get away with that. I know full well, i couldnt. to me it just shows his charactrer. If he gets in it just shows how poeple dont think about things like that. although our current mayor isnt any better imo.

Bigslug

The world is ALWAYS trying to kill you Steffen. If this worries you, you just need to get better at not dying.

shotgunshooter3

Does it really matter if someone is texting at a red light? The vehicle isn't moving, etc. So long as they catch the turn to green (and where I live they would get honked at after about 2 seconds either way) who cares?

I understand why texting in a moving vehicle is a huge no-go, but I don't care if they respond to a message while waiting at a light.

NN

Any thoughts

Naw, just ask Clean.

tennmike

Texting at a red light, I don't care if they do, but they best go when the light turns green. Texting or talking on their phone while driving, I stay back a safe distance and watch them as they are usually all over the road. If I'm passing one and they start drifting my way, I just lay down on the horn.

Sad fact is, it's tools like them that are making cell phone disabling devices something the NTSB is seriously mandating being installed in new vehicles. Punishment for all because of the stupidity of the few. Let Darwin weed them out.

NN

Let Darwin weed them out.

Ok, if they will go quietly and not insist on taking someone with them.

steffen19k

tennmike wrote: »

...Sad fact is, it's tools like them that are making cell phone disabling devices something the NTSB is seriously mandating being installed in new vehicles. Punishment for all because of the stupidity of the few. Let Darwin weed them out.

The problem I've seen is it is NOT the few idiots using cellphones and driving... Its a majority of idiots. This is not anything like firearms, where the majority are truly responsible.

NTSB would NOT be considering disabling devices for this problem if there were not polls somewhere that warranted such extreme action. If there were as many drunk drivers as text & drivers on the road, NTSB would be mandating breathalyzers in all cars.

coolgunguy

Eli wrote: »

Wear your seatbelt.

Be aware of other cars around you.

When at a red-light, mind your own business.

:that:

Bigslug wrote: »

The world is ALWAYS trying to kill you Steffen. If this worries you, you just need to get better at not dying.

:applause:

tennmike wrote: »

Texting at a red light, I don't care if they do, but they best go when the light turns green. Texting or talking on their phone while driving, I stay back a safe distance and watch them as they are usually all over the road. If I'm passing one and they start drifting my way, I just lay down on the horn.

Sad fact is, it's tools like them that are making cell phone disabling devices something the NTSB is seriously mandating being installed in new vehicles. Punishment for all because of the stupidity of the few. Let Darwin weed them out.

Mike's got it right too. The problem is that folks are gonna be folks no matter what you legislate. There are multiple avenues to 'get' a distracted driver on the books as it is, why is it neccessary to add more? I don't know that there is a jurisdiction ANYWHERE that doesn't already have some sort of distracted driving rule...why is it so important that we single out this particular type or that particular type of distracted driving? Why should it matter HOW you distracted yourself. whether it was texting, talking, changing radio stations, smacking the kids in back, putting on makeup, taking off wiskers, reading a book/map/newspaper, eating a cheeseburger or pouring hot coffee in your lap?

tennmike

steffen19k wrote: »

The problem I've seen is it is NOT the few idiots using cellphones and driving... Its a majority of idiots. This is not anything like firearms, where the majority are truly responsible.

NTSB would NOT be considering disabling devices for this problem if there were not polls somewhere that warranted such extreme action. If there were as many drunk drivers as text & drivers on the road, NTSB would be mandating breathalyzers in all cars.

That breathalyzer in cars thing was proposed several years ago, and is eventually going to be mandated that all manufacturers install them in new cars. Polls had nothing to do with this being considered; the statistics showing the increasing number of deaths and injuries caused by intoxicated drivers is driving it. The statistics showing the number of accidents caused by texting and talking on cell phones is driving the disabling device mandate that will eventually be law. Some people (a huge and growing number) are such idiots that they require a nanny state to take away their toys to keep them from harming themselves and others.

Get on YouTube and watch all the idiots walking into poles, falling into holes and fountains, and open manholes while they are totally zoned into their phones texting. It's both funny and scary that these people are allowed on the streets without an escort from the government to keep them from injuring themselves while they walk 'n' text, and then suing somebody because of their own stupidity. (That last sentence is dripping with sarcasm, BTW)

centermass556

What's the difference between talking on the phone and having a conversation in the vehicle while drinking or eating? Seriously.

I can understand the texting while the vehicle is moving, but you are actually taking your eyes off the road...

But I bet if we pulled the numbers, we would find a common trait in the trend of motor vehicle accidents. AGE....not a cell phone, though that will be one of the trends..but I bet the age is the biggest thing.

Jim Tom

I never could figure out why nobody griped about people using CB radios while driving, but they gripe about people using cell phones. Texting is another matter entirely.

SirGeorgeKillian

centermass556 wrote: »

What's the difference between talking on the phone and having a conversation in the vehicle while drinking or eating? Seriously.

The problem isn't while you are in a conversation, it is dialing numbers, looking down to answer your phone, reaching for phone when it rings ect.

My phone has a car dock. It goes in there when I get in the Jeep, and I use it for all kinds of things from listening to music (wired through the car stereo) to navigation to monitoring my engine (blue tooth OBDII reader) when I call someone, or answer my phone, it is done handS free, as in it takes one finger to do....

Bakerman

You going to tell her not to put eye make up on in the morning? You going to tell her not to brush her hair at the light? You going to tell me to put my coffee cup down? You going to tell them to put the sandwich down? You going to tell them to not change the radio............er........Ipod? ........ You going to tell them not to program the gps?

You're going to be a busy fellow without new friends.

Buford

Well I travel the Los Angeles 10,5 and 101 interchange daily a lot of time is spent crawling along. I am absolutely amazed at the things people do while driving. Even with the $150.00 cell phone ticket a lot of people have a phone in their ear. You can always tell who is on the phone they are the ones weaving in and out of their lane. How do you fix stupid?

Buffco

I'm texting this while zooming down the interstate, so I'm getting a kick outta these replies...

bruchi

My dream which I have mentioned before and would do wonders for the country finances is to first to make use of any communication device on a vehicle that has a key in the ignition ILLEGAL, even if it is parked, eliminate intent! Then make mandatory that all mobile phones must be attached to a social security number, develop a device that will read the culprit's mobile phone info and take a picture of them while they drive and talk or text and send an army of folks out on the streets with this devices, payment to them will be a percentage of fines collected.

Once "caught" this device will contact their service provider with this info who would lock all the account/s of whomever has the SSN attached to this phone, the image of the law breaker will be uploaded to a website and a message will be sent to the idiot behind the wheel informing him that outside of calling 911 all service will be locked and only reconnected after a fine is paid let everyone know where the website is so they can see a picture of them breaking the law.

The fine? First offense, $500, second $5000, third, decapitation.

centermass556

The government that governs least governs best...

Buffy, you and I think alike...

Do you guys have any idea what the 19 year old Xbox champion of de Moines Iowa has to do while driving his MRAP or M1151 on he roads in buttcrackistahn....but yet, when he comes home he has to go "10 and 2" and make sure he has no "distractions" to interrupt his driving...

Is it really the devices? If you think it is, you are fooling yourself. It is the training and mental acuity that is failing theses kids. Think about it. Think about what you were capable of at 16-18 years old and what the average 16-18 year old now can accomplish. Sure they may have super test scores, but in reality we have dumbed down and weakened the kids of today. I am sure this has been said about many generations since the industrial revolution, but it is extremely true today. It is systemic. Around the country. There are pockets here and there that still have late teen kids that are responsible and not part of the weaker herd, but for the most part....yeah the young won't survive if things get hard.

gator

bruchi wrote: »

My dream which I have mentioned before and would do wonders for the country finances is to first to make use of any communication device on a vehicle that has a key in the ignition ILLEGAL, even if it is parked, eliminate intent! Then make mandatory that all mobile phones must be attached to a social security number, develop a device that will read the culprit's mobile phone info and take a picture of them while they drive and talk or text and send an army of folks out on the streets with this devices, payment to them will be a percentage of fines collected.

Once "caught" this device will contact their service provider with this info who would lock all the account/s of whomever has the SSN attached to this phone, the image of the law breaker will be uploaded to a website and a message will be sent to the idiot behind the wheel informing him that outside of calling 911 all service will be locked and only reconnected after a fine is paid let everyone know where the website is so they can see a picture of them breaking the law.

The fine? First offense, $500, second $5000, third, decapitation.

So much for the "Land of the free"

CHIRO1989

Call 911, report a driver swerving in traffic, cops will be there soon enough.

Buffco

I do have a rule though. I never text, drink, and drive. That's just irresponsible.

Buford

bruchi wrote: »

My dream which I have mentioned before and would do wonders for the country finances is to first to make use of any communication device on a vehicle that has a key in the ignition ILLEGAL, even if it is parked, eliminate intent! Then make mandatory that all mobile phones must be attached to a social security number, develop a device that will read the culprit's mobile phone info and take a picture of them while they drive and talk or text and send an army of folks out on the streets with this devices, payment to them will be a percentage of fines collected.

Once "caught" this device will contact their service provider with this info who would lock all the account/s of whomever has the SSN attached to this phone, the image of the law breaker will be uploaded to a website and a message will be sent to the idiot behind the wheel informing him that outside of calling 911 all service will be locked and only reconnected after a fine is paid let everyone know where the website is so they can see a picture of them breaking the law.

The fine? First offense, $500, second $5000, third, decapitation.

Damn, just let the government control everything.

DoctorWho

Funny thing, when I was a LEO, I pulled over My unmarked car to call dispatch, and another car ripped off My front bumper and tried to blame Me for it, and I was legally and properly parked, engine off.....

coolgunguy

DoctorWho wrote: »

Funny thing, when I was a LEO, I pulled over My unmarked car to call dispatch, and another car ripped off My front bumper and tried to blame Me for it, and I was legally and properly parked, engine off.....

IIRC, that would have been a little before the texting craze took us by storm....almost seems impossible considering that the only problem we face on the roads is rampant thumb talkers. Yep, if they'd just pass that law...

I'm not picking on you Doc. I just think all the talk about texting is funny. You'd think that before the invention of these electronic commo. devices we never had any problems. :roll:

Razorbacker

Buffco wrote: »

I do have a rule though. I never text, drink, and drive. That's just irresponsible.

Totally agree and this cannot be emphasized enough, What I do is, I have a length of broom handle jammed between the seat bottom and the gas pedal. That way I can dance with both feet and still maintain a a constant, safe speed. Also, while my sweetie handles commo, nav, and weps, (in case we see a deer) I can mix her cosmos and my dirty martinis. I generally prefer brown liquor at home but while driving that hard bite of tater juice really keeps me alert and focused.

wildgene

...I believe in keeping "situational awareness" & driving defensively, & I don't think I'm that far out of line to expect the same from other drivers, but it seems most people are so self-absorbed they aren't aware of anything else going on it the world beyond their own personal bubble. When you're driving you're taking personal responsibility for operating a potentially dangerous machine, most people either forget that fact, or never even realized it in the first place...

...the "It's alright, everybody else does it" attitude get people killed, hopefully not you or your loved ones...

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/texting-while-driving-statistics.html

SirGeorgeKillian

bruchi wrote: »

Then make mandatory that all mobile phones must be attached to a social security number, develop a device that will read the culprit's mobile phone info and take a picture of them while they drive and talk or text and send an army of folks out on the streets with this devices, payment to them will be a percentage of fines collected.

One little problem... With all the phone swapping that goes on, not to mention prepaid phone services, that would never happen. I am almost at the point I refuse to use my SSN for anything. That number is for Social Security, nothing else. It really pisses me off when people ask for it.

We had a rash of prank 911 calls a while back. People were using cell phones that had no service on them calling in fake fires. Dispatch had no way to trace or triangulate the calls and there was nothing anyone could do about it. In the digital age of rooting, jail breaking and hacking phones, this will never fly.....

BlkHawk73

Texting a a red light... sooo where's the harm here??? I did have to talk to the wife about texting/driving and made her promise not to. She does have bluetooth to talk and can do the talk:text thing I believe too. I just never saw the need to be in constant communications with people. if it's that important, stop and talk, otherwise it can wait. I do see it a lot up here. On the highway the state police utilize an unmarked minivan to catch just such idiots. just wish the penalties were stricter.

One accident last yr had a teenager texting while driving under the influence crash and kill two of her friends. Not a good combo but she won't do it again!

tennmike

The laws against texting or talking on a cell phone while driving are another example of ineffectual laws passed to make people feel good. For every one caught and ticketed, there are literally thousands that are doing the same thing and not getting caught. Friends 'n' neighbors, we're dealing with people, and just because a law is passed does not equal immediate and total compliance of the law.

We have laws against driving while intoxicated, and people still drive drunk.
We have laws against speeding, and people break that law en masse.
We have laws against driving in a reckless manner, and that can be seen daily by anyone on the road.
We now have laws against texting or talking on the phone and driving, and people ignore the law.
And we have laws against littering, and the roadways are always covered in it.

Passing laws to prohibit or modify behavior such as the above are only mildly effective at most. Get the ticket, pay the fine, and back to business as usual. IMHO, such laws, taken as a whole, are attempts to herd cats. The cats have done the deed before and gotten away with it, and see no need to change their behavior. The rest of us just have to deal with it as best we can.

Teach

The next time somebody flips you off while texting and driving, just point your "crotch rocket" at 'em!



Jerry