A little over a year ago I was sideswiped by a gal who was chatting away on her cell. She just veered into my lane. Luckily we weren't going fast and she was nicely insured, so my fender was fixed. A nuisance nevertheless.
Distracted driving is a problem and it absolutely does lead to accidents, some serious. Two ways to deal with this, like any other rude or cruddy behavior: cops writing tickets enough that the perpetrators start backing off, or increasing public opinion against the misbehavior.
Some people will still be jerks, born that way I guess. Part of jerky behavior is texting or phoning while driving (or eating a burger, I suppose). Anything that prevents you from exercising good judgment on the road. If you're soooooo important that you have to talk while driving instead of pulling over and making that call, you're probably going to need to ride in a limo while your chauffeur does the driving anyway.
I understand what tennmike's saying about "feel good" laws but respectfully disagree. Enforcing laws against drunk driving or speeding is one way to hold the line. I've been a lot more judicious about my incessant speeding these days, after getting a couple of pricey tickets. Hitting someone in the wallet is usually a hint. Same for phoning or texting, I think. It's not just the fine, it's the license points that will eventually get you a suspension and higher insurance. That usually has its desired effect.
Drunk driving is another thing, however. Most sensible people only need ONE close call or DWI conviction to learn their lesson. Repeat offenders however are simply not going to quit. So those, you let them spend a year in jail. At least they're not on the streets during this.
"Repeat offenders however are simply not going to quit. So those, you let them spend a year in jail. At least they're not on the streets during this."
It is more cost effective to keep impounding their vehicles and auction off the vehicles, rather than send people to jail, Also, make the people work off their crime as an alternative penalty and give the money to the victims.....
"There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
"Repeat offenders however are simply not going to quit. So those, you let them spend a year in jail. At least they're not on the streets during this."
It is more cost effective to keep impounding their vehicles and auction off the vehicles, rather than send people to jail, Also, make the people work off their crime as an alternative penalty and give the money to the victims.....
Excellent idea. Or we could deport them after jail.
Are you and gator against fines for speeding, driving intoxicated, etc. as well?
I think that there are thousands of deaths per year due to cell hone use while driving in the US. Do your own search as as CPJ has established without any doubt is that I make stuff up...
If this post is non welcomed, I can always give you a recipe for making "tostones".
bruchi,I do not have to do any resherch for the past 25 years I have been picking up other peoples messes on the highway and I've seen more death and destruction than most folks can imagine.
I am not against fines for speeding,DUI,or even cell phone use,and I think the fines should be even more than they are now,it was your decapitation comment that got my response.
What about the family on vacation when Dad falls asleep and kills one or more family members should we chop off his head too?Or the woman who lets her kids sleep in the back of their SUV unseatbelted and runs off the road and rolls killing her son,should she be flogged?Or the truck driver that looses control and crosses the meadian,head ons a minivan killing 7,what pray tell should we do with him??These people have to live with what they have done for the rest of their lives.
Accidents happen everyday and all can be avoided but human nature being what it is...
Tell me you've never driven distracted.......If you can then you are the only one!
Don't forget all the people that die suddenly behind the wheel and have a serious accident.....
"There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
Accidents happen everyday and all can be avoided but human nature being what it is...
You are correct, accidents happen everyday. Putting yourself in a position that you are aware makes you a hazard isn't a accident. It is a choice.
Do you know why CDL drivers were locked down hard on road time recently? Because they were cooking books, getting tired, and killing people. That is making a choice, no different than stopping at the bar and slamming 3 or 4, or texting and driving.
It's boring, and your lack of creativity knows no bounds.
...as TenMike mentioned, more laws is not the answer. People believe driving is a "right", not a "privilege" & don't understand or want to accept that it comes w/ responsibilities, an attitude reinforced by our schools, our govt, & society in general...
In 2009, an experiment by one of the leading automotive magazine in the United States revealed that texting is more of a threat than alcohol when it comes to driving. Surveys initiated by several organizations dealing with road safety and motor insurance have revealed that a large number of individuals, especially teens and youths in their early 20s, admitted that they do get distracted when they are texting in course of driving.
"Studies also reveal that these risks far exceed the risks associated with drunk driving. Almost 80 percent of the accidents are caused due to distraction while texting, which is quite high compared to the number of accidents caused by drunk driving. When you text while you are driving, it increases your chances of getting involved in a car crash by six times compared to driving under influence of alcohol."
You are correct, accidents happen everyday. Putting yourself in a position that you are aware makes you a hazard isn't a accident. It is a choice.
Do you know why CDL drivers were locked down hard on road time recently? Because they were cooking books, getting tired, and killing people. That is making a choice, no different than stopping at the bar and slamming 3 or 4, or texting and driving.
I couldn't agree more and as I said I'm not against strict fines,but I don't think capital punishment is the answer.
I also don't belive that a person should get to go to driving school in able to keep the points on their lisence,use up all your points and you get revoked.....period.
bruchi,I do not have to do any resherch for the past 25 years I have been picking up other peoples messes on the highway and I've seen more death and destruction than most folks can imagine.
I am not against fines for speeding,DUI,or even cell phone use,and I think the fines should be even more than they are now,it was your decapitation comment that got my response.
What about the family on vacation when Dad falls asleep and kills one or more family members should we chop off his head too?Or the woman who lets her kids sleep in the back of their SUV unseatbelted and runs off the road and rolls killing her son,should she be flogged?Or the truck driver that looses control and crosses the meadian,head ons a minivan killing 7,what pray tell should we do with him??These people have to live with what they have done for the rest of their lives.
Accidents happen everyday and all can be avoided but human nature being what it is...
Tell me you've never driven distracted.......If you can then you are the only one!
Sorry, I just keep on forgetting that SARCASM is lost on a lot of the members here...
Regarding Big Brother, I also believe they should do this...
Throw trash on the road, DECAPITATED
Change lanes without using their signals, DECAPITATED
Listen to radio too loud while driving, DECAPITATED
Listen to the wrong radio station, DECAPITATED
Wear same underwear 2 days in a row, DECAPITATED
Drink a beer, ever, DECAPITATED
and so on!
I don't talk on the phone when I drive but then I hate telephones and use them as little as possible, if I am waiting for an important call I pull off the road to answer the phone or if someone is sitting besides me they deal with the phone, if not that is what voice mail is there for, now I do TEXT a lot, if driving I keep it short and always wait for a red light to do so, we have plenty of those here in Puerto Rico, nothing required but a bit of common sense and an iota of patience, my world will not end if I don't have a phone glued to my ear all the time.
As I have mentioned today too many times it is your choice to believe or not, if you can't keep that phone off your ear 24/7 some of us can and do.
If this post is non welcomed, I can always give you a recipe for making "tostones".
I think that there are thousands of deaths per year due to cell hone use while driving in the US. Do your own search as as CPJ has established without any doubt is that I make stuff up...
What about the thousands of deaths per year due to guns? What is your solution to that problem? More government control.
Just look at the flowers Lizzie, just look at the flowers.
I'm beginning to realize the anti-texting folks are right. When you think about it, what's wrong with a few reasonable restrictions? After some consideration, you'll come to see it too. I think folks ought to register to own a cell phone. It makes sense, only those who have the proper training should be allowed to use one. Why should just anybody be able to use one? We could also dramatically raise the rates for cell usage. If we charge more, folks will use less. Less usage means safer streets doesn't it? Maybe a dollar per text tax would be the thing? Maybe more? We should also probably do something about judges who let texters off with light fines/punishments...mandatory fines and sentencing?
Yeah, I think a few reasonable restrictions is definitely the way to go...:roll:
"Bipartisan" usually means that a bigger than normal deception is happening.
George Carlin
What about the thousands of deaths per year due to guns? What is your solution to that problem? More government control.
We would need to get accurate numbers on accidental deaths due to cell phone use while driving proportionally to amount of drivers, accidental gun deaths proportionally to guns to answer that.
"NON ACCURATE NUMBERS" Operational word here being "accidental" folks don't beat each other to death with cell phones.
Lazy wikipedia search shows there are about 250 million cars in the US, wiki answers claims that FBI figures say there are about 200 million guns in the US, so 20% less guns than cars in the US.
Another lazy internet search claims 650 accidental gun deaths (2010) in the US and 6000 caused by the use of cell phones while driving (2011) close to 10 times as much folks 6 feet under due to cell phones + driving.
Seems that guns are safer than cell phones but then surely "almighty links" with opposing numbers could be always found.
If this post is non welcomed, I can always give you a recipe for making "tostones".
Usually when I see a driver weaving or driving well below the speed limit, I get away fast before checking the reason.....yeah, cell phone.
I recently grabbed the wheel when the wife answered her cell phone when driving and she swerved over the line. I asked if she wanted me to drive while she yacked or should I yack while she got back to business. She soon hung up and gave me the silent treatment for the next 1/2 hour.
A MO state trooper was at a safety meeting at work a little over a year ago. It seems accidents caused by cell phones have surpassed those by DUI in the state of MO.
One loss of life too stupidity is to much. We need more government over site. Didn't you also want folks to get a license to have children?
The obvious problem is who decides who can and who cannot get such license and then how you "enforce this" ?
It could make a much better world, if, and that is a big IF.
Ever seen real poverty, the one that will drive a child to look for breakfast at the city dump or do you spend all your leisure time riding your quads with your kids? (which is a good thing)
While at it, eliminate handouts, politics and the thousand religions folks believe and then we have a good start!
Due to my sucking at sarcasm this is some of it, well the intent.
Folks everywhere should have the common sense, and opportunities to wait until they learn to garner the resources so their children will not have to look for their meals in the city dump and so on, fact is that too many don't go about it this way, how you propose this not to be the case?
If this post is non welcomed, I can always give you a recipe for making "tostones".
Funny thing. Passed a lady today on the interstate. She was driving and texting (Horrors!) Doing pretty well at it too. No swerving, lane departure, eratic speed, etc. The fact is she was driving better than most folks do when they're not texting. My wife actually noticed and pointed it out. She (the Mrs.) was just a little miffed that "There wasn't a cop when you needed one", until I pointed out that this lady was doing better than most.
Yes, I realize that she is probably in the minority, and that things like this just aren't supposed to be done, but (for once) why don't we just worry about the folks who CAN'T chew gum and walk at the same time while leaving folks who obviously can to go about their business? I'm sure this is a novel concept, but why not wait for folks to actually screw up, THEN punish them? Why is it that we (humans that is) feel the need to limit the whole for the transgressions of the few?
"Bipartisan" usually means that a bigger than normal deception is happening.
George Carlin
but why not wait for folks to actually screw up, THEN punish them? Why is it that we (humans that is) feel the need to limit the whole for the transgressions of the few?
Well....because when someone screws up while driving someone else has to pay the price.
Hey.... did I say anything about just cell phones? have you read this whole thread?Did I not say" when someone screws up while driving"?
Read back through my previous posts before you pass any kind of judgment on me pal.
Speaking of driving laws and whatnot, It is disturbing that statistics show that there were fewer deaths due to DUI's befoe the strict laws on drinking and driving. Just saying.
Speaking of driving laws and whatnot, It is disturbing that statistics show that there were fewer deaths due to DUI's befoe the strict laws on drinking and driving. Just saying.
Please provide a source for those statistics...
Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"
Replies
Distracted driving is a problem and it absolutely does lead to accidents, some serious. Two ways to deal with this, like any other rude or cruddy behavior: cops writing tickets enough that the perpetrators start backing off, or increasing public opinion against the misbehavior.
Some people will still be jerks, born that way I guess. Part of jerky behavior is texting or phoning while driving (or eating a burger, I suppose). Anything that prevents you from exercising good judgment on the road. If you're soooooo important that you have to talk while driving instead of pulling over and making that call, you're probably going to need to ride in a limo while your chauffeur does the driving anyway.
I understand what tennmike's saying about "feel good" laws but respectfully disagree. Enforcing laws against drunk driving or speeding is one way to hold the line. I've been a lot more judicious about my incessant speeding these days, after getting a couple of pricey tickets. Hitting someone in the wallet is usually a hint. Same for phoning or texting, I think. It's not just the fine, it's the license points that will eventually get you a suspension and higher insurance. That usually has its desired effect.
Drunk driving is another thing, however. Most sensible people only need ONE close call or DWI conviction to learn their lesson. Repeat offenders however are simply not going to quit. So those, you let them spend a year in jail. At least they're not on the streets during this.
It is more cost effective to keep impounding their vehicles and auction off the vehicles, rather than send people to jail, Also, make the people work off their crime as an alternative penalty and give the money to the victims.....
Excellent idea. Or we could deport them after jail.
Are you and gator against fines for speeding, driving intoxicated, etc. as well?
I think that there are thousands of deaths per year due to cell hone use while driving in the US. Do your own search as as CPJ has established without any doubt is that I make stuff up...
Yea I hear ya. Way too easy to drunk text your ex and end up at her place
I am not against fines for speeding,DUI,or even cell phone use,and I think the fines should be even more than they are now,it was your decapitation comment that got my response.
What about the family on vacation when Dad falls asleep and kills one or more family members should we chop off his head too?Or the woman who lets her kids sleep in the back of their SUV unseatbelted and runs off the road and rolls killing her son,should she be flogged?Or the truck driver that looses control and crosses the meadian,head ons a minivan killing 7,what pray tell should we do with him??These people have to live with what they have done for the rest of their lives.
Accidents happen everyday and all can be avoided but human nature being what it is...
Tell me you've never driven distracted.......If you can then you are the only one!
-96 lbs
^This^
One of your best quotes, to date. :up:
Do you know why CDL drivers were locked down hard on road time recently? Because they were cooking books, getting tired, and killing people. That is making a choice, no different than stopping at the bar and slamming 3 or 4, or texting and driving.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/dangers-of-texting-while-driving.html
In 2009, an experiment by one of the leading automotive magazine in the United States revealed that texting is more of a threat than alcohol when it comes to driving. Surveys initiated by several organizations dealing with road safety and motor insurance have revealed that a large number of individuals, especially teens and youths in their early 20s, admitted that they do get distracted when they are texting in course of driving.
"Studies also reveal that these risks far exceed the risks associated with drunk driving. Almost 80 percent of the accidents are caused due to distraction while texting, which is quite high compared to the number of accidents caused by drunk driving. When you text while you are driving, it increases your chances of getting involved in a car crash by six times compared to driving under influence of alcohol."
I couldn't agree more and as I said I'm not against strict fines,but I don't think capital punishment is the answer.
I also don't belive that a person should get to go to driving school in able to keep the points on their lisence,use up all your points and you get revoked.....period.
-96 lbs
Sorry, I just keep on forgetting that SARCASM is lost on a lot of the members here...
Regarding Big Brother, I also believe they should do this...
Throw trash on the road, DECAPITATED
Change lanes without using their signals, DECAPITATED
Listen to radio too loud while driving, DECAPITATED
Listen to the wrong radio station, DECAPITATED
Wear same underwear 2 days in a row, DECAPITATED
Drink a beer, ever, DECAPITATED
and so on!
I don't talk on the phone when I drive but then I hate telephones and use them as little as possible, if I am waiting for an important call I pull off the road to answer the phone or if someone is sitting besides me they deal with the phone, if not that is what voice mail is there for, now I do TEXT a lot, if driving I keep it short and always wait for a red light to do so, we have plenty of those here in Puerto Rico, nothing required but a bit of common sense and an iota of patience, my world will not end if I don't have a phone glued to my ear all the time.
As I have mentioned today too many times it is your choice to believe or not, if you can't keep that phone off your ear 24/7 some of us can and do.
Maybe you're just not very good at it.
What about the thousands of deaths per year due to guns? What is your solution to that problem? More government control.
Yeah, I think a few reasonable restrictions is definitely the way to go...:roll:
George Carlin
That would have been funnier had it not happened before....
That very well could be the case, no question about it.
We would need to get accurate numbers on accidental deaths due to cell phone use while driving proportionally to amount of drivers, accidental gun deaths proportionally to guns to answer that.
"NON ACCURATE NUMBERS" Operational word here being "accidental" folks don't beat each other to death with cell phones.
Lazy wikipedia search shows there are about 250 million cars in the US, wiki answers claims that FBI figures say there are about 200 million guns in the US, so 20% less guns than cars in the US.
Another lazy internet search claims 650 accidental gun deaths (2010) in the US and 6000 caused by the use of cell phones while driving (2011) close to 10 times as much folks 6 feet under due to cell phones + driving.
Seems that guns are safer than cell phones but then surely "almighty links" with opposing numbers could be always found.
I recently grabbed the wheel when the wife answered her cell phone when driving and she swerved over the line. I asked if she wanted me to drive while she yacked or should I yack while she got back to business. She soon hung up and gave me the silent treatment for the next 1/2 hour.
A MO state trooper was at a safety meeting at work a little over a year ago. It seems accidents caused by cell phones have surpassed those by DUI in the state of MO.
One loss of life too stupidity is to much. We need more government over site. Didn't you also want folks to get a license to have children?
― Douglas Adams
The obvious problem is who decides who can and who cannot get such license and then how you "enforce this" ?
It could make a much better world, if, and that is a big IF.
Ever seen real poverty, the one that will drive a child to look for breakfast at the city dump or do you spend all your leisure time riding your quads with your kids? (which is a good thing)
While at it, eliminate handouts, politics and the thousand religions folks believe and then we have a good start!
Due to my sucking at sarcasm this is some of it, well the intent.
Folks everywhere should have the common sense, and opportunities to wait until they learn to garner the resources so their children will not have to look for their meals in the city dump and so on, fact is that too many don't go about it this way, how you propose this not to be the case?
Yes, I realize that she is probably in the minority, and that things like this just aren't supposed to be done, but (for once) why don't we just worry about the folks who CAN'T chew gum and walk at the same time while leaving folks who obviously can to go about their business? I'm sure this is a novel concept, but why not wait for folks to actually screw up, THEN punish them? Why is it that we (humans that is) feel the need to limit the whole for the transgressions of the few?
George Carlin
Well....because when someone screws up while driving someone else has to pay the price.
-96 lbs
So what about the guy eating the big mac, the girl with the curling iron, and the couple having a screaming match?
Perhaps there should be a law about the guy trying to make it to the can before he craps himself?
All these things are distractions. Where are these laws?
Read back through my previous posts before you pass any kind of judgment on me pal.
-96 lbs
...check your state driver's manual, most of these things are covered under what's commonly called, "Basic Rule"...
Please provide a source for those statistics...