http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/I-70-crash-caught-on-videotape-263521921.html?device=phone
Dude doesn't even tap the brakes
Dude doesn't even tap the brakes
Want to see why you shouldn't text and drive?
- Thread starter DerHntr
- Start date
It is more dangerous than drinking and driving probably.
For that matter, a lot of seniors driving is probably just as bad too.
For that matter, a lot of seniors driving is probably just as bad too.
I'm ok with it being a law as long as we also outlaw eating while driving, putting on makeup, reading the paper, disciplining your kids, etc. Distracted driving is many things. People get bent out of shape over texting and driving(and rightfully so) but it's really been going on for a long time.
I agree with your comments on other distractions but in my experience of riding a motorcycle for a long time , phone distractions have become epic the last several years. I ride very carefully around cars and I would have had several accidents had I not been anticipating an issue. Just about every time the driver had a cell phone in hand.
I get your point but only slightly agree. Many studies show that the largest number of distracted driving accidents come from cell phone use and that number is likely going to increase. Why not try to ban what is causing the #1 cause for distracted driving wrecks? We could just go back to normal level of wrecks pre-cell phone.
And this is coming from a typical "less government because they are all idiots" sort of guy.
Having a conversation is not the same as eating a hamburger or doing other activities by yourself. Having a phone conversation is even more distracting than talking to a passenger while driving. The passenger is aware of **** that is going on around you, while the person on the phone most likely assumes (and depending on the quality of the phone call, requires) you are paying them much more attention. This is why I don't even care for hands-free laws, because hands aren't even the real problem.
"A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention ..."
"A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention ..."
The State Senate passed it overwhelmingly here a few months ago (only opposed by Chris McDaniel and his flock), but the House decided to kill it, not because of any ideological differences, but because the legislature is full of vindictive dicks who kill the other house's bills just for spite.
Not probably. It is more dangerous. Six times more dangerous.
http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol/fil...us-than-Driving-while-Drunk.html#.U6DZbdq9KSM
Im sure the next generation wont believe that we actually drove cars, or that people use to deliver mail door to door.
I'm OK with texting laws,, only ticket I've ever received was last year for looking at a text while at a stop light (from a motorcycle cop splitting the lane)... didn't even type anything.
I don't even look at the phone now unless parked somewhere, even to type in GPS directions. My wife was caught once as well, but I guess she's better looking than I am, because she got off with a finger wag warning.
I don't even look at the phone now unless parked somewhere, even to type in GPS directions. My wife was caught once as well, but I guess she's better looking than I am, because she got off with a finger wag warning.
What I can't understand is why ANYONE would have such little disregard for the lives and safety of others. Talking on a cell phone while driving is nearly as dangerous texting.
A friend of mine owns a custom motorcycle shop in Simi Valley and last week he had just left his shop for a ride through the Valley. He was about 3 blocks from his shop when a driver on his cell phone blew through a red light and broadsided him on his Harley. He is still in the hospital with multiple compound fractures in his leg. He's a tough bastard though...after the accident he stood up, hopping on one leg and tried to go after the guy.
No conversation is worth someones life. Period.
A friend of mine owns a custom motorcycle shop in Simi Valley and last week he had just left his shop for a ride through the Valley. He was about 3 blocks from his shop when a driver on his cell phone blew through a red light and broadsided him on his Harley. He is still in the hospital with multiple compound fractures in his leg. He's a tough bastard though...after the accident he stood up, hopping on one leg and tried to go after the guy.
No conversation is worth someones life. Period.
California does a lot of stupid **** but one thing they got right was the law in this. The law is on the books as "Distracted Driving" which is (in very general terms) defined as anything that takes your attention from the road. If a LEO observes you doing (not suspects - he must observe specific acts) anything which is taking your attention from the road you WILL be given a ticket. This includes (and courts have upheld) eating and talking on your cell phone while holding it in your hand while on speaker. The law specifies that talking on a cell phone is forbidden unless done on a hands-free device. Putting your phone on speaker and holding it is NOT good enough...
Eating while driving, smoking while driving ... those things are not nearly so distracting as texting. If you dumped a cup of hot coffee in your lap, maybe ... but not merely eating. Putting on makeup is, but you rarely see that. Reading the paper obviously is (I once saw a guy merging onto the freeway, talking on the phone, and writing in a notebook ... musta been steering with his knees), and I've seen people reading books. But those things are already illegal while driving. Eating is not nor should it be. But just outlawing something doesn't mean people won't do it.
Even just talking on the phone is very distracting ... your attention is on the conversation, not the traffic around you. Here, texting is against the law but talking on the phone is not. I think the reason it's not is because certain professions (e.g., realtors) have now become to depend on talking while driving to do their jobs. How they "did their jobs" before cell phones is beyond me. Even talking should be banned in my opinion.
Even just talking on the phone is very distracting ... your attention is on the conversation, not the traffic around you. Here, texting is against the law but talking on the phone is not. I think the reason it's not is because certain professions (e.g., realtors) have now become to depend on talking while driving to do their jobs. How they "did their jobs" before cell phones is beyond me. Even talking should be banned in my opinion.
there are many cities/counties where it is illegal though. it is illegal in Meridian. But its not actively enforced....
I'm one to say that I don't agree every time with the thought process of, "if there's a problem, let's just make a law and that'll fix everything". Ok so MS makes a law that texting while driving is illegal.... So? Is that truly going to stop these teenagers. If anything it may even make it worse in some cases. Not only are they texting (out of spite now), but on top of that they're looking for cops too. Less on the road.
My solution? Let's get technology involved here rather than just slapping a law on it. Let's get this new technology that can read us our texts, and we can respond with our voice. Apple is on the right track with Pioneer on implementing this kind of a thing. Let's take it a step forward and get it to where we can glance down on our navigation screen in our car and see what someone has said. Better yet, let's develop a system where it can shoot it up on the windshield.
My point is, it doesn't matter if it's a law or not. People are still going to do it. So with that in mind, let's use this information age to our advantage.
My solution? Let's get technology involved here rather than just slapping a law on it. Let's get this new technology that can read us our texts, and we can respond with our voice. Apple is on the right track with Pioneer on implementing this kind of a thing. Let's take it a step forward and get it to where we can glance down on our navigation screen in our car and see what someone has said. Better yet, let's develop a system where it can shoot it up on the windshield.
My point is, it doesn't matter if it's a law or not. People are still going to do it. So with that in mind, let's use this information age to our advantage.
Do we even know if this guy was texting?
I think it's just as likely, maybe even more likely, that he fell asleep at the wheel.
Driving on a highway can do that to you. The article doesn't say it was texting, though maybe another article somewhere does say that.
I'm against texting and driving too, but I wouldn't say for sure that's what happened here.
I'm honestly probably more concerned about the guy taking a video while driving. It's disturbing to me how often you see cell videos taken by people while driving.
I think it's just as likely, maybe even more likely, that he fell asleep at the wheel.
Driving on a highway can do that to you. The article doesn't say it was texting, though maybe another article somewhere does say that.
I'm against texting and driving too, but I wouldn't say for sure that's what happened here.
I'm honestly probably more concerned about the guy taking a video while driving. It's disturbing to me how often you see cell videos taken by people while driving.
Ever heard of Siri?
That's my hope, that Siri gets good enough to where people are forced to verbally "text", and the text messaging system reads responses to them.
My kids aren't old enough to drive, and I know that no matter how much I grill them over something like that, it's not necessarily going to keep them from doing it when I'm not around, so I too am pulling for a technology answer that at the very least allows them to keep their eyes on the road.
That's my hope, that Siri gets good enough to where people are forced to verbally "text", and the text messaging system reads responses to them.
My kids aren't old enough to drive, and I know that no matter how much I grill them over something like that, it's not necessarily going to keep them from doing it when I'm not around, so I too am pulling for a technology answer that at the very least allows them to keep their eyes on the road.
Not
I didn't say all over the windshield. Just in a section. It's better than someone looking down at their phone in their lap.
I didn't say all over the windshield. Just in a section. It's better than someone looking down at their phone in their lap.