On your cell phone while driving

[Weedmage Princess]

http://hometown.aol.com/fungimagi/images/soapbox.gif

I've always had a problem with people who use their cell phone while driving. ESPECIALLY on the highway. It's one thing if it's an emergency...something like calling 911 cause you saw the car that was listed on the Amber Alert or something...but to just be chatting it up, laughing and flailing your arms wildly while driving in STOP AND GO traffic during RUSH HOUR is not only inconsiderate, but dangerous.

This morning, I almost got hit *three* times by this idiot in her Durango...first time she almost side-swiped me, second time she nearly rear ended me..and the third time she almost drove me off the friggin left lane into the grass. She was all over the place..and each time I looked at her through the mirror, she's on the phone laughing, and basically not paying attention.

In some places, like New York State, talking on a hand held cell phone is against the law, and you can be penalized for it. Only way you can use your phone in your car while driving is if you have a hands-free set up. I think this should be a nation-wide law. Driving can be dangerous enough without people getting behind the wheel and not paying attention. Your thoughts?

[Myshel]

I so agree with you. When cell phones first came out I was talking on the phone and almost killed myself, my kids and the other car.. I was blessed that day and forever learned my lesson.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

I'd love to see a nationwide law against driving while on a cell phone. LOADS of income for the government, and get the dumb fucks off the road.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Oh, I mentioned this before. There was a study that shows that a drunk driver is less likely to be in an accident than a person on a cell phone.

Check it out.

Drunk Drivers vs. Cell Phones (http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/6365786.htm)

[Betheny]

It's against the law to use cellular phones near gas tanks, too. You should hear how angry people get when you turn off their gas pump when they refuse to hang the goddamn things up.

Another peeve of mine is someone talking in the checkout line at the store on their cell phone. How rude is th at to the clerk? I mean, come on, get it surgically implanted into your head if it's that goddamn important.

[Drew2]

It's against the law to talk on the phone and drive in Texas now, I think. Unless that's just a houston thing. My mother told me it was, but I haven't driven since it was put into effect so I don't know how far that law reaches.

I'm guilty of talking in the checkout line, but only once.

It's Kasia's fault.

[More Lean]

i love driving on my sell phone

[Edited on 9-30-2003 by More Lean]

[Betheny]

Pass the buck, Drew. Pass the buck and it might end up SHOVED UP YOUR... just kidding. I really do think it's highly inappropriate to talk on your cellular phone in public places. I mean, anyone can hear your conversation. How would you feel if someone walked up and just started talking at you while you were having some conversation? It'd be weird, huh? I want to do that to people.

Also, people that shout into their cell phones make me want to stab them.

[Drew2]

warn morelean retard

[More Lean]

Originally posted by Tayre
warn morelean retard

WHAT YOU SAY??

[Tsa`ah]

I have been rear ended by idiots on cell phones twice.

The first time it happened 1 week after I had finished painting my car. A few co-workers and myself just got into the car after eating lunch (if you call food at 2am lunch) and before I could get the keys in the ignition, this dumb bitch backed out of her spot while yakking on the phone (she had been yakking on the damned thing from the moment we took our seats in the diner). Well being more concerned with her conversation than driving; she backed right into my rear bumper while turning. She put a nice 2-foot gouge into it and caused the driver's side corner to rupture like a zit. Very nice.

The second time was while leaving work in the parking lot, 3 days later. A dumb ass pulled out of his parking space and tried zipping around the corner. Evidently he didn't see the back end of my car even though his line of sight was unobstructed. That dumb ass managed to take off the remainder of my rear bumper skin.

The irony... both times were with an SUV.

I didn't mind getting two different checks from two different insurance companies, but geeze, make a federal law already. In either case, had my children been in the car, I would have been violent.

Cell phone usage while driving is right up there with children not in safety seats and applying make up while driving.

I think a good penalty for anyone causing an accident due to a cell phone would be to have said cell phone shoved up their asses.

[Edited on 9-30-2003 by Tsa`ah]

[Betheny]

Anal probing via cell phone.

A new meaning to Phone Sex.

[More Lean]

Originally posted by Tsa`ah
I have been rear ended by idiots on cell phones twice.

The first time it happened 1 week after I had finished painting my car. A few co-workers and myself just got into the car after eating lunch (if you call food at 2am lunch) and before I could get the keys in the ignition, this dumb bitch backed out of her spot while yakking on the phone (she had been yakking on the damned thing from the moment we took our seats in the diner). Well being more concerned with her conversation than driving; she backed right into my rear bummer while turning. She put a nice 2-foot gouge into it and caused the driver's side corner to rupture like a zit. Very nice.

The second time was while leaving work in the parking lot, 3 days later. A dumb ass pulled out of his parking space and tried zipping around the corner. Evidently he didn't see the back end of my car even though his line of sight was unobstructed. That dumb ass managed to take off the remainder of my rear bumper skin.

The irony... both times were with an SUV.

I didn't mind getting two different checks from two different insurance companies, but geeze, make a federal law already. In either case, had my children been in the car, I would have been violent.

Cell phone usage while driving is right up there with children not in safety seats and applying make up while driving.

I think a good penalty for anyone causing an accident due to a cell phone would be to have said cell phone shoved up their asses.

i dont put my children in safty seets

[Tsa`ah]

Well, look at it this way. Instead of going to the Dr for an ultrasound on your lower GI region, you could just stay home and have the Dr call you.

[Drew2]

The day you reproduce is the day I lose hope in humanity.

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by More Lean
i dont put my children in safty seets

If your children are old enough not to, that's fine. If not, you do not deserve the privilege of raising children and should have them removed from your care simply due to the endangerment factor.

So childless, you should have that phone shove up your ass so far you have to sneeze to feel it.

[More Lean]

Originally posted by Lady Daina
I have to wonder why someone would try SO HARD to make themselves look like such an idiot. What, is there some perverse pleasure to be had from people thinking you're a jackass and hating your guts that I am unaware of? Cos there seem to be plenty these days... (Sean, Klaive, etc.)

sean, klaive, warclaidhm, bobmuhthol and me are all the same person

[Hips]

Bob can be a decent guy IG, don't slander him THAT badly.

[More Lean]

its not slander its praise

[Myshel]

Once when 3 g/f and I were having dinner at a really nice restaurant, the woman at the next table cell phone rang. She answered and began a extremely intimate conversation with this person (while her date watched, I might add). She must have had a lousy connection because she was loud and oblivious to rest of us. At first we were annoyed but it became so funny we all actually turned in our seats and were giggling. Her date was mortified and finally threw his napkin on the table and stood up. Her mouth dropped open and asked why he was leaving and then noticed she had the attention of most of the people around her. We were on the floor laughing as he walked out and the idiot started complaining to whoever she was talking to what an ass her date was!
Other peoples cell phone conversations are annoying but sometimes very entertaining.

[Tsa`ah]

May all Darwinistic ideas catch up to you soon.

[Betheny]

Here More Lean.

[More Lean]

Originally posted by Maimara
Here More Lean.

lol i love that moovy

[More Lean]

Originally posted by Tsa`ah
May all Darwinistic ideas catch up to you soon.

is that inglish?

[Miss X]

Over here in the UK its illegal to drive while talking on a cell phone, texting, even eating while driving is an offense.
The punnishments are pretty lame though, £60 fine and if your really unlucky 3 penalty points on your DL.
If I see someone driving and talking on their phone I have this habit of scowling at them and shaking my head. There are a lot of RTA's in the UK every day, but I think most people assume it wont happen to them.
Vx

[JustMe]

Originally posted by Tayre
It's against the law to talk on the phone and drive in Texas now, I think. Unless that's just a houston thing.

It is statewide, but HPD cops will pull you over and citation (sp?) you for it if they are bored enough. :thumbsdown:

[IcyPoison]

I haven't read the thread... but they say cell phones are ranked like 14 in the top 20 crash/unsafe driver reasons... radios, makeup.. lots of things rank hire

And no I don't have a cell, nor talk on one while I drive.

[DCSL]

I hate cell phones. I don't think they're the bane of life, or anything, and I don't mind if other people have them... but I myself, cannot have one. It allows people to... reach me... And yes, that's a bad thing. If I'm not at home waiting for your call, I probably don't want it.

But on topic! Yeah, it's illegal in Texas. But I have yet to see anyone pulled over for it in Austin, or even hear of people being pulled over for it. Austin cops are lazy about traffic-monitoring except in a few anal-retentive areas of the city where the local cops will pull you over for five over the speed limit.

[peam]

My phone's ringer goes on silent as soon as I get in my car. Almost every "close call" I can remember involves some moron yaking away on their phone.

It should be illegal and multiple violations should translate into stiff punishments. First violation, maybe a fine. Second violation, take away driver's permit for a week/month. Third violation, stiff community service and another suspended permit. Fourth violation, minor jail time.

Edit - That soapbox icon is money, by the way.

[Edited on 9-30-2003 by peam]

[Weedmage Princess]

Hee I love the soapbox

[Solkern]

See what people don't unde stand is, it's ok to talk on the phone while driving, as long as you focus on driving and then cell phone comes next, it's just people get caught up on the phone, and they deem it more important then driving, when i drive and talk on the phone, I pay attention to the rode, as much as I would if I wasn't on the phone.
It's pretty much about how the driver drives.
There's two types of drivers, people that can drive, and people that know HOW to drive, which one are you?

[Edited on 9-30-2003 by Solkern]

[peam]

Originally posted by Solkern
See what people don't unde stand is, it's ok to talk on the phone while driving, as long as you focus on driving and then cell phone comes next, it's just people get caught up on the phone, and they deem it more important then driving, when i drive and talk on the phone, I pay attention to the rode, as much as I would if I wasn't on the phone.
It's pretty much about how the driver drives.
There's two types of drivers, people that can drive, and people that know HOW to drive, which one are you?

[Edited on 9-30-2003 by Solkern]

I'm sorry, but that's just as ridiculous as people who say they can drive while drunk. I've even heard people with enough audacity to say that they drive better when drunk. Anything has potential to detract your attention away from the road can and will.

[Solkern]

So peam, should we banned smoking and driving? that could be distracting, hey lets banned OTHER drivers also, they distract you, oh why not banned advertisements they distract you! shit lets just banned everything so they don't distract you!
get a grip, some can do it some can't, it's not like driving drunk it doesn't impair your vision, slow your reaction time down, a cell phone does nothing to you, but be another distraction, SOME people can handle distraction ALOT better then others, like i said before, it's ALL bout the driver.



[Edited on 9-30-2003 by Solkern]

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Did you read the study Solkern? Yes, we should "ban" driving while on the phone. Just like its common sense not to drink it drive.

[Solkern]

I never said it didnt distract you, it all depends on the driver, billboards are MADE so they catch your attention, so you do focus on them, so it does distract you.

[peam]

Originally posted by Solkern
So peam, should be banned smoking and driving? that could be distracting, hey lets banned OTHER drivers also, they distract you, oh why not banned advertisements they distract you! shit lets just banned everything so they don't distract you!
get a grip, some can do it some can't, it's not like driving drunk it doesn't impair your vision, slow your reaction time down, a cell phone does nothing to you, but be another distraction, SOME people can handle distraction ALOT better then others, like i said before, it's ALL bout the driver.





Don't bring elements that aren't relevant into the debate. Other drivers are unavoidable factors that are going to be on the road.

Banning smoking while driving wouldn't bother me at all. I'm sure if someone took the time to do the research, a number of wrecks could be blamed on some idiot dropping a cigarette in their crotch.

As for advertisements, I believe there have been billboards, signs, etc. which were ordered removed because they were deemed too distracting for drivers. Aside from that, a typical roadside advertisement can be read in a matter of seconds.

A telephone call detracts from paying attention to the road for minutes at a time.

[Solkern]

Peam, and i agree with you totally, don't get me wrong, i never said it doesn't distract you, all i'm saying is, some people can handle driving ALOT better then most, and i'm one of them, I dont get distracted easily, it's all about the driver.
Trust me, when i'm with my Mom, and her phone rings, she's becomes the worse fucking driver ever, it just distracts some people more then others.

[Edited on 9-30-2003 by Solkern]

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

So when Mom commits involuntary manslaughter because she was talking on the phone, who's to blame?

[Solkern]

So when a billboard distracts someone and they kill someone, whos to blame?

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

No one, because distracting billboards have been removed by law. Hence, should be a law banning cell phones in cars.

[Just Lurking]

Originally posted by Solkern
Peam, and i agree with you totally, don't get me wrong, i never said it doesn't distract you, all i'm saying is, some people can handle driving ALOT better then most, and i'm one of them, I dont get distracted easily, it's all about the driver.
Trust me, when i'm with my Mom, and her phone rings, she's becomes the worse fucking driver ever, it just distracts some people more then others.

[Edited on 9-30-2003 by Solkern]

I think you're just getting lucky, IMO. I don't know you or how you drive, but there is a reason why car insurance is so expensive for male drivers. From what you are writing, you are different from the norm. You don't get distracted *at all* when you are on a cell phone and driving. I really wish everyone were like that. However, the majority of people are not like that and laws need to be in place to protect other drivers, such as yourself.

Otherwise, they would have to include "talking on cell phones while driving" in the driver's exam.

I personally don't use a cell phone while driving because it's unsafe. I don't think that means I'm a bad driver. I haven't been in an accident yet :::knocks on wood:::

[Weedmage Princess]

Exactly. I don't see the two being comparible, either...whereas most billboards (ones I've seen, and most of my driving (like 90%) is highway driving so I'd think I know what I'm talking about) require a quick glance to see what they say...cell phone conversations are much longer, much more involved. You have to listen to the other person, comprehend what they're saying, then think of a response, and say it. You don't "converse" with a billboard. You do with people, though....so although I can appreciate the point you're trying to make, Solkern..the two are really apples and oranges.

As far as "some people do it better than others"...nah, that doesn't fly with me, either. Perhaps up to this point you've been lucky...but if you were to answer your cell phone and receive an upsetting call..or maybe an exciting call (Hi Solkern it's Mommy and I just hit the LOTTO!!!) ...sorry but your mind isn't going to be focused on the road. Anytime you can't concentrate 100% on the road when you're driving, you're creating an unsafe condition and jeopardizing not only yourself, but anyone else on the road with you. It's selfish and dangerous.

[Drew2]

I think Solkern is just trying to validate his making plans at Chuck E. Cheese with his friends while driving.

His arguments = lame.

[CrystalTears]

If billboards and signs distract someone so much that they can't concentrate on the road, they need to get off it and take the bus. :D

[Halfsilver]

County law in Dade says you can't talk on the phone while driving.

Unsure of what happens if they catch you.

People still do it. People in Miami are retarded. Must be the water.

-grays/d

[Bestatte]

Bumper sticker placed right above my license plate, on the hatch of my gas-guzzling SUV, at about belly-button height:

HANG UP AND DRIVE!

There are restaurants in Connecticut that have "No Cell Phones" signs on their windows. I generally prefer to eat in those restaurants.

When I was a cashier at the supermarket, I couldn't think of anything ruder (except someone bringing in a screaming child), than someone at my register on a cell phone. Usually I'd respond to whatever they were saying to the other person. It would often go something like this:

Customer (clicking on his phone): Hello?
Me: Hello!
Customer: No, I'm in the supermarket.
Me: Yes, I'm quite aware of that, sir. Will it be paper of plastic?
Customer: In the side cupboard, behind the box of Wheaties.
Me: Ah, so THAT'S where you keep the bodies! Awesome, guy! I never woulda thunk.
Customer (glaring at me) Excuse me?
Me: No, I won't. Nine-fifty, please.
Everyone else in line: <snicker>

Edited to add: Most of my customers loved coming to my register and would skip an empty lane just to get into the banter between me and the people in my line. A few of the cell-phone freaks would do the same. I guess they thought I was kidding when I insulted them mercilessly and had a great time being laughed at.

To the guy who I told to stop talking with his girlfriend and pay for the food for his wife: I wasn't kidding.


[Edited on 10-1-2003 by Bestatte]

[Souzy]

Originally posted by CrystalTears
If billboards and signs distract someone so much that they can't concentrate on the road, they need to get off it and take the bus. :D

Was just gonna say that. If you can't keep your eyes on the road and pay attention while your driving. Then you don't deserve to drive. Take a cab, take a bus, ride a bike, ANYTHING...just as long as you're not driving.

P.S. Because we're talking about driving. I ran over a damn racoon today on the highway. Damn thing ran right into me! And I wasn't on my cell phone!

[HarmNone]

Did you look closely? The racoon may have been on his cell phone and not paying attention to where he was going. :D

HarmNone hates cell phones

[Weedmage Princess]

What's frightening is...cell phone usage is the tip of the iceberg.

On the news here, they were sending people out on the road to observe other drivers...and they've discovered people eating, reading, doing homework, turning around to scold kids and or talk to other passengers in the back seat...and on cnn.com not too long ago there was a woman who was BREASTFEEDING her infant WHILE DRIVING. The Dept. of Child Welfare was trying to take the kid away from her, I think. Her excuse was..she was part of some religion or whatever where she HAS to do what her husband says..and her husband told her to feed the baby while driving.

Granted, these cases don't happen nearly as often as people on their cell phone, but..they DO happen, none the less. It's scary. They should have their licenses suspended...and if they get a couple of more like-offenses, then they should have their licenses revoked. Same with drunk drivers--except I'd be a little more strict. You get caught *ONE TIME*..that's it, no license for you. EVER. I bet we'd see drunk driving take a huge nosedive if that ever went into effect and was strictly enforced.

[AnticorRifling]

I will not give up my right to speak and use time managment just because other people don't have the ability to do more than one thing at a time. I watch the road and me being on the cell is about as distracting as me listening to the radio, as I tend to sing with it and get into the music.

You want to make cell phones illegal then make food, makeup, teenagers and old people illegal as well.

[StrayRogue]

I'll read that post at your funeral, or whomever it is you run over ;)

[GSLeloo]

I've been driving and seen people that could easily turn into the lane that they need to, perfect huge opening and they have cars behind them waiting, but they don't move because they're too busy talking on their cell phone and not paying attention (you could see her basically yelling into the phone and waving her arms around.)

Now I know in Ridgewood (town bordering mine) they have signs around stating that cell phones are banned while driving. And BTW, the woman I saw was using her cell phone in Ridgewood while the ban was in place.

[Skirmisher]

Anticor, here the law allows you to use your phone, but you must simply have a hands free device to do so while driving.

A decent compromise it seems to me. You can buy a headsat for like 20 bucks and then talk to your hearts content.