I don't see what the appeal is that texting has. I don't answer my phone while driving and I would never text either. Driving a car gets more difficult, the more one is distracted. It can wait is the right idea.
I agree that texting on a busy road is just stupid. But on a straight divided four lane highway when you are bored silly is something else. I don't hear anyone pushing for banning radios in cars. People can get so engrossed that they crash playing with their radio. I don't hear people pushing for banning eating or drinking in cars. Spill your coffee on your lap and you can crash. Leave your window open and a wasp can come in and sting you and you can crash.
So there are a lot of distractions that can make you crash. It just seems to me that everyone has the focus on texting.
The problem the way I see it is way too many people see safety as black and white.
I taught Sunday School for over 10 years. I was a Scoutmaster for over 10 years. Even try this with adults. Ask them which is more dangerous. Driving a car with no seat belt on, or riding a motorcycle with your helmet on.
---
Do you know which is more dangerous? There really is no debate which one is much more dangerous. Any if you have been following you knew the answer before I asked the question. It's the one that seems just a bit backwards if you don't actually think about it. --- Safety isn't black and white. We take risks in EVERYTHING we do. Figuring what is acceptable risks is what is needed. And for many texting isn't something they should be doing while driving. I will REALLY say that for an 17-18 yo driver. They tend to crash more. They tend to loose concentration more.
Look at a fighter plane pilot. Look at how many tasks they juggle while flying. Look at the cop with all the things he juggles while driving. If we took that same mentality that says "the distraction of texting is TOO dangerous to let ANYONE do while driving, we better start not having pilots fly planes and better start putting two cops in every car so one can keep his mind on the road. Don't give me that 'texting isn't needed but my examples are different.' You could EASILY ban a single cop who's driving from doing anything else. Easily say you always need two in a car. (Germany has that as a rule)
Do I think it's safe enough for me to text on a open highway and not to loose my mind on the road. Yep. idk if it is for all others. I also ride a motorcycle. Sometimes with a helmet, sometimes without (legal in WI). I rarely drive without a seatbelt on. The advantage of it isn't worth the risk. That's because I really can't see an advantage in not wearing a seat belt. btw, it should be clear I can see an advantage of all those other more risky things.
So what is more dangerous, beltless or helmetless? Clearly it is MUCH more dangerous riding a motorcycle with a helmet than driving a car without a seatbelt.
Too many people just love this kind of thing the video says. It makes the complicated issue very black and white. Maybe that's what is needed to get some people to change their ways. idk.
Yeah WI has banned texting and driving. I post to PFF while driving at times. I don't when I feel I need my full attention on the road.
It's not really reality. ...but maybe some people need something that isn't quite reality.
yes yes.....speed kills, texting and driving kills, drugs kill bla bla bla. I dont text and drive for one reason.....I dont want the ticket.....I do talk and drive every day. And according to the video she sent out hundreds of texts a day. Texting and driving did not kill her. Her own stupidity did.
Yeah WI has banned texting and driving. I post to PFF while driving at times. I don't when I feel I need my full attention on the road.
It's not really reality. ...but maybe some people need something that isn't quite reality.
I don't know how to take the statements you make but I will tell you this. If you take your eyes off the road for 1 second at 75 MPH you have travelled 110 feet without even knowing where your car is going and that to me is just plain dangerous. I am not saying distractions can't happen like the wasp in your story but the idea of driving is to drive the car and keep the distractions we have control over to the very bare minimum.
Do I think it's safe enough for me to text on a open highway and not to loose my mind on the road. Yep. idk if it is for all others.
I wonder what your last text will be, you didn't get the message the video was trying to convey. There is no question that you will be involved in an accident, the question is when? As for the comment someone made comparing texting to what a fighter pilot does, that is an Apples to Oranges comparison. A fighter pilot isn't flying his plane in close proximity to other planes or has oncoming traffic, stopping traffic, or even lane changing traffic. Most well run police forces do have two policemen to a car for safety reasons. One drives and the other handles the radio and computer. Remember you are responsible for any damages you cause while driving if you are negligent. Many states have banned this because of how dangerous it is, many are also banning the use of cell phones unless you use a hands free device. Here is what happens when you text and drive.
This one is made by actors but could be real.
Here is one by Car & Driver. It shows your reaction time is worse than driving impaired.
There are many more videos on YouTube. Don't text and drive. The life you may save may be your own.
[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 12-28-2010).]
I taught Sunday School for over 10 years. I was a Scoutmaster for over 10 years.
Do I think it's safe enough for me to text on a open highway and not to loose my mind on the road. Yep. Yeah WI has banned texting and driving. I post to PFF while driving at times. I don't when I feel I need my full attention on the road.
It's not really reality. ...but maybe some people need something that isn't quite reality.
Yea, if you think Texting while driving is ok... You are a moron. I don't care how many years you spent teaching sunday school, Texting while driving is stupid. And so is everyone who does it. I would hate for YOU to kill someone that I love just because you felt BORED while driving your two ton vehicle at 70 miles an hour, 6 feet from my loved ones bumper. Tell me, exactly WHEN does 2 tons of metal not need your full attention?
So you freely admit to breaking the law as well.... Texting is banned in your state, but you post to the forum while driving. But it is ok.. YOU are teaching our youth.
Smarten the heck up and act like the good intelligent adult you claim to be.
Yea, if you think Texting while driving is ok... You are a moron. I don't care how many years you spent teaching sunday school, Texting while driving is stupid. And so is everyone who does it. I would hate for YOU to kill someone that I love just because you felt BORED while driving your two ton vehicle at 70 miles an hour, 6 feet from my loved ones bumper. Tell me, exactly WHEN does 2 tons of metal not need your full attention?
So you freely admit to breaking the law as well.... Texting is banned in your state, but you post to the forum while driving. But it is ok.. YOU are teaching our youth.
Smarten the heck up and act like the good intelligent adult you claim to be.
I TOTALLY agree with you. phonedawgz's posts are usually right on the mark and you can take his Fiero advice to the bank but he is wrong on this issue.
I saw a woman nearly kill a pedestrian and her dog while driving her Jeep Cherokee all over the road. I took her license plate number and called the cops when I got home but they told me they had to see her do it because my description of the event isn't legally binding.
i've been run off the road by people with cell phones. they are not paying full attention to their surroundings. the guy in the car next to me was texting, started drifting into my lane. i honked, he kept on texting, never even looked up. i went to the shoulder to avoid him. jerk.
if you guys want to kill yourselves, feel free to do it at home where it's not my problem.
cellphones dont kill, idiots with cellphones kill.
[This message has been edited by lurker (edited 12-28-2010).]
I have yet to find a driver that doesn't break the law just about every time he/she drives. I guess you are going to tell me you drive the speed limit or below all the time? Or is it you are going to tell me that it's ok to break that one?
Now if you read what I said and compare it to what you said you will see your example doesn't qualify for when I said I text.
I'll put my driving record up against yours any day. I'm quite sure I will win.
quote
Originally posted by 8Ball:
Yea, if you think Texting while driving is ok... You are a moron. I don't care how many years you spent teaching sunday school, Texting while driving is stupid. And so is everyone who does it. I would hate for YOU to kill someone that I love just because you felt BORED while driving your two ton vehicle at 70 miles an hour, 6 feet from my loved ones bumper. Tell me, exactly WHEN does 2 tons of metal not need your full attention?
So you freely admit to breaking the law as well.... Texting is banned in your state, but you post to the forum while driving. But it is ok.. YOU are teaching our youth.
Smarten the heck up and act like the good intelligent adult you claim to be.
Every example that people have posted do not qualify as "an open highway". So I am not sure who you are trying to convince of what but since your arguments are based on something other than what I stated I do you don't have an argument.
No I don't text where there are pedestrians. No I don't even drive 6 feel from someones bumper. I surely don't text then. I didn't even imply I text or post then. When I do talk on the cell phone I do it with my blue tooth headset.
My Fiero doesn't weigh two tons.
And for the anyone who states that you need to have 100% of your attention on the road, I hope you are out protesting at every drive through. As I stated before there are a lot of people who want to pretend their world is black and white and somehow their actions are in the white. I will state, EVERY action I take is in the gray. Everything has risk.
Your going to have to do better if you want to attack what I said I actually do.
It is sad when this happens.. i'll admit it, i'v done it on numerous occasions and never had any kind of close calls with it (im a multitaskin MF) but latley i'v learned to wait or if its that crittical i'll either call the person or stop off on the side of the road to send a text back. This is one of the reasons why i like driving stick shift.. between clutchign shifting and steering you really dont have time to text.
A fighter pilot isn't flying his plane in close proximity to other planes or has oncoming traffic, stopping traffic, or even lane changing traffic.
Clearly you have NO idea of the complexities of flying a fighter jet. Trust me driving in traffic is a total walk in the park compared to flying a fighter jet. Yep, even with that stopped traffic.
quote
Most well run police forces do have two policemen to a car for safety reasons. One drives and the other handles the radio and computer.
Most police, state patrol and county officers ride one to a car. If you can find anything to state otherwise go for it. Otherwise give it up.
I was heading to a job site today with the top down and the radio off... (This is new for me) just listening to the engine, when I hear a very different sounding engine.. And I can hear it over my OWN!!! Very odd indeed, so I checked my mirrors and I see a yellow Ferrari coming up on me. He gets beside and and hangs there.. I looked over and basically gawked at his shiny Ferrari F430, never seen one in person before and OMG what a beauty!
Well he grinned really big and revved his Unholy sounding engine, I dropped into 3rd and took off! A run with a Ferrari was just too good to pass up. Right after I took off, I heard his engine come to life right behind me. Man that F430 sounds amazing at WOT! He pulls up beside me and we are both just winding it out, and staying side by side. I remember thinking.. wow.. I am hanging with a Ferrari!! Do I really have a chance?
I go thru 3rd and 4th, into 5th gear... Then I hear him shift... From 3rd into 4th... he was GONE.. Then from 4th into 5th... Then waaaaay off into the distance I hear him hit 6th..
Yep I had a chance... a snowball's chance in Hell!!
quote
Originally posted by 8Ball:
Just a quick one.. A Short run at full boost in the mountains Man she sounds NICE!!!!
One of the guys on Miata.net requested a video to hear my Supercharger whine, so this was my response
Most police, state patrol and county officers ride one to a car. If you can find anything to state otherwise go for it. Otherwise give it up.
Depends on your local and state ordeinences, In pa at night, state troopers roll in pairs. City cops new guys roll in pairs. county officers at night (technecley) arnt suposed to exit there car to issue tickets/gather info until another officer arrives or has a partner with them.
I get what your saying phonedawgz, sometimes I do crossword puzzles driving down the interstate, while watching a movie, talking on the phone, and the people in the bad play surprise "Guess Who". We only do it on open highways when we are really bored though, so it's cool.
I call it, "playing fighter pilot".
We possibly all do stuff that is not legal, or wise, that doesn't make it right. All it takes is one time, and you are forever sorry. Just be careful man. Nobody is bulletproof (except me).
I have never done a crossword puzzle while driving. How do you do it without using both hands?
The point I was trying to get at is everything has risks. To label something wise or unwise is back to the black and white. And to those who want to think black and white, they are just fooling themselves. I know of no one who refuses to eat in the car, refuses to use the radio in the car, refuses to look at a map in the car, refuses to speed in their car. If I did, I'd be happy with their perceived black and white view of safety too then. But since no one is that way, it goes back to the gray thing.
About the kid who hit a biker while driving. Yeah I think the risk of texting when you have pedestrians, bikers, and traffic to deal with is fairly foolish. I think if you are texting while driving in town it's pretty foolish. I also think youth have a harder time splitting their time and knowing their surroundings.
I like to have no cars close to me when I am driving on the highway. Usually in Wisconsin when you are out of the cities that's fairly easy to do. It's hard to hit someone or get hit by someone when they are no where near to you.
Your wording is very offensive. I'll put my driving record up against yours any day. I'm quite sure I will win.
Your response was very offensive in the first place.
You wanna put yours against mine? Sure thing. I have had exactly ONE speeding ticket in 12 years. So ok, sure let's line them up. I have also had ONE failure to stop. In an empty parking lot.
Clearly you have NO idea of the complexities of flying a fighter jet.
And you just happen to be a jet pilot? I bet not.
quote
Also I would think most people on here who have seen how I operate know the kind of things I do. I taught Sunday School for over 10 years. I was a Boy Scout Troop Scoutmaster for over 10 years. Troop 1040 - Bay Lakes Counsel. Woodbadge, OA yeah all that stuff.
Aren't you supposed to lead by example? You certainly are providing a very bad example by texting and driving.
What are you going to tell the other person's family when you kill one of their loved ones, because of your ignorance to the dangerous situation you are creating. Your actions are undefensable. I hope a cop sees you texting while you are driving and tears you a new one. I don't care what you say or what excuse you try to come up with, taking your eyes off the road is dangerous to you and to others. You think you are right because you haven't had an accident occur because of this yet. What if an animal runs in front of your car, while you are texting, and you didn't see it? How about a little kid? What if you get a flat tire or a bird hits your windshield? What if there's a pothole or other obstacle in the road? The bottom line is that there are many things that can happen on the road that are unexpected, and this is why you need to be paying attention. If you are texting you will not have enough time to react to any of these situations. There is no gray area in this matter, texting while driving is unsafe driving. As someone said above, it is illegal for you to be doing this in your state anyway. http://www.drivinglaws.org/wisconsin.php
quote
Wisconsin 2010 Update - Texting Bill Signed into Law Wisconsin Text-Messaging Ban Signed By Governor The Governor of Wisconsin has signed Assembly Bill 496.
The new law prohibits all drivers from driving while composing or sending an electronic text message.
The fine for a first time offense is from $20 to $400 and 4 Points on the diving record of the offender and second time offenders will face a fine from $200 to $800.
The new text messaging ban is considered a primary offense, which means a driver may be pulled over solely on the basis of suspected texting offense.
The New law will go into effect on December 1st, 2010.
So, not only are you ethically wrong, you are also legally wrong.
[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 01-05-2011).]
I have a unique perspective on this issue, as one of the only remaining humans on the planet that does not use cell phones.
I never really understood the whole point of texting, and have always thought it was stupid, and a step backwards technology wise. I used to use text message all the time, on my computer, like AIM or MSMSG.. And always found all the typing i had to do just to have a conversation was annoying, and wished i could just press a button and talk to the person using my mic, which now you can.. So when texting on cell phones came out and got popular, i never understood it.. Why in the hell would you want to sit there and type in text, when you can just call the person, talk to them, and be done with it. Plus, its more expensive than just making a call.. Doesn't make sense to me.
Iv never been a cell phone person.. If you call me at home, and im not there, then chances are im busy and don't want to talk to you anyway.. Thats just how iv always felt about it. Although i do see the usefulness of cellphones, for business people and the like.. I have a prepaid phone with like 100 minutes on it that i keep in my car, just in case of an emergency or i have a brake down or something.. I never use it.. Every 3 months i just put $10 worth of minutes on it so i can keep it active, iv never actually made a call on it yet. And iv had it a little over a year.
Cell phones and driving has always pissed me off.. Putting up with morons yapping away on their phones while driving was bad enough, now we got morons staring down at their laps to text.. I actually get really nervous these days about driving my Fiero around in town, being a little sports car in a town where your surrounded by big pickup trucks and SUV's. I cant tell you how many times iv been just sitting at a red light waiting for traffic only to see some idiot in a another car, or my favorite, a pickup truck, end up slamming on his breaks because he wasn't paying attention and nearly rear end me, only to look back and see them with a phone in their hands.. So i avoid driving my Fiero in town as much as possible, and just drive it out on the country roads (more fun anyway).. Teenagers are the worst..
My greatest fear while driving while driving around town used to be making sure i was at the speed limit so i didn't get pulled over and get a ticket, plus i keep my "fun" driving restricted to country roads, but you know how a fiero is, you feel like your going 50, but your going 75, so around town i make sure to keep an eye on myself, lol.. Now my greatest fear while driving around town is some stupid teenage girl texting her best girlfriend Kimmy that bobby from school likes her! Is going to smash into me at a red light while driving her mommy's Yukon and destroying my car, or killing me..
I understand phonedawgz argument, none of us are perfect drivers, we all speed from time to time (we drive little sports cars, of course we speed) we eat while driving, smoke cigarettes while driving, play with the radio, ect ect.. But none of those things requires you to stop watching the road (unless your stupid) while texting not only distracts your attention, but your not even watching what the hell is in front of you, so in my mind, there is a hugh difference..
quote
I hope a cop sees you texting while you are driving and tears you a new one.
Yeah that would be nice, but (at least in my town) cops don't enforce the cell phone laws.. Its illegal to use the cell phone while the car is in motion here, happened about 4 or 5 years ago, and i was so happy to hear about that new law.. But i see cops ignore others doing it all the time, and see cops themselves doing it all the time.. Hell just the other day i saw a cop driving down the highway, with his cell pinned to his ear with his shoulder, while he had a clipboard on his steering wheel and he was writing on it, going about 60 - 65 right through the main intersection in town, very busy area.. So iv given up pretty much on cops around here even bothering to enforce that law.. Too bad too, has cell phones and driving has been a problem around my town for quite a long time now, which is why that law was finally put into effect, plus the cops could make a lot of money for the city by giving tickets to people.. But the cops don't enforce it, so it really doesn't matter.
[This message has been edited by Jonesy (edited 12-29-2010).]
When we lived in Germany, I sometimes drove 220kph (about 135mph) on the autobahn to get to my jobsite. I worked all over Germany and had a car that was safe and capable of doing that speed for long periods of time. Phonedawgz, I wonder if you'd do crosswords, chat on a cell, text, play with your radio or whatever at that speed? Would you drive from small town to small town (usually less than 10 kilometers apart) with cows, kids, bicyclists, etc while doing the dangerous things you do while driving? What is the speed limit or traffic congestion level that would stop you from enangering yourself and others?
I admire your Fiero knowledge and morals but you're 100% wrong on this issue. One of the first detractors in this thread called you a moron but I won't go that far. Texting or other distracting behavior is moronic behavior especially for an intelligent person such as you to practice.
Jonesy: Texting is nice when you just want to say or ask something quick. When you sit there and have an entire conversation, that gets a bit stupid. My wife thought texting was stupid just like you, then she got a phone with a full keyboard and now she probably texts more than me.
When somebody texts me when I'm driving, I'll just have my wife text them back or wait until a stoplight or something if I'm alone. I do have to admit though, if all I need to say is "k" or something, I will usually do it quick. I'm not perfect, but I also don't do that if I'm surrounded by cars and/or pedestrians.
I understand phonedawgz's argument also. I've been very distracted before by simple things. Say you hear a song on the radio and "need" to know who sings it so you sit there and watch the radio until the artist's name scrolls across. Drop a lit cigarette on the floor (I've done this a few times)...that's usually a freaking scramble to find it. What I'm trying to get at, is that I say it's safer to quickly send a text like "k" than to dig around that McDonald's bag looking for a salt packet.
My phone actually has a voice to text option. I've never actually used it, I imagine it's probably more of a hassle. The phone will more than likely write in the wrong word then you have to try and correct it.
Everybody drive safe, other than Brad, none of us are bulletproof.
It is sad when this happens.. i'll admit it, i'v done it on numerous occasions and never had any kind of close calls with it (im a multitaskin MF) but latley i'v learned to wait or if its that crittical i'll either call the person or stop off on the side of the road to send a text back. This is one of the reasons why i like driving stick shift.. between clutchign shifting and steering you really dont have time to text.
i agree.. im 17 and used to txt and drive when i was driving an auto. but now i drive a stick and i cant txt muchless hold a cup of coffee and drive... i usually let my passenger txt if its important, and if its a phone call and its important i send it to my bluetooth radio if not ignore it ... but i do regret txting and driving since two of my classmates died in a car accident a few months ago even if the cause was speed and not texting,
I can understand when you just wanna tell someone "k" it would seem silly to actually call them on the phone to say that.. If someone is texting you a question that only requires a "k" to answer.. I seriously doubt its very important, and can wait 5 or 10 minutes for you to stop at a redlight, or get home and answer them then. So i hear were ya comin from fastblack, and understand your logic on the matter.
too you: (Its illogical to make a full phone call when all you want to say is "k")
too me: (its 100 times more illogical to put yourself and others in harms way, so you can tell someone "k")
Not judging anyone, im not perfect either, but thats just my opinion on the subject.
[This message has been edited by Jonesy (edited 12-29-2010).]
Yea, if you think Texting while driving is ok... You are a moron. I don't care how many years you spent teaching sunday school, Texting while driving is stupid. And so is everyone who does it. I would hate for YOU to kill someone that I love just because you felt BORED while driving your two ton vehicle at 70 miles an hour, 6 feet from my loved ones bumper. Tell me, exactly WHEN does 2 tons of metal not need your full attention?
So you freely admit to breaking the law as well.... Texting is banned in your state, but you post to the forum while driving. But it is ok.. YOU are teaching our youth.
Smarten the heck up and act like the good intelligent adult you claim to be.
I have yet to find a driver that doesn't break the law just about every time he/she drives. I guess you are going to tell me you drive the speed limit or below all the time? Or is it you are going to tell me that it's ok to break that one?
Now if you read what I said and compare it to what you said you will see your example doesn't qualify for when I said I text.
I'll put my driving record up against yours any day. I'm quite sure I will win.
I can understand when you just wanna tell someone "k" it would seem silly to actually call them on the phone to say that.. If someone is texting you a question that only requires a "k" to answer.. I seriously doubt its very important, and can wait 5 or 10 minutes for you to stop at a redlight, or get home and answer them then. So i hear were ya comin from fastblack, and understand your logic on the matter.
too you: (Its illogical to make a full phone call when all you want to say is "k")
too me: (its 100 times more illogical to put yourself and others in harms way, so you can tell someone "k")
Not judging anyone, im not perfect either, but thats just my opinion on the subject.
How many key strokes to text k vs call and say k?
If somehow I could see how pressing the buttons to text K was inherently more dangerous than dialing the buttons to say K, you could convince me. Clearly it's not 100 times more dangerous to press the same amount of keys. I still have to look at the display to dial. If you called me I still would glance to see what the display says. Both operations are of about the same dangerous level.
Again when you say pressing the buttons to text K is 100 times more dangerous than pressing the same buttons to call, it clearly shows me you don't understand the 'gray' of EVERY activity.
I think every activity should be evaluated for it's danger level. I think no particular activity should be 'dammed' as dangerous when others of the same danger level are not. I realize since there is a risk with everything I do I need to do what is appropriate.
Blind simplistic rules are what gets a kid kicked out of school cause he pointed a tator tot like a gun.
Honestly I think I evaluate risks more than others. Honestly I think I avoid risks that have more downside than upside more so than many. I don't see any good reason to drive 6 feel behind the bumper of a car or truck. I don't dial my phone or text when I am in traffic or pedestrians are around. I try my best to NOT be next to cars on the highway. I flash my brakes like a nut whenever I get into a slowdown on a highway.
I also decide what I can do in what situation. I clearly hear you damming texting. I already knew many had that attitude. I hear sentences that defy logic. "Don't take risks when driving" - Sorry driving is taking a risk. Everything you do in the car is a risk. People take reasonable risks based on their experience. I do the same.
Most everything has been addressed. I almost never text while driving because nothing I have to say is really that important. If it is, I have the blue tooth and can just call the person. Also once you have a passenger that becomes their job to automatically handle sending your messages. I actually had found myself on more then one occasion taking the cell phone from the driver (here, let me do that). Because you can so easily see how much they are NOT seeing when texting.
Since I didn't see Brad's answer about how he does the crossword puzzle while driving. I will volunteer an answer. You don't have very much of a distraction when you don't know the answers LOL.
Oh here's an idea, lets push this thread a little in the wrong direction. How distracting is it to be getting ___ while driving? I had a friend back in highschool who completely totaled his car in that situation once.
If you offended by ____ then, well........something is wrong with you. Who gets offended by a blank space LOL
I've had that. For sure a whole lot more dangerous than texting.
Better to park it kiddies and truly enjoy the moment. Don't forget to say thanks. And if she wants to kiss afterward just do it and better not make any funny faces or there will be no more tickets to that ride.
I have never done a crossword puzzle while driving. How do you do it without using both hands?
The point I was trying to get at is everything has risks. To label something wise or unwise is back to the black and white. And to those who want to think black and white, they are just fooling themselves. I know of no one who refuses to eat in the car, refuses to use the radio in the car, refuses to look at a map in the car, refuses to speed in their car. If I did, I'd be happy with their perceived black and white view of safety too then. But since no one is that way, it goes back to the gray thing.
About the kid who hit a biker while driving. Yeah I think the risk of texting when you have pedestrians, bikers, and traffic to deal with is fairly foolish. I think if you are texting while driving in town it's pretty foolish. I also think youth have a harder time splitting their time and knowing their surroundings.
I like to have no cars close to me when I am driving on the highway. Usually in Wisconsin when you are out of the cities that's fairly easy to do. It's hard to hit someone or get hit by someone when they are no where near to you.
Ever have a deer run out in frt of you on a highway at 60 MPH?
What would happen if you were Texting?
You willing to take that chance?
I’m not, and I might be right beside you in another car When it happens.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't. Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
BOSTON (AP) — A subway driver who authorities say was texting his girlfriend just before his trolley slammed into the back of another one near an underground station, injuring more than 60 people, pleaded guilty Wednesday and was sentenced to probation.
Aiden Quinn appeared in Suffolk Superior Court to plead guilty to gross negligence by a person in control of a common carrier. Judge Carol Ball sentenced him to two years probation and 100 hours of community service.
Quinn admitted typing a text message to his girlfriend just before the May 2009 rush-hour crash at the Government Center subway stop, prosecutors said. He ran through yellow and red warning lights and into the two-car train ahead of his. He was later fired.
The first thing insurance companies do now is check your call log. If you were on your cell phone at the time of the accident they deny the claim and you are automatically at fault. Statistics show that more cellular related accidents occur now than those related to alcohol.
Texting is about as exciting as sending morse code.
I'm never one to buy into the whole public safety hysteria and definitely not one for banning much of anything but...
This, however, I couldn't support more because by doing this you are directly impacting my and everybody else on the road's safety. Drive when you are ****ing driving. Don't text, call, read, do makeup, shave, comb your hair, pluck your eyebrows or whatever else is more important that paying attention and not killing yourself, or worse - someone else. Just ****ing drive.
Smoke weed, blow coke, shoot heroin on your own time in your home and I could care less. Distract yourself while driving and you're endangering my welfare, which is where the line gets drawn. I've seen too many people killed by careless driving due to people being distracted. I have a freind who has perminant nerve damage because some lady was using her phone and rear-ended her at c.55mph. I'm not one for lawsuits but had it been me I would have gone after her. Not for money but I would do everything I could to make sure she was never issued a driver's license again. I knew another guy who was killed while riding his motorcycle by some young girl on her phone. Live with that regret every day while you're bumming rides and catching the bus. Driving on public roads is a priviledge, not a right.
