Cell Phones and Driving

RoadDog

Was sitting at the light last night. In the left turn lane to turn East. The cars that were turning from Eastbound to Northbound were passing right in front of me. Counted 7 of 12 with a phone to their ear. No texting. However ,at the next light, the lady in front of me was texting and I had to honk to get her attention when the light changed.

Oregon passed a law last year making Texting and Talking on the cell phone (without a hands-free device) illiegal. Doesn't seem to have deterred anyone at all.

I would love to hear from those people that believe they can text and talk on the phone while driving without it affecting their concentration or safety.

If what I see on the road is indicative, then there has to be about 50% of you that feel you can disregard this new law.

I'd love to hear why.

By the way, when my daughter started driving, I made her sign a contract. If she's caught texting or talking on her cell phone while driving, she loses her driving privileges and her car.

I'll share my feelings about it. If I could get away with it, I would snatch the phone from people's hands in traffic and smash them.

That's just my opinion. I REALLY DO want to hear your opinions.

morganadk2_deleted

Texting and Talking on the mobile phone (without a hands-free device) is illiegal in England, doesn't seem to have deterred anyone here either!

makes me really anrgy!

NYIceQueen

I didn't have a handsfree for a long time but I'd use the speakerphone on my cell. Now my car has bluetooth so I just push a button and talk.

As for texting, I don't text while driving. HOWEVER, I have been known to text at a red light (ie to my husband when I'm picking him up - "at light, start coming out" - so he's ready when I get there. it literally takes about 5 sec because I have it saved as a template and ready to go). With my health issues I've also had to text for help since i didn't want to alarm my daughter, so that my husband or somebody could meet me at a parking lot and then drive me, but again, at a red light or pulled over.

I think most folks have common sense enough not to fully text while driving, but we have to pay for the stupidity of a few who deserve to be thinned out by Darwin by having ridiculous laws.

BTW, we have a zero tolerance on cell phones while driving and now texting while driving. Guess who I see doing this ALL THE FREAKIN TIME? COPS AND SCHOOLBUS DRIVERS.

JennsLosing

ill talk while driving....even though i really dont do it often. im not taking my eyes off the road while talking, so i really dont see any difference in talking on the phone and talking to someone in my truck. Texting is a big no no to me though. but what about people who are stuffing their faces while driving? that is dangerous too because your not giving you attention to the road fully.

ket_the_jet

Do you go precisely the speed limit without going over? If so, why?

Have you ever changed a radio station when your eyes should have been on the road? Had something to eat while driving while perilously removing your hands from the 10-2 steering position?

Have you ever talked to a passenger, trying to make eye contact while keeping your eyes on the road?

Have you ever had just one too many before driving home?
-wtk

porcelain_doll

All people are going to do is put their phone down when they see a cop. They know it will be hard to catch them and that's why they keep doing it.

People are more concerned about getting caught than the safety issue at hand. For example, every person I know that goes out drinking says they have to be careful about driving home later because they don't want a DUI. Not one person ever says "because I could get into an accident and hurt someone else."

mapinkerton

I agree with you totally! Hubby and I were hit on his motorcycle by a 21 year old girl that was on her phone. She also hit a bicyclist and put him in the hospital 2 years earlier in Bend Oregon. She has a rich daddy that pays for her cars and insurance. IF she was my daughter, she would be walking! She was cool as a cucumber. She got out of her car walked around and STEPPED OVER MY HUSBAND laying in front of her car to see the damage to the passenger side of her car.

While we sat on the corner waiting for the dealership to come pick up the Harley (it wasn't drivable) we watched the people going through the intersection (residential neighborhood). Over 75% were on the phone!

Use of cell phones will driving needs to be banned TOTALLY. And there needs to be strict laws with major punishment if you are caught driving and using a cell phone. Fines should be doubled if it is determined you were on the phone at the time of an accident.

Just my opinion.

aunienue

Texting and Talking on the mobile phone (without a hands-free device) is illiegal in England, doesn't seem to have deterred anyone here either!

makes me really anrgy!

Same here in Ontario, Canada. Police have a blitz on currently but again, not many people seem deterred. I think even hands-free is distracting.

So sad, I'd love to see the stats on accidents involving cell phone useage.

aschultz9

Speeding is illegal also, people still do it. I see people actually reading books and putting on mascara on my commute to work. It all falls under inattentive driving so I don't see why they had to make a "special" law about texting. I talk on the phone (don't text) while driving. That's not illegal here though.

NanBar

There needs to be some STIFF fines- $1500- or a weekend in jail... if caught texting or not using a hands free, and police need to enforce it and it would deter people from doing it it.
I know 5 people killed by either texting and driving or someone else texting while driving.

hpsnickers1

I agree. Here in VA they will not ban cell phones while driving. I'm sure banning doesn't make much of a difference but every little bit helps.

Maybe they made a "special" law about texting but it is so important. Just about everyone speeds but that doesn't necessarily mean they are being inattentive or taking their eyes off the road. My commute to work is so familiar I could fly down my country roads (I don't). It's when their going at high speeds or suffering from road rage that it becomes a problem.

I couldn't imagine trying to type while driving. That is impossible. The scary thing is it's the inexperienced drivers doing this.

laughingdani

Someone posted this on FB the other day and I just had to share.....it's kind of hilarious and a little disturbing.....

http://www.nbc-2.com/global/story.asp?s=12107993

OGFleabag

Someone posted this on FB the other day and I just had to share.....it's kind of hilarious and a little disturbing.....

http://www.nbc-2.com/global/story.asp?s=12107993

O_O ew. disturbing is right.

ket_the_jet

I agree with you totally! Hubby and I were hit on his motorcycle by a 21 year old girl that was on her phone...

This one time, a completely attentive driver hit someone and ran out of the car and helped that person.

My point is that anecdotal evidence is no reason to make generalizations.
-wtk

porcelain_doll

I agree with you totally! Hubby and I were hit on his motorcycle by a 21 year old girl that was on her phone...

This one time, a completely attentive driver hit someone and ran out of the car and helped that person.

My point is that anecdotal evidence is no reason to make generalizations.
-wtk

?

FearAnLoathing

It seems to me when ever im driving somewhere the people on the road driving the worst are the ones on the phone.
Almost got in a fist fight with a lady in the wal mart parking lot,she was so distracted talking on her phone she almost hit me and my daughter turning into a parking spot.
I snatched her phone out of her hand and tossed it across the parking lot,im a little suprised she didnt bring the cops in on this but all the witnesses were on my side.

girlinahat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs

doesn't take much





I agree, it's not just the cellphones, a truck driver here kiled people because he took his eyes off the road looking for a mint that fell on the floor of his vehicle. But the point is, you can try and control mobile phones in vehicles, or speed or wearing a seatbelt, and it DOES save lives. There will always be exceptions.

Mrs_McFadden

You seem to hate my opinions haha

I don't live in OR..but this is my -Opinion/Policy-

Here in Houston we have a no cell phone within a school zone law..I think that's totally appropiate.

I will talk on the phone while driving but everyone I talk on the phone with knows that I will ditch them in a heartbeat if I feel like I need to do something important or traffic is dicey or whatever. I will hang up without even saying goodbye if necessary. Moments like these include if I see a lot of traffic slowing down and I cannot see why, I'm approaching a heavy duty danger zone (IE major interchanges on the highways in Houston) or if someone is weaving..etc etc.
I do NOT text and drive. I pull over. Or at least wait until I'm at a complete stop and keep an eagle eye on the light. If the light changes before I'm finished tough cookies for me it's a freaking text message.

I've had a few people in my circle die from drunk driving and I've heard a lot of stories about accidents and text messages. I just don't want to be the one that kills someone because of a stupid thing like a text. I drive an Expedition when I'm with my kids and that is practically a tank if it hits a smaller vehicle.

The way I see it - we are *adults* we need to act like it and really do we REALLY need to be jabbing away when we're doing something that requires our full concentration? I use my headphones to chat, I hang up liberally when I feel its needed due to driving conditions and I pull over to deal with texts.

RoadDog

Do you go precisely the speed limit without going over? If so, why?

Have you ever changed a radio station when your eyes should have been on the road? Had something to eat while driving while perilously removing your hands from the 10-2 steering position?

Have you ever talked to a passenger, trying to make eye contact while keeping your eyes on the road?

Have you ever had just one too many before driving home?
-wtk

You never gave your opinion.

Atlantique

All people are going to do is put their phone down when they see a cop. They know it will be hard to catch them and that's why they keep doing it.

People are more concerned about getting caught than the safety issue at hand. For example, every person I know that goes out drinking says they have to be careful about driving home later because they don't want a DUI. Not one person ever says "because I could get into an accident and hurt someone else."

In some states, they can now confiscate your cellphone if you're in an accident, specifically to check if you were on the phone or texting while driving! Maybe that will get some folks' attention.

ket_the_jet

Almost got in a fist fight with a lady in the wal mart parking lot...

This one time, I tore the radio out of someone's car because he was changing the radio station while driving. Threw it all the way across the parking lot.

Again, anecdotal evidence shouldn't define policy.
-wtk

FearAnLoathing

Someone posted this on FB the other day and I just had to share.....it's kind of hilarious and a little disturbing.....

http://www.nbc-2.com/global/story.asp?s=12107993

wow:huh:

Atlantique

I have an app on my phone called "Txt Msg Away Lite". Basically, it sends out an auto-reply to anyone who texts you while the app is in use. You can choose from pre-loaded messages or create your own.

I turn it on whenever I get into the car, with the autoreply "I'm driving right now and can't read your text. I'll get back to you soon."

karenjoy

It is illegal in the UK as already said and so it should be!!! anyone who does it is irresponsible and thoughtless, don't care what reason they think they are a better driver than everyone else or that, they might have gotten away without killing someone so far...SO FAR....

Using a phone is PROVEN to make you less attentive, in tests carried out by the government. It doesn't stop dumb *kitten* people still doing it, but the law doesn't stop people from drink driving or killing their children either, people who are willing to break the law will break the law, if it stops ONE person from being killed while some a**hole sends a text or chats to their friend then it's worth it.

No matter how safe you think you are, it's still dangerous to use a mobile while you're driving. Studies have shown that a driver’s reaction can be up to 50% slower than usual and the risk of crashing is increased by 4 times when they are using a mobile phone. Reactions of drivers using mobiles were recorded as being 30% worse than that of a driver who was over the drink driving limit. Texting or speaking on the phone distracts you from what you are doing and you are forced to split your concentration between driving and chatting, when you should be focusing your full attention on the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iqCcMDByLA

FearAnLoathing

Almost got in a fist fight with a lady in the wal mart parking lot...

This one time, I tore the radio out of someone's car because he was changing the radio station while driving. Threw it all the way across the parking lot.

Again, anecdotal evidence shouldn't define policy.
-wtk

I get the feeling your one of those talk and text why driving types...lol whatever
I think the number of accidents and death texting and driving has caused speak for itself.
why dont you give your opinion insted of just trying to be a smart *kitten*

girlinahat

Almost got in a fist fight with a lady in the wal mart parking lot...

This one time, I tore the radio out of someone's car because he was changing the radio station while driving. Threw it all the way across the parking lot.

Again, anecdotal evidence shouldn't define policy.
-wtk

I think the policy banning cellphones is based on hard evidence of distracted drivers - it's easy enough to tell from the phone records.

It's probably the same methodology they used when deciding that seatbelts were effective at saving lives.

Not 'anecdotal' evidence, but good hard collation of data. Sadly from dead people.

jsecret

It is a guarantee that if I am in my car I am on the phone. I have a one hour drive each way and I use this time to catch up with my husband, mom, and grandma mostly. Have I been in accidents? Yes. One speeding, when I was 16 and had no phone. One roll over doing 20 mph on a gravel road... no phone. And another roll over on black ice due to a drunk driver... again, no phone. I've never had an accident due to phone use or even near accidents. I also am known for texting, checking e-mail/facebook/MFP while on the phone BUT keep in mind that the majority of my drive is back country roads where there is nobody for miles in any directions.

FearAnLoathing

I think it is highly irresponsible and should be treated the same as dui

FearAnLoathing

It is a guarantee that if I am in my car I am on the phone. I have a one hour drive each way and I use this time to catch up with my husband, mom, and grandma mostly. Have I been in accidents? Yes. One speeding, when I was 16 and had no phone. One roll over doing 20 mph on a gravel road... no phone. And another roll over on black ice due to a drunk driver... again, no phone. I've never had an accident due to phone use or even near accidents. I also am known for texting, checking e-mail/facebook/MFP while on the phone BUT keep in mind that the majority of my drive is back country roads where there is nobody for miles in any directions.

I have heard drunk drivers use the same reasoning....I have never had and accident drunk.....i drive on back roads...the only accidants ive had i was sober,untill they kill someone and then I guess they cant use those anymore.
When I was living in canyon tx (small small country town) some guy hit a jogger while he was texting killing her.he gave the exact same statement.I was on a country road no ones ever on

ket_the_jet

You never gave your opinion.

In fairness, you never answered my questions either.

I get the feeling your one of those talk and text why driving types...lol whatever
I think the number of accidents and death texting and driving has caused speak for itself.
why dont you give your opinion insted of just trying to be a smart *kitten*

I talk on the phone while driving all the time. I'll read and answer texts--hell, sometimes I'll even surf the internet while driving. Most of this while going 12-15 miles over the speed limit, tailgating, and flashing my high beams until someone gets out of the left lane.

That said, I have never gotten a speeding ticket and I've never been in an accident. And to rebut your very scientific proposal, according to the World Health Organization, the top cause of fatal car accidents is driving at night. Do you believe that night time driving should be restricted by the government?

Furthermore, thanks to about five minutes of searching the US Census bureau, the number of driving deaths in 2007 was less than 1000 fewer than 2000; in these short seven years, advances to adaptive cruise control, Bluetooth and voice recognition, airbag advancements, blind spot monitoring, rearview cameras, traction control, advanced crumple zones, and airbag advancements have been made; surely you do not believe that cellphone usage counteracts all of these fantastic inventions and advancements that have kept 2.4% more people alive right?
-wtk

porcelain_doll

You never gave your opinion.

In fairness, you never answered my questions either.

I get the feeling your one of those talk and text why driving types...lol whatever
I think the number of accidents and death texting and driving has caused speak for itself.
why dont you give your opinion insted of just trying to be a smart *kitten*

I talk on the phone while driving all the time. I'll read and answer texts--hell, sometimes I'll even surf the internet while driving. Most of this while going 12-15 miles over the speed limit, tailgating, and flashing my high beams until someone gets out of the left lane.

That said, I have never gotten a speeding ticket and I've never been in an accident. And to rebut your very scientific proposal, according to the World Health Organization, the top cause of fatal car accidents is driving at night. Do you believe that night time driving should be restricted by the government?

Furthermore, thanks to about five minutes of searching the US Census bureau, the number of driving deaths in 2007 was less than 1000 fewer than 2000; in these short seven years, advances to adaptive cruise control, Bluetooth and voice recognition, airbag advancements, blind spot monitoring, rearview cameras, traction control, advanced crumple zones, and airbag advancements have been made; surely you do not believe that cellphone usage counteracts all of these fantastic inventions and advancements that have kept 2.4% more people alive right?
-wtk

Seems like it's just a matter of time for you. Better start saving for a good lawyer now. Think of something nice to read aloud to the victim's family in court during your sentencing. Ooooh, that's harsh, isn't it?