http://news.aol.com/article/lives-lo...racks%2F564797

Just saw the story on AOL's home page. Sad story....

Suspended license for driving w/out carrying a license, running a stop sign, & speeding.

Also, the 14 yr old just had a fight with her mom & didn't make it home......

 

I think we agree here. This isn't about cell phones particularly; it is about laziness, carelessness and dangerous driving as a result that puts everyone else in danger. It doesn't matter if it is a cell phone or being "...drunk, high, trying to slap their kid around in the backseat, fiddling with the radio, just careless..." I think it is safe to say that it is illegal to run red lights or swerve into other lanes while reading the newspaper/putting on makeup/whatever while driving. That is the blanket law, already in place. The way people drive should be what deserves the citation and fine. However, it is clearly not being enforced possibly due to lack of manpower. In which case, I think the point Scott is trying to make is that is starts with US...

 

problem is those "people" don't care about anybody else but themselves.

 

Perhaps I don't understand what you're saying here.

What I DO know is this:

NO ONE -- you and me included -- can talk on a cell-phone and NOT have their driving impaired.

Simply can't be done.

Study after study bears this out.

So.....if you're saying that Uncle Sam should not pass laws making it unlawful to drive and yammer on the cell phone at the same time? I very much disagree---it is not *anyones* right to cause an accident - -or worse, kill someone due to being impaired behind the wheel........

 

I'm trying to save lives.

I'm also trying to prevent accidents.

More accidents -- higher insurance.........

That's why I asked at the very beginning of the post that it not be moved.

Take a look on some of the sites where we've had several new 2010 Camaros totalled -- and more damaged by accidents.

How many were due to people not paying attention?

Three that I know of were due to people running red lights or stop signs.

 

Another problem not mentioned in conjunction with cell phones is people who slow waaaaaay down when on their phone. Apparently they must think they are "being safer" this way, but in fact this can also be dangerous (as well as pissing people off).

 

I'm willing to bet you that 99% of the people slowing down don't even realize it. Just goes to show how distracting it can be. I'm guilty of doing it as well, but I only do it if I need to..keep it as short as possible..use bluetooth..and don't do it at all in heavy traffic.

 

This is exactly what I was going to say. I know for a fact on the rare occasion I have talked on the phone while driving I find myself slowing down and worst, not being aware of the cars around me. I always try to keep myself an out in case I need to avoid someone else. Even with my Bluetooth (both earpiece and radio equipped) I try to keep my conversations short. And sort of along the lines of this thread, here is proof that everyone, incuding law enforcement should obey laws. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...BAC418MCND.DTL


Brian

 

Because, clearly, this wouldn't create a situation where impairment could be just as bad, if not worse than when someone is talking on the phone. I know you say carefully, but the fact is that as careful as you could be you would still be taking your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel.

I'm not intending to attack you, more to point out the fine line presented here. Where do you end it? The radio causes distractions, so does carrying passengers, hell, the new 5th gen could be viewed as a distraction because of the amount of attention it receives. You guys can blast me if you choose to, but I talk on the phone while driving regularly. I am still very aware, still maintain my speed, and have not had any significant issues. The driving comes first, then the conversation. My car has bluetooth capability, but I prefer using my phone and will continue to do so until PA adopts the laws against them.

 

Not to attack you either, but thats the arrogance that cell phone drivers particularly have while driving. Sure, I'll admit some people can multitask and talk on the cell phone and still drive well. But, once something in that conversation takes your attention, your focus on the road is "shot".

For example, lets say your wife calls you to tell you someone you care about has passed away. Immediately after those words travel to your ear, your attention to the road is gone, and thats all it takes to start an accident that could end someone else's life.

 

You're definitely right. I'd like to think that in that case I'd have the sense and ability to pull off the the side of the road and either continue the conversation or try to collect myself and get myself where I need to be going.

It all goes back to the "line" argument that myself and others have made. Anything can be a distraction, and most things will cause varying reactions depending on the person and the situation being presented. For example, what about the people driving along on September 11th and heard about the events on the radio, or a lady with a screaming kid in the backseat, or the guy driving to work with a cup of coffee. Each time the person's attention is taken away from the road. Should we ban the use of radios, or ban news reports that aren't traffic related? No more passengers? Ban being able to eat or drink anything at all while driving?

 

One thing is for sure, when my daughter(s) are old enough to drive on there own, or ride with a friend, they will be followed a couple of times. I may buy a motorcycle and park it at the neighbors house for that very purpose.

 

Also, the first date with my daughter? BBQ right here at my place, your parents will attend.
I will gladly drive your parents and you home in my camaro if they need a "designated driver". You don't like the rules you don't play the game.

Back on topic, I am willing to bet that I can see more people not stop at a stop sign than will stop. I always make a waving motion with my hand when someone just rolls through a stop sign when they see that I am coming to a complete stop at a perpendicular stop sign.

 

The difference is active or passive. Listening to music while driving is a passive task, which means you can go about doing that with out it really effecting your ability to drive. Talking on a cell phone, eating, tending to the kids in the back, doing makeup, reading, and so many more are all active task. They take away part of your attention to what you are doing weather you really know it or not.

I don't understand why people can't just simply enjoy a little down time and just drive. People really need help if you can't drive with out having to talk to someone on the phone, read the paper, or whatever. It is down right irresponsible of those that do it. I understand maybe using the phone for directions or emergency use, but I would hope that people could make the investment of a bluetooth device. That would at least leave you with two hands on the wheel if something happens, and that could save yours or somebody else's life.

I can't not say that I'm not guilty of using my cell phone when driving. I keep it to the smallest minium amount of use though (need directs, or emergencies). I did also just invest in a new radio with built-in bluetooth. For me, I don't like talking on the phone while driving anyways, because I do pay more attention to my driving so I don't hear half the conversation anyways. So for me it is kind of rude to the person I would be talking too.

To call out 69Camaro327 and anyone else who believes it is ok to multi-task well driving. I'm not trying to attack you but think about this:
I family member of your's or let's say one of your kids (if you have any) is killed or permently injuried in an accident. The person who caused the accident was fine with no injuries. That person said they were talking on their phone (or whatever else) and never say that the light had turned red and that's why the t-boned your family member's/kid's vehicle.

IS THE PHONE CALL (or whatever) REALLY WORTH IT. PULL OVER OR JUST CALL THEM BACK.

 

Fair Enough

The difference between all these distractions from cell phones is, those distractions DO NOT require a response from you. Listening to the radio report allows you to listen and drive. With a cell phone once the information has been passed to you, you automatically have to respond to it which is more distraction then just listening to a radio.

Screaming kid in the backseat for the most part does not cause car accidents because 1 most parents ignore the screaming if its something stupied like he wants a toy. Or 2 if its something bad like the kids ear hurts they most likely will pull over to handle the situation

Drinking a cup of coffee has the smallest distraction time of all the ones you listed. It require absolutly no skill to take a cup of coffee out of the cup holder and to take a sip. Distraction time maybe 3 seconds, can be done at a stop light or even on the go without any severe danger compared to a cell phone.


I do agree on the other hand that passengers cause a distraction, example shown by the reason this thread was started. Its up to the driver to know how to handle having passengers responsibly. Some people can drive very responcibly with having multiple passengers, other cannot. Ussually kids at a young age (not all kids!) like to show there friends they have a car and everything. This showbolting can end up with tragedy, and thats why FBOD guy started this thread. For us to educate other people how to drive responsibly......

so me, my girlfriend hates it when I drive because I'm just saying "yea" all the time because I have no idea what shes talking about.