Drive Now. Talk Later

[monorail_rider]

Drivers on Phones:
Are twice as likely to miss a traffic signal
Thier reaction time is slower to the signals they do detect
Their risk of causing a crash increases by 400%
This amount of risk is the same as if the driver were driving legally intoxicated
Using hands free equipment does not improve driver performance. It is the phone conversation that distracts!

More Here

[Moonliner]

Life is not safe.

You cannot make it safe.

It will never be safe

Learn to deal with risk and stop trying to hide your head in the sand.

[Whatever]

This is becoming scary. How many times have you been driving down the freeway and end up behind someone going 50 in the #1 lane they are on their cell? How many times have you almost be sideswiped by some nimrod drifting lanes and yacking on a cell? Me personal favorite is the mom in the SUV with 2 screaming kids yacking on a cell and drinking a latte: She drifts into my lane causing me to take evasive action. I honk to get her attention. she flips me off cause I honked at her.

<STEPS ON TO SOAP BOX>
My proposal is this. Make the driving test way more comprehensive than it is now. it is a joke today. most drivers have no concept of things like inertia until they find out the hard way. How many of you have heard "if you are in a skid, steer in to it" ? Probably a lot. How many of you have actually practiced it? Close to zero. How are you supposed to apply something like this in a panic situation if you have never done it before, and don't know what it feels like? Now try it while talking on a cell phone.

I'm not one usually one for immitating Europeans, but the Germans have it right when it comes to this. Serious training, and they take everyday driving seriously. In Germany you can get a seriously large ticket for using a cell phone while driving, or even gesturing to another driver. Many of their freeways have no speed limit, yet they have lower fatality rates than the US. They drive faster, but have less accidents. How can this be?

Sometimes the mentality of the general public drives me nuts. When the average driver is more interested in controlling the volume of XM than actually learning how to really DRIVE their car, there is a big problem.

If most people had to pass a comprehensive test that actually tested real driving and survival skills, this I think the cell phone problem, and many other problems, would be diminished. Until then, I say ban talking on anything other than a hands free voice activated phone, and make the penalty for violation substantial.

I can hear many saying "but I don't have a problem driving and talking." Uh-huh. And your sh** doesn't stink either.
</STEPS ON TO SOAP BOX>

My .02.

Have a nice day

[Gemini Cricket]

I have been rear-ended by someone on their cell phone. It isn't fun. I saw it coming too, in the rearview mirror, a guy looking down to dial while I was stopped at a red light on Lankershim in LA. Not fun. Tweaked my neck pretty good.

[Whatever]

I have been rear-ended by someone on their cell phone. It isn't fun. I saw it coming too, in the rearview mirror, a guy looking down to dial while I was stopped at a red light on Lankershim in LA. Not fun. Tweaked my neck pretty good.

http://www.personalinjurylawyer.com/...InjuryAttorney

This happend to me too, but the woman in back of me (and hit me) wasn't the one on the cell. It was the woman in front of me that almost missed her turn and slammed on her brakes... I missed her by a couple of feet. The 1 second where you hear the screaching tires and see the car sliding into you in your rear view mirror seems like 5 minutes...

[Moonliner]

I have been rear-ended by someone on their cell phone. It isn't fun. I saw it coming too, in the rearview mirror, a guy looking down to dial while I was stopped at a red light on Lankershim in LA. Not fun. Tweaked my neck pretty good.

I feel for you, but let's face it rear-enders pre-date cell phones by a good bit. You are always going to have 5% of the population acting like total morons. You cannot legislate them into not being morons. I'm sick of having society over react to this type of thing. By this logic we better ban car radios, drinks, pretty girls (not in the car), etc. They have all been cited by poor drivers as the reason for a crash. If cell phones are really that big of an issue (and they are not) then levy large fines and/or jail for anyone using one that causes an accident and leave the rest of us alone. I would also agree with the more stringent requirements for getting a license in the first place.

[The Mad Hatter]

Contrary to popular belief, I've read that cell phones aren't the cause of most accidents. I believe the top reasons are being under the influence, talking to other people in the car, and eating while driving. don't quote me on this though.

[The Mad Hatter]

I feel for you, but let's face it rear-enders pre-date cell phones by a good bit.

Our society is so quick to blame other things for their mistakes.

[Whatever]

I feel for you, but let's face it rear-enders pre-date cell phones by a good bit. You are always going to have 5% of the population acting like total morons. You cannot legislate them into not being morons. I'm sick of having society over react to this type of thing. By this logic we better ban car radios, drinks, pretty girls (not in the car), etc. They have all been cited by poor drivers as the reason for a crash. If cell phones are really that big of an issue (and they are not) then levy large fines and/or jail for anyone using one that causes an accident and leave the rest of us alone. I would also agree with the more stringent requirements for getting a license in the first place.

True to a point. The problem in this country is that we are too lenient (sp?) on people who screw up. Caught DUI? A fine and a slap on the wrist. Should be 3 months in jail for your first offense and no license for 2 years. 2nd offense? lose your license for good.

I agree that cell phones are not the actual problem and that distraction is. But I have enough personal ancidotal evidence to prove to me they should be banned. Perhaps a test for a class of license that allows you to talk and drive if you prove that you are capable of it? I personally like this idea.

Do we need a new law for this? No. It is already illegal to eat, listen to headphones, or do anything that distracts you while driving. If we made the fines hefty enough, then the local PDs would have a revenue incintive to enforce the laws already in existance. Everybody wins.

There are a lot of folks driving that, frankly, shouldn't be: even stone cold sober with zero distractions.

Our society is so quick to blame other things for their mistakes.

True. However, most people cannot truly multitask, and driving a 3000 Lb. (or more) piece of equipment is not the time to try. This applies to anything that requires attention. Just this past weekend I saw a woman driving in heavy traffic (moving pretty quickly) applying makeup with both hands looking at herself in a mirror while moving. not smart. She was doing a pretty good job of it, but if someone had decided to move into her lane she probably would have hit them cause there is no wah she could have seen it and reacted in time with both hands off the wheel and a mirror in her face.

The egos of people never fails to amaze. Most people think "well, most people can't do this, but I'm good at it". right. Show me the emperical evidence that you (the royal you) can do this safetly I'll say game on. Until then, shut up and drive.

[Moonliner]

Many of their freeways have no speed limit, yet they have lower fatality rates than the US. They drive faster, but have less accidents. How can this be?

Easy: Bad Statistics.


US average annual fatalities: 13,713
German average annual fatalities 7,792

Germany Population: ~90 Million
US Population: ~290 Million


The US has 3 times the population and less than twice as many fatalities.

Add in that the US has 756 cars per thousand people to Germany's 516 per thousand and the fact that we have a boat load more miles of road and I think the US rates pretty damn good.

[Whatever]

Easy: Bad Statistics.


US average annual fatalities: 13,713
German average annual fatalities 7,792

Germany Population: ~90 Million
US Population: ~290 Million


The US has 3 times the population and less than twice as many fatalities.

Add in that the US has 756 cars per thousand people to Germany's 516 per thousand and the fact that we have a boat load more miles of road and I think the US rates pretty damn good.

Not sure where you got those numbers but the average number of US fatalities for the 1990's was 41,000 per year. for 2002 the number was 43,005. I get my numbers here: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/. My information on the fact that Germany has lower rates is from a show I saw on the History Channel. Could be wrong I suppose...

Excerpt from site: NHTSA has reported that
43,005 people died in motor
vehicle crashes in 2002 and that
motor vehicle traffic crashes were the
8th-leading cause of death among all
ages that year.But broken down by age,
crashes were the No. 1 cause of death for
every age from 3 through 33.

[The Mad Hatter]

True. However, most people cannot truly multitask, and driving a 3000 Lb. (or more) piece of equipment is not the time to try. This applies to anything that requires attention. Just this past weekend I saw a woman driving in heavy traffic (moving pretty quickly) applying makeup with both hands looking at herself in a mirror while moving. not smart.

I agree completely. But you cannot blame the cell phone, or the makeup, or the food. These laws that make us use hands-free devices and such do nothing but inconvenience us that are responsible while driving.

[Whatever]

I agree completely. But you cannot blame the cell phone, or the makeup, or the food. These laws that make us use hands-free devices and such do nothing but inconvenience us that are responsible while driving.

I blame the person. The point I'm trying to make is that people think they can multitask and be responsible, when in reality they can't. I'm generally for live and let live, but in this case I think you should have to prove you can do this successfully before you are allowed to do it.

[monorail_rider]

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD

[MegarooFifi]

How many of you have heard "if you are in a skid, steer in to it" ? Probably a lot. How many of you have actually practiced it? Close to zero. How are you supposed to apply something like this in a panic situation if you have never done it before, and don't know what it feels like?

This is why I love my dad. When I got my license (just after I had passed) and I was itching to drive home, he handed me the keys and said "You just remember, you are driving a 4k lb hunk of metal. When you are going 50 miles an hour, you are hurling a 4k lb hunk of metal 50 miles an hour, which makes it damn easy to hurt someone." I had visions of little children running out in front of the car and also of me hitting baby animals with this huge fast hunk of metal. Good way to put the fear of God into a 16 year old girl.

He's also the reason I'm a damn good driver in the snow. The first time it snowed after I got my license, my dad drove me into a rural area, where I couldn't do that much damage (think FARGO! :lol: ). He proceeded to tell me to hit the brakes (to put myself into a spin) and then told me to get myself out of it, since he had just explained how. It took me a couple tries, but I soon got the hang of it. The next winter, he had to teach my boyfriend (now husband) the same way since he didn't want me driving with some young punk in the snow. Luckily, they were both good sports about it.

Myself, I'm not a fan of talking on cell phones in the car, I think it's too dangerous and I refuse to do it (I'll safely pull over if I have to). However, I'm the same way with other distractions - I don't eat or drink while I'm driving and I don't change the station/cd unless I'm at a stoplight. And don't get me started on the woman I see doing her makeup on the way to work every morning. It's ridiculous. Both hands on the steering wheel (or gear shift) and pay attention. I didn't think this was a hard concept, but apparently it is!

[Whatever]

This is why I love my dad. When I got my license (just after I had passed) and I was itching to drive home, he handed me the keys and said "You just remember, you are driving a 4k lb hunk of metal. When you are going 50 miles an hour, you are hurling a 4k lb hunk of metal 50 miles an hour, which makes it damn easy to hurt someone." I had visions of little children running out in front of the car and also of me hitting baby animals with this huge fast hunk of metal. Good way to put the fear of God into a 16 year old girl.

He's also the reason I'm a damn good driver in the snow. The first time it snowed after I got my license, my dad drove me into a rural area, where I couldn't do that much damage (think FARGO! :lol: ). He proceeded to tell me to hit the brakes (to put myself into a spin) and then told me to get myself out of it, since he had just explained how. It took me a couple tries, but I soon got the hang of it. The next winter, he had to teach my boyfriend (now husband) the same way since he didn't want me driving with some young punk in the snow. Luckily, they were both good sports about it.

Myself, I'm not a fan of talking on cell phones in the car, I think it's too dangerous and I refuse to do it (I'll safely pull over if I have to). However, I'm the same way with other distractions - I don't eat or drink while I'm driving and I don't change the station/cd unless I'm at a stoplight. And don't get me started on the woman I see doing her makeup on the way to work every morning. It's ridiculous. Both hands on the steering wheel (or gear shift) and pay attention. I didn't think this was a hard concept, but apparently it is!

That's how I learned to drive - In a wet parking lot losing control and recovering. I used to go to the high school parking lot in my grandma's buick after a snow and do donuts. It was fun, and it taught me what an out of control car felt like, and I learned what to do about it.

I think most folks could benefit from a trip to Bondurant Driving School: http://www.bondurant.com/pages/home.html

[Alchimedes]

When I was in Holland last Year,My cousins said the Police over there will site you for taking your hands off the steering wheel, also hands free phones of any kind are not allowed. Sounds like a great Idea!!!

[Tiggeriffic]

Im sure you guys know or have heard of this but there are several counties here (in CA) that have laws against driving and being on the cell phone. Im not sure which counties though.

Im guilty of pretty much everything though. Cellphone, eating, talking to other people in the car, watching my kids in the rear view.

bad bad tiggeriffic.

[Giant Panda]

Im sure you guys know or have heard of this but there are several counties here (in CA) that have laws against driving and being on the cell phone. Im not sure which counties though.

Im guilty of pretty much everything though. Cellphone, eating, talking to other people in the car, watching my kids in the rear view.

bad bad tiggeriffic.

You're not alone, Tiggeriffic. Been there, done that, narrowly avoided accidents .... mea culpa! Bad Panda! Bad Bad Panda

[Demigod]

I agree with all of this - it's hard enough to drive here, especially in the LA area, without the distractions of eating, or yakking on the phone, or putting on makeup. I've seen people reading the damned newspaper while driving!

Now, I'm not saying that I am the greatest driver in the world, but I've taken defensive driving classes (in the Army) and I also am probably one of the few who still uses turn signals to change lanes. Yes, I use a cell phone sometimes when I am driving. I recently got a new phone with a bluetooth headset so I can concentrate more on the road if I need to use the phone. For the most part I usually don't use it when I'm on the road.

A lot of the problem is that people drive way too fast for road conditions and are in too much of a hurry or are impatient to get to where they are going.

Also - if you miss your exit, don't cut across 4 lanes of traffic to try to catch it. Just get to the next one and go around. Sheesh.