Drunk trucking: Protected?

[5-90]

While they are at it why not make eating, applying makeup, and touch screen/visual nav systems all illegal too. They all distract the driver just as much. Haven't you ever been driving while eating a burger and a tomatoe fell on you lap? Don't tell me you didn't look down at it.

While they're at it let's ban vanity plates and bumper stickers they can distract also. But if your fear is about not being safe on the road or about someone doing something that allows the slight possibility that you could become maimed or be killed. Fine! How big is your lift and steel offroad bumper. You don't think that if you collided with a passenger car you may kill someone when your stinger or winch crushes their skull. And as far as fineing someone after they cause harm instead of before think of this. You can't be charged with murder if you haven't killed someone yet.... think about it. You probably think I'm takeing this too far but I'm not. Everything I mentioned has been tried to make illegal and fail due to PERSONAL FREEDOM. I can't stand people like you. You don't like it so no one should like it. Move to the iranian desert....... problem solved.


Sent from my mind cause I'm so Awesome.

"Personal freedom" includes responsibility to use that freedom such that it does not endanger another.

I wouldn't have any trouble with people being on the phone while they're driving - if they knew how to drive in the first place, and could handle the distraction.

But, the things I've seen people doing behind the wheel out here are nothing short of shocking - eye makeup at freeway speed is amazing, but I think the ne plus ultra was some woman shaving her legs on the highway at a good 50mph. What? That's even more of a distraction than using the wretched phone - even if you're using an electric razor (she was - probably the only smart facet of the whole situation. And yes, I know about that woman in - Florida, was it? - who got in a bender because she was shaving her cooch while driving. As far as I'm concerned, that should have been vehicular assault & battery - that's just too stupid.)

But, between the solipsism of the typical driver these days, the lack of training going into the driver, and the lack of skill of the evaluators, most people don't know how to handle a distraction.

Besides, methinks the cellphone carries the holdover from when people would sit in the house, twirling the handset cord about their fingers, and tuning in to the conversation to the exclusion of all else. Two-way radio has a history of being used while doing other things, it is common to have a conversation with someone close at hand while doing something else (I do it all the time, I bet you do as well,) but people have become so bloody used to tuning out while on the telephone that it carries over to the cordless handsets and even cellular telephones (I use " 'phone" to differentiate the fact that it's a cellular phone and not a landline. Would you prefer that I refer to it as CMT instead?)

I wouldn't be so up in arms about it if people wouldn't tune out so much when they were on the telephone in general - but it's not just driving. Walking, bicycling, riding a skateboard - God knows how many things I've seen people do while going about on their CMT; and, frankly, I've had far too many near misses (and some hits on foot!) to think that it isn't a problem.

It is not solely my responsibility to watch where you are going - if you're moving, at least some of the onus is on you as well. I tend to stop and stand still when I see these people coming, then they get all butt-hurt when I don't move (so they can see where I am) and they don't divert (when they're moving.)

PAY ATTENTION, PEOPLE. There's this little thing called "situational awareness," and it can help prevent your getting killed...

(EDIT - Bonus point if you can tell me what "CMT" stands for. It's the official abbreviation, and it is not short for "Country Music Television.")

 

[lucky9]

:shhh:

A lot of material but a good read:
http://www.aaafoundation.org/resources/index.cfm?button=cellphone#a13

An excerpt from a report with link:
DAVID STRAYER: Some of the studies have been done to kind of try and benchmark the hazards, so when people have looked at the risk of talking on a cell phone, you're about four times more likely to be involved in an accident when you're talking on a cell phone. And that data comes from both epidemiological crash data, as well as driving simulator data.
They provide a nice convergence showing that the risks are about four times higher and that talking on a hands-free cell phone, many people think that that would be a solution, turns out not to be a solution at all, that hands-free cell phone conversations are every bit as hazardous as using a conventional hand-held cell phone. In both cases, the risk is about four times greater than if you were driving without distraction.
And to put that number into some context, other studies that have looked at the crash risk for people who are driving when they're drunk -- at a .08 blood alcohol level -- has a crash risk that's about four times greater than if they weren't impaired. So the crash risk is quite substantial.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/transportation/july-dec09/driving_07-28.html

June 29, 2006 -- Three years after the preliminary results first were presented at a scientific meeting and drew wide attention, University of Utah psychologists have published a study showing that motorists who talk on handheld or hands-free cellular phones are as impaired as drunken drivers.
http://unews.utah.edu/old/p/062206-1.html

And good old wikipedia: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipe...a_percentage_of_distraction-related_accidents


Since I've proven myself to be incompetent when up after getting 3 1/2 hours sleep twenty hours before, I'll simply give links rather than statements. But I admit I was completely flabbergasted that only 15 States had legislation limiting hand-held use of cell phones. I was as surprised as a cuckold who walks in on his wife and her lover.

While there is no argument that will sway those who think that 'They' are after them in some conspiracy or those who believe that science isn't useful in solving problems, I have hope that something will soak in if enough evidence is presented.
As for those who don't like evidence at all, well I hope you enjoy what you believe reality is.

 

[DrMoab]

Funny that at least one of those was paid for by an insurance company.

 

[lucky9]

You're saying UT has been bought? Or was it AAA? Irregardless I'd just point out that the insurance company would be trying to stop paying out money for claims. This is a bad thing? They sure had no need to pay for something that wouldn't save them some money.

 

[DrMoab]

I never said cell phones don't cause a lot of wrecks. I said it's nowhere near as dangerous as drunk driving.

Any goober with half a brain should see that pretty easily.

Insurance companies want us living inside plastic bubble wrap so we never do anything to cost them money. That doesn't always equate to a better way of life.

 

[DrMoab]

Oh and yeah I was talking about the AAA study. Never ever trust a study bought and paid for by someone wanting certain results. We all saw where that got us with the global warming fiasco.

 

[iwannadie]

While they are at it why not make eating, applying makeup, and touch screen/visual nav systems all illegal too. They all distract the driver just as much. Haven't you ever been driving while eating a burger and a tomatoe fell on you lap? Don't tell me you didn't look down at it.

While they're at it let's ban vanity plates and bumper stickers they can distract also. But if your fear is about not being safe on the road or about someone doing something that allows the slight possibility that you could become maimed or be killed. Fine! How big is your lift and steel offroad bumper. You don't think that if you collided with a passenger car you may kill someone when your stinger or winch crushes their skull. And as far as fineing someone after they cause harm instead of before think of this. You can't be charged with murder if you haven't killed someone yet.... think about it. You probably think I'm takeing this too far but I'm not. Everything I mentioned has been tried to make illegal and fail due to PERSONAL FREEDOM. I can't stand people like you. You don't like it so no one should like it. Move to the iranian desert....... problem solved.


Sent from my mind cause I'm so Awesome.

I knew a guy years ago who would always do something to his car to attract attention. One of his favorites was attaching a Big Gulp cup to the roof of his car. To an onlooker it would look like some guy just forgot his cup on the roof of the car as he got in. He had it rigged so you couldn't see anything holding it to the car and even had a straw in it. He got pulled over and ticketed for the cup, the cop said it was distracting to other drivers.

 

[Darky]

You're saying UT has been bought? Or was it AAA? Irregardless I'd just point out that the insurance company would be trying to stop paying out money for claims. This is a bad thing? They sure had no need to pay for something that wouldn't save them some money.

AAA also is an insurance company. And irregardless is not only not a word, but a horrible abomination of a misuse of the English language. That's like a double negative, in one word!

And yes, AAA wouldn't want to pay out money for people who have collisions while on the phone. They would love to never pay money out for anything, so they would have an interest in a certain outcome. As DrMoab said, don't trust a study controlled by an entity that wants a particular outcome.

 

[lucky9]

And yes, AAA wouldn't want to pay out money for people who have collisions while on the phone.

Seems like a good business practice.

You can't have it both ways. Either phoning while driving is unsafe and the insurance company is paying out more, or it is safe and the insurance company wants to falsify results because it really is safe. I'm stumped as to why the latter would be to the advantage of the insurance company. There's no way they can charge you more for having a cell phone.

I just fail to see any advantage for the insurance company if driving while using a hand-held cell is safe for them to skew the results.

And for the record, I'm aware that there are choices made that effect results of tests. I just fail to see having cell phone usage appear to be unsafe (while really being safe) would make a dime for them.

 

[Milford Cubicle II]

I do not see a need for having a phone used in a car except in emergencies. I'm more than old enough to remember when it wasn't possible for literally everyone to have a phone in a car. It should never have been allowed anyway.

And by the way,
The stats are in. If you phone and drive you're as dangerous as a drunk driver. If you text and drive you're even more dangerous.

So for the record,
That's my daughter driving. If you hit her car and kill her the Accident Report better not say driving while phoning or texting. I'll be visiting you.

That's cute.

Too bad it's not possible to accurately test this "statistic." But I'm still calling BS on it. If it were true, then the highways and streets would be constantly piled up with accidents since MANY more people text and drive MUCH more often than they drink and drive, and it's MORE dangerous than drunk driving.

 

[tbburg]

To step back from the current topic for a moment:
This has been an incredibly successful little conversation we've had here, and I'd like to thank everybody who's participated. It has been(statistically)the best thread I've ever started. A few stats:
-First thread I started to break 100 posts(even discounting the 4 posts I made after the initial entry, and this post)
-Most posts on any thread I've started.(including the NASA thread-58, coolest car-63,walking dead-70, and the Montana Fab controller thread I did in mod-tec, which stayed active for just over 13 months-61 posts)
-Managed it without breaking the highest # of views (or even coming close: Montana fab controller-4533 views) I don't think it's even in the top ten yet!


And the most important statistic of all:
Number of posts before permanently derailing off topic: 9


Oh yeah, as of the time I submitted this post:
Age: 14 days, 15 hrs
number of posts: 110
Number of views: 1498

 

[kayle666]

this thread is so crazy that i forgot about the 5, or was it ten things that i was going to respond to, so all i i can remember to say is that at one time they wanted to ban radios in cars because of the distraction. i do remember that the thread started about drinking? damn i forget. oh well!

 

[Darky]

Seems like a good business practice.

You can't have it both ways. Either phoning while driving is unsafe and the insurance company is paying out more, or it is safe and the insurance company wants to falsify results because it really is safe. I'm stumped as to why the latter would be to the advantage of the insurance company. There's no way they can charge you more for having a cell phone.

I just fail to see any advantage for the insurance company if driving while using a hand-held cell is safe for them to skew the results.

And for the record, I'm aware that there are choices made that effect results of tests. I just fail to see having cell phone usage appear to be unsafe (while really being safe) would make a dime for them.

By making tests say it is unsafe, they can then turn around and deny claims involving cell phone usage, saving them money. Open your mind, and look at topics from more than one angle. I think it's a bad idea to text while driving, yet it's easy to argue against the points you're making.

 

[lucky9]

So argue them with facts.

For the record, I never text and drive. I have enough trouble texting (without a keyboard only a phone pad) when standing/sitting still.
I will answer a call if traffic allows. If it's a going to be more than a yes, no, or I'm on my way then I'll tell them I'll call back. If traffic is hectic then that's what voicemail is for.
I don't have a hands-free device of any sort. I might someday, but they have to have a decent power source. Possibly one that is rechargeable by sunlight.
It's difficult to have a conversation in my XJ on the freeway or turnpike anyway because of the engine and wind noise.
Also I would not give up my cell for any reason that I can think of.
I'd like to see more manufacturers have a hands-free option for their cars.

Let's face it. The things are way too handy to give up. We're just talking safety here.
I have a friend whose wife was on her way home after work talking to him on the phone when she knocked her coffee over. The last words she said to him was she'd knocked her coffee over. She hit a semi in the rear that was parked on the side of the road.
So there are many distractions while driving. Understood. But some we can do better to deal with.

 

[lucky9]

So argue them with facts.

For the record, I never text and drive. I have enough trouble texting (without a keyboard only a phone pad) when standing/sitting still.
I will answer a call if traffic allows. If it's a going to be more than a yes, no, or I'm on my way then I'll tell them I'll call back. If traffic is hectic then that's what voicemail is for.
I don't have a hands-free device of any sort. I might someday, but they have to have a decent power source. Possibly one that is rechargeable by sunlight.
It's difficult to have a conversation in my XJ on the freeway or turnpike anyway because of the engine and wind noise.
Also I would not give up my cell for any reason that I can think of.
I'd like to see more manufacturers have a hands-free option for their cars.

Let's face it. The things are way too handy to give up. We're just talking safety here.
I have a friend whose wife was on her way home after work talking to him on the phone when she knocked her coffee over. The last words she said to him was she'd knocked her coffee over. She hit a semi in the rear that was parked on the side of the road.
So there are many distractions while driving. Understood. But some we can do better to deal with.

 

[lucky9]

Could I get an Admin or Mod to delete one of the last two posts. I had the forum hangup and it appeared nothing had posted. Might remove this post also.

 

[bigalpha]

I have a friend whose wife was on her way home after work talking to him on the phone when she knocked her coffee over. The last words she said to him was she'd knocked her coffee over. She hit a semi in the rear that was parked on the side of the road.

This story shows that it's safer to drive while on your phone.

 

[DrMoab]

The most unsafe part for me using a cell in a moving vehicle is the brain cancer its going to give me from being on it so much.

 

[Darky]

So argue them with facts.

For the record, I never text and drive. I have enough trouble texting (without a keyboard only a phone pad) when standing/sitting still.
I will answer a call if traffic allows. If it's a going to be more than a yes, no, or I'm on my way then I'll tell them I'll call back. If traffic is hectic then that's what voicemail is for.
I don't have a hands-free device of any sort. I might someday, but they have to have a decent power source. Possibly one that is rechargeable by sunlight.
It's difficult to have a conversation in my XJ on the freeway or turnpike anyway because of the engine and wind noise.
Also I would not give up my cell for any reason that I can think of.
I'd like to see more manufacturers have a hands-free option for their cars.

Let's face it. The things are way too handy to give up. We're just talking safety here.
I have a friend whose wife was on her way home after work talking to him on the phone when she knocked her coffee over. The last words she said to him was she'd knocked her coffee over. She hit a semi in the rear that was parked on the side of the road.
So there are many distractions while driving. Understood. But some we can do better to deal with.

Pointing out issues in the credibility of a statistical study is indeed a fact. AAA has a vested interest in a certain outcome. If they can say cell phone use is dangerous, then they don't have to pay if a cell phone is involved. Your AAA test is therefore not credible as evidence.

 

[Darky]

Could I get an Admin or Mod to delete one of the last two posts. I had the forum hangup and it appeared nothing had posted. Might remove this post also.

Best way to accomplish this is to click that little report post button at the top, and tell them you want post so and so deleted because you accidentally double posted.