Do you text and drive?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 93
From: Boulder City NV
Every day in the news, somewhere in our country, we find a terrible accident caused by someone texting or talking (distracted) on cell phones.
And if they are not 'all' dead, we see people standing around the scene, crying hysterically, and apologizing tearfully, saying 'I didn't mean to', or something like that.
Or, later, in front of a judge we see them saying they are so sorry for what they did.....
As a society, we must state forcefully; that 'we do NOT, and will NOT accept their apology any longer. We will lock them up in a penitentiary for years, for killing our loved ones. They will never ever be issued a drivers license again, should they ever get out of prison. No more apologies accepted!!! This, can no longer be called 'an accident', but must be called what it is, willfull homicide.
It took MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) a generation to awaken the American people to the fact that drunk driving was not funny, or cool, or manly! To make people aware of the carnage on our highways caused by 'good old boys' who'd been at the bar, too long, teens, and others being irresponsible on our highways
.
But finally, society woke up, and started making penalties stiffer (one could argue not tough enough, yet). And no one I know, any longer thinks drunk driving is acceptable behavior. I"m old enough to remember when that was not the case.
This whole texting (and talking while driving) thing needs to stop. It is not a constitutional right, to endanger my loved ones (or yours) on the highways of America!!! The science is in, it is irrefutable, that these distractions (talking and texting on smart phones) are killing Americans and others every day.
In my career (41 years) as a Locomotive Engineer, we were drilled and trained, over and over about the science of being 'distracted' while operating America's freight trains. They know that 'distracted' impairs judgement and decision making and situational awareness; just the same as fatigued or drunken drivers/operators. All that science applies to drivers of cars, busses, planes, trucks,river barges, etc.
The facts are; the earth is not flat, and distracted driving kills people!!!
I have seen this carnage, first hand and close up; and there are NO apologies that should be accepted for this, any longer.
Don
And if they are not 'all' dead, we see people standing around the scene, crying hysterically, and apologizing tearfully, saying 'I didn't mean to', or something like that.
Or, later, in front of a judge we see them saying they are so sorry for what they did.....
As a society, we must state forcefully; that 'we do NOT, and will NOT accept their apology any longer. We will lock them up in a penitentiary for years, for killing our loved ones. They will never ever be issued a drivers license again, should they ever get out of prison. No more apologies accepted!!! This, can no longer be called 'an accident', but must be called what it is, willfull homicide.
It took MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) a generation to awaken the American people to the fact that drunk driving was not funny, or cool, or manly! To make people aware of the carnage on our highways caused by 'good old boys' who'd been at the bar, too long, teens, and others being irresponsible on our highways
.
But finally, society woke up, and started making penalties stiffer (one could argue not tough enough, yet). And no one I know, any longer thinks drunk driving is acceptable behavior. I"m old enough to remember when that was not the case.
This whole texting (and talking while driving) thing needs to stop. It is not a constitutional right, to endanger my loved ones (or yours) on the highways of America!!! The science is in, it is irrefutable, that these distractions (talking and texting on smart phones) are killing Americans and others every day.
In my career (41 years) as a Locomotive Engineer, we were drilled and trained, over and over about the science of being 'distracted' while operating America's freight trains. They know that 'distracted' impairs judgement and decision making and situational awareness; just the same as fatigued or drunken drivers/operators. All that science applies to drivers of cars, busses, planes, trucks,river barges, etc.
The facts are; the earth is not flat, and distracted driving kills people!!!
I have seen this carnage, first hand and close up; and there are NO apologies that should be accepted for this, any longer.
Don
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 209
From: Lincoln Nebraska
You mean one of those people that only play with their phone at red lights and then then those behind you have to honk their horn at you when the light turns green because your not paying attention and then usually manage to hold up traffic just long enough that only a few make it through the intersection before the light turns red again. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,472
Likes: 1,058
From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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NO. Frankly I don't understand how it's physically possible to steer the car and shift while not looking where you are going??
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Outer banks North Carolina
Every day in the news, somewhere in our country, we find a terrible accident caused by someone texting or talking (distracted) on cell phones.
And if they are not 'all' dead, we see people standing around the scene, crying hysterically, and apologizing tearfully, saying 'I didn't mean to', or something like that.
Or, later, in front of a judge we see them saying they are so sorry for what they did.....
As a society, we must state forcefully; that 'we do NOT, and will NOT accept their apology any longer. We will lock them up in a penitentiary for years, for killing our loved ones. They will never ever be issued a drivers license again, should they ever get out of prison. No more apologies accepted!!! This, can no longer be called 'an accident', but must be called what it is, willfull homicide.
It took MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) a generation to awaken the American people to the fact that drunk driving was not funny, or cool, or manly! To make people aware of the carnage on our highways caused by 'good old boys' who'd been at the bar, too long, teens, and others being irresponsible on our highways
.
But finally, society woke up, and started making penalties stiffer (one could argue not tough enough, yet). And no one I know, any longer thinks drunk driving is acceptable behavior. I"m old enough to remember when that was not the case.
This whole texting (and talking while driving) thing needs to stop. It is not a constitutional right, to endanger my loved ones (or yours) on the highways of America!!! The science is in, it is irrefutable, that these distractions (talking and texting on smart phones) are killing Americans and others every day.
In my career (41 years) as a Locomotive Engineer, we were drilled and trained, over and over about the science of being 'distracted' while operating America's freight trains. They know that 'distracted' impairs judgement and decision making and situational awareness; just the same as fatigued or drunken drivers/operators. All that science applies to drivers of cars, busses, planes, trucks,river barges, etc.
The facts are; the earth is not flat, and distracted driving kills people!!!
I have seen this carnage, first hand and close up; and there are NO apologies that should be accepted for this, any longer.
Don
And if they are not 'all' dead, we see people standing around the scene, crying hysterically, and apologizing tearfully, saying 'I didn't mean to', or something like that.
Or, later, in front of a judge we see them saying they are so sorry for what they did.....
As a society, we must state forcefully; that 'we do NOT, and will NOT accept their apology any longer. We will lock them up in a penitentiary for years, for killing our loved ones. They will never ever be issued a drivers license again, should they ever get out of prison. No more apologies accepted!!! This, can no longer be called 'an accident', but must be called what it is, willfull homicide.
It took MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) a generation to awaken the American people to the fact that drunk driving was not funny, or cool, or manly! To make people aware of the carnage on our highways caused by 'good old boys' who'd been at the bar, too long, teens, and others being irresponsible on our highways
.
But finally, society woke up, and started making penalties stiffer (one could argue not tough enough, yet). And no one I know, any longer thinks drunk driving is acceptable behavior. I"m old enough to remember when that was not the case.
This whole texting (and talking while driving) thing needs to stop. It is not a constitutional right, to endanger my loved ones (or yours) on the highways of America!!! The science is in, it is irrefutable, that these distractions (talking and texting on smart phones) are killing Americans and others every day.
In my career (41 years) as a Locomotive Engineer, we were drilled and trained, over and over about the science of being 'distracted' while operating America's freight trains. They know that 'distracted' impairs judgement and decision making and situational awareness; just the same as fatigued or drunken drivers/operators. All that science applies to drivers of cars, busses, planes, trucks,river barges, etc.
The facts are; the earth is not flat, and distracted driving kills people!!!
I have seen this carnage, first hand and close up; and there are NO apologies that should be accepted for this, any longer.
Don
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
I just got one of those "Trac-Phones", and it's something like that. I know it's sort of a waste, but if it "saves my bacon" at least once, it's worth it.
My wife is a teacher, and used to work in the ghetto. Right after we got married, in 1990, my employer hooked up with Verizon, to offer us employees a discount deal on cell phones. I got the cheapest plan I could get, so she at least had something to use in case of emergency. She's had that phone for almost 25 years, and I think it's gotten used maybe once-twice a year, all those years. BUT, as I said, if it saves her butt, it's well worth it.
With some minimal awareness, you'll realize when the light is about to change in a few seconds, so I get ready.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 209
From: Lincoln Nebraska
Only at Red Lights ? Apparently you've never been behind someone at the light playing with their phone or doing what ever else they might be doing to distract them. I have and it is aggravating to say the least. Minimal awareness is not enough when driving in traffic, Stopped at a red light or not. 
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 118
From: San Gabriel Valley California
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
Only at Red Lights ? Apparently you've never been behind someone at the light playing with their phone or doing what ever else they might be doing to distract them. I have and it is aggravating to say the least. Minimal awareness is not enough when driving in traffic, Stopped at a red light or not.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 34
From: Ravensdale WA
It depends on driving skills. Some people have such low skills they should not be allowed to drive at all. Others can multitask and still drive well. I spend all day on the road and see it all. That is why is is almost always young drives who are in these texting crashes. They have no driving skills yet. I will never send a text but may read a short one. I can talk on my hands free device no problem. I can eat and drive. Not every driver is the same. Look how many people come up an on ramp and don't look at traffic until they must merge. They don't even know my huge truck is right next to them and then they slam on the brakes to get behind me. Those drivers are in my opinion more dangerous than a skilled driver on the phone or reading a short text. I don't think anyone is skilled enough to send a text while driving. Also any text over 2 or 3 words is too long to read. But you look at mirrors and gauges longer than that. Or look at the radio or GPS longer than that. And low skill drivers crash doing that. I think part of the reason you see cops ignoring people holding their phones is they are otherwise driving well. They are saving their time to stop someone they think is a risk. They must use their judgement in those cases. I never had a problem talking on a hand held phone but now it is not legal so I don't do it. Also one must choose to do or not do based on traffic conditions. Some are safe some are not. Common sense is not being used by either side in this debate. The girl who read the one word text and crashed and died had some other factor involved. That takes less time then checking a mirror long enough to know what is there. That was not the main cause of that crash. Just the one they knew about.