Movement to ban text messaging while behind the wheel gathers steam

[darth los]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32584570/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/


It seems like a good idea to me. Don't get me wrong. I'm not in favor of encroachment on our liberties but texting while driving is endangering the lives of other people. If you look at mandatory seatbelt law however, that should be a person's own choice. If they splatter their brains all over the windshield, it's a tragedy but, it's ultimately just them we're talking about and a person should have full say over what happens to them individually.








:cool:

[SRP76]

I wonder how people survived without screwing around with a phone every second of every day.

Seriously, does anyone need to be typing messages when driving down the road? It absolutely can NOT wait?

[darth los]

I wonder how people survived without screwing around with a phone every second of every day.

Seriously, does anyone need to be typing messages when driving down the road? It absolutely can NOT wait?


Exactly the way I feel. Human beings are so spoiled nowdays. I was speaking the other day that if someone wanted to bring about armegeddon a nuclear war wouldn't be the practical way to go. All they would have to do is disable power grids. Without electricity you would have the kind of chaos that we saw in New Orleans after Katrina except everywhere.


I had another heated conversation with this dude about how he didn't really need his cell phone. He was adamant that he did. Like food and water kind of adamant. True story.


All I know is that not all that long ago in the late 90's virtually no one had a cell phone and we a seemed to get along just fine.







:cool:

[krakenslayer]

In the UK it's actually illegal to use a phone at all whilst driving, unless it's plugged into a handsfree kit. It ties up one hand and is considered an unnecessary distraction, so if the cops see you use one you can be pulled over and fined. Lots of people do it anyway, but it's becoming less and less socially acceptable to do.

[darth los]

In the UK it's actually illegal to use a phone at all whilst driving, unless it's plugged into a handsfree kit. It ties up one hand and is considered an unnecessary distraction, so if the cops see you use one you can be pulled over and fined. Lots of people do it anyway, but it's becoming less and less socially acceptable to do.


You mean, you guys have common sense over there !?! :confused:


Whoodathunkit?


You see, in this country people take their rights to the extreme. Take gun owners and their zealotry with the second amendment right to bear arms in order to keep a well regulated militia.


They don't want any restrictions on gun owner's rights at all. And that might work well in rural areas where the populations are relatively low but in more heavily populated areas it's a warzone. I'm all for your right to bear arms but are you for my right to feel safe in my own neighborhood and for my children to be able to play without fear of a shootout?



Common Sense.






:cool:

[MinionZombie]

In the UK it's actually illegal to use a phone at all whilst driving, unless it's plugged into a handsfree kit. It ties up one hand and is considered an unnecessary distraction, so if the cops see you use one you can be pulled over and fined. Lots of people do it anyway, but it's becoming less and less socially acceptable to do.
Damn straight - how it should be.

I can't be doing with twats yakking on their mobiles while driving, nor stuck-up-themselves 'soccer mom' types who are doing anything and everything whilst driving, except for paying attention to the fucking road.

And I can't stand speeders either, they get right on my tits these days, especially people who speed in school zones - utter wankers.

[darth los]

If this passes then it won't be long until they'll have to pass a law banning women from doing their make up in the rear view mirror. That's just as dangerous.


It's only right. Let's see the outcry for that.








:cool:

[MinionZombie]

If this passes then it won't be long until they'll have to pass a law banning women from doing their make up in the rear view mirror. That's just as dangerous.


It's only right. Let's see the outcry for that.








:cool:
There should just be a law set up so that any citizen can pull any such dumb twat out of their car and demand their license be revoked. :elol:

[Danny]

There should just be a law set up so that any citizen can pull any such dumb twat out of their car and demand their license be revoked. :elol:

but then every person with a nissan skyline or a subaru will be forbidden to ride there compensating mettalo-phallus around carparks at 11pm!!

[ProfessorChaos]

a kid my brother went to school with died in a car crash, and they found his phone and he was apparently in the middle of texting his gf....while that is pretty sad, i still find humor in this:

http://thebsreport.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/texting2.jpg

laws against texting and driving are long overdue.

[krakenslayer]

If this passes then it won't be long until they'll have to pass a law banning women from doing their make up in the rear view mirror. That's just as dangerous.

It's only right. Let's see the outcry for that.

:cool:

I might be wrong, but I think that's technically illegal here too. It comes under the same legal status as driving while texting or holding a phone to your ear - they call it Driving Without Due Care and Attention, or something like that.

[capncnut]

And eating.

The most dangerous thing to have in a car? A GPS unit. :rolleyes:

[darth los]

There should just be a law set up so that any citizen can pull any such dumb twat out of their car and demand their license be revoked. :elol:


But MZ, without dumb twats no one would ever get laid dude. :p






:cool:

[bassman]

Anyone that tries to drive and do something that takes as much concentration as texting does(to me, anyway), needs to get a good swift kick in the balls.

That's just a stupid ass move. Just as dangerous as drunk driving, imo.

[EvilNed]

I once tried to sign all the Gulag Execution list confirmations while driving once, and I nearly hit the Premier! Hah, we had a good laugh about it afterwards, but still. Very serious.

[MinionZombie]

But MZ, without dumb twats no one would ever get laid dude. :p

:cool:

Well, there are dumb fannies, and smart fannies ... the problem is there's too many dumb fannies taking too many dumb nobs and not wearing the much-needed johnny to stop the onslaught that the gene pool is suffering.

A few less dumb twats in the world would be a good thing for the gene pool I say.


And eating.

The most dangerous thing to have in a car? A GPS unit. :rolleyes:

I've only ever been in a car once with a GPS unit, and have never personally used one. It didn't cause a lot of trouble, what did almost get us into a crash was the driver simply not looking at the road as we approached a junction where another car had stopped - he damn near ploughed into the back of the car and had to take evasive action - simply because he was looking at me, rather than the road, during a conversation.

Simple solution - keep your eyes on the road.

Something this gubment makes harder and harder the more speed cameras they put up, because you just spend all your time glancing at the speedo to check you're not going too fast, lest you get a ticket and points on your license - I don't know about you, but I like having a clean license.


but then every person with a nissan skyline or a subaru will be forbidden to ride there compensating mettalo-phallus around carparks at 11pm!!

Exactly - it's a genius plan.

[Tricky]

I think slow drivers should get fines & bans too though, they cause far more accidents because people get pissed off & want to be past them, my commute to work takes far longer than it needs to do because im constantly held up by people who wont go over 35mph in a 60mph zone :mad: if people are that scared of driving then they shouldnt be on the road

[EvilNed]

I think slow drivers should get fines & bans too though, they cause far more accidents because people get pissed off & want to be past them, my commute to work takes far longer than it needs to do because im constantly held up by people who wont go over 35mph in a 60mph zone :mad: if people are that scared of driving then they shouldnt be on the road

This, I'd have to strongly disagree with you on. The slow drivers shouldn't be fined. The ones getting pissed and causing the accidents, those are the people who should be fined!

The speed limit is a maximum speed limit, at least in most countries. Don't go above it, and by reason, don't go too far below it. But I'm a person who sometimes drives 10 kms below the speed limit when I have to navigate myself, read signs or just being generally cautious. If people want to pass me? Sure, go ahead, I'm not stopping them. But don't blame me for the accidents.

[Tricky]

The slow drivers shouldn't be fined. The ones getting pissed and causing the accidents, those are the people who should be fined!



Why? other countries have minimum speed limits & they work fine, & theres nothing wrong with Germanys Autobahn system which has no speed limits so you can drive as fast as you like,it has a good safety record! Theres nothing worse than being made over 20 minutes late for work or an important meeting/date etc by some arse who refuses to go above 35mph in a 60 zone over distances of 20 miles on an A road when theres no room to overtake, especially after you've already allowed yourself more than enough time to get there in normal circumstances! Im not a reckless driver but im not scared of driving my car & putting my foot down, & I have very little patience with painfully slow drivers, its just the way I am

[EvilNed]

I'd just like to point out that mathematically it's impossible to be 20 minutes late because someone drove a few miles below the speed limit. Unless you're driving really far. For instance, driving 90 km/h in a 70 km/h zone gains you maybe 2 minutes per 10 km.

Again, why blame someone else for your mistakes?

[MikePizzoff]

In my area, it is illegal to use a phone at all while driving. They recently made it so police have a right to pull you over and issue you a $100 ticket if they see you using a phone in any way.

[MinionZombie]

Well, I will say that bad drivers piss me off - or rather, inept drivers - the sorts of people who pootle along in 60 zones at half the speed limit, and break desperately for the slightest curve in the road - it shows a lack of skill, confidence and so on, and quite frankly, I worry that they're on the roads when they're clearly not properly capable of using that car.

Sometimes of course people have to go slow when they're unsure of where they're going ... I've been that person, and been stuck behind that person before ... but I've also been stuck behind the uselessly inept drivers who, goodness knows how they passed their test, can't seem to stay in lane, not cut corners, go at a reasonable speed, and not break furiously everytime a tiny curve in the road comes upon them.

...

I also can't be doing with wankers towing caravans on motorways who break the 50mph speed limit on caravans. I shit you not I saw some wanker going 70 with one of those - I mean, that shit's dangerous. It's 50-with-a-caravan-for-a-fucking-reason!

[DjfunkmasterG]

ban Texting while driving... Ok
Fining drivers going below the speed Limit - I am all for it
Revoking th elicense of a women putting make-up on while driving... HELL YES!


I went through that same thing tonight ont he way to the store. tis a 55mph zone and this dumb shit was doing 25mph, finally after 5 miles a cop noticed, turned around and pulled the driver over, allowing a large back up to get up to speed.

If you're driving below the llimit... move over and let everyone pass you.

In PA applying make-up is illegal, it will net you a $90.00 fine and 3 points for Careless Driving.

In NY driving while on the phone is illegal, however, headset/cell use is ok. To me still a distraction.

In VA texting while driving will get you a $50.00 fine + court Costs and 4 points

In MD beginning October first any Cell use at all while behind the wheel (Headset exclusion) will net you a $500.00 fine and 5 points.

[kortick]

In RI its posted that it is illegal to drive
10mph under the posted limit.

So on a 60 mph road, you can drive no slower
than 50 mph. If you drive 35 mph you are considered
a hazard to traffic and even reckless driving charges
can be applied.

There are reasons why certian roads are designated
for higher speeds, and others for slower speeds,
and just like you cant go as fast as you want whenever
you want, you cant go as slow as you want either.

not my opinion, its the law. and not just in this state.
how its handled in other countries is up to thier laws.

[Tricky]

I'd just like to point out that mathematically it's impossible to be 20 minutes late because someone drove a few miles below the speed limit. Unless you're driving really far. For instance, driving 90 km/h in a 70 km/h zone gains you maybe 2 minutes per 10 km.

Again, why blame someone else for your mistakes?

You clearly dont have a 30 mile drive to work on what is mostly country roads & through a big city then with the kind of drivers MZ just mentioned above at every turn, as well as a fair bit of farm traffic, what mistake is it im making?commuting in the first place or that when I drive to work I actually want to get there on time to keep my job?

[EvilNed]

You clearly dont have a 30 mile drive to work on what is mostly country roads & through a big city then with the kind of drivers MZ just mentioned above at every turn, as well as a fair bit of farm traffic, what mistake is it im making?commuting in the first place or that when I drive to work I actually want to get there on time to keep my job?

Well, to be honest, it seems that you know that the risk of running into slow moving cars and especially farm traffic (which is hella slow) is quite high... So I guess drive earlier? No offense here, but, yeah. Farm traffic is slow, that's just the way it is.

[MikePizzoff]

In NY driving while on the phone is illegal, however, headset/cell use is ok. To me still a distraction.


If talking with a headset on is a distraction, then wouldn't it be a distraction to talk to another passenger while driving?

[Neil]

I wonder how people survived without screwing around with a phone every second of every day.

I manage, somehow...

[MinionZombie]

I manage, somehow...
:lol:

Innit just. Can't be doing with people who fiddle with their phones all the time, it'd almost be better if they just fiddled with themselves ... ... although maybe not.

Anyway, there's too much phone fiddling going on, especially people who have iPhones whipping them out every ten seconds so they can boast about what newest "app" they've downloaded, or that "look, it can FINALLY do one of the most basic functions ever - copy & paste!" :lol::rockbrow::sneaky::p

[darth los]

In NY driving while on the phone is illegal, however, headset/cell use is ok. To me still a distraction.


You have to wonder though. If we ban something that's hands free like a headset then what else is next? Isn't fiddling with the radio just as dangerous. Where does it stop?







:cool:

[EvilNed]

If talking with a headset on is a distraction, then wouldn't it be a distraction to talk to another passenger while driving?

Well, not really, because when you have a passenger you're talking too, then this passenger is also looking at the road. The person you're talking on with the headset isn't.,

[darth los]

Well, not really, because when you have a passenger you're talking too, then this passenger is also looking at the road. The person you're talking on with the headset isn't.,



Passengers aren't really any help at all when it comes to that , imo. As a matter of fact most drivers don't want their passengers "back set driving" whatsoever.






:cool:

[MinionZombie]

You have to wonder though. If we ban something that's hands free like a headset then what else is next? Isn't fiddling with the radio just as dangerous. Where does it stop?







:cool:
Ban speed cameras - they make me look at my speedo, rather than the road, way too much.

Seriously, that is dangerous, and many anti-camera campaigners have been pointing that out emphatically.

[darth los]

Ban speed cameras - they make me look at my speedo, rather than the road, way too much.

Seriously, that is dangerous, and many anti-camera campaigners have been pointing that out emphatically.



Maybe banning them is not so much the problem as people knowing exactly where to look for them. They should be hidden.






:cool:

[MinionZombie]

Maybe banning them is not so much the problem as people knowing exactly where to look for them. They should be hidden.






:cool:
That's not the way to go either.

[Dtothe3]

GPS can tell you your position to within a couple of metres. Why not fit cars with a lock out so they cannot be accelerated beyond the maximum speed of the road its on? Surely GPS could be adjusted for that.

[MinionZombie]

GPS can tell you your position to within a couple of metres. Why not fit cars with a lock out so they cannot be accelerated beyond the maximum speed of the road its on? Surely GPS could be adjusted for that.
In a free society, you shouldn't have such a thing - you should also trust the public in a free society, not taking some top-down bossy, nannying approach to it.

Also, such a device would then reveal where you are, when you were there, where you're heading, how long you're there etc - all massive invasions into a person's privacy.

This idea was floated by Labour a while ago, this whole road pricing thing - which the country petitioned against in record numbers on the Downing Street petition website - the server crashed more than once because of the influx too.

Plus, relying too much on computers and technology isn't a good idea.

I like to rely on my skills as a human and a driver who has free will, control, and respect for other motorists and pedestrians.

[Dtothe3]

Fair point. I used it more in the fashion as something ot be included after banned drivers re-take their test.

Has a lot of grey area though. It could be installed under protection programs, the kind of things to ensure people aren't breaking their parole, or aren't breaking their conditions on the sex offenders register. From there it would only be a small step to mainstream.

Back to subject the UK has the "Driving Without Due Care and Attention" stuff, which basically means you can be arrested for eating a chocolate bar at a set of traffic lights. Basically it comes down to the officers discretion.

[MinionZombie]

Back to subject the UK has the "Driving Without Due Care and Attention" stuff, which basically means you can be arrested for eating a chocolate bar at a set of traffic lights. Basically it comes down to the officers discretion.

Surely they need a new law to cover such flagrant disregard for the safety of people on zebra crossings - call it "idling without due care and attention". :lol:

...

Actually, if Labour reads this, they'll probably think it's a good idea! :rolleyes::eek:

[BillyRay]

silly idea - Why don't we make folks take the written & on-the-road exams every time their licence comes up for renewal?

Keep you on your toes about the rules & regulations, and hopefully ensures that any bad driving habits, ain't.

[SymphonicX]

I go for speed limiters on cars personally.
In fact maybe I'm a bit of a nazi here, but my ideal road system would be a system of "bubbles" ie: plastic bubble shaped vehicles, that were driven automatically at pre-set speeds by a computer (with emergency stop mechanism also!), which takes you to your destination. Maybe you can even have your own bubble...

But people on the road? Far too dangerous...far too unpredictable and already far too trusting. People are morons on the road and often don't think twice about putting scores of people in mortal danger just so they can get somewhere a bit quicker, i'm sick of it.

this "pleasure of driving" bullshit is so lame. Maybe because I don't overly enjoy driving...but I think for a simple pleasure of operating a vehicle, it's not worth the amount of shit we all go through just to "enjoy" this freedom.

[Dtothe3]

Surely they need a new law to cover such flagrant disregard for the safety of people on zebra crossings - call it "idling without due care and attention". :lol:

...

Actually, if Labour reads this, they'll probably think it's a good idea! :rolleyes::eek:

But don't you know if you're idling without your handbrake on, you need both hands on the wheel to maintain control? The man at the cop shop he says yes.

I think it's an £80 fine plus 3 points.

[MinionZombie]

But don't you know if you're idling without your handbrake on, you need both hands on the wheel to maintain control? The man at the cop shop he says yes.

I think it's an £80 fine plus 3 points.
Seriously?!

I was never told that when learning to drive ... christ, I bet I've done that a few times ... however I have had my foot on the brake whenever I might have done that I would say.

Usually I do get the handbreak on though to rest my clutch foot.

[Dtothe3]

Seriously?!

I was never told that when learning to drive ... christ, I bet I've done that a few times ... however I have had my foot on the brake whenever I might have done that I would say.

Usually I do get the handbreak on though to rest my clutch foot.

I think the rule is that unless you have a reason for not having both hands on the wheel (changing gear being it, although radio is apparently ok) you have to have both hands on the wheel unless the handbrake is applied.

I would be wary of just having your foot on the brake.

[DjfunkmasterG]

In a free society, you shouldn't have such a thing - you should also trust the public in a free society, not taking some top-down bossy, nannying approach to it.

Also, such a device would then reveal where you are, when you were there, where you're heading, how long you're there etc - all massive invasions into a person's privacy.

This idea was floated by Labour a while ago, this whole road pricing thing - which the country petitioned against in record numbers on the Downing Street petition website - the server crashed more than once because of the influx too.

Plus, relying too much on computers and technology isn't a good idea.

I like to rely on my skills as a human and a driver who has free will, control, and respect for other motorists and pedestrians.


Hate to burst anyones bubble but if you carry a cell phone... You are already being lojacked by the government. Oh yes, they have the technology to track you through your cell phone.

My 2010 Mustang was equipped with a crash data recorder, something I yanked out 3 days after I bought the car simply because they are inaccurate and jar during impact and have been known to give false readings 90% of the time and in some states they use this flawed data to convict you knowing damn well they aren't fully ready to be used like a typical airplane black box.

Bypassing the circuitry of a VCDR (Vehicle Crash Data Recorder) is as simple as wire cutters, electric tape and a laptop.

[bassman]

Bypassing the circuitry of a VCDR (Vehicle Crash Data Recorder) is as simple as wire cutters, electric tape and a laptop.

You spent your childhood fracturing the occasional automobile law, didn't you? :p

"You see you cross these two wires together and...BAM! Hotwired!"

[SymphonicX]

everytime I see the title of the thread I wish it was called "movement to ban text messaging behind the wheel gathers MOMENTUM"....because it kinda ties in as a pun....

That's all I have to contribute...

*gets coat*

[Tricky]

No doubt it wont be long before theres a push to ban radios & cd players in cars too..

[darth los]

No doubt it wont be long before theres a push to ban radios & cd players in cars too..



Well, isn't that the logical conclusion? Those are things that distract people from the task at hand as well.


So if your going to start something like this, where does it stop?






:cool:

[MinionZombie]

No doubt it wont be long before theres a push to ban radios & cd players in cars too..
Geez, that'd make driving so goddamned boring.

I don't have a car that I can really enjoy the engine noise of, so that's out - instead I love the feel of driving, accelerating through a corner and feeling the grip carry me through, stringing together a series of corners in an efficient ... slightly German ... fashion - yes, very nice.

I always have a CD on the go in my car, whenever I don't it's dull as dishwater driving around. Nothing to do with the car, just driving in general.

I mean, having the window down at 1am and driving along country lanes on a cool summer night is great fun (N.B. not in a reckless fashion).

Anyway - had to go without music yesterday when I was off to a meeting because the radio had locked me out and I needed the code (no doubt something to do with the repairs on it recently, perhaps the battery was disconnected or something - that always locks the radio :rolleyes: - safety measure apparently - :rolleyes:).

Fortunately I had the code texted to me for the drive back, and it made the journey so much nicer.

[DjfunkmasterG]

You spent your childhood fracturing the occasional automobile law, didn't you? :p

"You see you cross these two wires together and...BAM! Hotwired!"

Me? Fracture the occasional law? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. :p:elol:

[Tricky]

Its not so much listening to music thats the problem, its the changing of CD or radio station while driving which has people veering about,especially when fumbling about with of those huge CD wallets!
I enjoy driving usually,apart from during my work commute when im stuck behind slow arses,trucks,tractors,buses & people who have no idea when they have the right of way or not, all of which get overtaken at the first safe opportunity so that I can drive at the pace I feel comfortable driving at!

[kortick]

First they ban drunk driving and then
they just keep on going.
Whats next I ask you?

No more slowing down to look at hookers?

But serious my nephew was just in a crash last sunday.
He was stopped at a light and texting someone.
The car was not moving, he waited til he got to a red light
before he returned the text.
The light turned green and the 2 cars in front of him
moved on and he was finishing his text and this guy slammed
into his rear end. Yes my nephew was texting, but he was stopped
with his brake lights on and this guy wasnt paying attention that
there was even a car in front of him, never mind what the driver
was doing.

So you could say it was caused by texting at a red light or you
can say that some (not all) people are lousy drivers and will
cause accidents no matter what the situation.

[darth los]

You spent your childhood fracturing the occasional automobile law, didn't you? :p

"You see you cross these two wires together and...BAM! Hotwired!"


Me? Fracture the occasional law? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. :p:elol:


Dj was just smart enough never to get caught. :p






:cool:

[DjfunkmasterG]

Dj was just smart enough never to get caught. :p


:cool:

Oh I have been caught... plenty of times. As I got older I smartened up and decided it all wasn't worth it. Hacking into the cars CDR is no biggie, or even changing the ECM system so I can recalibrate the cars accelerator is a small infraction, but some of the shit I did... just for kicks, landed me in deep shit.

At Age 17, I took 22 Onondaga County Sheriff's, 3 local town police, and a bunch of state troopers on a 2+ hour car chase through Syracuse NY on XMAS eve back in 1988 just because I didn't feel like pulling over for a speeding ticket.

That stunt cost me my license for 8 years. However, I did get away at first. How I got caught was a so called friend, who needed to get out of trouble name dropped me to another cop and they showed up at my door with his written statement and an arrest warrant.

I don't remember all the charges to a T, but I know there were at least

8 counts of reckless driving
3 or 4 counts of speeds in excess of 125 mph
at least 2 red light & stop sign tickets
This list went on.

In the end, I served 500 hours of community service, had my Camaro impounded for a month and then lost my license until 1996.

You know the fucked up part.... :shifty:

I would love to do it just one more time. :lol: