Texting While Driving

[soonerhubs]

People your conversations are really not THAT important, so put the phone down and quit putting others at risk! (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,535021,00.html) :mad:

Here's another link. (http://www.livescience.com/health/090504-texting-driving.html)

Need a real life tragedy to convince you? (http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/45864972.html)

Another study. (http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1727151)

Another story. (http://www.keyetv.com/content/news/topnews/story/Austin-child-criticially-hurt-in-suspected/O8Jq3hXQLUOTPN6BVJkYTw.cspx)

So next time you think that your conversation is so ****ing important, put this image in your head of an innocent 3 year old child. He didn't die, but do you think that injury may affect him the rest of his life? I value freedom and autonomy as much as the next guy, and that includes the freedom to drive on roads where stupid people don't go into other lanes while updating their facebook status. So stop it, and stop it now! :mad: Apparently teenagers are the most notorious for this, so parents, it's time to step up.

http://www.keyetv.com/media/news/9/4/a/94a84fb2-8b25-4a7d-8050-9e8d8a023308/Story.jpg


Rant over for now. :O

[beer4me]

Agreed soonerhubler most people can't even drive correctly totally focused.

I hope it's made a jailable crime to get caught textn/talkn on phone while operating a vechicle.

(hands free excluded)

[OUDoc]

My kids laugh when I suggest reading a novel while driving, yet kids text while driving all the time.
It's moronic. Stop doing it.

[Boomer.....]

Talking while driving isn't much better. People don't realize how much attention is taken off of the road when you are on the phone.

[Jacie]

This topic was touched upon in a thread about Sergio Kindle.

Drivers talking on either a cell or hands-free phone are statistically just as likely to be involved in an accident as drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08.

It would seem that texting on a cell phone is even more distracting than just talking on one.

Using a phone while driving is a phenomenom that is fairly recent but for many it has become a habit that is hard to break, even at the risk of receiving a ticket.

Think of how harsh are the penalties for drinking and driving. No doubt these discourage many from doing what used to be winked at, but there are people who continue to do so.

It will be much more difficult to stop phone usage while driving, even if harsh penalties are enacted and enforced.

[yermom]

i don't think talking on the phone is any worse than driving with kids or messing with the stereo, etc...

some people just aren't good at being aware of their surroundings

texting is another level though

[Harry Beanbag]

We should make a law against it and find a way to tax it. It's the New American Way!

[Jacie]

i don't think talking on the phone is any worse than driving with kids or messing with the stereo, etc...


Apparently the states of California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington plus the District of Columbia disagree with you.

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

[kbsooner21]

I'm at an intersection this past Saturday afternoon. Traffic light turns green and the car in front of me doesn't go. I can see she's up there texting, messing with her phone. Bout a 40ish year old lady. I wait a couple seconds then honk, and turn my hand over as to say "what the hell are you doing?" She flips me off like I did something wrong lol. The nerve of some idiots out there kind of scares me.

[Harry Beanbag]

Apparently the states of California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington plus the District of Columbia disagree with you.

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html


No kidding. You've just named the most liberal regions of the country that get off on telling people how to live their lives.

[soonerhubs]

No kidding. You've just named the most liberal regions of the country that get off on telling people how to live their lives.

You think that's bad. In our city, these crazy, obviously liberal, idiots put up these strange newfangled contraptions that turn red, yellow, or green. Apparently if you drive through them when they are red, some liberal maniac with lights on his car chases you down and fines you money. It's like we can't even be free anymore! :rolleyes:

[yermom]

Apparently the states of California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington plus the District of Columbia disagree with you.

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

are they going to pass a law that says it's illegal to be distracted while driving, or ban car stereos or kids? how about getting 8 hours of sleep in the last 24 hours...

i wasn't questioning the legality.

you can be just as distracted talking to a passenger, only they might be paying attention to the road

[Harry Beanbag]

You think that's bad. In our city, these crazy, obviously liberal, idiots put up these strange newfangled contraptions that turn red, yellow, or green. Apparently if you drive through them when they are red, some liberal maniac with lights on his car chases you down and fines you money. It's like we can't even be free anymore! :rolleyes:

:rolleyes:

[soonerhubs]

:rolleyes:

:D

[Jacie]

It's not like I'm not from Oklahoma. I understand being raised in a state settled by Indians and outlaws (it's my heritage, too) that the fewer laws the better. It was easier to get a drink in Oklahoma before it was legal, as an example (1959 for the non-history buffs).

Anyway, in my family we still tell tales of my father's exploits (we're talking 50's & 60's now) behind the wheel after imbibing. Once while coming back from the lake and towing a boat my father realized he was in no shape to drive. So he had my older brother, who must have been all of 14 at the time, take over. My brother was doing the best he could considering he'd never driven before but eventually he was pulled over by the OHP for weaving back and forth. I don't believe there was an exchange of money, the officer merely accepted my father's explanation that he let my brother drive because he was too drunk and let them go on without a ticket. Imagine what would happen today in that situation.

The point is talking on a phone while driving is not in the Bill of Rights or even an Amendment to the Constitution. The accumulated data indicates that occupying the part of the brain required for talking on the phone impairs one's ability to focus on driving, similar to how alcohol impairs one's abilities to focus. While you might liken it to any of the myriad other distractions that people subject themselves to, remember that we now have seatbelt laws to keep those kids you drive with in one place (as a child I rode in cars that didn't have seatbelts and used to stand up in the seat. Darn those pesky insurance companies telling us to make our kids safe by buckling them in!). As for sleeping at the wheel, yes, you can be ticketed for that.


It's not the wild west anymore. When a person gets behind the wheel of a ton of metal and 100 horsepower at the touch of a pedal, they are responsible for operating it in a manner so as not to endanger others, and that's true no matter what state you live in.

[BillyBall]

I thought this thread was going to be about Sergio Kindle...

[soonerhubs]

It's not like I'm not from Oklahoma. I understand being raised in a state settled by Indians and outlaws (it's my heritage, too) that the fewer laws the better. It was easier to get a drink in Oklahoma before it was legal, as an example (1959 for the non-history buffs).

Anyway, in my family we still tell tales of my father's exploits (we're talking 50's & 60's now) behind the wheel after imbibing. Once while coming back from the lake and towing a boat my father realized he was in no shape to drive. So he had my older brother, who must have been all of 14 at the time, take over. My brother was doing the best he could considering he'd never driven before but eventually he was pulled over by the OHP for weaving back and forth. I don't believe there was an exchange of money, the officer merely accepted my father's explanation that he let my brother drive because he was too drunk and let them go on without a ticket. Imagine what would happen today in that situation.

The point is talking on a phone while driving is not in the Bill of Rights or even an Amendment to the Constitution. The accumulated data indicates that occupying the part of the brain required for talking on the phone impairs one's ability to focus on driving, similar to how alcohol impairs one's abilities to focus. While you might liken it to any of the myriad other distractions that people subject themselves to, remember that we now have seatbelt laws to keep those kids you drive with in one place (as a child I rode in cars that didn't have seatbelts and used to stand up in the seat. Darn those pesky insurance companies telling us to make our kids safe by buckling them in!). As for sleeping at the wheel, yes, you can be ticketed for that.


It's not the wild west anymore. When a person gets behind the wheel of a ton of metal and 100 horsepower at the touch of a pedal, they are responsible for operating it in a manner so as not to endanger others.

Exactly. Laws are also known to make us freer if we abide by them. I consider it a cost to benefit ratio, and to me, it's not worth risking some poor innocent person's life so that I can call that person back immediately, or text them for that matter. If it's that urgent, why not just pull over and send your text?

[yermom]

It's not like I'm not from Oklahoma. I understand being raised in a state settled by Indians and outlaws (it's my heritage, too) that the fewer laws the better. It was easier to get a drink in Oklahoma before it was legal, as an example (1959 for the non-history buffs).

Anyway, in my family we still tell tales of my father's exploits (we're talking 50's & 60's now) behind the wheel after imbibing. Once while coming back from the lake and towing a boat my father realized he was in no shape to drive. So he had my older brother, who must have been all of 14 at the time, take over. My brother was doing the best he could considering he'd never driven before but eventually he was pulled over by the OHP for weaving back and forth. I don't believe there was an exchange of money, the officer merely accepted my father's explanation that he let my brother drive because he was too drunk and let them go on without a ticket. Imagine what would happen today in that situation.

The point is talking on a phone while driving is not in the Bill of Rights or even an Amendment to the Constitution. The accumulated data indicates that occupying the part of the brain required for talking on the phone impairs one's ability to focus on driving, similar to how alcohol impairs one's abilities to focus. While you might liken it to any of the myriad other distractions that people subject themselves to, remember that we now have seatbelt laws to keep those kids you drive with in one place (as a child I rode in cars that didn't have seatbelts and used to stand up in the seat. Darn those pesky insurance companies telling us to make our kids safe by buckling them in!). As for sleeping at the wheel, yes, you can be ticketed for that.


It's not the wild west anymore. When a person gets behind the wheel of a ton of metal and 100 horsepower at the touch of a pedal, they are responsible for operating it in a manner so as not to endanger others, and that's true no matter what state you live in.

if it's a part of your brain that limits your focus, then i don't think it has much to do with holding the phone in your ear, it's the talking/listening part

i'm not arguing against the law, i'm saying people are distracted a lot anyway. and they can't outlaw those other things, so stating what the law is somewhere doesn't change the argument

[Harry Beanbag]

i'm not arguing against the law, i'm saying people are distracted a lot anyway. and they can't outlaw those other things, so stating what the law is somewhere doesn't change the argument

Yep. Not to mention that making a law banning it will most likely do little in regards to prevention and become just another revenue generator for communities when the occasional fine gets handed out.

If we are serious about getting distracted drivers off the road, we will create laws that ban stereos, children, food, newspapers, magazines, makeup, alcohol, and phones altogether. I mean if we going to do something to make the roads safer, we should really go all the way instead of focusing on the hot button issue at the moment.

[soonerhubs]

Yep. Not to mention that making a law banning it will most likely do little in regards to prevention and become just another revenue generator for communities when the occasional fine gets handed out.

If we are serious about getting distracted drivers off the road, we will create laws that ban stereos, children, food, newspapers, magazines, makeup, alcohol, and phones altogether. I mean if we going to do something to make the roads safer, we should really go all the way instead of focusing on the hot button issue at the moment.

If making it illegal saves a few lives and makes a few idiots think twice about putting someone else at risk then I say I'm all for it. As a stupid teenager 11 years removed, I can recall that many times I obeyed the law for fear of tickets and insurance hikes. I can honestly say that I felt the laws were stupid, and that I transcended these silly speed limits. Now that I've had a few more years experience, I'm grateful that my fear of tickets and what not probably saved my life or the lives of others on the road around me.

I'm honestly against government control on many things, but since these are PUBLIC roads why not put PUBLIC safety above some idiot's need to make a phone call or text message someone while going 75 miles per hour? Driving really is a privilege not a right.

[soonerhubs]

I would also suggest that calling this a hot button issue is similar to calling the internet a fad.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Talking while driving isn't much better. People don't realize how much attention is taken off of the road when you are on the phone.Seems like anymore, when people are driving weird, doing something wrong or uncalled for, you look at them when you get close enough to see them well, and they are usually chatting away on the phone. It really is unsafe.

[Sooner_Bob]

Someone eating while driving is as distracted as someone with their phone stuck to their ear. Someone with a kid in the back seat is as distracted as someone with their phone stuck to their ear. Someone having a conversation with a passenger is as distracted as someone with their phone stuck to their ear. Someone who is lost and is looking at every street sign and business sign is as distracted as someone with their phone stuck to their ear.


We all drive while distracted . . . but actually reading a book or texting while driving is crazy. I might do it at a stop light or stop sign, but I won't hold up traffic to do it.

[soonerhubs]

We all drive while distracted . . . but actually reading a book or texting while driving is crazy. I might do it at a stop light or stop sign, but I won't plow through traffic to do it.
Fixed ;)

[Frozen Sooner]

Alaska passed a law that you cannot look at an active display excluding a GPS or caller ID while driving. This after some twit killed two people by crossing the center line while watching porn on his dashboard DVD player. Anyhow, the ban covers text messages (though good luck proving someone was texting rather than just glancing at the clock or whatever.)

[Fraggle145]

You think that's bad. In our city, these crazy, obviously liberal, idiots put up these strange newfangled contraptions that turn red, yellow, or green. Apparently if you drive through them when they are red, some liberal maniac with lights on his car chases you down and fines you money. It's like we can't even be free anymore! :rolleyes:

Hubler wins the thread.

[JLEW1818]

had a friend die while texting and driving... aint safe ...

be careful

[Harry Beanbag]

I would also suggest that calling this a hot button issue is similar to calling the internet a fad.

You might, but you'd also be wrong. You can't watch the news anymore without hearing about driving while "intexticating". It is most certainly a hot topic of the day.

[soonerhubs]

You might, but you'd also be wrong. You can't watch the news anymore without hearing about driving while "intexticating". It is most certainly a hot topic of the day.

Fair enough, and you're probably right. However, I suggest that the consequences of this issue transcend the newsworthiness of it.

[Harry Beanbag]

I'm grateful that my fear of tickets and what not probably saved my life or the lives of others on the road around me.

You really think that? You were that bad of a driver before getting skeered by insurance hikes?

[Sooner_Bob]

Alaska passed a law that you cannot look at an active display excluding a GPS or caller ID while driving. This after some twit killed two people by crossing the center line while watching porn on his dashboard DVD player. Anyhow, the ban covers text messages (though good luck proving someone was texting rather than just glancing at the clock or whatever.)

I thought those things were disabled when you shift into drive?

[Frozen Sooner]

I thought those things were disabled when you shift into drive?

The OEM ones are. Not all of the aftermarket ones are.

[OUDoc]

I thought those things were disabled when you shift into drive?

There are ways around anything.

[soonerhubs]

You really think that? You were that bad of a driver before getting skeered by insurance hikes?

Again it's anecdotal for what it's worth (not much compared to the quantitative analyses, I know), but yes I was a bad driver. I loved to speed and was only motivated to comply by the long arm of the law as well as my father's disdain after receiving a ticket. Filial Piety runs strong in my family of origin, but that's a topic for another day.

[beer4me]

This topic was touched upon in a thread about Sergio Kindle.



It will be much more difficult to stop phone usage while driving, even if harsh penalties are enacted and enforced.

Where I work at a second offense of gettn caught talking on the phone (non-hands free).

You lose your driving Privileges. Seems to work here, no reason it won't do the same elsewhere.

[Turd_Ferguson]

True Story

I was parked on an off ramp shoulder in Looserana a few months ago. A Trooper pulled up behind me and ask me what I was doing. I told him my company didn't allow me to talk and drive and had pulled over to make a call. He shook my hand! Told me that was one of the smartest things he'd ever seen. He left without even checking my license or anything. I really felt bad, cause I really had pulled over to take a whiz. He just happened to show up before I could unzip.:D

[MR2-Sooner86]

I have no problem banning phone usage while driving. I'm just glad nobody mentioned road head. I'd freak if they started to pass laws on that. I mean it's not THAT distracting.

[JohnnyMack]

I have no problem banning phone usage while driving. I'm just glad nobody mentioned road head. I'd freak if they started to pass laws on that. I mean it's not THAT distracting.

So, how did this happen?

Show him honey.

[stoopified]

I think texting is stupid in the first place.If you hve a cell pspend 45 seconds making a call instead of minutes over a tiny keyboard typing the message.

[yermom]

spoken like someone that hasn't used it much...

[fadada1]

kinda read a few of the posts...

i live in fairport, ny (suburb of rochester) - some of you may know the story about the 5 girls killed up here 2 years ago. they had JUST graduated high school the week prior ,(again, fairport) and were heading down to one of the girl's cottage on one of the finger lakes. while they can't prove it, all signs point to texting being the primary cause of the accident - text were sent second before the accident. the girl driving lost control, went across the road, and was hit head-on by a semi. all were killed instantly. another carload of girls was right behind them and saw the entire thing. the guy driving the truck was a mess (mentally, unhurt physically).

there are magnetic "ribbons" on more cars in this town than i can count in a day. the town was a mess. all were very popular, class leaders, cheerleaders, on their way to college.

my point... people are f-ing morons. i still see kids texting while driving in this area. how quickly they forget the loss of these 5 girls. how quickly they forget about the pain and senseless loss. these girls' friends are now in college, and some still in high school, but think it won't happen to them.. or whack someone else.

it's bad enough on a national level, but in this area it's especially critical.

MAKES ME ****ING SICK!!!!

if you want to know more about the story, google "5 angels" or "fairport girls" or something of that nature. terrible loss for this community.

[Sooner_Bob]

I'd just be happy if people used their stinking blinkers . . . especially at 4-way stops. I mean what are they teaching in driving school these days.

[Curly Bill]

I just want you slow bastages to stay out of the left lane!

[adoniijahsooner]

I rode with someone who texted whilst driving, and I politely asked him if he needed me to send the message for him".

[soonerhubs]

I rode with someone who texted whilst driving, and I politely asked him if he needed me to send the message for him".

My wife always replies to my texts while I'm driving.