New Wave Outpost Forum

Can't believe I forgot to post this!

Yesterday as I strolled into work, I noticed a fine looking lady in a Mercedes next to me and did a double take. She had her laptop on her lap, with the screen propped up against the steering wheel, working away doing a nice 45 mph or so. I caught up with her at the next stop light and confirmed she was typing away as the light turned green, at least she kept glancing up to the road every few minutes as she drove...

Caught a goof doing this beside me last week...slowly veered into my lane and damn near hit me. I had a few choice words for him at the next set of lights, most of which I'm sure went over his head.

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Believe it or not, they actually have to enact specific laws banning texting while driving! Are people really that stupid that they can't figure out why they shouldn't do this?

<a href="http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_9654850">Banning Text Messaging While Driving</a>




We didn't sell a lot of records, but somehow we left an impression.
-Johnny Ramone-

Your average dope can do 4 or 5 things poorly at the same time (drive, text, eat a Big Mac, apply makeup, etc) so sadly yes, a law is necessary.

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[quote][i]Originally posted by club80[/i]
<br>Believe it or not, they actually have to enact specific laws banning texting while driving! Are people really that stupid that they can't figure out why they shouldn't do this?
[/quote]

My state recently passed a law prohibiting driving while texting, along with a separate law prohibiting driving while using a hand-held cell phone. Unfortunately they're both secondary infractions, so the perps can't be ticketed unless they were also otherwise driving negligently. Wankers.

We all know how dangerous it is to drive while using a cell phone (hands free or not) or texting. The studies show it's the conversation with someone who's not present, not the act of holding the phone or not. And even though the new hands-free law took effect TODAY, I was nearly hit in a parking lot by an SUV road sow yapping on her cell. I'm sure that was a very important call, Mrs. Porky Housewife.

Yet stronger laws are blocked by an odd coaltion of cellular company lobbyists, right-wing nuts who think they should be free to do whatever they want, and left-wing nuts who worry about selective enforcement and pretextual (no pun intended) traffic stops.

[quote][i]Originally posted by hexicon[/i]


Yet stronger laws are blocked by an odd coaltion of cellular company lobbyists...
[/quote]


There's a surprise! I remember when the TV ads actually encouraged the use of the cell phone to conduct business while on the road in the car.

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IMHO, I do not view any laws or ordinances that ban texting/talking on cell phones as "an infringement on our personal lives". To me, it's the same as laws that prohibit drinking while driving. It's a law designed to keep people safe. What could be wrong with laws that prohibit substance use on the part of a pilot or train/subway operator ? Just like alcohol or most drugs, cell phone use impedes your driving, adds distraction, and impairs your reaction time.

I enjoy driving, but I'm super careful--I'm one of those drivers that keeps both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road. I just can't easily let myself get distracted by even such a little thing as changing my CD/ volume/ track/ etc. I try to wait until I get to a red light. Not having a cell phone myself, I have little patience with those who use them while driving. Dimwits !

California just banned driving while having a phone to your ear (a primary infraction IIRC), and I'm all for it. Mainly because a friend of mine was rear-ended my a woman applying make-up, and the collision totalled his classic Shelby Mustang.
Of course, my bluetooth thingy just last week took a dump.