Cell phone use while driving

[Creeker]

I have to admit that I was totally convinced that the whole "Cell-phones cause accidents" claim was a myth drummed up by Kalifornicating whackos... I mean, afterall... for dozens of years truckers and other motorists had cb radios, but that didn't seem to create any mentionable traffic hazards... and Cops have been taking radio calls and writing down info while we drove for decades...

... Then one day on the way home from work, I was stopped behind a guy who had drifted over into my lane on a 30 mph curve, causing me to pay attention to him. As we both waited for the light to change, I watched him talking on his cell... a guy about my age ... and as our side turning lane light changed from red to green, he drove straight thru the red light from a stop! :confused:

I chased him down, got him to stop within the first 200 yards, then congratulated him on disproving my long held and previously mistaken belief, as he had no idea what he'd done.

I've seen plenty more since then, and there's really no way to prove/disprove them as a cause of an accident without witnesses... but I count that incident as the turning point in my belief system...:cool:

[sobo]

Just for curiousity's sake - have any of you stopped someone who was doing something insane while driving? Like dipping the burger in kethcup, putting on mascara, reading the newspaper. I've seen all of these myself and just curious if anyone has actually received a ticket for such things.

I've talked on the phone while driving, but it is merely someone calling me while I'm on my way to the grocery store telling me to "Don't forget the . . . " then I'm off. I've seen my mother :rolleyes: carry on full-length, in depth conversations while on the phone. In fact, yesterday, she called me at work. She was on her way to see me. She said, "Hold on!" and then silence. Then she comes back and said, "There was a cop and I know its illegal to talk on the cell phone in some of the DFW areas, not up here though, yet. Yakity Yak Yak Yak." I'm thinking, "Just don't call me, I'm seeing you in 5 minutes." Oh well.

I'm sure LEO are much better drivers than the average driver since they receive better training. And CBs, radios, etc - I guess perhaps those conversations are more to the point or relate to driving?? My dad used to listen to his CB rather than regular AM/FM. I'd hear the truckers talk about construction up the road, delays, wrecks or police . Cell phone conversations - or at least some of the ones I've seen - are almost "heart to heart - I-haven't-talked-to-my-best-friend-in-three-months-catching-up conversations".

[mcsap]

A lot of people are good drivers.

A lot of people are great talkers on a cell.

FEW can do both sucessfully.

We had a hit and run fatal crash in which the young girl driver said she wasn't on her cell. She hit a 8 yr old boy crossing the street. We got her cell records and she was on the phone before, during and after the accident.

[sobo]

A lot of people are good drivers.

A lot of people are great talkers on a cell.

FEW can do both sucessfully.

We had a hit and run fatal crash in which the young girl driver said she wasn't on her cell. She hit a 8 yr old boy crossing the street. We got her cell records and she was on the phone before, during and after the accident.

How horrible! I'm glad they're starting to outlaw them, but there will be just as many people (like my mother) who talk on the phone and put it down when they see a cop. Just like the people who speed and weave in traffic and miraculously become excellent drivers when they see lights atop a car. :rolleyes:

[BJJVad]

Generally when I am driving with someone in the car, it's my wife and have learned to tune her out. Now if I could do the same with the phone, I would be at peace again.

[Creeker]

Just for curiousity's sake - have any of you stopped someone who was doing something insane while driving? Like dipping the burger in kethcup, putting on mascara, reading the newspaper. I've seen all of these myself and just curious if anyone has actually received a ticket for such things.

....

HA!

I once worked an accident where the County Asset Manager rear ended another at a red light just down the street from a BK burger joint and did a number on his brand new County vehicle (a van, if I recall).

He was still wearing a ketchup glued pickle beneath his necktie on his pretty pink shirt and his face was splattered with bun and hamburger from the air bag.

I guess he was lucky he didn't break his nose with his empty hamburger clutching fist....:p

I got pictures, but had to leave them at work...

I'm certain he got a ticket...

[mcsap]

How horrible! I'm glad they're starting to outlaw them, but there will be just as many people (like my mother) who talk on the phone and put it down when they see a cop. Just like the people who speed and weave in traffic and miraculously become excellent drivers when they see lights atop a car. :rolleyes:

It was legal when this crash occurred and is still legal 2 yrs later. :confused:

[sobo]

creeker - funny.

mcsap - have there been any attempts in making it illegal? I'd think so, ESPECIALLY in a case like that where there is a fatality. Was the girl charged, convicted? I'm surprised that incident did not result in legislation prohibiting cell phone use to be presented and passed.

[Samuel]

As of July 1 (couple of days ago), 'hands free' is now mandatory in CA (and no cell phone use whatsoever for under 18). Calls for emergency services exempt. Out of state drivers are subject to same law. Best part is that it's 'PC' to stop. Oh, and LEO use in the course of duties is also exempt... :D

[retdetsgt]

it's my wife and have learned to tune her out.

Heck, I can do that at the dinner table!