Drivers and Legislators Dismiss Cellphone Risks

[Stuart G]

New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/technology/19distracted.html?_r=1&hp

Driven to Distraction
Drivers and Legislators Dismiss Cellphone Risks
By MATT RICHTEL
At 60 miles an hour on a Missouri highway, a 16-year-old driver texts with a friend as a 17-year-old takes the wheel.

Extensive research shows the dangers of distracted driving. But drivers increasingly talk and text, and state legislators have done almost nothing about it...................

....................................................................
OKLAHOMA CITY — On his 15th birthday, Christopher Hill got his first cellphone. For his 16th, he was given a used red Ford Ranger pickup, a source of pride he washed every week.
.

Mr. Hill, a diligent student with a reputation for helping neighbors, also took pride in his clean driving record. “Not a speeding ticket, not a fender bender, nothing,” he said.

Until last Sept. 3. Mr. Hill, then 20, left the parking lot of a Goodwill store where he had spotted a dresser he thought might interest a neighbor. He dialed her to pass along news of the find.

Mr. Hill was so engrossed in the call that he ran a red light and didn’t notice Linda Doyle’s small sport utility vehicle until the last second. He hit her going 45 miles per hour. She was pronounced dead shortly after.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Read this story discover how so many are endangering others as they drive.

[Stuart G]

1. I wonder how many hundreds, or perhaps, thousands will be killed until

strong action is taken against those who use cell phones and text while driving. Needless deaths.

[callous taoboy]

2. Similar thing happened to me:

Was traveling toward the intersection, green light, and was in the middle of the intersection when I heard a screech to my right and saw an SUV just barely miss my back end. She had run the red and was on her cell phone.

[4dsc]

3. I see this all the time

as a semi truck driver, I see more and more people using a cell phone and not paying attention to their driving. I have seen people actually texting while they drive too.. That scared the crap out of me as we drove 70 mph down a busy highway..

[TheMightyFavog]

9. I once saw a guy merging onto a freeway on a motorcycle

whilst talking on a cell phone.

:scared:

[MadHound]

4. What's sad is that we actually have laws in the state forbidding using the cell phone or texting

While driving. The thing is, people continue to ignore them and they are poorly enforced. This is going to continue until they jam all cell signals on highways and roads. People think that "I'm not distracted, I can handle this." and the next thing you know they've plowed into the back end of the car in front of them or worse.

[Stuart G]

5. Madhound is correct.. People think, "I'm not distracted, I can handle this."

It is exactly the same as the drunk driver. No different, worse. At least the drunk sometimes, knows he/she is at risk

The cell phone user or text writer is sure that they can "handle" it. It is an arrogance that goes with stupidity.

[elocs]

7. Traffic laws are poorly enforced because there cannot be a cop every mile

to ticket everyone who is violating every law. They have enough just trying to nab speeders.

[tilsammans]

6. Running red lights . . .

. . . seems to be more and more common around here. I have to think those drivers are being distracted by something. I'll be on the road for a couple of hours and see it happen several times.

I've begun hanging back a bit before proceeding into an intersection on green. Because you never know.

:scared:

[pipi_k]

8. This is why I hate going into the city

I live in a rural area and I hate the city and having to go into it or through it for any reason.

Just about every trip is fraught with danger as we're nearly hit by careless drivers on their damned cellphones.

Lots of people don't pay attention anyway. Add a cellphone and they turn into mindless slugs trying to maneuver a deadly weapon weighing nearly a ton.

Factor into the equation that they might also be arguing with a friend or family member and/or scarfing down a Big Mac or something, and you've got a recipe for total disaster.

Personally, I'd like to see laws in every state banning texting while driving, and requiring the use of Bluetooth or other similar devices. Anyone caught violating the law should be heavily fined, and anyone causing an accident while violating the law should be imprisoned for at least six months...no exceptions. Maybe that sounds harsh, but I'm sure for anyone who's lost a loved one because of someone else's negligence, it's not harsh enough. I nearly lost both of my kids due to drunk/negligent drivers.

:(

[Stuart G]

10. I would like to see laws banning texting..but my question is

when? As you said, mindless slugs. But texting and cellphones?..What percentage of slugs do you think are on the road? ..Right, every single time you go out, better watch for them. They will kill you just as soon as the swine flu..probably a lot quicker.

:-(