Don't Text and Drive

[fasteddie]

A picture is worth a Thousand Words

[ants]

I see it all day every day. Mostly, but not allways, youngsters. Im sure thats how alot of these accedents ( alot of them fatal) happen. Damn shame.

[Doc]

I really don't understand what the heck is going on. If I was a cop, there would be no problem making arrests on at least the cell-phone part of that law. I see it all the time, and have had a couple of close calls involving drivers messing with their electronic gizmos while driving. I even had one case where two of us were at an intersection waiting to pull out into traffic, this lady that was engrossed in a phone conversation nearly took off my driver's side fender when she pulled out apparently not even aware that I was right there in plain sight. By the way, when she charged out into the traffic, a couple of cars going the other way had to hit the brakes .... hard to avoid t-boning her. Also, I constantly see these people with a phone jammed into their ear weaving all over the road as well as others coming at me drifting way over into my lane. If people are that absorbed with a simple cell-phone conversation, I can't imagine the carnage responsible for trying to work your thumbs and steering wheel at the same time and trying to watch both the road and a keyboard while checking out surrounding traffic and pedestrians.

So the big question ..... Why aren't the cops cracking down on these people? It looks like a super easy thing for them to do.

[Grouse]

Maybe because they would feel like hypocrites.....seeing as they do it all the time and are one of the worst offenders. They are exempt from the law though, so for them it ain't illegal. But it's sure not safe.

[ants]

Don't do the knee jerk bash the cops thing....yeah some of them abuse it, I agree, but some of those guys you see are actually on the phone getting information on the way to or from a call. maybe you wont buy that but its true. Worst offenders??? REALLY???

[nyslowhand]

Been there, done that!

The only thing I've ever seen on the thruway that would slow down the traffic, a casket truck!

Funny to see the cars lined up behind the truck almost afraid to pass... LOL

And the cell phone thing - think there probably isn't a one of us that hasn't broken that law.

No, it isn't right, but simply shows what individuals feel is their priority. Not driving!

[Doc]

And the cell phone thing - think there probably isn't a one of us that hasn't broken that law.

No, it isn't right, but simply shows what individuals feel is their priority. Not driving!

My wife and myself are at least two that have never broken that law. Our phones remain off when we are in the car. I have developed such a disgust for the carelessness and disregard for safety due to that act because of so many close calls that I have simply made it a rule to turn the damn thing completely off. There is no need for me to be constantly wired, and I guess I am not so important that I can't have some time to myself.

There is nothing more scary than watching an on-coming car slowly crossing the center line and coming at you with some jerk behind the wheel and a cell-phone mashed up against their ear. People get really zoned out when they are conversing on the phone. I'll never understand why people can converse with each other in a car without getting so goofy, but as soon as you put a telephone between them they seem to lose all awareness of what is going on around them.

[Lawdwaz]

Is the cell phone worse than fighting with your wife? Fighting kids? Eating a cheeseburger? Makeup application? Shaving? Driving with a poodle on your lap? Spanking the monkey? Reading a book? Plugging info. into the GPS?

(I've been guilty of some of these, guess which ones) <grin>

I guess they are all "distracted driving" but rarely ticketed. I will agree that texting is a real no no.

[landtracdeerhunter]

I always remember that driving on a public highway is a giant risk. Now add distractions of any kind, that risk multiplies rapidly. Too many people today, don't think of the out come of their actions behind the wheel. How it can affect other families, or your own, in a blink of an eye, forever. Make an effort to obey the laws, so we all can enjoy tomorrow.

[fasteddie]

The other day I was driving down 590 and a woman swerved in front of me . She was texting .

It made me so nervous that i dropped my electric razor , spilled my coffee and got jelly donut all over my clothes !

[Grouse]

Don't do the knee jerk bash the cops thing....yeah some of them abuse it, I agree, but some of those guys you see are actually on the phone getting information on the way to or from a call. maybe you wont buy that but its true. Worst offenders??? REALLY???

I'm not bashing cops here, just pointing out their attitude towards cell phone use while driving. I spent many years in Emergency Services and saw it happening once cell phones became common. I also don't agree anything official should be discussed off the radio, as nothing can be recorded when they take it off the radio and use the cell phone. If they are on a cell, rather than the radio, they are most likely discussing something they don't want overheard or recorded. Use of a cell phone by a cop responding to a call with lights and siren, is extremely negligent and puts the public in danger. If it is actually necessary to use a cell in an official capacity, the cruiser should be equipped with a hands free system like Ford's Sync.

As far as why so many average Joe's use the cell phone when driving, it is easily summed up in two words. Inconsiderate and Oblivious! Seems more people are self centered and self concerned these days than ever before. It's an attitude that was cultivated by the "Me" generation without any concern for the side effects it would produce. Too many people lack any concern for other people, their safety, or their opinions. They do have a lot of self esteem though, but no accomplishments to speak of that would justify it. And when they cause an accident while on the cell, they never accept responsibility for their actions either, preferring to find fault with the other driver or pedestrian, even if they have to lie to do it.

[fasteddie]

I have seen people holding a cell phone to their ear and waving the other hand . How in hell are they steering ?

I have also seen people looking down toward the steering wheel for an extended period while driving and "assume" they are texting . A police car approaches and they act normal . As soon as it goes by , back to the phone . I have a Blue-Tooth that I sometimes use when I am working . I can still keep both hands on the steering wheel .

And yes , there are many other things a driver can do that is unsafe and could cause an accident .

[Doc]

Is the cell phone worse than fighting with your wife? Fighting kids? Eating a cheeseburger? Makeup application? Shaving? Driving with a poodle on your lap? Spanking the monkey? Reading a book? Plugging info. into the GPS?

(I've been guilty of some of these, guess which ones) <grin>

I guess they are all "distracted driving" but rarely ticketed. I will agree that texting is a real no no.

Distracted driving is in reality a single catagory of reckless driving. So far only the texting and non-handsfree cell-phone use while driving has been recognized and turned into an illegal act. That doesn't make any of the others fit into responsible driving. I have seen the make-up thing and it definitely impacted the drivers ability to drive accurately and recognize sudden (or even casual) acts from other drivers and pedestrians. I have also seen drivers wrestling with burgers, fries and coffee while coming out of fast food joints. Believe me they absolutely had nothing on their minds about their driving. I am only glad that I was not a pedestrian in front of them .... lol. It's all part of the same thing ...... irresponsible driving with no concern for the safety of themselves or anyone around them. None of it is excuseable.

[NFA-ADK]

Make them all wear BO... It will protect us all! Please save us from our selves... Mandatory BO on all vehecles so they are seen by drivers better, this will save many lives... Come on big brother make more laws to restrict our freedoms... Next no smoking while driving, No drinking anything, No eating anything, windows must be rolled up at all times so the wind does not distract you with it's sudden changes... Babble babble babble...

When are the camera's going up on every street corner to keep us better protected? O wait that all ready started... One coming to your block soon.

[Grouse]

What I don't understand is why all of these driver issues aren't already covered under the careless driving law? Why do we need to have a law for every little thing, in detail, to write someone a ticket for driving dangerously? Perhaps the cops don't get support from the traffic courts when they write a ticket for driving while eating or applying makeup? Maybe the lawyers have caused this mess? I don't think we need a law to cover hand held distracted cell phone use in particular, because it's careless driving in the first place.

I agree we have too many laws now, but if they aren't enforced, ( or worse, selectively enforced ) what good are they?

I have noticed many local PD's not enforcing, what they consider trivial infractions, when local budgets get cut and their manpower is down, claiming they don't have the time or manpower to enforce those things so they can concentrate on more pressing crimes. I don't buy that excuse though, because they need to do their job, and the lost revenue only makes their budget problems worse. Do they really have a lot more "pressing issues" than before too? I don't want the PD to go on a ticket blitz just for cash, but writing tickets for real driving infractions should not be stopped. Besides, it often just looks like a PD Union work stoppage in protest of the town not raising taxes.

[Doc]

Make them all wear BO... It will protect us all! Please save us from our selves... Mandatory BO on all vehecles so they are seen by drivers better, this will save many lives... Come on big brother make more laws to restrict our freedoms... Next no smoking while driving, No drinking anything, No eating anything, windows must be rolled up at all times so the wind does not distract you with it's sudden changes... Babble babble babble...

When are the camera's going up on every street corner to keep us better protected? O wait that all ready started... One coming to your block soon.

So are you saying that the anti-texting while driving law should not have been passed? I put that law right along side DWI laws in terms of what it is supposed to accomplish. There are some very good similarities. They have eliminated one more freedom to risk my life, and I am damned glad.

[Doc]

What I don't understand is why all of these driver issues aren't already covered under the careless driving law?

Is there really such a "catch-all" law that covers any kind of hazardous driving situations? I'm not a lawyer or LEO, so I have to ask.

[Deerthug]

The other day I was driving down 590 and a woman swerved in front of me . She was texting .

It made me so nervous that i dropped my electric razor , spilled my coffee and got jelly donut all over my clothes !

Don't forget losing your place where you were reading the Times.

But seriously, don't text and drive . . . seen to many of these accidents in my practice the last 10 years

[Deerthug]

Here is the language of NYS Reckless driving law in the NYS VTL:

§ 1212. Reckless driving. Reckless driving shall mean driving or using

any motor vehicle, motorcycle or any other vehicle propelled by any

power other than muscular power or any appliance or accessory thereof in

a manner which unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of

the public highway, or unreasonably endangers users of the public

highway. Reckless driving is prohibited. Every person violating this

provision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

I guess it's pretty ambiguous and can be argued that it does not necessarily cover texting or voice calls. It was originally meant to cover the manner in which a person is driving their vehicle i.e. swerving in and out of traffic, and excessive speeding. The newer laws are geared toward more specific violations which most likely arose out of criminal defense lawyers arguing that texting while driving or making a call while driving does not necessarily fall within the purview of the above law. (And No. . . I'm not one of them)

[ants]

Grouse.... sorry..your last post dose'nt sound like you're bashing cops at all.

[Grouse]

I'm not bashing cops Ants, but I am pointing out certain behavior many engage in that is not sound and should not be condoned. I respect and appreciate LEO's but I will also point out they have no right to take advantage of that respect to engage in dangerous behavior. I know many LEO's who are very upset that many of their own are giving all the rest of them a bad image by doing things that they know they can get away with, even though they know they shouldn't do them in the first place.

It's hard for the good cops to withold support for the bad ones when they get pinched, even though they know in their hearts the bad ones should be held responsible for their dangerous actions. The peer pressure and retaliation can be very intense, even dangerous. That goes for cell phone use, or anything else that puts the public in jeopardy. Once again, not bashing LEO's in general, but not giving a pass to the ones who deserve to be held accountable either.

[sits in trees]

I thought talking on a cell while driving was bad, Texting while driving is pure insanity..i really wish they would inforce laws on this crap and selfish jackasses killing people on the roads. if they can prove thru their call records that they were talking at the time of an accident and they kill some poor person while texting they should be charged with manslaughter.

[ants]

Problem is people see a cop talking on the cell phone, speeding not wearing a seat belt etc. and assume that he/she is abusing their authority. Not always true. sometimes? Im sure.

You know what they say happens when you "ASSUME"

[ants]

YEAH!!! THAT!!!