A 'phoning-while-driving' asshole almost killed me today.

[trof]

I'm still pissed.
I'm livid.
If I could get my hands around his neck right now, I think I'd kill him.

He was driving a big ass truck.
Might have been a garbage truck.
Head on I couldn't tell.

He was eastbound on the narrow two-lane blacktop, and I was westbound.
I had my headlights on. Always do.
No other traffic.
I saw him about a mile ahead of me.
His front tires were on my side of the yellow line.
And they stayed there.
I backed off the accelerator and slowed down.
On he came, still partially in my lane.
No breakdown lane on this county road, very little shoulder.
Deep ditch on both sides of the road.
You go in the ditch, you flip.
That's a given.

I started flashing my headlights.
As he got closer I leaned on the horn.
And still the truck was partially in my lane.

As I put my right wheels way into the grass I could see him with his left hand to his ear.
And that son of a bitch wasn't scratching a mosquito bite.

I fishtailed a bit in the soft earth and then got it back on the road.
Pulled over in a church parking lot till my knees quit shaking and I'd quit hyperventilating.
Then pressed on with my trip to Lowe's for something or other.

I hold assholes who use cellphones while driving below gun nuts and the NRA.
And don't even talk to me about texting.

[trof]

1. Addendum:

I'm 72 years old.
I don't know how much time I have left on earth, but whatever it is I sure don't want it cut short by some prick talking to his girl friend or boss or whatever while he's driving.

[CrispyQ]

2. I've had close calls too, especially on two lane roads, almost always with big ass cars.

Glad you're ok!

[Cooley Hurd]

3. Betcha they were texting their pot dealer!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022899516

Glad you're safe trof!!!!

[sakabatou]

85. That's been deleted.

[DiverDave]

105. We get random drug tests

and I can guarantee that if he was smoking pot, he is fired, with no rehire anywhere.
Trucking company's, and the state (you can get tested at a weigh station)
Have a less then zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol.
I met a guy who took a breathalyzer test 1 mile after he got on the road ( truck stop was close to the scale)
The mouthwash he used put him out of service for 10 hours.
Are there guys drinking and drugging?, yes, but they dont do it for long before they are caught
The worst culprits are sleepy driving.
If you get paid by the load, or a percentage, there is an incentive to work more hours.
The DOT has to mandate hourly pay, then you wouldnt have tired drivers.
Everyone needs to take this advice, just stay the hell away from trucks., let em pass, give them plenty of room.
A car is no match for an 80,000 pound projectile.
I told that to my wife as soon as we got married

[earthside]

4. I love my iPhone.

My smart phone has become a very integral part of my life.

However, I absolutely support a flat-out ban on talking on the phone while driving.

I would favor police checks to arrest drivers caught while talking/texting.

Speeders don't scare me as much as driver's on the phone.

Even hands-free is dangerous; I won't do it anymore because there is just something about talking on the phone that takes your attention away from the road ... it is just different that even talking to another person that is in the car with you.

[laundry_queen]

12. I agree with everything you just said. nt

[LuckyLib]

20. Amen. This says it all. No phone activity, period! Keep it in your pocket or

purse. No person's life is worth your need to yak.

[airplaneman]

27. I'm with you

I will not answer or use my cell phone while driving. If I think it might be important, I will pull over somewhere safe and check it out.
-Airplane

[bigwillq]

31. There are bans of some variety in my state (CT)

but the cops hardly ever enforce it.

[xtraxritical]

40. Talking/texting is completely banned in Ca. and a very expensive fine.

[busterbrown]

56. I don’t think its enough for the first offender..

$1,500 is what I think would have a real impact..

[kentauros]

66. There are two things associated with driving I'd like to see

penalized with high-dollar fines.

1) As with this thread, using the phone in any capacity.
2) Unsecured loads.

Another DUer here told me about how in their state there was a high-profile death where people died from an unsecured load. Their state then added a law and fine to help stop that problem, and it worked. The fine for the first offense was $5000.

I'd like to see Texas do this. I can't say how many times I've seen furniture, building materials, and industrial equipment sitting in the middle of the freeway as traffic either comes to a halt to go around it, or to go around the accident caused by that errant item.

[busterbrown]

75. A Fuckin Men!!!

You just never know when you get behind one of those loads.. The ones with string or yarn....Hopefully the big industrial loads are secured because of the Insurance liability, but we know those can be dangerous as well.

[CrispyQ]

94. And dogs in the back of a truck.

I hate seeing that. It should be illegal.

[kentauros]

99. I feel the same way, as well as for any animal loose in the vehicle.

I was at the front of a two-lane left turn the other day, in the outer lane while a pickup pulled up next to me on the right. He had his dog halfway out the window, presumably holding it with his left hand while he had his phone up to his head with his other hand! I didn't want to be next to him on the turn, so I bolted out of there to be ahead. I think he turned right to go into a gas station, but I don't know how he was turning the wheel. You'd think people would realize just how unsafe it is for the animal to do things like that. However, there are still people that think they can hold onto their baby safely, too...

[DCKit]

73. Definitely.

My favorite ever was a guy having an argument with someone. I was sitting at a red light at PA ave. and 7th St. in downtown DC. As he was going through the intersection, he slammed on his breaks to punctuate his argument. My mind was boggled.

I don't drive the beltway... on purpose. But I've seen some crazy shit on 66. They slow down, start weaving all over the highway and totally screw up the traffic flow. But why not? They're the only person on the road who counts for a damn, right?

[Gregorian]

5. Please don't take this the wrong way.

As much as I agree with your sentiment, (I ride a bike, and just about everyone in a car is that guy)

But there are people who can drive, and those who cannot. And I've noticed that in America just about everyone cannot. I'm thinking of that German girl on Topgear who was raised at the Nuhrenburg Ring. Now she can talk on a cellphone and race.

It's the shit drivers. They can't drive, let alone with a phone. The cellphone just makes them all that much less attentive.

Believe me, I am in a rage over this crap. It's one of my top most peeves. I absolutely hate the drivers in this country.

Ok, rant off.

[trof]

25. I agree that there are 'shit drivers'.

I'd also posit that a lot of them are in my age group and older.
Yeah, us geezers.
Some of us have no business being behind the wheel.

I know I've lost a step or two in reflexes, but I think I make up for it (so far) in EXPERIENCE.
I don't take chances.
I try to not get into a situation where split second decisions are necessary.

I plan ahead, watch closure rates on cars ahead of me.
How long has that light been green and how likely it is to change?
Who is likely to pass and pull into my lane, and who is maintaining a constant speed.
I credit my years as a pilot for this.
Keep your eyes on a swivel and plan ahead...plan ahead...plan ahead.
And I know everyone isn't a pilot and has no idea what I'm talking about.
I am a defensive driver.

I parked the wings a few years ago.
The time may come when I have to do the same with my driver's license.
Miz t. is a great chauffeur, so maybe that will work out.
Time will tell.

[PFunk]

62. I'm not a pilot but that's the way I drive.

And have done so ever since I first got behind the wheel. And have gotten my share of 'looks' and 'comments' about it. But hey things like surviving a car accident (back seat passenger) in your pre-teens have prompted this. So I take driving very seriously and DO put cell phone talkers high on my 'pucker' list-'specially when one's behind you.

[SheilaT]

80. What trof said.

Even the very best of drivers have their limitations.

I'll confess to occasionally using my cell phone when driving. Most recently on a cross-country trip because of a death in the family. I made and took about five phone calls, and my only excuse is that I was on rural roads with almost no traffic.

There are differences in abilities to multi-task, but I'll say that NO ONE can text and drive.

I have a son with Asperger's, and I long ago told him he must NEVER answer his cell phone while driving. Recently he was driving out to visit me (a ten hour drive) and I told him that if I really, really needed to speak to him, I'd call, hang up, then call again. That would be his signal to phone me whenever it was convenient for him to stop and call back.

There are very rarely times when a phone call must be made while driving. During the drive noted above I did pull off for one of the phone calls so that I could speak with a cousin while not driving to let her know what was going on.

Jeez, even in the years before cell phones I can recall many a close call because I let my attention drift a little.

[CrispyQ]

26. Your post has me wondering how often an actual driving test is required.

I know it varies state by state, but I haven't had a driving test in years, possibly a decade or more. ??? My license expires next year & I think it was issued in 2004. I know that I did not take the drivers test in 2004, because the car that I was driving for the last test I took, I no longer owned.

I think as long as you don't have any moving violations & can pass the eye exam & the written exam, you're pretty much good to go. ???

[trof]

32. Testing for us 'seniors' should be more often.

Too many of us are on the road when we shouldn't be.
I know it's damned hard to give up that independence.
Especially for folks with no nearby family or friends or support group.
But it's a fact that has to be faced.

[eridani]

90. My mom was furious when she had her license pulled

After about a week, she got over it and told me "You really do have to think of all the other people." I told her about the .sig file "I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming in terror like his passengers."

[Revanchist]

68. I've had a driver's test once

In 1986 and that's it. I've had licenses in RI and VA and I've never had to retest.

[Gregorian]

78. The American driving "test" is exactly what is wrong. We need a real course and real test.

With all of the talk about guns, the number of car deaths is very close.

We have almost no testing of skills here. In other countries one must pass an exam that would bowl most Americans over. I've always been a highly skilled driver. I spent most of the nights in my youth racing remote mountain roads. We built up sports cars that were way ahead of their time. I cringe when I see what's going on on the roads.

Now I've totally given up on driving. It's too damned difficult for me to even watch. I drive only when I have to. I put 3000 miles per year on a bike. And if it weren't for cars, I would toss my car completely. But I digress.

I also give up on ever seeing the day when people know what they're doing. I can't imagine the time it would take to get people trained properly. A skid pad in every county? Forget it. But that's what it takes.

So my Porsche sits in my garage like some museum piece. I love bikes anyways. Screw cars. I used to love them. In 1976 my girlfriend was a Stanford student from Iraq. I'll never forget standing with her when she said "You Californians are car crazy".

[magellan]

30. I agree with you

I lived in the UK. The driving tests over there are incredibly tough and it shows in the excellent driving skills of most on the road over there. A lot of Americans just aren't good drivers. (I don't exclude myself from that.) Focusing on what the other dipshits are doing has saved my skin twice in the last year, so I refuse to use my phone and drive.

[GoneOffShore]

61. I'm with you.

I've still got my UK license but it expires when I'm 70.

When I moved to the UK I'd been driving in the States for 5 years. I failed the UK test twice. Once on the written, once on the "practical".

A lot of Americans just aren't good drivers.

I'd change that -

Almost all Americans just aren't good drivers.

I would say less than 10% here in the US have a clue what they're doing behind the wheel. And that includes truckers, bus drivers, and other "professionals".

Everyday I see the "professionals" texting, tailgating, not signaling, driving one handed, chatting on the phone, along with the inevitable drinking coffee and eating lunch. For the non-professionals let's add, disciplining the kids, titivating their hair, picking their noses along with the already listed activities. And reading the newspaper, fiddling with the radio, shaving, applying makeup and changing clothes. And yes, I've seen all of the above.

So, if we don't kill ourselves with guns, the cars and junk food are going to do us in.

[PFunk]

63. I just glad I learned how to drive in a state that is serious about dealing w/crappy drivers.

And had a good driving teacher to boot.

[kevinbgoode1]

6. That ticks me off as well . . .

I'm so tired of people assuming that someone else (meaning, the rest of us drivers) are supposed to compensate for their lack of proper attention to the road so they can talk or text to someone who (apparently) can't wait five or ten minutes for the next breathtaking moment-by-moment "sharing" of their lives. IMO, licenses should be suspended.

[calimary]

39. Welcome to DU, kevinbgoode1! And glad you weren't hurt, trof!

Good to have you with us, kevinbgoode1 - come enjoy, play, learn, vent, debate, inspire, and enlighten!

[catnhatnh]

7. I ride a bike and they fucking terrify me...

...coming toward me, ahead, behind or beside me-doesn't matter because I will do anything it takes from speeding to driving off the road to get away from them. They are as erratic as a coke addicted lab rat and as consistent as the recent weather patterns. If I were a cop and had seen your particular case I would have arrested the bastard for vehicular assault. Sure the asshole would beat the charge but maybe the hassle would modify his behavior. For sure his intellect won't...

[IDemo]

43. True story

I commuted by bike on my former job, when the route wasn't an exercise in suicide as is my current one. I had to drive one morning due to an appointment and got behind a woman on the cell who may as well have been drunk - she weaved completely into the bike lane three times, over-correcting into the turn lane twice. I would have had a Goodyear tattoo on my back if I'd been on the bike at that time. Made me think, do I want to continue with this (yeah, I did)?

[cstanleytech]

57. What scares me are you bikers.

Especially the ones who dont take proper precautions such as wearing reflective clothing and or other things like having reflectors on their bike at night not to mention there are alot of roads around here that just arent built for bikes and cars at the same time and the county and state wont spend the money to make the roads safer for both by adding in dedicated biking lanes.

[catnhatnh]

65. Well....

My bike is a 750cc V-4 producing 87 HP and turns a 12.7 1/4 mile. It is well illuminated. I doubt you will be forced to overtake and pass me.

[cstanleytech]

67. AHh that kind of bike, you all dont need to be seen most of us

can hear you coming :p lol

[catnhatnh]

70. Actually, I use the factory stock exhaust system....

...I wear leather and a helmet and ride almost exclusively within the law. Loud noise interferes with MY enjoyment also, and I take no pleasure in annoying others. At 59 I haven't quite got Ol' Trof's mileage but 40 odd years on 2 wheels makes most of us either defensive drivers or cripples or worse...These days I'll settle for folks seeing me coming.

[Silent3]

81. You get the Union Leader?

Or is that a neighbor's mailbox?

[catnhatnh]

82. Yes,

That and the right wing Boston rag. They have the best crosswords and some of the best satire I've ever seen disguised as Op-Eds. The truth I can get anywhere (here, Stewart, Colbert, Maddow, Bashir, etc. etc. etc....). What they deliver is priceless...

[flamingdem]

8. It's getting too scary to drive

$20 fine for texting while driving ain't enough

[Mnemosyne]

11. Fine should be $2000, imo. Assholes are risking everyone else's lives. nt

[SummerSnow]

21. Yes a $2000 fine plus

2. 8 hours community service scraping gum off sidewalks

3. A cell phone danger prevention class


4. 36 hour cell phone suspension . Only 911 can be called.


5. If you hurt or kill someone driving and using your cellphone your license will be suspended.

[Mnemosyne]

24. Agree completely! I am so very tired of the many thoughtless self-centered people out there these

days. Little to no self-reflection on how they affect others and the world. This isn't just young people either, I see many older people doing it too, texting or talking and swerving.

No wonder I've become such a hermit.

[Mnemosyne]

9. I was almost hit today too, a middle-aged woman yacking away and swerved onto my side of the road.

I hear you! I'm seeing this almost every time I leave the house anymore.

No regard for human life, imo.

[jimlup]

10. Yeah

I've gotten to expect that when I see a car being driven poorly or irregularly that the driver will be on the phone. And I'm not talking about texting which is far worse.

People seem to have decided that since texting while driving is really bad that since they don't do that they are fine to talk. It's a very bad precedent that is being set in our society.

I guess in 10 years we'll have driverless cars. Still I'm concerned about the level of respect for others that drivers show.

[flamingdem]

13. They just don't think - their addiction to connection drives

risk taking

[Mnemosyne]

14. Glad you made it ok, trof. You less stressed now? Pants dried? K&R

[trof]

34. Yeah, dry pants. I was wearing Depends.

No, just kidding.
Not there yet.

[Mnemosyne]

38. I've come close to a good soaking before thankfully no Depends involved either... yet! What the hell

is wrong with people believing they are the exception to being dangerous? Boggles the mind.

[GoneFishin]

15. Sort of recent phenomenon. Bad, slow, weaving, inattentive driver ahead,

and when you pass them, sure as hell they have a phone to their ear, or they are staring down into their lap or passenger seat and doing something with one hand.

Some will stop for a second, as if they don't want it to be obvious that they are texting and driving.

[Warpy]

16. Being run off the road is a big deal

I'd have gotten a good description of the car and called it in to the cops.

That asshole is going to kill somebody. I'm glad it wasn't you.

[SummerSnow]

17. Glad you're ok.That was scary.

I have issues people walking down the street and texting.They never ever look up. I'm sick of dodging them to avoid being knocked down by them. Now when I see them walking toward me I just stand there and let them walk right into me. They get startled and I get 1000 apologies. Sometimes they even drop their phones.

[Initech]

18. My phone doesn't leave my pocket when I drive. People, hang your damn phones up!

The other day I saw a woman texting while driving, I was beside her car for about two miles, and she did not stop. Really stop it!!

[kevinbgoode1]

71. I so totally agree . . .

I took a long trip in February, driving from western Illinois to southern Mississippi (front row tickets to Diana Ross!!). . .anyway, of course I took my cellphone - I was stopping in southern Illinois to drop some things off at a friend's house. I needed to call her - some traffic/rain delays were slowing me down (my arrival was gonna be delayed and could be quite late at night), so I waited until I got to the next town and pulled into a Dollar General parking lot.

I never answer my phone if it rings while I'm driving - it stays in my pocket. I can't even imagine trying to text while driving, but the I detest texting anyway.

[Initech]

83. I just bought a new car a few months ago.

The cool thing is that it has Bluetooth so I can talk and drive without fumbling with my phone. But then when you get a text message it will read it to you and then you can respond with a few basic responses like "driving can't text". This should be standard on like every car I feel.

[Faygo Kid]

19. Had a tailgator/phone nut on my arse today

On I-270 in Maryland. NO regard for other drivers (typical in the DC area). She was a youngster, on the phone, and about a foot from my bumper as we did 65.

Got to flip her off twice, though. Satisfying.

[SamReynolds]

93. I have a sunroof....

And a bunch of nickles in my ash tray for people like that.

Works wonders. At 65 they'll crack a windshield no problem, and they can never prove anything.

[nomorenomore08]

22. Holy shit! Glad you're safe.

And yeah, that guy's a prick. No argument from me.

[marmar]

23. A texting cellhole drifted into my lane on the freeway yesterday.....

...... I just barely missed him, then he drifted into the right lane and caused an accident. Distracted drivers have become the biggest menace on the road.

[L0oniX]

28. Cell phones don't kill people ...blah blah blah

sorry ...couldn't help myself

[In_The_Wind]

29. Wow! Glad you are ok.

[ReRe]

33. Glad you're OK, trof....

.... you gave me an idea... I'm going to change the voicemail message on my cell phone to something like this: "Hi, this is me and I am driving right now Will call you back as soon as I get to where I'm going. Save a life or two...turn your cell phone off while driving!"

[wryter2000]

35. Glad you got away safely

This week, some idiot was tailgating me on the freeway at full speed. When she finally went around, I saw a "Baby on Board" sign in her rear windshield. Bozo.

[redstatebluegirl]

36. The only thing that will make them stop

Is if insurance companies refuse to pay a claim if they can prove you were on a phone when an accident occurs. Plus you could be charged with vehicular homicide. If this were the case people would think twice!

[mountain grammy]

37. Glad you're ok.. you have lots of company here. It's scary out there.

[Stuart G]

41. k and r..thanks for posting..glad you are safe..and also for others that shared..thank you too...nt

[MineralMan]

42. There is a power switch on

every cell phone. I use mine when I get into my car. I do not need to talk to anyone that much. Ever.

[cynatnite]

44. If he was driving that large of truck, a CDL is required...

If he was on his phone while driving as well, that is illegal and he could face fines, job loss and the loss of his CDL.

If you know the name of the company, call them and report him.

My husband would be immediately fired if he had done anything like that. Not only that, he has an earpiece so that he keeps both hands on the steering wheel of his truck. Safety always comes first for him.

[trof]

45. There's a roadside 'shrine' about 5 miles from my home.

Couple of Styrofoam crosses and some plastic flowers.
A fading sign..."Kathy we miss you."
On the anniversary of her death there are fresh flowers.

On a Sunday morning (insert irony here) she was on her way to church.
Kathy was 18 and looking forward to college.
And she texted a friend.
And went off the road into a power pole.
And died.

[ScreamingMeemie]

46. It is a rarity, here in Houston, to see someone driving without talking on the phone.

And they're sucky drivers to begin with.

I hang up on friends (with a nice,"Call me when you're parked) when they call me from their car.

[Skittles]

47. I DETEST people who do that

they all claim they can drive and talk and they can....until they CAN'T

[ScreamingMeemie]

49. I swear I want to go driving with my son, have him film these idiots... and then post

a channel on Youtube entitled "Idiots on Phones..."

[Skittles]

54. they disrespect everyone on the road

they think their phone calls are more imporant than the safety of others - they SUCK

[kentauros]

72. That's a great idea!

It could be like youparklikeanasshole.com

[LadyHawkAZ]

48. I'm glad you're OK

I ride a motorcycle. The two things that terrify me the most are cellphone yakkers and bus drivers. I've had many close calls with both.

Unfortunately for me, Utah only has a texting ban.

[lastlib]

50. You got my permission to tell that bastard, if you ever see him again:

!!

(with the exclamation points)

[smirkymonkey]

106. +10.000

So sorry you had to be on the road with such a flaming, selfish asshole. I am glad you are ok.

[illachick]

51. Sorry you were almost the victim of a fool lol

I remember back in Driver's Ed our instructor told us to drive as if everyone else on the road is stupid and not to assume other drivers are going to do the right thing or use good driver etiquette, even though I don't drive right now its some of the best advice I've ever gotten because all too often many drivers ARE stupid.

[hrmjustin]

53. Welcome to DU my friend!

[illachick]

100. Why Thank You!!!

Sorry I'm a bit late but thank you for the warm welcome!!

[hrmjustin]

101. Glad you came aboard!

[Tab]

52. Aside from answering the rare phone call

the only thing I do with my phone while driving is change my Pandora song, which is no worse than changing the radio station. I don't dare text unless I'm stopped at a light or something.

Where I live there's a fairly dangerous 5-way rotary, and it really frosts me to have people cut me off at a high speed with a phone to their ear. Put it frickin' down!

In the early 90's I had a car phone. It was attached with a cord (yes, the old days). But what that meant was that I could drop the phone in an instant in a dangerous situation, or just going through a tollbooth, and haul it up by the cord without taking my eyes off the road. I could also dial a number - since it had a raised keypad with actual buttons - by touch, without taking my eyes off the road. The cell phones are actually much more dangerous because they require you interact with their dynamic UI.

[Agschmid]

76. Pandora is all I do as well...

And my steering wheel next button will actually change songs so I don't even need to look down at all.

I live in Mass. So no one can drive to begin with, everyone speeds and you must do 75 in the right lane to survive... So doing anything other than driving is very dangerous.

[Tab]

95. I live north of Boston

and used to commute down to Cambridge; I don't take my eyes off the road for nuthin'.

[Agschmid]

97. Right!

Foot be vigilant on 128!

[northoftheborder]

55. I use bluetooth except in heavy traffic.

[nadinbrzezinski]

58. I am glad you are here

[Rosa Luxemburg]

64. Me too!

I've some close shaves with people texting and veering into the my lane.

[theHandpuppet]

59. Recently caught two school bus drivers yakking while driving

And you'd better believe I reported their asses.

[Doremus]

60. I had a woman pull out from a dead stop onto a 4-line highway about 50 ft. in front of me.

I had a split second to look in my mirror and swerve, just missing a car that was entering the lane to my left. Whipped past the car in the right lane, which was going about 20 mph, and moved back into the slow lane. Slowed down from 60 to about 50 to shove my heart back into my chest. Driver with a death wish caught up to me and started honking and giving me the finger as apparently I was impeding their journey.

All this and not a cell phone in sight.

[SamReynolds]

92. People have never needed phones to be shitty drivers.

But they sure do help!

One moron was texting while waiting to pull out of a Dunkin' Dougnuts parking lot onto the street. I was headed down that street from having just turned on to it. Luckily I wasn't moving fast yet. In front of me, from my right, I watched as his car rolled slowly out of the lot and into my lane as his face was being sucked into his phone screen. So I sat there for a moment, then leaned on my horn as I continued to gain speed. He looked up just in time to panic and get out of my way.

I should have hit him.

[KT2000]

69. Agree!!

Have been in that situation too many times and it is against the law now to use a cell phone while driving in Washington. No one pays attention to it.
They won't see the flashing lights or hear your horn because they are in their own little phone world.
Just plain selfish.

[Canuckistanian]

74. With Bluetooth devices so cheap and plentiful

I see ZERO justification for driving with a phone plastered against your ear while driving.

I love my Bluetooth headset, never leave the house without it.

[Live and Learn]

79. Actually, studies have shown that driving while talking

on a hands free set is no better. It is the actual act of talking that is distracting. Same with eating, changing a cd or radio station, applying makeup and a myriad of other things drivers often do.

[DesertFlower]

77. thank goodness you're okay.

[love_katz]

84. I am glad you are still with us...

and I am glad to see that most of the posts on this thread are in favor of avoiding distractions while driving.

I think driving should be done with the Buddhist concept of mindfulness. You keep your mind focused on the driving, not other activities or thoughts about other things.

There are too many distracted people driving and they miserably endanger everyone who is unfortunate enough to have to share the road with them.

Most people don't get enough information or training before they are issued a driver's license. Our motoring technology exceeds the capacity of our biological capabilities in many ways (for example, our eyes function best at walking speed, or @ 5 mph). Here is a simple formula to get some idea of what we are up against when we drive: take the speed you are traveling, divide that number in half, then add it to your speed number: 20 mph + 10 = 30 feet per second. Our vehicles move much faster than our eyes design function can easily cope with.

Another factor we have to contend with: our roads are often carrying much more traffic than they were originally designed to carry, which results in jam-ups at peak traffic hours. Now add in that most people drive in packs (which robs them of time and space to maneuver if trouble develops), throw in mistakes made by drivers who are engaging in distractions, and you have the recipe for disaster.

The problem with driving is like that old saying, "Familiarity breeds contempt." People quit respecting how dangerous driving really is, because we do it so often, and it seems to be human nature to think that bad things only happen to other people.

I wish more people would remember that driving is the activity where you have the highest chance of being accidentally killed, or maimed or scarred for life.

Driving is also a privilege, not a right. Our states issue our driving licenses and they have the right to take them away. I wish they would take away the licenses of people like that idiot who forced you off the road.

Years ago I read of what would probably be the perfect solution to these bozo drivers: mount their driver's seat on the front bumper, where they would be the first thing to go if they blow it. That would reduce a lot of the carelessness, plain bad manners, and inattentiveness of idiots behind the wheel. (Paraphrased from "How to Keep You Volkswagen Alive, For The Complete Idiot". I think the author was named John Muir. )

[Raine]

86. Driving and talking on a phone is as dangerous as driving while drunk. nt

[moondust]

87. Gadget Zombies

I heard that some car maker is working on a device that will jam or disable wireless signals inside a car while it is moving. Can't happen soon enough.

I get annoyed just having to dodge distracted zombies on foot in stores, etc., to avoid a collision. Happens a lot.

[diane in sf]

88. I had a very similar thing happen to me two weeks ago. Some young twit in a giant SUV was

completely in my lane on a two-lane crowded urban street near campus and heading toward me at a pretty good clip. He was not looking up at all and driving straight ahead. I leaned on my horn and he finally looked up and got back in his own lane. I hope it scared him into altering his behavior.

[Earth_First]

89. Same should apply to GPS and MP3 players...

Distracted driving is distracted driving.

I was almost hit at a stop sign at Lowes yesterdag by a big SUV with someone on a phone.

Glad you are okay!

[SamReynolds]

91. Some people can't walk and chew gum.

That asshat shouldn't be driving at all, let alone driving with any kind of distractions in his cab.

[Liberal_in_LA]

96. ..

[perdita9]

98. My son got hit in a crosswalk by a woman using a cell phone

We go to court about it this week (She broke his leg).

I'm going to try and not speak to her if possible. I'm afraid of what I might say.

[colsohlibgal]

102. It's Getting Ridiculous

More and more, when I'm a few cars back at a traffic light, there will be a delay somewhere along the line, and I'm sure the increased frequency of this has to do with talking/texting etc.

The person driving should be as close to 100% involved driving as possible and not messing with cell phones. I'm hoping the current ad campaign, with loved ones talking about their family member being dead or severely physically/mentally challenged because of a frivolous text attempt, helps pound some common sense into people. Almost all of it can wait.

I jettisoned my land line some years ago but keep my cell in my purse when I'm driving, I only carry it along for emergencies.

[doc03]

103. I was run off the road yesterday by a cell phone talker. Saw him coming left of center on a narrow

country road, I laid on my horn but still had to run off the road to avoid a head on.

[Ter]

104. I do it all the time

Most won't admit it here, but I will. I have never had a problem concentrating while on the phone, and I drive stick, so it's even harder. Perhaps there should be a special license to drive while on the phone?

[JanMichael]

107. Should be a country-wide ban on cell phone/tablet use while driving WITH ONE

exception: 911. Other than that, your damned conversation isn't worth my life.