OT...say goodbye to our communication while in the bump?

[flyboy71]

Huh? What did you say?

[71 LONG BED]

I think there are enough distractions to drivers as it is. I think the ban is behind schedule.
http://www.kctv5.com/story/16312564/nts ... ouri-crash

[fireguywtc]

Here is a story about texting while driving. I realize its a lawyer site, but just read it for the stories as I am sure they are based on true events. http://www.plg-pllc.com/blog/washington ... ry-lawyer/

Here is a story of a guy who killed a 16 year old from texting while driving: http://www.ktvz.com/news/28746776/detail.html
My grandpa was telling me about this story when I was up elk hunting last month. The guy was texting the one girl and the girl in the passanger seat next to him. Supposidly it was sexual but that doesnt matter too much other then the lack of genuine importance. He claimed to pull over but others say he is lying. I believe that he is lying to stay out of trouble and a 16 year old kid lost his life over a stupid text that couldn't wait. This story shows how hard it can be to prove and enforce. It is illegal to talk or text while driving except talking with hands free.

To be clear I am vehemently against texting while driving. It is almost worse the DWI because people don't even know how dangerous they are when they are doing it. It should be banned and enforced to the best of our ability. As far as driving while talking, I think that everything should be hands free, but allowed. It can be done, but we need to be responsible. That may be an impossible dream but it is mine.

As far as comments about fire, police, and ems using their radios and such I of course disagree. This is similar to truckers talking on the CB, not very involved and never outlawed. There are few instances that talking a radio is very involved. In most fire trucks the radio and computer stuff is done by one of the riders and the driver concentrates on driving. Police have a more difficult task as they are usually alone, especially with MDT's (mobile data terminals) which are the computers. I have seen police using them while driving and that is just as bad as texting. It is a bad distraction but restrictions need to be implemented and enforced by their own jurisdictions. After all who can police the police other then their own administration. Sadly our society is mostly reactionary. We are merely reacting to the tragedies of distracted driving. All the variables other then cell phone use will manifest as time goes on.

[AlleyCat]

Good timing on this thread. On the way home today I had a guy in a little SUV thingie drift into my lane. I was over on the berm and ready to launch my F150 into somebody's front yard when he swerved back into his lane. As we passed I caught a glimpse of him pushing buttons. I thought I got off lucky since I did have an escape and time to react.

[tmcalavy]

Gotta quit readin' this thread...it's giving me bad ideas: target a texter, let them total their plastic-fantastic rice burner on my grille or back bumper, scream whiplash and sue, sue, sue...maybe I can get a restored Bump crewcab that way...gotta quit readin' this thread.

[Ranger72]

Los Angeles is so in the red that they are finding new and improved ways of fleecing the citizenry of money. The best I saw just the other day...

I was stopped at a busy intersection with numerous other cars, probably 25-30. Out of frikken' nowhere comes a few cops on bicycles, and they start threading through traffic tapping windows and motioning for people to pull over. Expired tags, talking on the phone, no seatbelt... whatever. They would write a couple of tickets each, which meant some drivers had a nice long wait before they received their ticket. Then the cops would hide behind the gas station again and wait for a new group of vict- err... commuters.

I didn't have my seatbelt on, but since the old bump has no shoulder straps, they couldn't tell.

[BobbyFord]

Los Angeles is so in the red that they are finding new and improved ways of fleecing the citizenry of money. The best I saw just the other day...

I was stopped at a busy intersection with numerous other cars, probably 25-30. Out of frikken' nowhere comes a few cops on bicycles, and they start threading through traffic tapping windows and motioning for people to pull over. Expired tags, talking on the phone, no seatbelt... whatever. They would write a couple of tickets each, which meant some drivers had a nice long wait before they received their ticket. Then the cops would hide behind the gas station again and wait for a new group of vict- err... commuters.

I didn't have my seatbelt on, but since the old bump has no shoulder straps, they couldn't tell.

Sweet! LAPD is finally doing their job...

[woods]

PINKO!

[basketcase0302]

It aint' going away guys! Look at what these "big dogs" have done!
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-33369_1-573589 ... edes-benz/
I still say the "blue collar" guys will be the ones getting all the tickets for communication use while in transit! Simply by not being able to afford the technology of voice activated / computer controlled communication.

[cdeal28078]

What would people do if they had to actually pull over, find a pay phone and put a quarter in it to make a phone call today?
I guess the world would come to a crashing halt!!
I wonder how many people under the age of 30 have ever used a pay phone? Do some of us above the age of 3o remember what they are? Man, technology has sure changed us hasn't it? Is it for the better? I am not so sure.
I honestly think anything that will take your attention from the road is wrong. Should the government ban it? I don't think so since I think they are too entangled in the average persons life as it is. I think a person should take responsibility for his own actions. You know texting while driving is stupid so don't do it. Changing stations on the radio 5 times and minute is not paying enough attention to the road also. Depends on the traffic and road conditions also.
You can make all kinds of laws but you will never stop a stupid person from doing something stupid. The police have so many laws on the books now it is silly. If everybody would just drive like they had some common sense and slow down things would be fine. Like my dad always told me. If you need to be somewhere at a certain time leave early enough to change a flat tire and you'll be fine. If you have to rush you left too late.
clint

[tmcalavy]

I think the real cure for all this cell phone, instant communication all the time obsession is the old-fashioned party-line...many people shared one land line, had to know your particular ring and you weren't supposed to listen in on others phone calls...but lots did. Wow, pay phones...remember the old wood phone booths in bars?...the little seat and shelf inside for the phone book...which was always missing the page/number you needed.

[ezernut9mm]

if i get caught using a cell phone in the big truck it will cost me 2750$ for the first offense. i could lose my license if i get caught enough. funny thing is that big trucks make all the news, but are involved in less than 5% of all wrecks.

[AlleyCat]

if i get caught using a cell phone in the big truck it will cost me 2750$ for the first offense. i could lose my license if i get caught enough. funny thing is that big trucks make all the news, but are involved in less than 5% of all wrecks.

Chris, did you ever notice how the news media rarely reports big truck accidents accurately? They usually omit the cause when some idjit in a smaller vehicle does something stupid to set the chain of events in motion.

[ezernut9mm]

if i get caught using a cell phone in the big truck it will cost me 2750$ for the first offense. i could lose my license if i get caught enough. funny thing is that big trucks make all the news, but are involved in less than 5% of all wrecks.

Chris, did you ever notice how the news media rarely reports big truck accidents accurately? They usually omit the cause when some idjit in a smaller vehicle does something stupid to set the chain of events in motion.

kind of amazing isnt' it?

[72BahamaBlue]

I'm for individual states having the choice as they see fit. I am however happy that laws exist here in Washington state regarding cell phone use. As many have experienced, almost daily close calls from not only distracted, but also inattentive drivers with little control of vehicle due to hands being used for communication rather than for safe operation of the vehicle.
I am continually amazed at the increasing lack of attention to stop signs and pretty much all laws.
It was so refreshing when visiting my family in Europe, to learn how difficult it is to get a driver's license. It really is much like a college course...a very large textbook, many layers of study and testing, as well as what was the equivalent of over $1000. for the entire course. I think it helps make a better driver. Here in Wa.? The driver's guide is a small booklet. The test is available in (I'm not kidding) at least 10 languages. Interpreters available. Wow.

Whew. What was the question? Oh yeah...NTSB reccomendations...I don't have any need to communicate while driving, except emergency calls. That said, those who do really ought to be in constant full control of vehicle, I think a hands free device may be allowed. It will not give immunity if Officer observes erratic or unsafe and unlawful driving. Many if not all sates already have distracted driving laws, applicable to many situations including eating, phone use, etc. Perhaps each state ought to decide what is necessary within their own borders. An NTSB ban of all will likely bring many challenges in courts. Reccomendations and education should continue about the dangers involved, and the seriousness of the consequences.
Hands free okay. Texting NO. All others things, falls under distracted driving laws, I cannot choose from the poll options available.
I'll stop now.