"Inattentive Driving" or "Distracted Driving" are still enforceable. This is one offense I find...offensive. No excuse and no second chance-especially in this girls' case.

Sad and maddening.

 

I want to thank VALKRYDERGUY for posting this. I really this is becoming more of an issue every day. I see more young people Texting in cars for they are going slower than the speed limit or swaying side to side in their lanes. When you get up to them and pass you can see them punching away on the cell phone, or tablet. I love my “toy” and I don’t want anything to ruin it. I am the guy who is on the watch for the as Fran calls it, busy eating, drinking, texting, talking on the phone, etc.

I used to receive calls on my phone but, no more. I let it ring and go into the message recorder. I will then look for a place to pull over and take the call after I see who called me. I just think that it is my way of helping in the world of “selfish, it’s about me, me, and me”. My vice is my music, I love to listen and sing to it. (You don’ want to hear me, I am terrible.) This is why I sing when driving…or at least mouthing out the words.

We all have some type of vice when driving. It’s really about you and how are you going to fix it. It starts with the driver, if you tell yourself to stop talking, eating etc. you will be the best person to make the driving world better.

So Thanks again VALKRYDERGUY for bring this concern back to our attention, for it is so important. (I have to admit when I was younger and learning h9ow to drive, they had a session of Car accidents and showed you movies like this, what would happen if? Parents thought it too graphic so stop showing them. (The same kids that go to the horror shows like Saw 1-5.) Stuff like this scars the hell out of me, and makes me more aware.

It’s just up to you. Don’t complain about others, do the best you can.

 

Good for you, bud. I consider the fact that I've trained both of my kids to only use a Bluetooth adapter I bought for each doing pretty good. At least they keep both hands on the wheel-if not 100% of their attention.

Whats a parent to do?

 

I just saw this again..texting is a huge problem. IN just passed a law here finally, and it is difficult to enforce as you have to see them do this before you can cite them. In the big rig, I can look right down upon you as you violate this new law. I have enforced drunk driving or impairment law my whole life, but I have to tell you the probable cause I need for that isn't always easy. You have to see them cross the center line, or the fog line, etc. Texting drivers are a whole lot worse. You people are all over the road, speed up, slow down...no hands on the wheel... To me a whole more reason to stop you for your driving habit than most drunks. Think about that. If you don't like drunk drivers, why should we tolerate texting drivers who aren't even looking forward? Sitting up high as do in the truck, I have seen, people shaving, putting on makeup, reading a paper, doing homework...and the list goes on.... Just drive the damn car... Having an 18 wheeler up your butt, isn't near as bad as the citation you will get. I don't why people think the car is still their living room at home... It isn't and it isn't a "right" to drive. It is a priviledge, which can be taken away. I don't see why people want to risk that. I have seen a lot of wrecks and even a fatal not long ago, as a result of texting.

 

State law in Tennessee says it's illegal to text while driving, but it's okay to do it when the car is not in motion e.g. at a stop light.

 

That is true in IN as well....

 

This seems to be an appropriate place to post this next story.....

CLICK >> Texting at the Car Show - PerformanceOnline.com

Also not as alarming as the first post in this thread I created back in 2009

 

Its all the same! Those eating, reading the paper, smoking, applying makeup, conversations with people in the car or on radios (two-way), cell phones, and the latest texting. It all means your not paying attention to the driving. PERIOD!



Shame they cannot impose a huge penalty for the victims of these clods! They come down hard on drunk driving, but this set of activities is just as bad in my opinion.

 

Gary, Great post!! Sadly in real life a lot more graphic. I cannot believe texting while driving has not been outlawed in all 50 states. Causing a lot more serious injuries to school age young people than Bullying in schools but noy getting the push it should by state legislators or local goverment. Heaven forbid you don't come to a complete stop before making a right turn on red and receive a ticket in the mail. As soon as the goverment can find out how to make money on fines via cameras things will change. Its all about the money. BTW adults are as bad as the kids. See it all too often. Parents set a good example for your children!!!!!!!!!!

 

Toronto has a Mayor who thinks that such rules do not apply to him, he was photographed reading while driving over 40mph on a freeway in slow traffic, using his cell phone another time and passing a streetcar with its doors open. He is currently under an ethics review for voting when he had a financial interest in a council discussion. He's a piece of work.

It's not only drivers, in Toronto a pedestrian walked from the sidewalk under a truck legally turning at an intersection. The last post she wrote was not finished.

 

My last ticket was driving while talking on the phone a little over 3 years ago, it was tucked in between my shoulder. The cop saw the light from it and wrote me a ticket. $256 later I decided that it wasnt for me ( it was more than half of my 2 weeks pay working at Subway). I have been to traffic school before that and seen the videos of mangled people resulting from car crashes... Its not worth it no matter what..... I barely have my cell on me as it is just because I know when an important call will come and the others can just deal with my voice mail. The only thing about all this is some of you stated other things that I dont agree with.. I have been smoking in cars since I was 16 and got my license, I fail to see the resemblence. All of my cars have been stick and you dont look at the cigarette. By habbit its in my right hand, still able to shift as smooth as if it wasnt there. Certain foods I can see as not being a distraction as long as you prepare... My mom has always stuffed a bag of chips between her and the door for long trips (big bags) and french fries tucked in between the e-brake and center consol. Same thing, if you know where it is you dont need to look at it.... But ultimately it comes down to skill level on some things... Texting and talking without hands free will always be a stupid idea that could get you and others killed... Just my .02

 

So by your logic of things it's okay for me to text and drive because I don't have to look at my phone to type a message, and to read a message I only have to look at it for a brief second. After all I stare at the navi map for much longer than that.

 

No because it still takes you that brief second to look at your phone. I dont take any attention away from the road to grab a cigarette, or a french fry out of a bag wedged in between the e-brake and console. Its natural and instinctual to do either. Whether you look at your phone or not to type, your focused on the message, not your suroundings. Saying a cigarette is dangerous is hypocritical, we all hit the power button on our stereo's or scan/next while looking at the song playing/track number, which easily takes more attention away than a drag off of a cigarette.... I dont know, maybe having a car totalled due to an idiot ramming in to me at 80 from the side makes me look at this differently. I am an extremely deffensive driver, unlike most my age (which is how I am judged). I dont lay back in my seat, I sit completely upright. I dont tailgate or speed, I stay back and scan ahead. Riding has really helped me understand how fragile it all is, thanks to the MSF. Sure I have a little fun, but thinking what if, and applying consideration to, is what keeps me from being a statistic.

 

Very well put, just never have a lit cig or a hot ash fall into your lap/crotch/seat while driving down the road. I guarantee you you'll spend the majority of your time in the next few seconds with your face pointed straight down (or thereabouts). Depending on your speed and conditions, the pucker factor will skyrocket. I wonder why this topic touched a nerve with you? I know the same can of worms are the seatbelt guys, and the helmet guys. I think those who contribute to their injuries (no helmet/seatbelt) in a wreck should take personal responsibility and be paying for a larger share of their care, even if they were not at fault and it is determined their injuries would be much less if the tools designed/required to prevent injuries were not used (note also in all states seatbelts are required unless an older car is properly licenced/waivered, and helmets are in most jurisdictions). Anyway, peace out, your young, I'm older (notice I didn't say old), life is too short to argue about distracted drivers unless you have been intimately involved with/by one.

 

great because i can barely text when siting at a counter,,, driving i wouldn't know where to start to text... the amount of texts i have sent in my life time is 7 i do and shouldn't talk on the phone while driving and after seeing this video, i think that is over. jim

 

I think they need to do something about it, I am in favor of outlawing it, it will save lives. No matter what your life is more important then a text. We should set a thread up where we can sign are name for ( crossfires against texting and driving )

 

Unfortunatly most people think that it will never happen to them.

 

Want to know who is texting while driving...they go side to side when driving, and they are either too slow (below the speed limit by about 5-10 MPH.) Beware of the Road.

Kj

 

 

Very, very powerful.

I have been saying it for like 5 years, "I gave up the idea of riding a bike on the side of the road LONG ago... It's legal, but it's not safe."