Texting & Driving

[SARGE]

consequences?


Lightning hits the SUV - YouTube

[David M]

No workee Sargee!

I almost got hit head on last week from someone who was half way in my lane on a windy road. I could see his head was down and not looking ahead. I had to swerve onto the shoulder to not get hit. It makes me mad that plenty of morons think that they are safe drivers while texting.

Maybe the laws need to change so that if it is discovered that you were texting that insurance companies can deny a claim to repair your car? Repair the victims car and pay their hospital bills, yes, but not yours. AAA will not pay your towing bill in the Sierra Nevada if chains are required and you were driving without chains. Do the same with texters....put them out of business by not covering their butts.

[doubledragon5]

What gets me If I'm caught texting or talking while driven my truck there are huge fines. For me it is a $2750 fine and $11,000 for the company.. Now if you gave a 4 wheeler those same fines, I bet the texting and talking while driven will stop in a heart beat..

[MaxRat]

Link should work now... I edited as it was a Mobile version link.... you just needed to take off the m. at the beginning

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by MaxRat Link should work now... I edited as it was a Mobile version link.... you just needed to take off the m. at the beginning

Another reason my Ipad irritates me. Never thought about an "m" Thanks.

[MaxRat]

you're welcome Sarge.... I got you covered on this one

[quartet-man]

Originally Posted by MaxRat you're welcome Sarge.... I got you covered on this one

You sure you don't mean "I got your six"?

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by MaxRat you're welcome Sarge.... I got you covered on this one

I see the "m" now. I never know what to do, mainly on FB. So many of my "friends" use mobile devices and others use a PC. So half don't get to see my offerings I suppose.

[Tin]

Bet that guy had some brown underwear after that

[LawyerRon]

Originally Posted by doubledragon5 What gets me If I'm caught texting or talking while driven my truck there are huge fines. For me it is a $2750 fine and $11,000 for the company.. Now if you gave a 4 wheeler those same fines, I bet the texting and talking while driven will stop in a heart beat..

Agree 100%, the fines/penalties are not big enough. I've had 2 cars wrecked by texting drivers.

[Tin]

My neighbors daughter across the street has wrecked 2 cars, and working on her third, all from texting and driving. First car was a Ford Fusion, second was a Mercury Milan, and her newest car is some sort of import sport utility vehicle. Seems everytime she comes home, theres either a spare tire or a dented/hanging body panel. One time, she was in front of me on my way to work, and she kept veering onto the shoulder of the road. Glad I wasnt in front of her.

[doubledragon5]

Originally Posted by Tin My neighbors daughter across the street has wrecked 2 cars, and working on her third, all from texting and driving. First car was a Ford Fusion, second was a Mercury Milan, and her newest car is some sort of import sport utility vehicle. Seems everytime she comes home, theres either a spare tire or a dented/hanging body panel. One time, she was in front of me on my way to work, and she kept veering onto the shoulder of the road. Glad I wasnt in front of her.

Well if she dies, go to her funeral and instead of leaving flowers. Leave a sign, this is what happens when you text instead of paying attention to the road..

[David M]

I'm against Big Brother type of control over others but legislation could be passed that requires cell phone manufacturers to block texting if the cell phones GPS/cell tower differential detects that the phone is moving over 3 MPH, which would be greater than walking speed. It would also require that all cell phones with texting ability manufactured past a specific date have a GPS that is functioning for texting to work.

The problem could be cured with technology as restrictive as this would be to passengers in a moving car.

Perhaps this option could be made to parents? It might save their child's or someone else's life.

[Jbc223456]

Originally Posted by David M It would also require that all cell phones with texting ability manufactured past a specific date have a GPS that is functioning for texting to work. The problem could be cured with technology as restrictive as this would be to passengers in a moving car. Perhaps this option could be made to parents? It might save their child's or someone else's life.

I like your idea David, but the only problem I'd have with that is my battery. I intentionally turn off my GPS, Mobile Network, and WIFI in order to conserve my battery. It barely lasts a day if I had all that junk on. I would like the idea of integrating a signal blocking device in vehicles that would activate when the vehicle is turned on. So it'd work like this: Turn key to start-> Signal blocker activates -> stupid kids don't get texts and in turn don't text back -> we don't have to deal with said idiots swerving on the road -> Turn key to OFF -> signal resumes.

[quartet-man]

Originally Posted by David M I'm against Big Brother type of control over others but legislation could be passed that requires cell phone manufacturers to block texting if the cell phones GPS/cell tower differential detects that the phone is moving over 3 MPH, which would be greater than walking speed. It would also require that all cell phones with texting ability manufactured past a specific date have a GPS that is functioning for texting to work. The problem could be cured with technology as restrictive as this would be to passengers in a moving car. Perhaps this option could be made to parents? It might save their child's or someone else's life.

Not only would it take more battery, but it would add expense to the phone, and worse would keep passengers in the car from texting. There is no reason why the phone companies and innocents have to take on extra hassles and give up freedoms because of others. Make the punishment greater. The more a person has to lose, the more apt they are to not risk it. Of course some will, but then maybe they will become examples to others. Maybe even make ones who are caught doing it, but little or no damage done, have to wear a sign out in public. If it is kids in particular embarrass them in front of their peers. That will probably hurt them worse than other punishments.

[David M]

Originally Posted by quartet-man Not only would it take more battery, but it would add expense to the phone, and worse would keep passengers in the car from texting. There is no reason why the phone companies and innocents have to take on extra hassles and give up freedoms because of others. Make the punishment greater. The more a person has to lose, the more apt they are to not risk it. Of course some will, but then maybe they will become examples to others. Maybe even make ones who are caught doing it, but little or no damage done, have to wear a sign out in public. If it is kids in particular embarrass them in front of their peers. That will probably hurt them worse than other punishments.

I agree with your viewpoint as well. That is also why I said I do not like Big Brother laws forced on people. If people only killed themselves while texting then fine, let them accept a Darwin award in memoriam. But the fact is that texters kill innocent people. I was almost hit by one and possibly seriously injured or killed.

I don't see battery life as an issue compared to saving thousands of lives each year. A GPS and/or the cell tower locator function can be turned on and back off intermittently which would save battery power.

[bob]

What about people on buses, trains, cabs, limos, boats, planes...

[David M]

Originally Posted by bob What about people on buses, trains, cabs, limos, boats, planes...

I know the idea isn't perfect. Do you have an idea?

[glc]

It's already illegal to use a cell phone in an airplane.

[rjfvillarosa]

I don't quite understand the link between the SUV getting struck by lightning and somebody using/texting on a mobile phone.

[David M]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa I don't quite understand the link between the SUV getting struck by lightning and somebody using/texting on a mobile phone.

Perhaps a punishment from God for texting? Sorta like Zeus sending down a lightning bolt. That's how I saw it at least.

[bob]

Originally Posted by David M I know the idea isn't perfect. Do you have an idea?

In the future when all cars are connected the car could notify your cell phone company and disable the text and require hands free for calls - if that is still legal. That mayrequire all cell phones to be registered - a scary thought.