Had a Real Close Call Today...

[jmp8927]

I don't really like talking on the cell while driving either, but I will if it rings. It usually makes me more alert and careful because I know it's more likely to make me miss something.

[ArkansasHunter]

I wish it were legal to shoot dumb azz people with paint balls !!! A National color code such as red for dumb azz and blue for stupid.
You get the picture.
People that pull out in front of you need paitballs shot at them !!! And it be legal ! It would also warn others theres a dumb azz driven.

[Big Dog]

I consider cellphones a tool for emergency communication, or for only NECESSARY communication. NOT for general yakking. Absolutely NOT while driving, walking across busy city streets, anyplace that lack of attention to one's surroundings can get one killed!
I just recently got a cellphone, and only because my parents bought it for me for Christmas - they were worried about me on my MC roadtrips. But the phone stays OFF while traveling. Don't bother calling - I won't answer.

[samuel]

Why do people have cellphones?They never have them on when I try to call them. sam.

[billy]

when i am behind the wheel.
i dont do anything except drive.
if it is THAT important i will stop and talk.

[Cyrano]

In New York and Connecticut, it's against the law to talk on a cellphone while driving - unless you are on a headset or a hands-free type setup. Even at that, you see lots of people driving along with a cellphone up to their ear yakking away. I suppose the police must ticket these jokers, but I've never seen a cop pull one over for driving while phoning.

I'll admit that I've been known to get a call while driving, put it on speaker and tuck the phone in my breast pocket, but only until I can pull off the road and park and then use the phone properly. There are only about 5 or 6 people who'd call me on my cell anyway, so it's not an issue for me. However, I will admit a sneaking fondness for a bumpersticker I see now and then: "HANG UP AND DRIVE."

[Marine1]

Originally Posted by TXplt

Good job Marine 1--glad it worked out.

I don't think cell phone laws are a good idea; they just create a nation of scofflaws. We need to save laws for important things. You can distract yourself with anything--the key is to do what you did and concentrate on the task in hand--driving.

If you want to put on makeup, adjust the radio, talk on the CP, etc., save it for a low activity portion of the trip. It's called task management. It's OK not to answer calls when you're busy (if it comes down to flying or talking, the flying comes first). This isn't something you can legislate. People do need to use common sense though.

I once almost got taken out by a white pickup truck passing 4 cars while coming over a blind hill right into my face. I jinked off the road and we missed. As he passed, he was blabbing on his cell phone as well

If you want enforcement, if someone's driving badly cite them for dangerous driving. The cell phone is an accessory in the fact, not the cause. The cause is the driver (or girl running across the street) not concentrating on the task at hand.

Again, well done.

I quite agree, TXplt...I think the cell phone law is more the revenue income than the actual law itself to curtail the activity. Most people will do what they please, anyway....within the limits of the law, or not....as the thinking or excuse, would probably enhance to..."Gee...it's only a cell phone"!

Originally Posted by samuel

Why do people have cellphones?They never have them on when I try to call them. sam.

I have seen parents buy their (2-3) year old children.... toy cell-phones. More and more pre-schoolers are starting to pack cell phones, in their back-packs, and taught to press the "mommy-daddy button"...in the event they don't like their teachers, someone is picking on them, etc. Not too much of a wonder as to why things of this nature occur, years later.