Boy dies while texting, blames car park

968rz · 968rz's Garage

A perfect example of modern humans not taking responsibility for their own actions.

Texting teenager plunges to his death • reghardware

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

That's a sad story..... but.
Stupid is as stupid does.

Rikao4 · 02-08-2011, 03:33 PM

I'm sure he would have continued to text while driving..
so ..somebody was looking out for us..
while he wasn't looking..

Rika

lisa_spyder · 02-08-2011, 05:21 PM

Guys,

I'll call you out on this one. It really is a sad situation. I know this carpark. The barriers are indeed too low and the lighting is poor at best in there. It is old; built before the current building codes were instated and of course these codes are not retrospective.

Some of the barriers are as low as 82cm; where this boy fell is only 89cm or so (radio station producer was there today taking a look and measured them). They really do need to increase the height of the barriers in there. Remember he fell 7 stories. It really is not safe enough.

As to the boy texting and walking...well that's a different matter. After watching people do this whilst crossing busy roads or walking into poles I can only agree it is indeed stupid and dangerous.

But if the barriers in this carpark were at current building code height I doubt he would have gone over the edge.

Red88Carrera · 02-08-2011, 05:28 PM

You can't idiot-proof the entire world. People need to take responsibility for their actions.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Paging Dr Darwin...

onlycafe · 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red88Carrera

You can't idiot-proof the entire world. People need to take responsibility for their actions.

at least he wasn't humiliated on you-tube like the poor woman that walked into a mall fountain pond.

does not take away from the tragedy of a lost life, but you need to pay attention out there in the world.

audiman08 · 02-08-2011, 06:01 PM

Seriously? The kid was only 19...I know I wasn't perfect at 19. At least he was courteous enough to escort some women to their cars before he accidentally fell to his death...give the guy (and his parents) a break...This is not a Darwin thing, it's a terrible accident and nothing to celebrate.

JJ 911SC · JJ 911SC's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by 968rz

... taking responsibility for their own actions.

That went out the window a decade ago along with "common sense"

Red88Carrera · 02-08-2011, 06:18 PM

I agree that this had a terrible ending, but by no means was it an accident. He made a conscious decision to pay more attention to his phone than his surroundings. The root cause wasn't the low railing. We had 5 teenage girls lose their lives in a fiery crash here in upstate NY a couple years ago because of the same reason. Texting! The root cause in that incident wasn't the tractor trailer in the other lane. And it wasn't an accident either!

audiman08 · 02-08-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red88Carrera

I agree that this had a terrible ending, but by no means was it an accident. He made a conscious decision to pay more attention to his phone than his surroundings. The root cause wasn't the low railing. We had 5 teenage girls lose their lives in a fiery crash here in upstate NY a couple years ago because of the same reason. Texting! The root cause in that incident wasn't the tractor trailer in the other lane. And it wasn't an accident either!

Yes, he made a mistake...but a lot of 19 year olds make bad choices. I bet every one here made bad choices as a teenager. That is no reason to disrespect the dead, or call him names...how would you feel if your kid died this way? Would you be calling him names on a car forum?

Red88Carrera · 02-08-2011, 06:35 PM

I wouldn't be as insensitive as to call him names for having poor judgment. I am just stating the fact that there are often times very serious consequences to pay for our poor decisions. People either 'get it' or they have to learn the hard way. You can't design a world for people that don't 'get it'.

wcc · 02-08-2011, 06:51 PM

Oh man I've made a ton of bad decisions way before 19. It is truly amazing I've made it this far. I tell my kids, especially my son, to keep his head up and beware of his surroundings and don't let your friends get you in trouble. He's 7 and we've talked a lot about drugs and alcohol already. I feel bad for that kid and his family. But is this much different than that girl that fell through the manhole or mall pond? They didn't die but same kind of story. If you don't pay attention then that is on you and no one else is responsible. That's nice he walked the girls but ya gotta keep your guard up at all times...

audiman08 · 02-08-2011, 06:59 PM

Well I agree he made a bad choice. I saw a guy texting a driving a big work truck the other day...his hands were completely off the wheel and on his phone, and his eyes were on the phone. Texting while moving is a recipe for disaster. That said, I still feel sorry for this kid and it is his grandma who blamed the car park (not him, obviously)...the title of this thread is a little off.

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

GOD has a plan for all of us. Notice that the Amish, who understand things we do not have the capacity to understand, due to our conditioning and evilness, accept death as a good thing. They are here to prepare for the next level. How about you? Modern is as modern does. Be prepared, for you/we do not know what is coming next, even though we pretend to know. Have fun while you are young and healthy. It is a fleeting experience.

lisa_spyder · 02-08-2011, 07:34 PM

I detest the whole texting thing. I rant at our daughter about the dangers and stupidity of texting and walking. Texting whilst driving takes it to a whole other level

But I want to take you guys back to this carpark - the barriers on the level this boy fell from are barely 3 FEET HIGH. The grandmother was making the point that these barriers are not high enough and having used this carpark from time to time I agree.

She was simply making the point that something should be done about the barrier height and again I agree.

This is not about idiot proofing the world. It's really about bringing an outdated facility up to current safety spec.

Red88Carrera · 02-08-2011, 07:39 PM

I have to disagree. That's like saying we need to install guard rails on the entire length of all highways. There comes a point when the human brain needs to be engaged enough to keep us from harm.

audiman08 · 02-08-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red88Carrera

I have to disagree. That's like saying we need to install guard rails on the entire length of all highways. There comes a point when the human brain needs to be engaged enough to keep us from harm.

Safety equipment is not "idiot proofing," it's just smart. Human beings are not perfect, and we should be intelligent enough to plan ahead for inevitable goof ups. That's why we have seatbelts, lifejackets, airbags, helmets, highway dividers, etc. We all make mistakes...that's just life.

A930Rocket · 08:02 PM

A sad story, but...

What's the code for guardrails in a home? I want to say 36". If your not paying attention, you can fall over a lot of things. If we had to retrofit all buildings/homes to the newest code, it would be impossible and/or cost prohibitive.

lisa_spyder · 02-08-2011, 08:21 PM

7 storeys high...aproximately 150 feet up from ground level. That's where this boy was. At night in a poorly lit facility...

Guardrails the entire length of all highways is not a relevant comparison (sorry)...and neither are guardrails in the home (sorry again).

This building code is not new here either; it hasn't just been introduced. It's been around for years...but this carpark was built before and should be brought into spec with the addition of higher barriers. I'll bet it will happen...as it should.

I am grumpy, overworked at the moment (stick my head in here from time to time for a bit of relief) and full of a summer cold...this is not a good combination so I apologise in advance if I am not my usual pragmatic and 'polite' self...

but you guys need to see a little bit of the shade 'grey' in some things...not everything is black and white.