Textind and driving, how can we stop it ??

[mreid]

A small price to pay.

[VINMAN]

You are all delusional. All the laws and fines in the world wont stop it.

Why?? (not directed at you Choc, just in general...) but, this quote somes it up.

"I use mobile email constantly for business. Forwarding documents, asking questions to others in different time zones, etc. Business moves much faster than it did "before smart-phones" so going back to that tech ain't going to happen."

As long as people have this self important attitude, it will never stop. People only care about themselves and whats important to them, more than the safety of everyone else out there.
I'm directly exposed to the results of this more than anyone on here. I'm sick of cutting people out of vehicles, because some jerkoff needed to "connect to a client", or tell there gf/bf to meet them at applebees, or whatever.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

I'm sick of cutting people out of vehicles, because some jerkoff needed to "connect to a client", or tell there gf/bf to meet them at applebees, or whatever.

^^^this!

[Baz]

For me this issue is no different than all the others where the driver doesn't understand the significance of undivided attention.

I see no public safety campaigns to reinforce proper driving.

There is no education.

Law enforcement traffic division does not care if you are a terrible driver and cause undo inconvenience and potential hazard to other drivers.

They enforce speeding, write up traffic accident reports, and that's pretty much it.

Oh and now they can cite you if you don't move over a lane when they are stopped on the side of the road. Doesn't matter if you don't move over for OTHER drivers....just them.

What's wrong with that picture?

[Seahawk]

Small RF jammers in every car with a four foot range. If the wheels are turning the jammer is on.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

You are all delusional. All the laws and fines in the world wont stop it.

Why?? (not directed at you Choc, just in general...) but, this quote somes it up.

"I use mobile email constantly for business. Forwarding documents, asking questions to others in different time zones, etc. Business moves much faster than it did "before smart-phones" so going back to that tech ain't going to happen."

As long as people have this self important attitude, it will never stop. People only care about themselves and whats important to them, more than the safety of everyone else out there.
I'm directly exposed to the results of this more than anyone on here. I'm sick of cutting people out of vehicles, because some jerkoff needed to "connect to a client", or tell there gf/bf to meet them at applebees, or whatever.

+1 but with one big caveat imo. These "attitudes" need to change, and just like DUI a few decades back, make the penalty "lose your license" (and maybe your ability to earn a living) for one year, and it WILL change. Technology isn't the solution here....societal "attitudes" are. Not directed at anyone on this thread...it REALLY is a lot like DUI imo. You "need" to talk (or text), then pull off the road. I'm just as guilty as everyone else on this thread, but I do NOT drink and drive anymore either . Surely won't "stop" it, but it will certainly curtail the path we are on...YMMV.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

As long as people have this self important attitude, it will never stop. People only care about themselves and whats important to them, more than the safety of everyone else out there.

I don't think it's a "self-important attitude", I think that's the way the western world works nowadays. Most people are expected to be in contact pretty much any time of day. Someone's boss isn't going to accept "I was driving" as an excuse why a call was missed and a contract lost, but by the same token, if the driver were to pull over to take the call and save that contract, they might miss the one they're driving to. We live in a world of constant workworkworkworkwork, and that isn't likely to change soon.

Originally Posted by Baz

For me this issue is no different than all the others where the driver doesn't understand the significance of undivided attention.

I see no public safety campaigns to reinforce proper driving.

I agree completely with this. Police enforcement of traffic violations amounts to low hanging fruit to boost municipal revenues - mostly speeding tickets and the odd talking-while-driving ticket. Here that ticket is $155 and I think 3 demerit points. Barely a slap on the wrist.

I use the analogy of a bullet - you're driving a slow-moving bullet. 5000 lbs of steel and plastic. Would you fire a gun while texting someone? Of course not. So why would you drive a car and not pay attention to where you're going?

[lane912]

this last session in Oregon the legislature struggled with rising the fine for this. it seamed that the $250 fine had little effect and some proposed a 2k fine. they finaly settled on a $500 fine.

I still see manny on my commute that are visibly impared and often think of pulling infront of them and break checking.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by Christien

I don't think it's a "self-important attitude", I think that's the way the western world works nowadays. Most people are expected to be in contact pretty much any time of day. Someone's boss isn't going to accept "I was driving" as an excuse why a call was missed and a contract lost, but by the same token, if the driver were to pull over to take the call and save that contract, they might miss the one they're driving to. We live in a world of constant workworkworkworkwork, and that isn't likely to change soon.

Thank you for reaffirming my post.



.

[gprsh924]

Not condoning texting and driving.

But vin, you're delusional if you don't think the above is how business works.

[scottmandue]

I am strongly against any more laws or fines... we have tens of thousands of laws... so many even the LEO's can't enforce them. The big stick mentality has not and will not work IMHO.

There is a simple tech answer to this problem... asking the government to fix it is a$$ backward.

[VINMAN]

I didn't say thats not how it works. I know all about it, I work for the largest telecom co. in the country.

I don't have to like it or agree with it.

I'm stating the consequences of it.




.

[skipdup]

Any tech solution would need to be smart enough to only inhibit the driver's use.

[trekkor]

I think the $25 fines or whatever, deter no one.

If they were $1000 or more with jail time people might 'get it'...


KT

[jshape]

Maybe it could be linked to a sensor in the driver's seat that grays out the screen and only allows bluetooth for any cellphone in the vehicle. Couple that with other sensors in the passenger seats that overide the driver seat sensor for a phone that they would have to certify is not being used by a driver of the vehicle. This could obviously be overridden but would take care of most misuse.

[GothingNC]

Texting while driving fines by state.

Think of all the revenue the state could raise if they followed Alaska's lead.

[cashflyer]

I think some of the people here are under the impression that the fines are supposed to deter the activity. The fines are supposed to do only one thing: raise money.
The fine must be high enough to give Joe Q Public the impression that the establishment gives a ****, but low enough that the slow learners keep funding the establishment.

Alaska? Ha. They have one of the lowest automotive densities in the US, and can't really use this as an effective fund raising tool. So they can put up a big number to make themselves look tough on the problem with no negative impact to themselves.

John's map is only for State instituted bans. Almost all SC municipalities implemented bans on texting just as soon as they saw the revenue stream possibilities.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

You are all delusional. All the laws and fines in the world wont stop it.

Why?? (not directed at you Choc, just in general...) but, this quote somes it up.

"I use mobile email constantly for business. Forwarding documents, asking questions to others in different time zones, etc. Business moves much faster than it did "before smart-phones" so going back to that tech ain't going to happen."

As long as people have this self important attitude, it will never stop. People only care about themselves and whats important to them, more than the safety of everyone else out there.
I'm directly exposed to the results of this more than anyone on here. I'm sick of cutting people out of vehicles, because some jerkoff needed to "connect to a client", or tell there gf/bf to meet them at applebees, or whatever.

Dead on, excuse the pun.

As an EMT i once volunteered (during a demonstration) to be the one that was cut out of a car accident for a "jaws of life" demo. Hearing the sounds and realizing the time it takes convinced me I don't want to experience that "for real", ever or have to do it for someone that I know. Painstakingly slow process even when trying to expedite extrication.

As for a solution to the texting & driving, increase fines and make it comparable to DWI. Oh yeah, people are selfish and they think it will never happen to them. Wrong!

[flipper35]

I must be an anomaly. At the conference in Austin last month one of the vendors told me "Let me tell you how hour days goes. You get to work and the first think is that you hope to get off on time. Then when you leave, you check your mail before you even get to the car. Then..." I stopped him there and showed him my old school flip phone. I told him I have a life outside of work and if things aren't working well enough that I need to be connected 24/7 then I am not doing my job right. I do sometimes talk on the cell phone while driving but see no need to read or send a text. If it was important, they will call.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Small RF jammers in every car with a four foot range. If the wheels are turning the jammer is on.

I want to install something like this in my car - I want to be a rolling Cone of Silence