I Can Be So Juvenile at Times...

[1990C4S]

There seems to be an ongoing 'link' between disapproving of boorish behavior and supporting driving while chatting on a cell phone. I'm sure a lot of people here don't support either.

[speeder]

You get into these debates because you are one of those really strange people.

This may be factually true- I am plenty strange. But I have to say that I don't seem to have the problems others here have while either driving or otherwise navigating this life on earth.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by speeder

I respect anyone's decision to turn off their phone while driving, (or any other time), but the assertion that anyone talking on a phone while driving is so distracted that they are a de facto murderer is absurd. Why is it perfectly legal when texting is not?

The real question is why I get sucked into asinine debates online with some really strange people.

Denis, that's why I read the dribble and really try to keep my opinion to myself.......Personally, have I ever talked on the cell phone while driving. Yep. Will I in the future ? Probably. Is it illegal? Yep. I'll take my chances if I'm caught on the cell phone, I'll ask for or expect nothing other then the ticket. Now, do I have casual conversations on the phone? No. But, and this is the kicker, if my kids call me or their school calls me, I answer the call. My daughter has a medical issue, so I will always take those very rare calls. So it may bother somebody, but those phone calls are more important to me then you. Obviously my kids know not to call me to chat and quite frankly I'm on a motorcycle for 99% of my time on the road.......Before you ask, Scala Rider G9......

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

There seems to be an ongoing 'link' between disapproving of boorish behavior and supporting driving while chatting on a cell phone. I'm sure a lot of people here don't support either.

You are, of course, absolutely right. Many dissaprove of my boorish behavior (or "juvenile", "childish", or what have you) while seeing driving while on a cell phone as unacceptable as well. Hell, maybe even I disaprove of my own behavior ("I can be so juvenile at times..."). who knows...

There has been, however, a quite vocal few who have come down firmly in favor of talking while on their cell phones, presenting this behavior as entirely safe. I've presented some pretty solid data from some pretty darn reputable sources that contradicts their position. I've asked them to adress that information. They have, instead, gone completely silent on this issue on which they held such strong opinions and have resorted to attacking me instead. I know, I know - to be expected when engaging some here on PPOT. I just wish they would come up with something new, something more imaginative. *sigh*

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by speeder

This may be factually true- I am plenty strange. But I have to say that I don't seem to have the problems others here have while either driving or otherwise navigating this life on earth.

No Kidding......

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

Personally, have I ever talked on the cell phone while driving. Yep. Will I in the future ? Probably. Is it illegal? Yep. I'll take my chances if I'm caught on the cell phone, I'll ask for or expect nothing other then the ticket.

Sorry, but I find it very amusing for you to act like if you were pulled over for talking on your cell phone, you would get a ticket.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Sorry, but I find it very amusing for you to act like if you were pulled over for talking on your cell phone, you would get a ticket.

That's fine, you can find it as amusing as you'd like.

I've been pulled over. Didn't ID myself and took the ticket like everyone else. Then guess what, I paid the ticket. Its called personal responsibility.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

That's fine, you can find it as amusing as you'd like.

I've been pulled over. Didn't ID myself and took the ticket like everyone else. Then guess what, I paid the ticket. Its called personal responsibility.

Yet you are perfectly willing to disregard the very law you are sworn to uphold, when it is convenient for you. Laws that are meant to keep all of us safe on our highways.

I'm sorry, your daughter is not more important than everyone else's daughters surrounding you on the road. By all means, take that call - but please pull over when you do. How hard is that? That last question goes for the rest of you as well, by the way.

[RANDY P]

Higgins is cool.

rjp

[craigster59]

So now I'm confused. When you "Higgins", is that when you exhibit boorish behavior towards drivers with cellphones or when you "shart" in the shower?

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Yet you are perfectly willing to disregard the very law you are sworn to uphold, when it is convenient for you. Laws that are meant to keep all of us safe on our highways.

I'm sorry, your daughter is not more important than everyone else's daughters surrounding you on the road. By all means, take that call - but please pull over when you do. How hard is that? That last question goes for the rest of you as well, by the way.

Well Jeff,

Here we go. There is the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. The law is designed to kept people from driving down the road, completely unaware of their surroundings engrossed in their conversation. Do i write a lot of cell phone tickets you bet. Do i give tickets to everyone I stop irregardless to why they are on the phone, No, I dont. The people I'm concerned about are the ones who drive right by me, while im parked in the open and are completey oblivious to me, or the ones i pull up next to and stare at for two minutes while at the light and they don't see me. At least when I see someone recognize me, and quickly put down the phone, I know they are present.

If the law was absolutely cut and dry about not talking on your cell phone then there wouldn't be certain exceptions in the vehicle code.


In fact this is part of the vehicle code section 23123a CVC


(c) This section does not apply to a person using a wireless telephone for emergency purposes, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity.

Did you catch the not limited to part....... obviously if driving while talking on a cell phone was a matter of life or death, there wouldn't be this exceptions as well as others.

Finally, My daughter is more important to me then someone elses daughter. As your children are more important to you then my children. If you received news, on your cell phone while you were safetly parked on the side of the road, that your child had been involved in a terrible accident, would you go over the speed limit enroute to the hospital......you would. doesnt mean you'd drive reckless or in wanton disregard for the other motorists on the road, but i have a feeling you'd drive over the speed limit, violating the law...if I stopped you, merely because of the speed, I'd more then likely let you go. I've done it, I'll do it again.

I try to enforce the laws I'm sworn to protect with some common sense, empathy and compassion. I try to live my life the same way.

One more thing. The GQ guy was a menace to society talking on his cell phone, it can be compared to driving intoxicated. Yet you chuckled to yourself while messing with him. Would it have been as funny if he had been drinking a beer?

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by craigster59

So now I'm confused. When you "Higgins", is that when you exhibit boorish behavior towards drivers with cellphones or when you "shart" in the shower?

Believe me, if I could shart at those drivers, I would.

[Jeff Higgins]

Michael, I understand the use of a cell phone during an emergency, and have no problem with that. Problem with that loophole, however, is now every call becomes an "emergency". Just like every speeding cop is "on a call...".

I have to get back to this - if you are indeed discussing an emergency situation concerning your daughter, wouldn't it be far better to pull over and give it your full attention? Do you think receiving possibly very upsetting information about her while driving could lead to a high level of distraction, possibly endangering others?

I guess, in the end, I could care less what the situation is for you, or anyone else. I would even go so far as to say I could care less what the laws are. Driving on the cell is perfectly legal in some states, hands free legal in some, and so on. That does not diminish the danger in any way. Again, how long would it take, how hard would it be, to simply pull over and take that call? As far as I'm concerned, there is no excuse for picking up before pulling over. It's about as self centered and callous as it gets.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Michael, I understand the use of a cell phone during an emergency, and have no problem with that. Problem with that loophole, however, is now every call becomes an "emergency". Just like every speeding cop is "on a call...".

I have to get back to this - if you are indeed discussing an emergency situation concerning your daughter, wouldn't it be far better to pull over and give it your full attention? Do you think receiving possibly very upsetting information about her while driving could lead to a high level of distraction, possibly endangering others?

I guess, in the end, I could care less what the situation is for you, or anyone else. I would even go so far as to say I could care less what the laws are. Driving on the cell is perfectly legal in some states, hands free legal in some, and so on. That does not diminish the danger in any way. Again, how long would it take, how hard would it be, to simply pull over and take that call? As far as I'm concerned, there is no excuse for picking up before pulling over. It's about as self centered and callous as it gets.

Well, we can agree to disagree, in fact, i'd say trying to get over 5 lanes on the 405 while going over the pass, is a lot more dangerous. I guess, in the end, I could care less about your opinion.

oh and no, I'm not concerned with being distracted about any info I might receive.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

Well, we can agree to disagree, in fact, i'd say trying to get over 5 lanes on the 405 while going over the pass, is a lot more dangerous.

Will the PPOT cliches never end on this thread? Another shop worn one - lay out the most unlikely situation possible, and hang your whole argument on that.

Originally Posted by MMARSH

I guess, in the end, I could care less about your opinion.

Spoken like a true cop. Blow off anything you disagree with. Only this time, you don't have the badge and gun props to support your notion that you are "right".

Originally Posted by MMARSH

oh and no, I'm not concerned with being distracted about any info I might receive.

Probably not much of an "emergency" then, is it?

Oh, but wait - you are a cop, with superhuman driving skilz and nerves of steel. Laws don't apply to you - they are for those plebeians you are tasked with policing.

Again, we see just another self-centered driver who is willing to put those around him at risk in the name of his own convenience. Only this one has often touted the "higher standard" to which himself and his kind are held. Uh huh...

[MMARSH]

Really Jeff, that's it. That's all you got. You pulled the cop card talk about cliches I reread my post and funny I couldn't find any mention of my superhuman cop driving skilz or nerves of steel. I didn't see anything in there that I'm the exception or above the law, Guess you missed the part about using some common sense,empathy and compassion.

I'm also not sure what having a gun and a badge has to do with me having a differing opinion then you on this subject.

I didn't think so initially, but Motion is right. Your an angry little man and kinda pout like a ***** when people don't agree with you or your way of thinking. You answer the questions you can, avoid the ones you can't and twist the rest.

I'm self-centered because I don't agree with you. I'm OK with that.

I'm done here. You can have the last word you so desperately crave. ( Damn is that a PPOTcliches)




*

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Believe me, if I could shart at those drivers, I would.

You need:
-an adjustable curved tube attached to the back of leggings,
-an accelerator fan to disburse the shart,
-an actuator and power source for fan,
-possibly an inline spray assembly of gelatinous liquid which can absorb and propel such shart essence further(20 feet at 80mph).

[speeder]

Being called self centered by a raging ass hole just doesn't have the same bite.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

I'm self-centered because I don't agree with you. I'm OK with that.

No, you are self-centered because you continue to justify your use of a cell phone while driving. There is no possible justification, period. It's like trying to justify drunk driving under certain circumstances. It just cannot be done.

In the case of the cell phone behind the wheel, there is always another answer. Drive up to the next exit, or a safe place to pull over, and return the call. Under the worst possible scenario, what could that possibly take? A couple of minutes?

I'm especially disappointed to see a man justifying this behavior who, through his profession, has presumably responded to an accident or two that was caused by an inattentive driver on a cell phone. I would suspect you have personally witnessed the destruction, injury, and maybe even death brought about through this behavior. Probably more than once.

Yet, here you are, so god damned self important, egotistical, and callous that you have no qualms about putting others at risk when you engage in this behavior. How shameful.

To top it all off, your final response when confronted with this is to lash out at me. Beautiful.

[speeder]

I simply don't agree that talking on a cell phone while driving is tantamount to driving drunk and is extremely reckless. I'd venture that there are tens of millions of people who disagree with you on this, including the people who write the laws.

I seriously find it more distracting to talk to a passenger sitting next to me in terms of not noticing that traffic is slowing in front of me, (for a fraction of a second), than talking on a phone. Maybe because I turn my head towards the person next to me for a second and with a phone call there is no one else to look at(?) IDK.

Equating a cell phone conversation with texting while driving is laughable. They are not in the same stratosphere. Texting requires diverting your visual attention completely from the road for short periods of time, as well as your thoughts.

You can make this your cause celebre but I don't agree or share your opinion. At all.