Reading While Driving on Interstate

[Cracker]

The "multi-tasking" trend that seems so prevalent today can be a real invitation to disaster. My most recent experience was with a cashier who was talking on phone while trying to make change. Even though the correct change amount was clearly shown on the cash register she gave me an extra $10 - then became so befuddled when I tried to give it back to her that she had to put her telephone call on hold while she figured it out! If I was an employer I'd keep the telephone at least 10' away from the cash register and prohibit employee cell phones on the premises. Unfortunately, most of the drivers who multi-task won't admit that what they're doing is/was dangerous until they have a serious accident.

[tin sista]

Gosh I'm not a good enough driver to text, read novels, or talk on the cellphone while concentrating on traffic, I need to give it my full attention to avoid problems, guess its my age showing.

I was at a family funeral and saw my cousins from the back their heads were bent, I thought wow, how nice they're remembering so and so in prayer, I get closer and they are texting, before the funeral, during the funeral, and at the graveside. So much for the work life balance eh? I can see why blackberries are nicknamed crackberries.

[Smokin Camel]

The humm of the truck going down the road is very relaxing! I have never tried any major amount of reading but it is a good time to take a nap ! That is why manufacturers put those reclining seats in our vehicles. Other drivers are great, they honk and wake you up every time you inadvertantly go into the oncoming lane. Many of them are so courteous as to go on the shoulder just to give you extra time for a quick stretch & yawn . This sleep technique saves a lot of time (multi-tasking) and allows you to be fresh when you reach your destination...assuming you don't over sleep and pass your turn . You do need to practice sleep driving so you only to go straight or veer left when sleeping, if you go right on a two lane no one wakes you up until your off the road.

[doorgunner]

I'm imagining a young man sitting on the group "W" bench. (the place you sit when rejected for military service) I ask him why the situation? His reply "Well I was having text in my convertible" Well I'm off to Alices for breakfast hoping that kid rehabilitates himself.

[tin sista]

U cn get nfin u wnt @alices rstRNt, excepting Alice

5-0 lukin over sholder, GG

[mrmossyone]

Originally Posted by tin sista

U cn get nfin u wnt @alices rstRNt, excepting Alice

5-0 lukin over sholder, GG

Is this a quote from the idiot that eats his own poop and flings it at the even more idiotic fans? Just wondering, I think his name was GG Allen, he was a "musician", now dead(Pretty sure it was overdose).

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by mrmossyone

Is this a quote from the idiot that eats his own poop and flings it at the even more idiotic fans? Just wondering, I think his name was GG Allen, he was a "musician", now dead(Pretty sure it was overdose).

Arlo Guthrie, Woodys' off spring.You don't remember the pictures with the circles and arrows.

LYRICS - Alice's Restaurant

[Minnie's Mate]

A couple of years ago I was merging onto the interstate on my way to work just before dawn and I looked over into the next lane and the guy driving had the dome light on and was reading a book will driving at least 70 MPH! I slowed down and let him get sufficiently ahead of me. When he crashed, I wanted it to be someone far ahead of me and not me.

The British seem to do a lot of studies on cell phone use. Perhaps it is because they are so popular in that country. Anyway, a study they did about a year ago proved that a person's reaction time while using a cell phone is FAR worse than that of someone that is way past the legal level of intoxication. I certainly believe that just from my own person empirical knowledge. That's why I try to never drive while using my cell phone. On those rare occasions when I do have to use it while driving I use a hands free blue-tooth device. I still feel that a conversation on one of these devices is more distracting than a one-on-one conversation with a passenger.

[tin sista]

Originally Posted by mrmossyone

Is this a quote from the idiot that eats his own poop and flings it at the even more idiotic fans? Just wondering, I think his name was GG Allen, he was a "musician", now dead(Pretty sure it was overdose).

Nope, never would pay money to see that course I lived on a farm for awhile so manure isn't really that exotic for me.
It was a text version of the chorus of Alice's restaurant,
channeled from the fellow doorgunner mentioned who was texting in his convertible with a law enforcement officer
"5-0" looking over his shoulder... GG means gotta go.

[mrmossyone]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

Arlo Guthrie, Woodys' off spring.You don't remember the pictures with the circles and arrows.

LYRICS - Alice's Restaurant

I was referring to the, "5.0 lukin over yo shoulder. GG" part. I actually found Alice's resteraunt amusing despite the propaganda, I even have the movie on DVD. Albeit for it's historical value, because IMHO the movie is not very good. The song is good and funny, the movie is not.

[mrmossyone]

Originally Posted by tin sista

Nope, never would pay money to see that course I lived on a farm for awhile so manure isn't really that exotic for me.
It was a text version of the chorus of Alice's restaurant,
channeled from the fellow doorgunner mentioned who was texting in his convertible with a law enforcement officer
"5-0" looking over his shoulder... GG means gotta go.

Ahhh, thanks for the clarification.

[doorgunner]

Having been to Stockbridge Taxssachussettess - and as Arlo mentioned " We decieded that one big pile was better than two small ones, and rather than bring their's up we deceided to throw ours down" line of thought- stay with me now---- What if two cars were approaching with drivers texting and a head on happened. Is that better than two single car accidents? (just trying to get back on topic here)

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by doorgunner

What if two cars were approaching with drivers texting and a head on happened. Is that better than two single car accidents? (just trying to get back on topic here)

I think it depends on their grammar.

[herrgirdner]

I drove on I40 through Okie City yesterday. Didn't see one person reading or using a cell fone. Did see lots of people bouncing around off the headliner, and many a truckdriver holding on his steering wheel with both hands, as was I. I'd almost drive 500 miles on a dirt road to avoid driving through that collection of broken concrete and potholes.
Ahh, I feel better. Hand me my novel, would you??
regards

[canny_banjo_man]

..... WEll over the pond here in little Ole England, we jus been hit with the notice sayin anyone caught usin a mobile fone, either usin or tx-in, will be fined up to £1000 OR up to TWO years in a JAIL... All in the interest of road safety......

[henw]

Given that most of us feel traffic safety is important, and, that traffic laws should be obeyed, then there should be a good way to self report infractions. All should be eager to participate. Solid citizens would not want others to be cited while they got away with breaking rules.

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by canny_banjo_man

..... WEll over the pond here in little Ole England, we jus been hit with the notice sayin anyone caught usin a mobile fone, either usin or tx-in, will be fined up to £1000 OR up to TWO years in a JAIL... All in the interest of road safety......

Good news! Your country is moving in the right direction!

[canny_banjo_man]

... Maybe a few of U will recall a couple of years ago, My car was hit pretty badly when a Guy was usin His fone, He failed 2 stop at a give way T junction, & smashed in2 Me... not only causin Me injury but totaled My car... He was textin His partner tellin Her was was gonna B a lttl LATE...WE both could have been PERMANTLY...Soooooo, Yep I agree on total BAN whilst driving, same zone as Drink/Drug drivin... ...Chris.....

[mrmossyone]

Originally Posted by henw

Given that most of us feel traffic safety is important, and, that traffic laws should be obeyed, then there should be a good way to self report infractions. All should be eager to participate. Solid citizens would not want others to be cited while they got away with breaking rules.

This is what Hitler said when he had laws enacted for the safety and betterment of Germany and of course you should all be good German citizens and turn in your fellow citizens for breaking these laws or on the suspicion they might. More laws, no thanks. What if one of your passengers was going into cardiac arrest or any other life threatening emergency and you picked up your cell phone to call emergency services and was immediately pulled over and told to hang up your phone and waste precious seconds while somone could be dying or some do gooder citizen attempts to stop you and cause more problems. Why can't we just use good common sense and personal responsibilty instead of asking the government to become more involved in our lives, to control us to a greater extent, to take more of our freedoms away. No thanks. I don't use my cell phone indiscriminately while driving and will pull over if I need to make a call or answer a particular call but I don't need somone forcing me to do so. If you think more laws are going to stop the morons who do this indiscriminately or without care to others safety I've got some swamp land for sale. Statistically do you know what is much more dangerous than using cell phones while driving? Household chemicals kill far more people every year. Should we outlaw Mr. Clean. There are so many things that people do everyday that are dangerous to ourselves and others it is staggering but do we really want government controlling all aspects of our lives so they can "save" us from ourselves. How about we put LEO's back to stopping rapists, murderers, robbers and child molesters and leave cell phone use to good common sense. As if the courts aren't already overwhelmed by senseless laws while real criminals are out roaming our streets and preying on us and our children. I feel like pulling a William Wallace and yelling FREEDOM!!!!!!!!! at the top of my lungs. Flame on.

[henw]

Relax! Take a pill. Point is that we are all guilty of of avoidable concentration lapses while driving. Folks talk like there is a "them" out there that includes every one but themselves. Has to do with this human tendency we have to always see ourselves in a better light.