On at least three separate occasions people have drifted out of driveways in front of me while yapping on phones. They didn’t even glance up when I leaned on the horn.
At least in France it is utterly forbidden and you get a nice fatty fine if you are on the phone. Of course, idiots still do it but as it’s not allowed many people don’t. A police friend of mine told me he was particularly hard on those idiots because he was tired of dealing with the bodies
Think about how many people think that they can do some clearly dangerous thing with impunity: distracted driving, drunk driving, smoking, leaving guns where kids can get them, cheating on a spouse, cheating on a test, lying on a resume, inappropriate behavior at work, etc…
All the people who’ve ever been caught/injured/killed doing those things, all of them, gambled that there would either be NO consequences, or minor, easily-handled (by money or power or fame) consequences.
I can’t even say that that’s Human Nature, because the majority of people CAN see the potential consequences of their actions, and decide against it. So, it’s more like poor judgement than human nature.
At Schneider National you can lose your job if you’re caught using a cell phone while driving a truck. After all, truckers have to look out for all the other idiots who’re using their cell phones.
I’ve had a two way radio in all but one of my vehicles since I was 17. It started with CAP radios (which went on for 30 years), then added (and fairly quickly removed) CB radios and now amateur (ham) radios for the past several decades.
There are a couple of rules I was taught early on – keep your eyes on the damn road and drive first, talk second. Sadly the influx of cell phone users refuse to learn those rules, let alone follow them. It is possible to drive safely while communicating but you’d never know from the self-absorbed drivers I see out there.
Tue Elung-Jensen almost 7 years ago
Why the police? Why not an ambulance?
Nuliajuk almost 7 years ago
On at least three separate occasions people have drifted out of driveways in front of me while yapping on phones. They didn’t even glance up when I leaned on the horn.
cabalonrye almost 7 years ago
At least in France it is utterly forbidden and you get a nice fatty fine if you are on the phone. Of course, idiots still do it but as it’s not allowed many people don’t. A police friend of mine told me he was particularly hard on those idiots because he was tired of dealing with the bodies
Sir Ruddy Blighter almost 7 years ago
Think about how many people think that they can do some clearly dangerous thing with impunity: distracted driving, drunk driving, smoking, leaving guns where kids can get them, cheating on a spouse, cheating on a test, lying on a resume, inappropriate behavior at work, etc…
All the people who’ve ever been caught/injured/killed doing those things, all of them, gambled that there would either be NO consequences, or minor, easily-handled (by money or power or fame) consequences.
I can’t even say that that’s Human Nature, because the majority of people CAN see the potential consequences of their actions, and decide against it. So, it’s more like poor judgement than human nature.
whenlifewassimpler almost 7 years ago
Alien Hunter I so agree with you…it’s ridiculous today!
M2MM almost 7 years ago
Unless there are injuries or at least another car involved, the police aren’t interested. Call a tow truck!
Darwinskeeper almost 7 years ago
At Schneider National you can lose your job if you’re caught using a cell phone while driving a truck. After all, truckers have to look out for all the other idiots who’re using their cell phones.
sml7291 Premium Member almost 7 years ago
I’ve had a two way radio in all but one of my vehicles since I was 17. It started with CAP radios (which went on for 30 years), then added (and fairly quickly removed) CB radios and now amateur (ham) radios for the past several decades.
There are a couple of rules I was taught early on – keep your eyes on the damn road and drive first, talk second. Sadly the influx of cell phone users refuse to learn those rules, let alone follow them. It is possible to drive safely while communicating but you’d never know from the self-absorbed drivers I see out there.
Number Three almost 7 years ago
This is a problem in the UK too.
Seriously. How hard is to put down a mobile phone?
xxx
amaryllis2 Premium Member almost 7 years ago
My grandfather had the first car that had windshield wipers, and took my grandmother out on their first date so he could show them off.