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09/04/2013 10:51:27 AM · #26 |
| Thanks for the link, Robert. I'm planning a family viewing tonight. |
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09/04/2013 11:52:42 AM · #27 |
I'm the only one in my family guilty of texting while driving, but several months ago I got an iPhone, and now I can't text when I drive simply because, well, just because. Heck, it took me 2 months to figure out how to make a phone call on the blasted thing. (Luddite, perhaps?).
And if by some small chance I do try to text and drive, my 8 yo daughter starts screaming for her life (it is really kinda humourous as she is a bit dramatic), but the few times I tried it my message was so mangled, it's just better for me to wait until I can get where I can stop or I had the phone to one of the kids and let them handle the call/message/communication.
I'm glad at 8 and 11 my kids are very much anti-texting and driving, and one of my motivators for NOT doing it is so that they don't see it and start thinking it is okay. |
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09/04/2013 12:15:51 PM · #28 |
| "When a driver is using Siri with a Bluetooth headset or speaker—as Apple recommends—the app goes into a special mode that limits interactions to voice only. “It assumes you are ‘eyes-busy’ and responds differently..." |
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09/04/2013 12:32:25 PM · #29 |
| Texting is just another distraction, I've seen people fly by at 80+mph reading a book or newspaper balanced on the steering wheel, shaving, putting on makeup, typing on a laptop, brushing their teeth...All dangerous. |
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09/04/2013 02:05:18 PM · #30 |
Originally posted by Spork99:
Texting is just another distraction, I've seen people fly by at 80+mph reading a book or newspaper balanced on the steering wheel, shaving, putting on makeup, typing on a laptop, brushing their teeth...All dangerous. |
Precisely. Texting is just the latest distraction |
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09/04/2013 02:24:44 PM · #31 |
Originally posted by tanguera:
Originally posted by Spork99:
Texting is just another distraction, I've seen people fly by at 80+mph reading a book or newspaper balanced on the steering wheel, shaving, putting on makeup, typing on a laptop, brushing their teeth...All dangerous. |
Precisely. Texting is just the latest distraction |
It's handheld devices in general. Some people will read books, papers, watch movies — it's impossible to combat someone so willfully set on being a public danger. But the use of handheld devices has exponentially increased the risk of accidents. Texting, FB, Twitter, surfing, Yelp, Maps, etc.
I've said before I cannot make eye contact with drivers in this town around intersections, and the only safe time for me to cross the street with my toddler is when there isn't a car in sight. The only thing that has prevented us from being run down on multiple occasions is that I have no faith that anyone pays attention anymore and have become a highly "defensive walker." They are so glued to their devices that they are only vaguely aware of what lane they are in let alone what the cars, cyclists and pedestrians are doing around them, especially around intersections, which for some reason seems to be a great time to check their phones.
Laws are in place but they are not enforced. |
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09/04/2013 03:42:00 PM · #32 |
Originally posted by bohemka:
Originally posted by tanguera:
Originally posted by Spork99:
Texting is just another distraction, I've seen people fly by at 80+mph reading a book or newspaper balanced on the steering wheel, shaving, putting on makeup, typing on a laptop, brushing their teeth...All dangerous. |
Precisely. Texting is just the latest distraction |
It's handheld devices in general. Some people will read books, papers, watch movies — it's impossible to combat someone so willfully set on being a public danger. But the use of handheld devices has exponentially increased the risk of accidents. Texting, FB, Twitter, surfing, Yelp, Maps, etc.
I've said before I cannot make eye contact with drivers in this town around intersections, and the only safe time for me to cross the street with my toddler is when there isn't a car in sight. The only thing that has prevented us from being run down on multiple occasions is that I have no faith that anyone pays attention anymore and have become a highly "defensive walker." They are so glued to their devices that they are only vaguely aware of what lane they are in let alone what the cars, cyclists and pedestrians are doing around them, especially around intersections, which for some reason seems to be a great time to check their phones.
Laws are in place but they are not enforced. |
Sadly, there's not really a good way to enforce the laws until after a tragedy when the phone records are pulled to check or witnesses testify that the driver at fault was on their phone. Just yesterday, I saw a woman in a minivan, playing with her phone, smoking and turning around to talk to her kids in the back seat. |
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09/04/2013 03:45:29 PM · #33 |
| It might be time to start carrying around one of these.... |
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09/04/2013 03:51:20 PM · #34 |
Originally posted by tanguera:
It might be time to start carrying around one of these.... |
That won't penetrate the layers of sound deadening and bone jarring bass.
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09/04/2013 04:56:20 PM · #35 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
It's not the teens that I see texting. The woman who almost ran me off the road awhile back was my age. :( |
exactly, I don't text while I drive, I am almost 40 so you would think most of my friends wouldn't either. You and I would both be wrong I think the majority of my friends do. I've had conversations with them and they always have some sort of excuse. |
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09/04/2013 05:00:42 PM · #36 |
| I agree with most of cory's list except the radio. I need the radio on for long drives or I get sleepy. I'm pretty sure a driver who is asleep is worse than a driver who occasionally takes a couple seconds to switch the station. |
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09/04/2013 05:14:58 PM · #37 |
Originally posted by sjhuls:
I agree with most of cory's list except the radio. I need the radio on for long drives or I get sleepy. I'm pretty sure a driver who is asleep is worse than a driver who occasionally takes a couple seconds to switch the station. |
Fair enough, but you need to be limited to only switching it when at 0mph. :)
..
Really, I mean, I know I'm right - but at some point, I also know that I will gladly trade security for freedom, and risk for reward. The real question is where does it balance out?
I don't know if banning the use of phones is the best idea, I don't know that it's not. But riddle me this - how does an officer tell the difference between a driver who is using a GPS function, and a driver who is texting? The GPS is arguably a critical driving tool, but discerning the difference between a texter and a GPS user would be incredibly difficult from 30 yards away, especially at 60MPH. You argue the radio is crucial - how exactly can an officer tell exactly what is distracting you? If you do admit that the ability to discern the difference isn't probable, then how do we expect to actually enforce any of this?
And, then of course, there's the poor GPS user who has to defend himself against charges of texting while driving...
Laws are fine, but only if they're enforceable - so my big point here is that to some degree we either need to be committed to safety, or committed to freedom, but the two are absolutely in conflict here, and any ban that isn't pretty much absolute is doomed to fail.
Not the ideal situation, but I think it's pretty much the true nature of this problem. |
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09/06/2013 02:11:40 AM · #38 |
Wow wiping hot tears from my eyes, I text while driving albeit my commute is very rural and at 7am I might see 5 other cars and I've been driving the same way for 13 years everyday but from now on f*ck that, it can wait. If its important stop pull over safely and respond.
I understand where corys coming from I'm a big car guy, and I operate heavy plant all day I can't understand ppl who drive with eat phones in or music on so loud, I want to hear everything my cars doing from tyre noise to engine hum it tells me what my cars doing and you're more alert to your surroundings. I've been a silly young man done 175mph on a 70mph rd but my eyes didn't leave the road for even a second my mate was calling out the speed, done 202mph as a passenger when I lived in Munich and at those speeds half a second can make all the difference. But since the first ultra sound of my boy my driving has changed beyond recognition, its a lot more enjoyable and less stressful just plodding along in my big old truck.
In the uk it's an offence to be on your phone without hands free can get 3 points on your license and a fine, more severe you are looking at due care and attention or death by dangerous driving. All those drivers would have got 5years + here in gaol from killing someone while driving.
How does it work with the woman who the teenager hit and the teenager got 30 days? And her insurance only paid out $50k of $1 million dollar medical bills, here the insurance company would be liable for everything outside of the nhs her on going care for the rest if her life.
I'm off to push that to as many friends as I can, brilliant and moving piece of film making
Cory
My radio and sat nav and phone hands free is all done from
Buttons on my steering wheel, my dads Lexus 600 and my mums land cruise won't let you change the sat nav unless you are in park with the hand brake on.
Also using a windscreen mounted sat nav such as a tom tom still has you looking out the windscreen were texting has you looking down at your lap. And it's even worse with smart phones as you used to be able to touch type without looking now on smart phones you have to look.
Message edited by author 2013-09-06 02:15:41. |
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09/06/2013 03:07:58 AM · #39 |
Technology solves problems, creates new problems, solves those problems, and on and on. The answer is not unenforceable laws as Cory mentioned - they are just used to generate revenue for municipalities. The answer is coming soon. Self driving or semi-self driving cars. Cars that will brake, swerve, turn, slow, stop, alert, etc. It will take awhile and we will suffer casualties in the meantime, but that's the way it is.
eta: in the meantime, AWARENESS is the key to stemming the carnage. You can see it has already affected Giles as it has me awhile back when I saw a similar video.
Message edited by author 2013-09-06 03:09:20. |
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09/06/2013 11:05:47 AM · #40 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Technology solves problems, creates new problems, solves those problems, and on and on. The answer is not unenforceable laws as Cory mentioned - they are just used to generate revenue for municipalities. The answer is coming soon. Self driving or semi-self driving cars. Cars that will brake, swerve, turn, slow, stop, alert, etc. It will take awhile and we will suffer casualties in the meantime, but that's the way it is.
eta: in the meantime, AWARENESS is the key to stemming the carnage. You can see it has already affected Giles as it has me awhile back when I saw a similar video. |
Damn.. Never realized how smart you are until just now.
You're absolutely right of course, the only acceptable answer is autonomous cars - now, let's see how long THAT takes for people to trust it. ;) |
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09/06/2013 11:42:19 AM · #41 |
Originally posted by Cory:
Damn.. Never realized how smart you are until just now.
You're absolutely right of course, the only acceptable answer is autonomous cars - now, let's see how long THAT takes for people to trust it. ;) |
I can see it now... and hear the automated voice that says: `Sit back, relax and let me do the driving.... Nothing can go wrong...go wrong...go wrong. :O)
Ray
Message edited by author 2013-09-06 11:43:56. |
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09/06/2013 12:15:09 PM · #42 |
| Only with a car, a system crash means a lot more than cursing the BSOD |
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09/06/2013 01:03:36 PM · #43 |
Yeah, we'll resist, paint all kinds of terrible scenarios, etc. but eventually the stats will show that humans are more easily distracted and our behavior is less predictable and our reactions slower than computers. We already have cars that park themselves and cars that brake for you, detect that you are falling asleep, etc.
I would only worry about when the cars become self-aware and decide they don't need us, but we are a ways from that.
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09/06/2013 01:19:19 PM · #44 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Yeah, we'll resist, paint all kinds of terrible scenarios, etc. but eventually the stats will show that humans are more easily distracted and our behavior is less predictable and our reactions slower than computers. We already have cars that park themselves and cars that brake for you, detect that you are falling asleep, etc.
I would only worry about when the cars become self-aware and decide they don't need us, but we are a ways from that.
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eg: |
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09/06/2013 01:46:30 PM · #45 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Yeah, we'll resist, paint all kinds of terrible scenarios, etc. but eventually the stats will show that humans are more easily distracted and our behavior is less predictable and our reactions slower than computers. We already have cars that park themselves and cars that brake for you, detect that you are falling asleep, etc. |
You've never had a computer suddenly stop working or lose communication with its network?
It's already possible to spoof GPS signals -- I don't want to be on the 405 (San Diego Freeway) when some terrorist tells 3000 cars they're suddenly in Chicago ... |
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09/06/2013 01:56:26 PM · #46 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
...I don't want to be on the 405 (San Diego Freeway) when some terrorist tells 3000 cars they're suddenly in Chicago ... |
That would throw them for a Loop, wouldn't it? ;-)
As an aside, I always smile at California-style references to freeways. They are always prefaced by "the." I don't think this is prevalent anywhere else in the country, but it CA it seems to be nearly universal.
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09/06/2013 02:33:26 PM · #47 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Yeah, we'll resist, paint all kinds of terrible scenarios, etc. but eventually the stats will show that humans are more easily distracted and our behavior is less predictable and our reactions slower than computers. We already have cars that park themselves and cars that brake for you, detect that you are falling asleep, etc. |
You've never had a computer suddenly stop working or lose communication with its network?
It's already possible to spoof GPS signals -- I don't want to be on the 405 (San Diego Freeway) when some terrorist tells 3000 cars they're suddenly in Chicago ... |
I get your point, BUT if one terrorist act every so often (let's say 1 per year) = 3000 cars explode or drive off cliffs, etc. compared to the 32k currently killed in accidents with human drivers, it still may be a better option (assuming reducing the number of deaths is the priority). You can't compare the "what if" numbers to nothing - you must compare to the current reality. The problem with automation is our reluctance to give up control, but the fact is that in spite of our constant reluctance, we eventually do and things typically improve and we find other things to do. I'm not even saying we would ever jump to full automation, but what if when you are driving along and you got a text msg and wanted to reply that you could click a button and let your car's computer take over so you can respond - or maybe it only automatically takes over when it senses you are being a moron? :) |
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09/06/2013 02:36:22 PM · #48 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Technology solves problems, creates new problems, solves those problems, and on and on. The answer is not unenforceable laws as Cory mentioned - they are just used to generate revenue for municipalities. The answer is coming soon. Self driving or semi-self driving cars. Cars that will brake, swerve, turn, slow, stop, alert, etc. It will take awhile and we will suffer casualties in the meantime, but that's the way it is.
eta: in the meantime, AWARENESS is the key to stemming the carnage. You can see it has already affected Giles as it has me awhile back when I saw a similar video. |
In the mid-2000s, the popular conspiracy around Chicago was that the cops were handing out traffic and parking citations left and right to generate money to improve the infrastructure in a case to win the Olympics bid. In the span of a couple months, my wife and nearly every one of her friends received phone-usage-while-driving tickets. The cynics and conspiracy theorists will insist the tickets were more about raising money than public safety, but the result was that all of these ticketed folks told everyone they knew about it, got hands-free systems, and never did it again.
I don't see how the laws aren't enforceable. You can get pulled over for failing to signal, not wearing a seat belt, not having your headlights on after dark, etc. None of these require witnesses and video evidence. If you want to fight the ticket and get off without a fine, I couldn't care less, but you'll tell a dozen people about it, and you'll think twice about it before you do it again. That is raising awareness. |
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09/06/2013 02:41:29 PM · #49 |
Originally posted by bohemka:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Technology solves problems, creates new problems, solves those problems, and on and on. The answer is not unenforceable laws as Cory mentioned - they are just used to generate revenue for municipalities. The answer is coming soon. Self driving or semi-self driving cars. Cars that will brake, swerve, turn, slow, stop, alert, etc. It will take awhile and we will suffer casualties in the meantime, but that's the way it is.
eta: in the meantime, AWARENESS is the key to stemming the carnage. You can see it has already affected Giles as it has me awhile back when I saw a similar video. |
In the mid-2000s, the popular conspiracy around Chicago was that the cops were handing out traffic and parking citations left and right to generate money to improve the infrastructure in a case to win the Olympics bid. In the span of a couple months, my wife and nearly every one of her friends received phone-usage-while-driving tickets. The cynics and conspiracy theorists will insist the tickets were more about raising money than public safety, but the result was that all of these ticketed folks told everyone they knew about it, got hands-free systems, and never did it again. |
The result doesn't contradict the alleged motivation.
Originally posted by bohemka:
I don't see how the laws aren't enforceable. You can get pulled over for failing to signal, not wearing a seat belt, not having your headlights on after dark, etc. None of these require witnesses and video evidence. If you want to fight the ticket and get off without a fine, I couldn't care less, but you'll tell a dozen people about it, and you'll think twice about it before you do it again. That is raising awareness. |
Are you kidding me? Have you never been accused of breaking a law when you know you didn't? Ever tried to fight it in court when it is a matter of your word vs. the cops? Guess who always wins? Guess who NEVER does? As mentioned, the ability for a cop to tell the difference between you being distracted by one thing vs. another (GPS or Cell) while you pass him at even 35MPH is ridiculous. |
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09/06/2013 02:55:26 PM · #50 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by bohemka:
I don't see how the laws aren't enforceable. You can get pulled over for failing to signal, not wearing a seat belt, not having your headlights on after dark, etc. None of these require witnesses and video evidence. If you want to fight the ticket and get off without a fine, I couldn't care less, but you'll tell a dozen people about it, and you'll think twice about it before you do it again. That is raising awareness. |
Are you kidding me? Have you never been accused of breaking a law when you know you didn't? Ever tried to fight it in court when it is a matter of your word vs. the cops? Guess who always wins? Guess who NEVER does? As mentioned, the ability for a cop to tell the difference between you being distracted by one thing vs. another (GPS or Cell) while you pass him at even 35MPH is ridiculous. |
I've had plenty of problems with those situations, unfortunately, but my personal hardships don't have me thinking the police should stop enforcing laws because they sometimes screw up or have an ax to grind. No texting while driving is a law here in Massachusetts. It should be enforced. That's all I'm asking.
It's pretty damn easy to spot a texter. Just stand on a corner of an intersection for five minutes and you'll have plenty of obvious violators to choose from. |
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