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This is a public service video about the dangers of texting while driving. If you have kids that drive it may be helpful to have them watch it. The video is graphic...



Bee

Seen it! Example of government stepping on my rights to be distracted whilst driving.

Actually, this video WILL save lives, IMO.

It would have been cool if one of their heads popped open like a watermelon. While another screams, \"where's my arm?\" Good video tho.

Most of the accidents I have avoided recently are young kids texting while driving. Followed by a-hole drivers from the City and tourists second, with wildlife third.

This brings to mind a fairly recent article I saw - actually it was covered by a number of news sites, but here's one example:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/techn ... xting.html

The figure may be less for car drivers, but still, 23 is a very big number.

Canuck wrote:Most of the accidents I have avoided recently are young kids texting while driving. Followed by a-hole drivers from the City and tourists second, with wildlife third.

I'll give you my 18 wheeler loaded with bricks and a car plow.

Loss of license, and maybe a couple of nights in the pokey, might cure some of these poor demented fools.

Saw this... was a good thing to show to high schoolers IMHO.

Do any of you remember the old driver's education scare films they used to show? These were films that showed real accident scenes and the aftermath carnage, uncensored and graphic. 'Signal 30' and 'Highway of Agony' are a couple that come to mind. I had to watch the 1959 movie 'Signal 30' in high school driving class. Old, cheesy and nasty! Part 1 if you dare.

I don't text or talk while I drive if I can help it. It's saved me numerous times to not be distracted by my phone, but it's pissed me off when some slow poke or inattentive idiot cuts me off because they're on the phone. If they do that, I honk the horn, and in my mom's Accord, it's a nice, loud BEEP!

That video is a worst case scenario where everyone is an idiot.
Reminds me of a gametype in burnout revenge where dozens of AI cars run into the same obstacle over and over as if they don't see it.

These scare ads really apply to any driving distraction, really.

What about use of MP3 players?

MP3 players? In a number of states and areas it is illegal to drive while listening to music (or other stuff) through headphones or ear buds. It varies from state to state so check your local laws.

Must be the same for amplfied music WITHOUT ear buds or headphones. If you can't hear the traffic conditions around you, you're essentially deaf to something that could alert you to danger.

I did not say headphones, I said mp3 players. If you look down to change the track someone might wrongly interpret that as texting.

Unless you have to spend more than a couple seconds to do that, it's no different than changing radio stations and doesn't really hold your attention.

Top Wop wrote:I did not say headphones, I said mp3 players. If you look down to change the track someone might wrongly interpret that as texting.

Doesn't matter. It's the headphones or ear buds that may not be allowed in your area. Changing the track on your MP3 player is no different than changing the radio station. If your MP3 player is playing through ear buds or headphones ... then it may be illegal. If the MP3 player is playing over the speakers in your vehicle ... then it's only illegal if the volume violates a noise ordinance.

TechPro wrote:

Top Wop wrote:I did not say headphones, I said mp3 players. If you look down to change the track someone might wrongly interpret that as texting.

Doesn't matter. It's the headphones or ear buds that may not be allowed in your area. Changing the track on your MP3 player is no different than changing the radio station. If your MP3 player is playing through ear buds or headphones ... then it may be illegal. If the MP3 player is playing over the speakers in your vehicle ... then it's only illegal if the volume violates a noise ordinance.

This makes no sense, if you can't hear traffic conditions, you can't hear traffic conditions. Irregardless if you are listening via headphones, earbuds, 16" subs, what difference is it?

Personally I listen to talk radio, at a reasonable volume, I don't text or use a cell while driving, and I expect people in my car to be at a reasonable volume. It takes eyes, ears, and yes, touch to properly "drive" a motor vehicle.

I've been driving for 40 years + now with NO accidents.

You're right. It doesn't make sense, but that's the way the road laws are. Having your music too loud to hear the traffic conditions is not against the law (it's OK, AFAIK).

Here's your chance to get the laws changed. Can't wait to find out how many people complain about it taking away their rights to go deaf.

Click.

Texting while driving just got banned (on like August 28, 2009) in the State of Missouri for people under the age of 21 (if your 21 or over, you can do it, which is gay, since those people are the ones who get in car crashes because of it because they are old and don't know how to text right).

Ezri wrote:Texting while driving just got banned (on like August 28, 2009) in the State of Missouri for people under the age of 21 (if your 21 or over, you can do it, which is gay, since those people are the ones who get in car crashes because of it because they are old and don't know how to text right).

So you're under 21 and think you "know how to text right"? Stay off of the highways in my neighborhood. I don't want to be dodging your lamebrain driving.

HAHA TechPro you're such a jerk.

Thank you, thank you very much.

Those \"old\" people don't text while driving, if they have a cell phone at all. And the 20-30 age group have been using cell phones longer than you have.

The only way I know how to text is…to think about it while I’m doing it. (and perhaps look at the phone at the same time) I’m pretty sure it’s the same for all ages.

Don't text and drive, mmmkay?

The only place where texting isn't outright stupid is waiting at the traffic lights, and even there you'd better be expecting some toots from behind.

TechPro wrote:So you're under 21 and think you "know how to text right"? Stay off of the highways in my neighborhood. I don't want to be dodging your lamebrain driving.

loi, agreed. The fact that he uses 'gay' to describe something that is non-biological doesn't help either.

The state of Missouri recently passed legislation raising the penalties for texting while driving. If you are under the age of 21 and caught texting on the road, it's the same as a DUI.