Cell Phones and Driving mix Horribly

[libertyforall1776]

<rant>
Can folks just put down their phones when doing things like lane changes, or driving in any lane other than the slow lane? It is becoming a weekly occurrence now that someone is not paying attention, driving impaired and slow with a phone to their ear. The worst part is getting cutoff or practically run-off the road by these distracted drivers who don't signal and aren't watching around them.

What's the solution? I don't know -- I'm not in favor of a new law, so folks just need to pay attention to their surroundings. Many folks don't signal at all, phone or not, when changing lanes -- so that's probably the bigger concern. I always try to signal when cars are in close proximity since I hate when others don't do it...
</rant>

[Xello]

When I was in Army basic training my drill sergeant used to say "pay attention to details and the rest will take care of itself". He was talking mainly about cleaning the corners of the floor with a toothbrush but I use it as one of my life mantras.

The same can be said about traffic law enforcement. I agree we don't necessarily need new laws but just the old ones to be enforced. When was the last time anyone ever got a ticket for not signalling properly? I have no idea. I wouldn't want the police to go nuts but I think if people were worried they might get an infraction for small things they would drive better overall. At least that's my dream.

[TonyNo]

You just tweaked a nerve... NO ONE uses turn signals anymore!

[Dave_O]

When I was in Army basic training my drill sergeant used to say "pay attention to details and the rest will take care of itself". He was talking mainly about cleaning the corners of the floor with a toothbrush but I use it as one of my life mantras.

The same can be said about traffic law enforcement. I agree we don't necessarily need new laws but just the old ones to be enforced. When was the last time anyone ever got a ticket for not signalling properly? I have no idea. I wouldn't want the police to go nuts but I think if people were worried they might get an infraction for small things they would drive better overall. At least that's my dream.

RIGHT HERE! It was occompanied by a speeding ticket, but the not signaling was included... It was in Central IL though... I thought I was signalling... I only give the one or two blink signal usually though...

[libertyforall1776]

I have seen tickets for turn signals used for NONSENSE. I got ticketed years ago for no turn signal, onto MY OWN STREET, the cop was parked in a different subdivision hiding, and there was NOBODY ANYWHERE AROUND ME IN SIGHT(no cars, bikes, people). Now someone tell me what was the public interest in giving a ticket in that situation?! -- I will tell you, it was just revenue -- like a tax.

Every time turn signals are not used and people move abruptly into a lane, there is never ticketing -- similarly, when have you seen anyone ticketed for not moving over from a fast lane when someone else wants to pass them? In England they understand the fast lane is for overtaking and ALWAYS move over. That was very refreshing. In Italy, if you don't get out of the fast lane on the Autostrade, you will practically get run over! LOL

You just tweaked a nerve... NO ONE uses turn signals anymore!

[KATHY63]

You just tweaked a nerve... NO ONE uses turn signals anymore!

I DO ALL THE TIME! I drive to much not to use them.

[Orange5thGen]

RIGHT HERE! It was occompanied by a speeding ticket, but the not signaling was included... It was in Central IL though... I thought I was signalling... I only give the one or two blink signal usually though...

WAS THAT IN THE CADDY?????

[Dave_O]

I have seen tickets for turn signals used for NONSENSE. I got ticketed years ago for no turn signal, onto MY OWN STREET, the cop was parked in a different subdivision hiding, and there was NOBODY ANYWHERE AROUND ME IN SIGHT(no cars, bikes, people). Now someone tell me what was the public interest in giving a ticket in that situation?! -- I will tell you, it was just revenue -- like a tax.

Every time turn signals are not used and people move abruptly into a lane, there is never ticketing -- similarly, when have you seen anyone ticketed for not moving over from a fast lane when someone else wants to pass them? In England they understand the fast lane is for overtaking and ALWAYS move over. That was very refreshing. In Italy, if you don't get out of the fast lane on the Autostrade, you will practically get run over! LOL

I agree, we should adopt stricter rules in that sense. People doing 10 under speed limit need to move from the left lane! In heavy traffic I understand not being able to move over when you are attempting to pass them and someone comes up behind you faster, but in any other situation, it is uncalled for!

WAS THAT IN THE CADDY?????

Nope, it was in Central IL, the set of tickets just before the one in the Caddy! Although, if that cop had actually clocked me, and was following me in the Caddy, I prolly could have gotten one of those too! I was just following the group that day!

[cab2g]

Distracted driving is a major pet peeve of mine. Anybody remember the local news story about the 16 year old that drove into someobody's garage and cracked the house's foundation? Yeah, texting while driving. This may make me sound super old, but I don't think that I'll want my kids to have texting or internet enabled on their phones, unless it can be automatically disabled when moving over 2 mph or something...