Author |
Message |
Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 7:30 am
I'm not a perfect driver, but I don't text or talk on a cell phone while driving. (I barely use a cell phone.) I heard about this British texting-while-driving PSA on the radio this morning. Link Be forewarned -- it's not real, but it looks it. Prepare yourself. As the host said on the radio, "The Brits know how to do it."
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 7:55 am
I am usually pretty tough, but that commercial really affected me. It is very graphic, but if everyone who texts sees this I bet they will be damn sure not to do it while driving.
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Dfennessey
Member
07-25-2004
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 8:12 am
I need glasses to read close up but not while I am driving so I cannot text while driving. I only talk on the telephone if I am stopped in traffic and as soon as it really starts moving i tell the person I have to hang up and will talk to them later
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Pippin04
Member
10-26-2007
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 8:15 am
Recently it became against the law in my province to have your phone in your hand while driving. So no texting, no calling not even reading a text or email. I love this law and think it should be the same everywhere. It is funny to see people pulled over and be told it is because of the phone. They usually have a fit at the cops. Like all laws this one is often broken and the people with the phone in the hand are always the worst drivers.
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 8:26 am
If I get a text while I am driving, I hand my phone to my sis, have her text back for me. She's my car secretary. If she's not with me, the texter can wait until I am stopped.
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Merrysea
Moderator
08-13-2004
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 8:32 am
In California, if you're talking on the phone, you must be using a hands-free set up, and it's illegal to text while driving.
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Naja
Member
06-28-2003
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 8:42 am
I have been in a car while someone was programming their GPS and looking at the GPS map while driving (the gps screen was built into the dash). Scared the crap out of me and I asked them to stop. I think those are just as dangerous. You're supposed program your route before you leave the driveway.
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 8:45 am
Did y'all look at the PSA?
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Naja
Member
06-28-2003
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 8:50 am
Yes, why do you ask?
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 9:05 am
I think she's wondering if you guys think it's effective OR if it's too graphic. I think it is both!! But I do think anyone who texts should see it. Also I read a study they did that it does not matter if you have hands free apparatus or not, that the distraction of a phone call is just as dangerous as if you have the cell in your hand.
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Cinnamongirl
Member
01-10-2001
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 9:14 am
Yep, I'm sending that out to everyone I know that texts!
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 9:45 am
Right, Julie. Surprised there were no comments about it. I knew when I watched it, it wasn't real -- but it still was a huge shocker. Julie, it was John Williams who talked about it this morning. In the past, IIRC, he's said he at least will read texts while driving. Doesn't see much what's wrong with that. After seeing that PSA, he's having second thoughts.
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Naja
Member
06-28-2003
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 9:50 am
Being an avid horror movie buff, it just felt like a production to me. It was even less graphic than most horror movies. Showing the real aftermath of a deadly crash seems much more horrifying to me. I think rational thinking adults might really understand the message and take it to heart, but we all know that "most" teens think they are invincible and the laws of life and death don't apply to them.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 11:06 am
Unfortunately, from what I've read, even hands free is distracting enough that it is often still the equivalent of driving drunk. Same with a GPS if you have to look at it. Talking to (not arguing with) someone (an adult) in the car is different because most adults will know to stop talking if the driving situation warrants it, and often another adult will notice danger and warn the driver of that. But on the phone, the other person isn't often considering the driver's surroundings. ==== I can remember 15 years ago, a member of an online group who lived in Sweden and he worked for one of the cell companies there, and they were used much more there than here at the time. And he was concerned but also about other distractions and he told a true story of following a woman who was weaving across lanes, she then went out of control.. don't remember if another car was involved but the windshield was involved. When he had stopped his car and ran up to help, (this is very graphic) Spoiler Click below to view spoiler | her head was in the back seat .. and she still had clutched in her hand the mascara she'd been applying. | I've never forgotten his email. I don't even keep my cell ON while driving.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 2:20 pm
I tried to look at the video, but there was too much buffering, and it took about a minute to see about ten seconds, so I gave it up. Maybe it is getting a lot of hits right now?
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 3:17 pm
Juju, that's probably why. I first heard about it today. Also heard that word about it is currently spreading fast. I think it's worth watching -- especially for teens?
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Weinermr
Member
08-18-2001
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 4:48 pm
That's the saddest thing I've ever seen. Or maybe I'm just extra emotional today.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 6:06 pm
No weiner, it is sad. Still is haunting me...
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 6:17 pm
All you had to see was the movie Seven lbs to see what texting while driving can cause I will read or text while sitting at a stop light but never while driving. It is also illegal here
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 9:45 pm
Even that is illegal. The video was well done and extremely sad..
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 4:17 am
really? I'm an outlaw and didnt know it!! Thanks Sea, you prolly just saved me a ticket!
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Pippin04
Member
10-26-2007
| Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 10:38 am
Wow that video had almost 750 000 hits. I hope people take it to heart and stop using the phone while driving. It is a must watch for anyone who uses a phone while driving.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 3:10 pm
I think in California, Pamy.. of course they'd have to see the phone, first. Ask a cop, I could be wrong but I think I read that in the Register in the Honk column.
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Kitt
Member
09-06-2000
| Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 3:40 pm
Yep, pretty sure you're right, Sea, the driver cannot use a handheld phone/phone-like device (for any activity) while "operating" a motor vehicle. Sitting at a stop light is still operating the vehicle.
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Scooterrific
Member
07-08-2005
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 5:09 am
I've sat at a stop light and texted before...I don't think they're likely to pull you over if you're sitting at a light. But you know me...I'm a rebel.
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Dfennessey
Member
07-25-2004
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 6:13 am
We do know you Scoot and you are right you are a rebel just like me
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Scooterrific
Member
07-08-2005
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 7:56 am

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Dfennessey
Member
07-25-2004
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 8:03 am
it is not on straight Scoot. 
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Happymom
Member
01-20-2003
| Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 11:41 am
wow. I think that is a very good PSA. I wish all tv stations would show it. I hope all driving schools show it. I wish anyone who uses a computer would have to see it. I wish that anyone with a license or cell phone would have to see it to continue their service/renew their DL. I don't want people to get desensitized, I just think it could really be effective. Here in CA it is strange that talking on the phone hands free became the law first, before texting was outlawed. I don't talk or text while driving. I see people every day talking on a phone while holding their phone in their hand while driving. I won't do the GPS while driving either. I will always pull over and park to do that or to use the phone. I was listening to talk radio (San Fran station) the other day. This was the topic. Apparently the fine is only $20 for the first offense. But then a cop called in and said there are court costs and possibly other charges on top of that. I still think it should be a WHOLE lot more.
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