Texting drivers

xelasnave · #1 21-09-2015, 12:48 PM

I know I am getting old and try so hard not to be grumpy and intolerant.
But lately I notice some folk texting while driving.
Sitting behind someone at the lights when the light changed and they don't move until someone blows their horn you notice they were texting.
I worry when I look in the rearvision mirror and the driver has their head down presumably texting. I become conscience of keeping out of their way.
I find all this somewhat annoying...is it just me or do others, have others noticed and been annoyed by this behaviour.
It seems dangerous which is really what gets to me.

deanm (Dean) · #2 21-09-2015, 01:09 PM

It's bloody stupid, completely selfish and the stats show that it's also very dangerous:

"Distracted driving is a leading cause of serious car crashes in South Australia. Inattention is reported to be the primary cause in nearly 30% of fatal crashes and 45% of serious injury crashes each year. Research shows that using a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of crashing by at least four times. The most common types of crashes associated with mobile usage are 'run-off-the-road' crashes and 'rear end' crashes.

http://www.mac.sa.gov.au/driving-distracted

I'm sure the numbers would be similar nationwide.

Dean

AstralTraveller (David) · #3 21-09-2015, 04:02 PM

Try texting cyclists. I've seen one with headphones in, helmet hanging off handlebar, texting while crossing a busy road. Temporary citizens.

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #4 21-09-2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xelasnave

I know I am getting old and try so hard not to be grumpy and intolerant.

No... your not old .... but you may be ' old school ' like me.
I to get ' peeved ' off with this sort of behaviour ... you can see it as plain as day when they are ' playing ' with their phone....I hope there is a ' copper ' nearby and catches them.

I know ...I'm a ' kill joy ' aren't I

.... they deserve to get caught.

Col.....

BilliGoatsGruff (Billi) · #5 21-09-2015, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xelasnave

I know I am getting old and try so hard not to be grumpy and intolerant.
But lately I notice some folk texting while driving.
Sitting behind someone at the lights when the light changed and they don't move until someone blows their horn you notice they were texting.
I worry when I look in the rearvision mirror and the driver has their head down presumably texting. I become conscience of keeping out of their way.
I find all this somewhat annoying...is it just me or do others, have others noticed and been annoyed by this behaviour.
It seems dangerous which is really what gets to me.

Oh man, don't get me started... one of my "friends" on Facebook actually takes photos and uploads them while she's driving!
There should be a system of some sort where if you're in your car and the ignition is on it disables calls/messaging.
I don't know if it's because I have kids, or just because I'm an old lady trapped in a young person's body, but it really gets my blood boiling. Haha it's times like that when I wish I could be an undercover cop and just pull over everyone I see using their phone on the road.

deanm (Dean) · #6 21-09-2015, 06:23 PM

I wouldn't get hot under the collar if the only injury (or worse) victims of texting + driving were the texters themselves.

Darwinian selection is a fine thing.

Sadly, texters run down innocent pedestrians & collide with other vehicles because they are distracted.

I saw a report recently that indicated mobile phones recovered in around 10% of fatal road incidents in the US revealed that the driving texter was doing so at the time of the crash.

"Hey, Honey! I'll be home with the kids real soo......."

Dean

pgc hunter · #7 21-09-2015, 07:12 PM

I once saw a driver pull up to an intersection right outside a cop shop while texting.

Genius, no?

Larryp (Laurie) · #8 21-09-2015, 11:14 PM

The law seems to have no effect-I see so many drivers using mobiles.
Also sick of dodging clowns about to walk into me in the street-texting and not looking where they are walking.

Rob_K · #9 22-09-2015, 01:18 AM

People who see these idiots should immediately text the cops.

pmrid (Peter) · #10 22-09-2015, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xelasnave

I know I am getting old and try so hard not to be grumpy and intolerant.

Alex, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it isn't working!!

I look forward to reading your posts for that very reason.

Peter

ZeroID (Brent) · #11 22-09-2015, 05:12 AM

They are having a Police blitz over for the very same problem. I see it all the time driving home at night. My phone just gets ignored, not that it rings that much anyway. People are just too addicted to them.

lazjen (Chris) · #12 22-09-2015, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larryp

The law seems to have no effect-I see so many drivers using mobiles.
Also sick of dodging clowns about to walk into me in the street-texting and not looking where they are walking.

I take a small revenge here by deliberately staying my path and if necessary stopping right in front of them. I'm fairly solid, so if they run into me, they're likely to get the worse end of the deal. Also, you can only hope the phone goes flying too. :p

BilliGoatsGruff (Billi) · #13 22-09-2015, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_K

People who see these idiots should immediately text the cops.

Haha I hope there is sarcasm involved in this, as most of us see them while we are driving

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroID

They are having a Police blitz over for the very same problem. I see it all the time driving home at night. My phone just gets ignored, not that it rings that much anyway. People are just too addicted to them.

It would be ok if they actually got results. Instead people will just learn how to be sneakier with their phones.

Hagar (Doug) · #14 22-09-2015, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_K

People who see these idiots should immediately text the cops.

Don't forget to get a photo to send as well Rob, You need proof, you could include your speedo in the shot to prove you were driving.

AndrewJ · #15 22-09-2015, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Don't forget to get a photo to send as well Rob, You need proof, you could include your speedo in the shot to prove you were driving

Not a good idea,
as if its not reading zero ( your speedo ), the wallopers will have proof that you were actually driving whilst using your own phone.

2 Fines for the price of 1

Andrew

Jason_FJ_Djamm (Jason) · #16 22-09-2015, 09:38 AM

Surely a few deaths is a small price to pay for the ability to share pictures of cats and argue with strangers while driving/walking/operating heavy machinery?

FlashDrive (Poppy) · #17 22-09-2015, 10:53 AM

[QUOTE=Rob_K; immediately text the cops.[/QUOTE]

xelasnave · #18 22-09-2015, 12:11 PM

Billie your idea should be adopted.

I see an irony in texting given one can actually talk in person.
I guess is the way because of forums etc.

The powers saw fit to legislate for in car phone holders so why not something like Billie suggested.
That is a million dollar idea If you could sell it.

AstralTraveller (David) · #19 22-09-2015, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazjen

I take a small revenge here by deliberately staying my path and if necessary stopping right in front of them. I'm fairly solid, so if they run into me, they're likely to get the worse end of the deal. Also, you can only hope the phone goes flying too. :p

I don't stop, I just hold my speed and direction on my side of the path or corridor. No collisions so far but I've seen some very nifty side-steps. Everyone apologises, so they know the near-collision is their fault. [I suspect that if there was about to be a collision I would actually stop. I'm not as heartless as I appear.]

ZeroID (Brent) · #20 22-09-2015, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BilliGoatsGruff

Haha I hope there is sarcasm involved in this, as most of us see them while we are driving

It would be ok if they actually got results. Instead people will just learn how to be sneakier with their phones.

They seem to be getting quite a bit of revenue from it so far ...

Hit'em in their pockets where it hurts .. before they kill themselves. Dead people don't pay taxes ...