How about the "catch-all" law, failure to drive in a "careful and prudent manner"?
Or perhaps the NEW "catch-all" law, "Distracted Driving"
What constitutes "distracted driving", you ask?
As well you should!
As I understand it, from what I have read, ANYTHING that takes your eyes off the road COULD be considered "distracting".
Tuning the radio? Yep, distracted driving.
Yelling at your kids who are acting up in the back seat? Yep!
Checking your speedometer? Maybe.
Reading that fancy electronic billboard beside the road? Yep.
Changing the tape or CD in your dashboard player? OH, YES!!
My point is, there ARE laws already on the books, in nearly every state, which COULD be used to cut down on texting and other activities while driving.
* This post was
edited 10/29/09 07:53pm by an administrator/moderator *
I was sitting at a red light alongside a 20s something Bozo that was texting with two hands and thumbs, like it was going out of style. Even though he was in a pickup, my coach was taller as I was looking down at his thumbs going like crazy. He looked up at my slowly shaking head and frown, just as the light changed to green. We were both first in line on a very busy 6-lane parkway metro-loop.
When will these Bozos figure out that texting while on the roadway operating a motor vehicle endangers others lives? Never, I'd venture.
Edit spelling
At least you were stopped at a light. Here in Ca, they do it going 90 on the freeways!!
"Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride". ("The Secret Of Life", James Taylor).
I was sitting at a red light alongside a 20s something Bozo that was texting with two hands and thumbs, like it was going out of style. Even though he was in a pickup, my coach was taller as I was looking down at his thumbs going like crazy. He looked up at my slowly shaking head and frown, just as the light changed to green. We were both first in line on a very busy 6-lane parkway metro-loop.
When will these Bozos figure out that texting while on the roadway operating a motor vehicle endangers others lives? Never, I'd venture.
Edit spelling
At least you were stopped at a light. Here in Ca, they do it going 90 on the freeways!!
90? Freeway? California? Since when. Every time I'm there the traffic is always stopped.
Off topic here, but the kids texting 24/7 drives me crazy. Everytime I see my grandson, first words out of my mouth are, put your phone in your pocket.
downtheroad wrote: I'm old, I admit it and I can prove it. I just don't get texting
That makes 2 of us!
I'm 60 - wife is 53 we are just adding texting to our cell phones. Can't believe I'm doing it but our grown adult kids all have cell phones and rarely answer them when we call. They prefer texts, so we are capitulating and adding texting to ours.
I will say that when I text my son or daughter, they almost always respond within a few minutes, if not right away. I think it is a sign of the times.
My kids say that it is easier to text especially at work - so we will try it and see.
I was sitting at a red light alongside a 20s something Bozo that was texting with two hands and thumbs, like it was going out of style. Even though he was in a pickup, my coach was taller as I was looking down at his thumbs going like crazy. He looked up at my slowly shaking head and frown, just as the light changed to green. We were both first in line on a very busy 6-lane parkway metro-loop.
When will these Bozos figure out that texting while on the roadway operating a motor vehicle endangers others lives? Never, I'd venture.
Edit spelling
At least you were stopped at a light. Here in Ca, they do it going 90 on the freeways!!
90? Freeway? California? Since when. Every time I'm there the traffic is always stopped.
He meant to say they were going 90 feet per hour.
2004 National Tropi-Cal T-350, Class A, Triple slide, 330 HP Cat DP. 2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4 or
2002 Harley FLSTF Fat Boy on a Trailer or
2004 Polaris Quad on the Trailer
downtheroad wrote: I'm old, I admit it and I can prove it. I just don't get texting
That makes 2 of us!
x 3 ...
I think that TEXTING is stupid.
WHY NOT just talk to the person on the phone ?
EMAILS are great .. you can send correspondence whenever you want ... and they can answer at their convenience.
Texting is stupid but e-mail is not stupid? But texting is simply e-mailing, just done on a cell phone. I can't see how one can be stupid and the other great.
Texting can be useful in situations where you need to get someone a message and it isn't something you want to announce to the world for whatever reason. Also when you send someone a text vs. a voicemail, they just get it on their phone and it is quicker for the recipient, as well as being less rushed for the sender... you type out exactly what you want to say and that's how they get it, in an instant.
Now when it is used frivolously, and constantly, and in a way that is rude (ie kids chatting with their friends when they're with family) then it is a nuisance.
So far as this old fart can see, the only use for texting is to get away with using the phone in places where you shouldn't be using it: classrooms, church, restaurants, meetings, etc. Otherwise, why pay extra to wear out your thumbs typing something that can be said in less time and received easily, without having to wade through the usual terrible spelling and syntax? It's just something the phone companies pushed on the more sheep-like kids to make more money, then adults wanting to appear youthful picked up on it. And,of course, the people who like to be sneaky and use the phone where they shouldn't.
I accidentally opened a text message once, had to pay extra for it, and since then have refused to open any more. No idea how to send one, nor would I even if I knew how. If someone doesn't have the courtesy to speak to me, I see no reason to be charged to get their stupid text message.
It's a phone, fer chrissakes! It has no need for texting ability, music, games, or any other silliness. And it certainly doesn't need to be used in a vehicle while the user is driving!
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