This morning on my way to work, I was sitting at a red traffic light. There are 3 lanes. A right turn only lane, middle lane is go straight or turn left, left lane left turn only. I'm in the left lane, it's a long light and when I pulled up to the red light the truck that would be alongside me with his left directional was already sitting there. Now we are side by side. The light changes, and I have a habit when turning to check on the vehicles alongside to make sure we are both keeping in our lane which very quickly merge into one lane. The Ass next to me when I glance to see his position is looking at his cell phone as were are turning. Is looking at your phone at this time more important than your life? While this seems to be more prevalent now it is still enough to piss me off.

New cars should come with a device that automatically shuts all cell phones in a car within a quarter mile around. Don't know if the technology is workable, and I'm sure some geek with no sense would work a way around it, but I'd feel better.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldrider:

New cars should come with a device that automatically shuts all cell phones in a car within a quarter mile around. Don't know if the technology is workable, and I'm sure some geek with no sense would work a way around it, but I'd feel better.

How 'bout doing this for selective functions on the phone? I use the GPS turn-by-turn instructions when driving in an unfamiliar area.

How about just making it against the law to use those phones while driving?

AIR, Maryland did that quite some time ago. There was a sign as you crossed the river into MD from VA.

A high percentage of cars driving around here have drivers with their face glued to their damned phones! Exceeding speed limits by a bunch, blindly drifting from lane to lane without signals (or even looking), etc.

I foresee a major chain reaction accident coming.

2 days ago I was in the right lane, coming up on an exit where a separate right turn lane is provided. That was my exit. Some asshole screamed past me on the shoulder, doing well over the speed limit and forced his/her way back into the traffic lane to continue across the upcoming intersection.

As near as I can tell, about 40% of the drivers here are on their damned phones while driving. Major chain reaction accident just waiting to happen.

Not a lot of what the MD gubbermint does that I agree with, but that law about cell phones was right on the money.

quote:

Originally posted by Elk Hunter:

How about just making it against the law to use those phones while driving?

I think it would be good to be a bit more specific about what "use" of the phones should be prohibited.

Per my example above, what is wrong with using the GPS / mapping function? How would this app on a phone be any different from a stand-alone GPS, or even a built-in navigation system, as equipped on many (most?) newer vehicles?

I agree with you about things like texting, and maybe phone conversations (hands-free might be OK), but getting directions for navigating is a legitimate use.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldrider:
New cars should come with a device that automatically shuts all cell phones in a car within a quarter mile around. Don't know if the technology is workable, and I'm sure some geek with no sense would work a way around it, but I'd feel better.

So someone being assaulted on a sidewalk or in a car would just be shit out of luck?

I watched the lady behind me , on her phone , stay put for the green light,

the 26 cars behind her let her know how they felt

she got an ear full of car horns for the next half mile

Ride a motorcycle. This gives you a great view of everyone in the lane beside you. Great view of everyone holding their phones in their laps so the cops wont see them using them.
You will be filled with warmth for your fellow man!

quote:

Originally posted by Oldrider:
New cars should come with a device that automatically shuts all cell phones in a car within a quarter mile around. Don't know if the technology is workable, and I'm sure some geek with no sense would work a way around it, but I'd feel better.

As rough as today has been, this has been the dumbest fucking thing I’ve heard today.

I’m sure you feeling better should interfere with the lives of others.

How about a return to driving the cars of the '50's?

NO power steering or power brakes. Manual clutch and three speed manual transmission with shift on the column. No turn signals - stick arm out window to indicate which direction you'll turn. Hand wind up windows, too. No A/C in car - sweat your ass off in summer.

There would be no way anyone could use a cellphone and drive in those old cars.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

this has been the dumbest fucking thing I’ve heard today.

Stick around. We're just getting started.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

this has been the dumbest fucking thing I’ve heard today.

Stick around. We're just getting started.

I'll make popcorn, V-Tail. Want some?

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

this has been the dumbest fucking thing I’ve heard today.

Stick around. We're just getting started.

I'll make popcorn, V-Tail. Want some?

With real butter, please, and a decent amount of salt. No point eating it if it's going to be diluted with all the healthy crap.

quote:

How about a return to driving the cars of the '50's?

NO power steering or power brakes. Manual clutch and three speed manual transmission with shift on the column. No turn signals - stick arm out window to indicate which direction you'll turn. Hand wind up windows, too. No A/C in car - sweat your ass off in summer.

There would be no way anyone could use a cellphone and drive in those old cars.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You never met my old man. He could belt you a good one in the backseat while motoring down the highway. He hated talking on the phone so he would never talk on a cell phone.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

quote:

Originally posted by Oldrider:
New cars should come with a device that automatically shuts all cell phones in a car within a quarter mile around. Don't know if the technology is workable, and I'm sure some geek with no sense would work a way around it, but I'd feel better.

As rough as today has been, this has been the dumbest fucking thing I’ve heard today.

I’m sure you feeling better should interfere with the lives of others.

Two years ago I attended a good friend's funeral because some twat was driving and texting. Yeah, I pretty good with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldrider:

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

quote:

Originally posted by Oldrider:
New cars should come with a device that automatically shuts all cell phones in a car within a quarter mile around. Don't know if the technology is workable, and I'm sure some geek with no sense would work a way around it, but I'd feel better.

As rough as today has been, this has been the dumbest fucking thing I’ve heard today.

I’m sure you feeling better should interfere with the lives of others.

Two years ago I attended a good friend's funeral because some twat was driving and texting. Yeah, I pretty good with it.

And 20-odd years ago, some jerk came up to my window at a stoplight and started punching on my jaw. I was mighty thankful to those in the car right behind, who had a phone and could call the authorities. This good-thing/bad-thing game could go on all day....

quote:

Originally posted by GWbiker:
How about a return to driving the cars of the '50's?

NO power steering or power brakes. Manual clutch and three speed manual transmission with shift on the column. No turn signals - stick arm out window to indicate which direction you'll turn. Hand wind up windows, too. No A/C in car - sweat your ass off in summer.

There would be no way anyone could use a cellphone and drive in those old cars.

That's overkill. All that's necessary is manual trans & clutch, and non-power steering. Those alone would be enough to occupy drivers' attention sufficiently to keep 'em off the verkakte phones. Doing away with turn signals and power brakes w/ALS would do more harm than good. A/C has little bearing on the problem.

Causing passing a law always fixes stuff. Duh.

quote:

...A/C has little bearing on the problem.

When the temperature is 90 degrees and the humidity is 90%, who would want to get stuck in traffic?

Hands free technology has gotten to the point where it should be required.

I can make a phone call, listen to a text, or start navigation on my Ram's nav system without taking my hands off the steering wheel or my eyes off the road. My cell phone may be in my backpack in the back sear.

I understand that older vehicles won't have this but moving forwad it should become standard on all new cars.