Texting death

WV Sawmiller · August 20, 2015, 09:13:03 AM

All,

We see ads everywhere reminding us not to text or use cell phones while driving. They are for real.

A good friend of mine down in Florida where I grew up was apparently texting someone Tuesday and rear ended another car and was killed.

He and his brother used to help us with the family business when we were teens. His mom, dad, sister, and wife run a small business there and provide a real valuable service to the community. He was the one my 85 y/o mom and my brother turned to for any car repair and other odd jobs nobody else ever seemed able to handle. He was in his late 50s and we'd have thought he knew better but it only takes one careless minute.

Please remember and don't drive while you are distracted or let your loved ones do so.

Raider Bill · August 20, 2015, 09:39:35 AM

This is one of my pet peeves. Here in Florida cell use while driving is not a primary offense. Everyone does it, nobody cares. You cannot be pulled over for cell phone/texting and can only be ticketed if there is another offense first.

Couple months ago a woman was yacking on her cell not paying attention and made a left turn in front of my bike. Anyone that rides knows left turns is the number 1 way Bikers are killed I was able to lock it up and skid around the back of her car almost laying the bike down. My saddle bag actually rubbed her bumper.

So being the calm guy I am I took off after her catching up in a 7-11 parking lot. She was still talking and didn't see me standing at the drivers door so I knocked [I'm sure a body shop was able to get the steel toes dents out of her door] The conversation didn't go well [she never stopped talking on the cell] so I walked away accidentally knocking her side mirror off.{same body shop can fix that too]. 1 car pulled up and told me they saw her turn in front of us. Said they thought for sure we were going to crash.

My Lady friend was white as a ghost, shaking and couldn't catch her breath, she said that was the closest she's ever come to being killed.

ironically I was wearing a T-shirt that says "would you drive better with that cell phone shoved up your a**

sawguy21 · August 20, 2015, 10:49:51 AM

That would get you a court date here. Could you not have her charged with leaving the scene or driving without due care and attention? You have a witness.
I had a couple of bikes in my youth but just don't have the nerve to ride anymore. Reaction times are not what they used to be.

sandhills · August 20, 2015, 12:12:07 PM

My 16 year old daughter lost a close friend because the driver was texting, she won't even answer her phone while she's driving now, that's just fine with me. You can always look back to see what was missed when you stop and call or text then, I'm proud of her for that. I hate driving in cities anymore, no one seems to be watching the road, they're all looking down.

pine · August 20, 2015, 12:39:34 PM

There has been an on-going long term campaign to stop DUI that has lasted in excess of the last 50 years that has had less than the desired impact. Drunk driving accident deaths are still at tremendous levels.

Texting while driving has been picked up as the new campaign. In some states it is a primary offense but even then I see at least 25% of the drivers on city streets that have a phone up to their ear. That doesn't even include the texters that are looking into their laps/hands. On the interstates it is a bit better but still...................

The age old problem of you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. Some folks just don't get it and the rest of us are the ones that end up paying for it.

Bibbyman · August 20, 2015, 12:58:40 PM

I see, mostly young women, get in their car, fire it up, put it in gear, then get out their cell phones. I wonder how many are now on permanent disability due to their necks being bent over to their shoulder pinching the phone between their ear and sholder?

I don't get many cell phone calls but do get text messages. I won't answer any while driving. Text messages can wait. I'll sometimes pull off to see who called and it it needs a call back. Sometimes I hand my phone to Mary.

Raider Bill · August 20, 2015, 01:03:47 PM

Quote from: sawguy21 on August 20, 2015, 10:49:51 AM
That would get you a court date here. Could you not have her charged with leaving the scene or driving without due care and attention? You have a witness.
I had a couple of bikes in my youth but just don't have the nerve to ride anymore. Reaction times are not what they used to be.

Around here even if a Cop saw it chances are nothing would have happened. They are simply too busy shagging calls for service.

Chuck White · August 20, 2015, 01:39:54 PM

Here in New York, along the throughways they have "TEXT STOPS" (for real) for those who can't wait!

Just pull off the highway and view your texts and reply!

doctorb · August 20, 2015, 05:21:19 PM

My daughter lost a high school friend to texting while driving. Crossed the center lane and the oncoming car had to swerve to her left into his original lane to avoid him, leaving the road and striking a tree. She was in the hospital for months with injured from head to toe. He never made it there.

Like Mark Twin said...Common sense ain't that common.

Magicman · August 20, 2015, 08:03:19 PM

There is no counting the instances that we saw on our PR trip. Sometimes they will slow to a crawl in front of you and then blow by you, only to slow down again. The danger is frightening.

goose63 · August 20, 2015, 09:02:52 PM

Up here thy see you doing it you get a ticket

Magicman · August 20, 2015, 10:20:10 PM

It all depends upon how the state's laws are written.

4x4American · August 20, 2015, 10:26:46 PM

I think you handled it well, Raider Bill, and the yacker got off easy.

thecfarm · August 21, 2015, 06:43:08 AM

good driving,especially with someone on the back.

Chuck White · August 21, 2015, 06:56:44 AM

Here in New York, if you get caught 3 times, you WILL lose your license!

Ianab · August 21, 2015, 07:14:49 AM

Same here, the fine isn't huge, but it racks up the demerit points. 40 I think. Get 100 in 2 years and it's loss of licence for 3 months.

My business partner had a close call on his way home a few years back. Teenage girl was on her phone and came around a 70k corner in front of him @ ~140k. He pulled into the gravel as she went past sideways in his lane and collected a power pole sideways. Badly broken legs etc.

gww · August 21, 2015, 11:04:21 AM

First, I am sorry for any pain involved to people. Reading this thread, I have a much differrent view then most. When violent vidio games were sited as a factor in a school shooting and there was a big push to stop them, I reconized the pain of those involved but did not think that those who played and caused no trouble should also be punnished.

Most of these laws that try to stop poeple from doing what they are going to do anyway are just revenue generators more then actually stoping problims. Making rules against things that people do just cause problims for some that had no problim before.

If you hurt people, you should be punished and the person hurt didn't deserve it, however, If you have not hurt anyone, you don[t deserve to be punnished.

Our drug laws are a perfect example. We let murderers out cause of overcrowding of prisons so we can have a war on drugs against poeple whos biggest crime is hurting themselves.

Just my honest veiw, and wishing all the best to all.

gww

Raider Bill · August 21, 2015, 02:46:02 PM

Seems as though more are dieing from texting and driving than driving drunk lately.

4x4American · August 21, 2015, 05:02:30 PM

i agree, gww.

WV Sawmiller · August 22, 2015, 03:31:41 PM

Raider,

I think part of it is a sign of the times. Its been a long time coming but our laws and the social stigma attached to DUI is much harsher than someone texting. People need to really put their foot down, parents need to take phones, friends need to immediately stop their pals or get out of the car, etc.

Funeral was at 10:00 a.m. this morning. Whole family is devastated. He had a fuzzy mutt that went everywhere with him who survived the wreck but was totally lost when the family came to the site to pick him up rather than let animal control take over. They said the dog was pitiful looking but not finding.

Mom said the police required an autopsy which I can understand under the circumstances. Very hard on everyone who knew and loved him.

starmac · August 23, 2015, 03:02:50 PM

The way I understand our state law, it is legal tp talk on a phone while driving (unless you are a truck driver), but texting is a 5,000 dollar fine.

bama20a · August 23, 2015, 07:43:38 PM

Being I'm an over the road truck driver,I see it all the time,& I mean all the time.We have to have a hands free device,But not cars.had a state trooper beside me once & he was texting, He was on my left side & keep getting over to me, I went as far over as I could go because of a concrete wall, I had to get on my horn to make him move over back in his lane,He sure gave me a mean look >:(,

4x4American · September 01, 2015, 08:15:05 AM

I too see LEO's texting and on the phoner in their cruisers frequently. I would honk at them but figure it's not a smart idea to pith one of them off

red · September 01, 2015, 09:00:06 AM

Any law enforcement is an exception to the rule

Chuck White · September 01, 2015, 10:37:05 AM

Quote from: WV Sawmiller on August 22, 2015, 03:31:41 PM
Raider,

I think part of it is a sign of the times. Its been a long time coming but our laws and the social stigma attached to DUI is much harsher than someone texting. People need to really put their foot down, parents need to take phones, friends need to immediately stop their pals or get out of the car, etc.

Funeral was at 10:00 a.m. this morning. Whole family is devastated. He had a fuzzy mutt that went everywhere with him who survived the wreck but was totally lost when the family came to the site to pick him up rather than let animal control take over. They said the dog was pitiful looking but not finding.

Mom said the police required an autopsy which I can understand under the circumstances. Very hard on everyone who knew and loved him.

Lots of places nowadays taking a childs cell phone away from them would rate right up there with child abuse! :-\

pine · September 01, 2015, 11:07:29 AM

Quote from: red on September 01, 2015, 09:00:06 AM
Any law enforcement is an exception to the rule

Yes they are always the exception to so many laws.
Does not make them any safer than others who do the same.
Heard the excuse, they are trained for it and that is pure malarkey.

Magicman · September 01, 2015, 12:06:15 PM

I would think that with the adverse feeling in some locations about our law enforcement officials, that they would strive to be the rule rather than the exception. To set good examples rather than be pointed out as bad examples.

Make no mistake, I hold law enforcement in high esteem, but I expect them to uphold that esteem. Regrettably, some barrels still have a bad apple.