PLEASE stop texting and driving

Hugh Freaking Dillon

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/ ... 45711.html

DENVER - Alexander Heit's final text cut off in mid-sentence. Before he could send it, police say the 22-year-old University of Northern Colorado student drifted into oncoming traffic, jerked the steering wheel and went off the road, rolling his car.

Heit died shortly after the April 3 crash, but his parents and police are hoping the photo of the mundane text on his iPhone will serve as a stark reminder to drivers.

The photo, published Wednesday in The Greeley Tribune, shows Heit was responding to a friend by typing "Sounds good my man, seeya soon, ill tw" before he crashed.

Witnesses told police that Heit appeared to have his head down when he began drifting into the oncoming lane in the outskirts of Greeley, where the University of Northern Colorado is located. According to police, an oncoming driver slowed and moved over just before Heit looked up and jerked the steering wheel.

Police say Heit, a Colorado native who loved hiking and snowboarding, had a spotless driving record and wasn't speeding.

In a statement released through police, Heit's mother said she doesn't want anyone else to lose someone to texting while driving.

"In a split second you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, and tear a hole in the heart of everyone who loves you," Sharon Heit said.

BinauralJam

i see it everyday where i live

Last-12-Exit

I see grown adults doing it more than teens. It really is a problem.

g under p

I'm just learning how to text and I've noticed this method of communication is gaining in popularity. Even to point of texting while driving which is as dangerous as driving under the influence.

I'm sure someone will invent something you can text through speech. There will be no need to type, just say the words and they'll be sent out as a text.

Peace

badbrains

g under p wrote:

I'm just learning how to text and I've noticed this method of communication is gaining in popularity. Even to point of texting while driving which is as dangerous as driving under the influence.

I'm sure someone will invent something you can text through speech. There will be no need to type, just say the words and they'll be sent out as a text.

Peace

The iPhone and other smart phones have the tech already. You speak and it types for u what u say.

brianlux

Seriously.

Here in California checking smartphone maps while driving has been banned. Good. Pull over, find your way again. Everybody's good.

It's only stopped a few here and there but not enough. And it's everywhere. It's getting hard to not be constantly subject to somebody's conversation. I usually play Paul Westerberg in my head singing "We don't wanna know!" or even sing it myself like I was just non-nonchalantly singing some song.

g under p

badbrains wrote:

g under p wrote:

I'm just learning how to text and I've noticed this method of communication is gaining in popularity. Even to point of texting while driving which is as dangerous as driving under the influence.

I'm sure someone will invent something you can text through speech. There will be no need to type, just say the words and they'll be sent out as a text.

Peace

The iPhone and other smart phones have the tech already. You speak and it types for u what u say.

See I have an iPhone and didn't know you could do that but the kids today probably won't use that technology. Why because its just not cool enough.

Peace

badbrains

Ya G, bottom left there's a mic. Hit that and anything you say will be typed for you. And I think it's an awesome feature to have but then again, I'm not a teenybopper so I must not look cool

pandora

Two lane highway and the car coming at me at 60 is crossing over the double yellow
lines a wee bit...
:wtf: what could be soooo important that you have to text and drive?
what? Testing their fate that is and mine too. :evil:

chadwick

many are not professional. this is a damn shame.

Jeanwah

No call or text is more important than being focused on the road.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

there's a really good ad on tv right now sponsored by Manitoba Public Insurance. It shows a series of headstones, each with a quote under the name of the deceased. The quote is the their last text message. Then the end it shows a limp hand hanging on the road out of a car with a mobile device a few inches away.

I really hope people start getting the message.

Alberta's ad:

g under p

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

there's a really good ad on tv right now sponsored by Manitoba Public Insurance. It shows a series of headstones, each with a quote under the name of the deceased. The quote is the their last text message. Then the end it shows a limp hand hanging on the road out of a car with a mobile device a few inches away.

I really hope people start getting the message.

Alberta's ad:

Wow can u imagine having your last text on your headstone....how tragic. Well if that ad doesn't get the message across well then nothing will. :(

Peace

hedonist

brianlux wrote:

Seriously.

Here in California checking smartphone maps while driving has been banned. Good. Pull over, find your way again. Everybody's good.

It's only stopped a few here and there but not enough. And it's everywhere. It's getting hard to not be constantly subject to somebody's conversation. I usually play Paul Westerberg in my head singing "We don't wanna know!" or even sing it myself like I was just non-nonchalantly singing some song.

Yup, only a few actually abide by that law, even just cellphone use while driving in general.

It's not just about keeping your eyes on the road, but your mind too. Such an unnecessary distraction - a selfish one.

Just wait or pull over, fer fuck's sake!

pjhawks

i see someone texting as they drive at least once a day. i can't fathom how 99.999999% of those texts can't wait for the length of time it takes them to get to their destination or at the very least a stoplight. it's just idiotic behavior.

mikalina

What a shame and it happens all the time - how many accidents could be avoided. Txting and driving is just as bad as drunk driving - all over the damn road...

I have my phone in my purse - if it beeps and I'm driving I wait till I get to my destination before picking it up. I do this in front of my kids all the time as a learning experience so they know to wait.

lukin2006

I believe the problem could be solved simply by car manufacturers installing devices that prevent cell phone from being used while car is on.

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_2 ... -phone-use

Insurance companies could offer discounts for such devices if installed.

Government could waive taxes for such devices.

Here in Ontario we have a law in place, but it's ridiculous ... only a $150 fine and loss of points ... the fine needs to increase.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

lukin2006 wrote:

I believe the problem could be solved simply by car manufacturers installing devices that prevent cell phone from being used while car is on.

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_2 ... -phone-use

Insurance companies could offer discounts for such devices if installed.

Government could waive taxes for such devices.

Here in Ontario we have a law in place, but it's ridiculous ... only a $150 fine and loss of points ... the fine needs to increase.

yeah, I think the fine in Manitoba is $200. Should be same as drunk driving. Lose your license for a year. That would probably get the message across.

even flow - question mark

Remeber the good old days when you'd call your buddy and tell him you'd be over in about 20 minutes or so. Then you'd call a couple of more friends and tell them to meet over at buddy number ones house. You'd get in your car, start it up, toss in a cd or turn on the radio and distract yourself singing to some tune while driving there. You didn't need to text or call him again to let him know you just left, now I'm on the road, just made a left, i'm on your driveway, i'm knocking on your door.

I'm sorry I feel the same for people who get smoked texting as I do for people who get loaded and drive. If you are going to kill yourself thank god you didn't take anybody else out with your stupid judgement.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

even flow - question mark wrote:

Remeber the good old days when you'd call your buddy and tell him you'd be over in about 20 minutes or so. Then you'd call a couple of more friends and tell them to meet over at buddy number ones house. You'd get in your car, start it up, toss in a cd or turn on the radio and distract yourself singing to some tune while driving there. You didn't need to text or call him again to let him know you just left, now I'm on the road, just made a left, i'm on your driveway, i'm knocking on your door.

I'm sorry I feel the same for people who get smoked texting as I do for people who get loaded and drive. If you are going to kill yourself thank god you didn't take anybody else out with your stupid judgement.

my personality wouldn't jive well with today's technology, although, on the flip side, maybe my personality would be affected by it, but I'm 38. I had cell phones in my early 20's, but in my mid 20's I gave them up and never looked back. I fucking hate being somewhere and someone I'm not with or not engaged with takes my attention away from the person that's in front of me. we have a family cell phone, that we take in case of emergency, but I hate carrying it. I only do when I have the kids with me. Otherwise, I have no use for it. we even disabled the text feature so people can't text us even if they want to. if there's an emergency with someone else, I know every other person within shouting distance will have one, so no big deal.

yeah, there were times with friends where we wish we could have reached one another, like when you ride your bike around the neighbourhood several times trying to find your friends and you never do, but hey, you got exercise in the mean time. no big deal.

I'm not even 40 and I feel ancient talking about the good old days.

chadwick

it is physically possible to text as you are driving by putting the phone up at the top of your steering wheel area & drive/watch as you play pac man, centipede, galatica (or whatever it is called) & drive. i only text & drive. i never text when im home, only on the highways do i text.

i am a professional stuntman. do not attempt to live in this fashion.

LloydXmas

I've seen police officers do it as well.

chadwick

LloydXmas wrote:

I've seen police officers do it as well.

decent drivers. 98.7% of them will never wreck from themselves texting

rollings

...

Don't Forget:




NOT Cellphones

Hugh Freaking Dillon

rollings wrote:

...

Don't Forget:




NOT Cellphones

I see what you did there.

hedonist

I wish my crotch glowed like that :P

I totally agree about the heavy fines and penalties mentioned above, but the prevention devices I'm not so sure about, in terms of emergencies, or if you have a passenger using it...probably a few other similar scenarios. Maybe use those like the built-in breathalyzers for second-time / repeat offenders.

peacefrompaul

You are a danger to yourself and a danger to others. Cars can be fucking weapons