Do you talk and drive?

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I agree with LEO's issuing tickets to people who pull over to talk......most of the time they don't pull over far enough and create more of a road hazzard than if they were actually just talking on the phone! If someone's going to pull over, then pull INTO a parking lot or driveway, NOT along side the road!

I have an old flip phone that I hardly ever use, so 95% of the time, I don't talk and drive, nor do I text. I rarely use my cell so nobody ever calls me on it, except maybe telemarketers. However, if there is a call that I know affects my drive such as a cancellation or redirection, I will put my cell in my cup holder. That happens maybe a few times per year at the most. Other than that, my purse is in the backseat with my phone in it. I will NOT stop or reach back to get my phone. I'll check it when I get to my destination.....usually it's a nothing call. I have voice mail, so I utilize it. Isn't that what it's there for?
 
AT&T has a driving mode that sends all calls to voice mail and all text messages are stored.
That could be used automatically if you are moving faster than a walking speed.

That would be fine for the driver but what about the passengers? Or people using public transportation?
 
That would be fine for the driver but what about the passengers? Or people using public transportation?
I believe you can set it to be what you need. If you are a passenger, you can answer.

I have an old flip phone that I hardly ever use, so 95% of the time, I don't talk and drive, nor do I text.

My daughter and I have shared cell phone accounts for years. She has needed to change phones a few times over the years. Recently, she sought out a new job and needed it. Her phone was a company phone which she had to turn in on her last day of work, so we were buying new phones on her last day there. She always has the latest so bought an I-phone 10 for herself and that came with a free cell phone for a second account. We were able to get the account with a senior discount with the service being in my name. Now that she is in her mid-30's she is good about taking care of business. She receives the bill and I pay her in cash each month. This bill is much cheaper than my last service so there were benefits. Unlike her, I use something until it no longer works or can be repaired. My last flip phone broke many years ago and in the process of replacing it with that account, I had to take a smart phone.

For a while I had a burner phone from Walmart. I drove to Iowa to help my daughter participate in Ragbrai. The car she and her friend were going to drive was left in Guttenberg, Iowa. I drove them all the way across the state to start their ride. My phone, with a Verizon account just would not work in most of the state. It was so frustrating! I asked locals what they were using and many of them told me they bought phones from Walmart and paid for minutes. There are many advantages to those phones. Criminals use them often!
 
He doesn't have a phone in his hands, but ...

45081613_2142525112444613_2905226345573253120_n (1).jpg
 
Weedy - don't get me started on people who don't use their blinkers!!!!:mad::mad::mad:

I swear that most vehicles around here must be out of blinker fluid.:rolleyes: Even at intersections people think it's OK not to use them when they make a left hand turn. Drives me nuts! Do they not notice the people in other cars stopped and staring at them wondering what they heck they are gonna do???
 
Weedy - don't get me started on people who don't use their blinkers!!!!:mad::mad::mad:

I swear that most vehicles around here must be out of blinker fluid.:rolleyes: Even at intersections people think it's OK not to use them when they make a left hand turn. Drives me nuts! Do they not notice the people in other cars stopped and staring at them wondering what they heck they are gonna do???
LOL! Well, as I have said, my driver's ed teacher ruined me for the way other people drive! I was riding with someone who wanted to get over one lane, but failed to use her blinker. Finally, in exasperation, she said, "Let me over." I was careful to quietly tell her to try to use her blinker. Guess what? It worked!
 
I had a guy make a right hand turn in front of me. From the left hand lane! I was in a very large vehicle and he's lucky I was slowing down to make that same turn or I'd have run right over the top of him.

I just saw something very similar to that a couple days ago. People are just out of it when they drive.

A number of years ago, I was heading south, going to make a left turn at a major intersection where there were two turn lanes. Ahead of me is a woman in the middle lane of three lanes that are continuing straight. As we approach the intersection, I get in the far left turn lane, but I am behind her, and I am very aware of her and her driving. From the middle going straight lane, the woman makes a left turn. In a matter of just that turn, she was just ahead of me in the far left lane. At the next corner, she was in the far right lane of three lanes. Why? She was talking on her phone. Lanes meant nothing to her. We were at a red light. I looked at her and she looked over at me. I motioned to hang up and drive. She did. Woman had no business talking and driving.

BTW, I usually do not look at other people who are driving like idiots, let alone make hand signals. It only creates road rage and they will be gone out of my life in a matter of minutes.
 
...Do they not notice the people in other cars stopped and staring at them wondering what they heck they are gonna do???

I believe they are in their own little world and are totally unaware of others or just don't recognize the little people important enough to be privileged to their intention.
 
I believe they are in their own little world and are totally unaware of others or just don't recognize the little people important enough to be privileged to their intention.
I believe there are many people who are in their own little world, completely unaware of others. Accidents happen, but my guess is that there are some people who frequently are involved in accidents because of this.

My cousin, a very smart girl, was involved in three accidents in about a years time. The other driver was always at fault. She was ticketed at the third accident because she was not driving defensively or something like that (30+ years ago). Just because we have the right of way does it mean we should go. I am always looking to make sure other drivers are doing what they are supposed to because they don't.
 
If you really want to see the very worst drivers try riding a motorcycle.
I swear a bike makes people driving cars do the stupidest stuff.
I stopped riding after I figured out 50% of the other drivers could not see me and the other 50% were actually trying to run me over.
I don't even want to be behind a motorcycle in case I get rear ended or something else.

On the other hand, how about bicycles? There have been plenty of news stories about drivers being enraged by bicyclists on the same road. I have seen people on bicycles that I wondered if they were suicidal or just really ignorant? There are plenty of places in cities with bicycle lanes, or side roads that are safer places to ride bikes, but there they are, driving in the middle of a lane on a two lane road, while the vehicles stacked up behind them is long. They could ride closer to the edge of the lane so vehicles could pass them easier. Nope! How about two people riding casually, way below speed limit, while talking, completely backing up traffic. Been there, seen that!
 
Weedy - I think you and I are definitely on the same page......and maybe the same road b/c I see these people too!:confused:

I won't ride a bicycle on the roads around here and I think people who do have a death wish. Many times the bike riders don't even wear bright clothing and they don't pay attention to who is coming up behind them. I know a guy who got hit on a bicycle and he now collects disability b/c of the accident. If you ask me, if you are riding a bicycle on a major road, then you are just asking for trouble. I do not believe bicycles belong on the roads......they belong waaaaaay over on the shoulder OR on a bike trail, but not a busy road.

And those folks who are being pokey on the roads don't have a clue how many cars are lined up behind them b/c they don't look in their mirrors. So many people are so clueless about what is going on around them, especially when they are in their car. I just can't wait until driverless cars are the norm. I will still continue to drive......but I think I'll feel a whole lot more safe knowing mostly robots are on the road. At this point, how can robots be any worse than what we have on the road now?
 
Bicycle laws on public roads for each state are easily found online.
Most state laws are that bicycles are to be treated like a vehicle. They can ride along in the middle of the lane. If the center line is double yellow and you pass the bike you may be violating the law. They don't have to go the speed limit. Treat it like a tractor, pass when legal and safe.

It does seem dangerous on some roads but bicycles are not prohibited on most. They are not required to ride along the side or shoulder at all, which seems more dangerous to me.
 
Bicycle laws on public roads for each state are easily found online.
Most state laws are that bicycles are to be treated like a vehicle. They can ride along in the middle of the lane. If the center line is double yellow and you pass the bike you may be violating the law. They don't have to go the speed limit. Treat it like a tractor, pass when legal and safe.

It does seem dangerous on some roads but bicycles are not prohibited on most. They are not required to ride along the side or shoulder at all, which seems more dangerous to me.
But if you were aware that there were many cars on the same road, would you drive down the middle of the lane, especially if there was a designated bike lane? And during rush hour? You might if you were in your own world, and completely unaware of all of the cars on the road.
 
But if you were aware that there were many cars on the same road, would you drive down the middle of the lane, especially if there was a designated bike lane? And during rush hour? You might if you were in your own world, and completely unaware of all of the cars on the road.

I would not but the hard core bike riders do it intentionally.
I really hate those guys.
When I lived in Seattle I had to put up with them every day when I walked to work.
I saw one get hit by a car and I stayed to wait for the police so I could tell them the bike was at fault.
That guy was really mad but I just laughed at him and said I hope it hurt as they loaded him in the meat wagon.
I saw a big pick up with bike symbols on the side of his truck indicating the number of bikes ran down.
Like the jet pilots do with downed enemy planes.
I don't think it was real but you never know.
Bike riders in Seattle are not well liked by the drivers.
 
There is a constant back and forth between bicycle riders and drivers. One bike rider said that cars are not supposed to pass bikes. Okay, that means that bike riders want to control traffic speed everywhere they go. Some of them love that, but they do forget that between a car and a bicycle, the car will win.

Those two bike riders who rode in the road, talking and taking their sweet time were somehow really not happy when we finally got to two lanes and I sped up and passed them. They decided to catch up with me and get in front of me at the next red light, and continue their game of we will go as slow as we want to. I would never play games with others on the road, whether on a bike or in a car.

The bicycle riders can wreak havoc in the foot hills and mountains. Are the roads ever too wide? Nope! There has been plenty of road rage over the years when a vehicle gets stuck behind a bicycle, or a long line of bicycles. Some impatient people have ended up in legal trouble over their behavior.
 
Don't put all bicycle riders in the same basket. Some people are dangerous and inconsiderate no matter what they're doing, or rather, it wouldn't matter what those same bicyclists are doing, they will be selfish and "me first" kind of people.
I would not assume that there are many bicyclists that think it is their right to hog the road. You've seen it enough times tho. I have not. I'm not taking any side but to say considerate, responsible, and safe is the key.
Until enough accidents or deaths, new bike lanes, a ban on bikes, or concerned citizens at council meetings perhaps, it will stay the same.
 
I agree with LEO's issuing tickets to people who pull over to talk......most of the time they don't pull over far enough and create more of a road hazard than if they were actually just talking on the phone! If someone's going to pull over, then pull INTO a parking lot or driveway, NOT along side the road!

I pull over once in a while, but not just by the side of any road. When I pull over, it is in designated parking areas. Yes, anything that messes with traffic needs to be addressed by LEO's, but not all people drive without consideration of others, but there are a whole bunch that do!
 
Don't put all bicycle riders in the same basket. Some people are dangerous and inconsiderate no matter what they're doing, or rather, it wouldn't matter what those same bicyclists are doing, they will be selfish and "me first" kind of people.
I would not assume that there are many bicyclists that think it is their right to hog the road. You've seen it enough times tho. I have not. I'm not taking any side but to say considerate, responsible, and safe is the key.
Until enough accidents or deaths, new bike lanes, a ban on bikes, or concerned citizens at council meetings perhaps, it will stay the same.
This is true. There are people that create challenges for others, no matter what they are driving, riding or doing. I have seen many people riding bicycles who did a great job. But all it takes, no matter what you are operating, is someone who is not paying attention, or who thinks they own the road.
 
https://www.aceable.com/blog/textin...on4G8QoWIE3R8tSiTb7hFmzyNi_2bFv8mNFCuD_QUC2pU

Texting and Driving Fines by State
Alabama
The texting while driving fine for a primary offense in Alabama is $25. Fines increase for subsequent offenses.

Alaska
If you use your cell phone while driving in Alaska, watch out. Texting and driving is considered a misdemeanor by Alaska law and carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 and one year in prison.

Arizona
Arizona currently does not have a statewide law in place to enforce texting and driving fines.

Arkansas
Arkansas residents who use their mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle can face a fine of up to $100.

California
Those who text and drive in California could face a penalty of $25. A subsequent offense will cost residents $50.

Colorado
Better use a hands-free device in Colorado unless you want a traffic ticket. Texting while driving carries a penalty of $50 for a first-time offense. The fine doubles for a second offense.

Connecticut
If Connecticut law enforcement catches you using an electronic device while driving, you could pay up to $125 in fines.

Delaware
The fine for texting and driving in Delaware is $50 for a first offense.

Florida
In Florida, a police officer can only charge you with texting and driving if you commit another traffic violation while doing so. Nevertheless, sending a text message while driving can cost you $30 in the Sunshine State.

Georgia
Texting and driving fines in Georgia are some of the highest in the nation. You’ll have to pay up to $150 for violating this distracted driving law as well as tack on one point to your driver record.

Hawaii
Don’t even think about sending text messages while driving in Hawaii. The state’s fine for doing so is $297 -- and that’s just for a first offense!

Idaho
The penalty for texting while driving in Idaho is a fine of up to $85. Better off using a hands-free phone!

Illinois
For breaking the texting and driving law in Illinois, residents could pay up to $75 in fines.

Indiana
Driver inattention caused by texting and driving is a major offense in Indiana. Using a mobile phone behind the wheel can cost residents as much as $500.

Iowa
In Iowa, the fine for using a cell phone while driving is $30. If you cause a car crash or car accident due to texting and driving, however, you could pay as much as $1,000.

Kansas
In Kansas, using a mobile phone behind the wheel carries a maximum penalty of $60.

Kentucky
The fine and penalty for texting while driving in Kentucky is $25.

Louisiana
Driver distraction is taken very seriously in Louisiana. A first offense for texting and driving carries a penalty of $175.

Maine
Using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle in Maine is prohibited and carries a fine of $100.

Maryland
Maryland residents can be pulled over for texting while driving and fined up to $100.

Massachusetts
A first-time texting while driving offender in Massachusetts could pay up to $100 in fines. For a second offense, the penalty increases to $250.

Michigan
If you text and drive in Michigan, you could pay up to $100 in fines.

Minnesota
Minnesota’s fines for texting while driving have recently increased. Now you could pay up to $225 for a first offense.

Mississippi
In Mississippi, drivers can be fined up to $100 for using a cell phone while operating a vehicle.

Missouri
Texting while driving laws in Missouri only apply to drivers ages 21 and under or those with a commercial driver license. If you’re a school bus driver, teen driver or novice driver, you could face up to $200 in fines for texting and driving.

Montana
Montana currently has no statewide laws in place that prohibit texting and driving.

Nebraska
In Nebraska, texting while driving carries a fee of up to $200 for a first-time offense. You could also get up to three points added to your driving record.

Nevada
Texting while driving can cost offenders in Nevada up to $50. Fines increase for subsequent offenses.

New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, the fine for using a mobile phone while driving is $100.

New Jersey
Highway safety is no joke in the Garden State. If you use a cell phone behind the wheel in New Jersey you could pay a penalty of up to $400!

New Mexico
New Mexico enacted a statewide ban on texting and driving in 2014. The fine for a first offense is $25.

New York
Traffic safety laws in New York prohibit drivers from using an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Fines for a first offense can be as high as $200.

North Carolina
Using a cell phone while driving carries a fine of $100 in North Carolina.

North Dakota
In North Dakota, the fine for texting and driving is $100.

Ohio
If you're under the age of 18 in Ohio and get caught texting while driving, you could pay up to $150 and have your license suspended for six months!

Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, first-time texting and driving offenders can pay up to $100. Those who text and drive also risk losing their driver license or getting a driver license suspension.

Oregon
Texting and driving in Oregon will cost you a pretty penny. The maximum penalty for using a mobile phone while driving a car is $500.

Pennsylvania
Fines for texting while driving in Pennsylvania are $50 for a first offense.

Rhode Island
Using a smartphone while driving in Rhode Island carries a fine of $85.

South Carolina
If you violate the anti-texting and driving law in South Carolina you will have to pay a fine of $25.

South Dakota
Using a mobile device while driving is prohibited in South Dakota and carries a fine of $100.

Tennessee
For texting and driving in Tennessee, you could face a fine of $50 plus court fees of up to $10.

Texas
There is no statewide ban against using a cell phone behind the wheel in Texas, although nearly 100 cities have adopted local laws against texting and driving.

Utah
Utah has the second highest fine for texting and driving in the nation -- $750. Violators of the state’s anti-text and drive law could also face jail time.

Vermont
In Vermont, fines for texting and driving are capped at $100 for a first-time offense. Penalties increase for a second offense.

Virginia
Texting while driving is a secondary offense in Virginia, which means that residents have to be cited for another traffic violation in order to be charged with it. Fines for using a smartphone while operating a car can be as high as $125 in the Old Dominion state.

Washington
The fine for texting and driving in Washington is $124.

West Virginia
Text messaging while driving in West Virginia carries a fine of $100 for a first offense.

Wisconsin
Using a handheld device while driving in Wisconsin can cost residents a whopping $400.

Wyoming
To enforce the anti-text and drive law in Wyoming, legislators have enacted a fine of up to $75.
 
I was stopped at a red light once. There was a female in a jeep behind me. Suddenly bumps me. I put the car in park. Get out n had a look. A couple of scratches . Then I asked what the deal was. Oh I was fixing my makeup and my foot slipped off the clutch. I simply looked at her n said guess you need to learn how not to put on makeup while behind the wheel .theni walked away without give her a chance to reply
 
I don't even want to be behind a motorcycle in case I get rear ended or something else.

On the other hand, how about bicycles? There have been plenty of news stories about drivers being enraged by bicyclists on the same road. I have seen people on bicycles that I wondered if they were suicidal or just really ignorant? There are plenty of places in cities with bicycle lanes, or side roads that are safer places to ride bikes, but there they are, driving in the middle of a lane on a two lane road, while the vehicles stacked up behind them is long. They could ride closer to the edge of the lane so vehicles could pass them easier. Nope! How about two people riding casually, way below speed limit, while talking, completely backing up traffic. Been there, seen that!

I must have missed this thread… Too funny, many years ago.

UCSF, University of California in San Francisco, a hospital and a medical school. I worked there several weeks, taking out an old catscan and installing a new one.

On the double wide sidewalk outside the hospital there were always libatard students at tables with a petition for the this, a petition for that, every day.

Every year on the same date every bicyclist in the city would take over a main thorofare into the city. They were demanding the right to ride “in traffic” on that street. The speed limit was 30mph, most people drove 40 or 45mph.

One morning there was a petition supporting bicyclist riding that street.

A young man asked if I would like to sign. I said "Sure"!

The young lady sitting beside him said “Not many people your age believe we have the right to ride bikes in traffic” (I was about 35).

Me – “That’s not why I’m signing your petition”

Her – “Then why?”

Me – “I believe in Natural Selection” “If you want to get on a 10lb bicycle and compete for space with 3000lb vehicles at 40mph” “Go for it!”

Would you believe it? They got mad at me and wouldn’t let me sign their petition!!!

:LOL:

The looks on their faces was priceless... Every time I think of this incident... I still get a smile on my face.
 
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I must have missed this thread… Too funny, many years ago.

UCSF, University or California in San Francisco, a hospital and a medical school. I worked there several weeks, taking out an old catscan and installing a new one.

On the double wide sidewalk outside the hospital there were always libatard students at tables with a petition for the this, a petition for that, every day.

Every year on the same date every bicyclist in the city would take over a main thorofare into the city. They were demanding the right to ride “in traffic” on that street. The speed limit was 30mph, most people drove 40 or 45mph.

One morning there was a petition supporting bicyclist riding that street.

A young man asked if I would like to sign. I said "Sure"!

The young lady sitting beside him said “Not many people your age believe we have the right to ride bikes in traffic” (I was about 35).

Me – “That’s not why I’m signing your petition”

Her – “Then why?”

Me – “I believe in Natural Selection” “If you want to get on a 10lb bicycle and compete for space with 3000lb vehicles at 40mph” “Go for it!”

Would you believe it? They got mad at me and wouldn’t let me sign their petition!!!

:LOL:

The looks on their faces was priceless... Every time I think of this incident I still get a smile on my face.
Love it:dunno::clapping::dancing::eyeballs::ghostly::ghostly:
 
I don't even want to be behind a motorcycle in case I get rear ended or something else.

On the other hand, how about bicycles? There have been plenty of news stories about drivers being enraged by bicyclists on the same road. I have seen people on bicycles that I wondered if they were suicidal or just really ignorant? There are plenty of places in cities with bicycle lanes, or side roads that are safer places to ride bikes, but there they are, driving in the middle of a lane on a two lane road, while the vehicles stacked up behind them is long. They could ride closer to the edge of the lane so vehicles could pass them easier. Nope! How about two people riding casually, way below speed limit, while talking, completely backing up traffic. Been there, seen that!

Weedy, a few yewrs ago i ran a local EmComm group for our county. As part of our trianing we participated providing comms for multiple bicycle rides each year. These rides had anywhere from 25 to 400+ riders in them. Some were just backroads around town with some out in the country to our biggest event, which was 115 miles that made a loop over state and country roads. Part of it was going up the Dragon on Hwy 129 (world famous route for motorcycles and sports cars, 311 curves in 11 miles in the mountians). Dufing these years i have witnessed riders do the most stupidvthings imaginable, blow thru stop sings 4 to 8 at a time, once getting the lead 2 bikes taken out by a car that couldn't stop in time. I also witnessed 4 bikes go off a 6' drop off the side of the road when they were drafting each other and the leader was too fast to make a sharp curve. Leader went off and next e3 right behind him. 3 had brokem collar bones and all 4 bikes were ruined. Ride 2 and 3 wide climbing hills at 5mph or less and never move over for traffic. And get pissed when people finally were able to pass. Yes they have the right to ride on the roads, but the laws of physics still apply and they will lose a confrontation with a car.
 

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