I am one of those guys who refuses to

[iba1990]

Hey to all! I am one of those guys who refuses to answer his cell phone while behind the steering wheel of a moving motor vehicle. I dang near got hit by someone making a left turn in front of me on a cell phone not paying attention to me or my sickle. It has been happening much too often. I think they should invent a device that is installed in ALL cages that will not let your cell phone operate while the vehicle is in motion. With all the technology out there these days I am sure it could be done. If someone needs to get in touch with you in case of an emergency it would beep so you could safely pull over then you could shoot the S#@* with them all dang day long. If someone ever knocks me down while I am on my sickle I hope I live sos I can look them up. It would not be purdy. This ditzy lady did not even know that she had almost hit me. I keep a pretty good look out for possible left turners anyway but sometimes this stuff just seems to jump out at ya. I have two spot lights on the siclkle & ALWAYS have them on day or night. I hate to offend anyone but stay off your dang cell phone while you're driving. Put it on vibrate & pull over to talk. In the old days we had to go to a phone booth...could not drive & talk then. It was safer for everyone that way. Not too far back a Police Officer here in the Denver area hit someone & he was on a cell phone at the time. DANG! Anyway, guess I had better cool down. Have a good week-end all. tommy t

[six2go #152]

I too won't answer my phone while driving. It would be a pretty good trick if I could since my phone is never "turned on" unless I'm the one making the call. I use on average about 3 - 4 minutes per month.

[iba1990]

Me too... I only have it for an emergency that I may need it for. For a couple of months now I have not used it at all. I figure if I break down then I can use it. swDo they even have telephone booths anymore? tommy t

[BigAl]

Cell Phones and Texting is the worse.

Followed a lady through town the other day driving a Jeep, texting with both hands and driving with her knees.

They don't care about anyone but themselves.

Unreal as I followed behind her and beside her.

SHe did not even notice that I was watching her.

Too busy texting.

It is illegal but they still do it regualarly.

Shoulf be a Jail Term for texting and running over someone.

JMO, BRB, r u guilty 2.

[old2soon]

I have a brother in law calls me 5 or 6 times back to back and gets pissed when i don't answer. I have explained-more than twice-no way in hades am i answering the phone while i'm on the valk. He still don't get it. Sides which-lotsa areas here in the ozarks no service to my A T &T phone. Far as me texting-fat fingers and don't wanna learn. I can place a call lots quicker than i could text someone. RIDE SAFE.

[alph]

my brother and i got into an argument once about driving and talking on the phone.  i asked him, what did you use to do before cell phones, he said he would have to find a pay phone, i said, so what's so wrong if you PULLOVER and stop for that phone call instead of that risk of killing someone,  that was the end of that conversation......

as for texting, i will absolutely NEVER do it.  don't care to learn.  to me, texting is more of a "i don't want to talk, but i want you to listen to me" type of conversation.  it's just rude in my opinion.  i have a good friend, every single time we get together he's guarenteed to get that damn phone out and sends/recieves a text, right in the middle of OUR conversation.  it's like a kid butting in on when my wife and i are talking to each other, i've taught my kids that it's rude, but people don't see texting that way.  "????"  i don't get it???

[Bama Red]

I've had texting disabled on the phones on our account. Can't get 'em, can't send 'em.

We were getting advertising texts from all kinds of businesses that were really running our bill up, so since neither one of us knows how to text.........sayonara!

[Ghost Rider 2]

  One of the few good laws that voted in here in Illinois.  Texting illegal while driving.  Cell phones illegal in construction and school zones.  I still see lots of people texting and driving. But I hope it has stopped some of them.

[MacDragon]

It's just stupid... I also see it alot... When I see someone on the phone or texting while driving ... I make sure I'm out of the way and have the escape route ,... then lay on the airhorn... sounds like a truck is about to hit them...   More than once I see the wide eyes and they stop for at least that few seconds... Maybe they'll remember it each time they try again... Hope so.

[solo1]

Before cell phones, I was driving to Michigan for the deer season.  My hunting buddy was behind me in his own truck. Since we were both 'hams', we were talking to each other on 2meter fm.   When we stopped at a rest area I could not remember anything about driving the last 50 miles and neither could he.  We were concentrating on the wrong things!

Now my cell phone is turned off except for making calls but NOT while driving.  I can't imagine what the average driver ignores when he/she are on the cell or worse, texting.

I've often wondered if whipping out a .357 when one of these idiots run you down  would justify deadly force meeting deadly force, I suspect not.  However, that would most certainly get their attention.

[MAD6Gun]

 I  got texting not to long ago. My girlfriend has had it for awhile. I always thought like most of you that texting was a waste of time. If you want to talk to me call. But I decided to get it and its nice.  You can send little messages quick and easy. As far as texting in a car NO FREEKING WAY. But I do talk on it with a bluetooth. Sometimes the only time I get to talk to my girlfriend is when we are driving home from work. I have never had to slam on the brakes or swerve because I got distracted while talking on my phone. talking on a bluetooth does seam to make it less distracting.  To me it is no different than talking to someone in the car with you. I would never consider talking on my phone while riding my bike.

 Some people cannot do it PERIOD. I have been driving behind someone and you see them pick up the phone and all of a sudden they slow down,start drifting in there lanes and so on. These are the same people that cant walk and chew bubble gum at the same time......

[John Schmidt]

I've posted this on here in the past, but will tell it again...mostly due to the humor.  I was on the bike and following this young female in a small pick up, she was in the left lane and going soooo slow because she was on the phone and oblivious to everything around her. I couldn't get around her due to traffic, even a blast from my air horn didn't phase her and people were getting PO'd big time. Traffic was moving 35-40 in the right lane, but in her lane it was barely making 25 and only once in a while at that. Finally at a stoplight, I noticed her window was open so I pulled off to one side and put the kickstand down. Got off the bike, walked up and grabbed the phone from her hand and tossed it in the back of the truck....then yelled at her to shut up and drive. Then walked back to the bike while all those around us started to applaud, hoot and holler, honk their horns, etc. She had started to get out of the truck and looked mad as a wet hen, but thought better of it when she heard the reaction of those around her. She got back in and hit the gas....right through the red light.

As for me, I never turn my cell on in the car if I'm alone. Usually forget to even when not driving...much to my wife's dismay. If she's with me, she can use the phone  but I won't.

[F6Dave]

I bought one of the Cardo Scala Bluetooth headsets a couple of years ago.  It works great, and I receive many calls while riding.  The voice dialing (depends on type of phone) works well, too.

So I have to ask, what's the difference between talking on the phone, and talking to a passenger or riding buddy on an intercom?  Intercoms, both wired and more recently wireless, have been available on bikes for a very long time.  They're as common on Wings as cupholders, which might be even more distracting!

[six2go #152]

"So I have to ask, what's the difference between talking on the phone, and talking to a passenger or riding buddy on an intercom?  Intercoms, both wired and more recently wireless, have been available on bikes for a very long time.  They're as common on Wings as cupholders, which might be even more distracting!"

In my opinion, there is no difference. I don't have any of that communications crap on my bike nor due I need "tunes" for the highway. I ride to get away from all of that. I don't have a cupholder either(sold it to Fudgie). If I get thirsty, I get a drink at a gas stop.

[sandy]

The firmware in my GPS disables the search functions if the speed is above zero. Basically you can't play while driving. The manufacturers of cell phones could disable the phone if the GPS in the phone senses any speed. It can be done but who'd buy a phone like that. PS: I don't own a cell phone. Had one for 3 yrs but hated when it rang anywhere. I'm just not a phone guy.

[Chrisj CMA]

"So I have to ask, what's the difference between talking on the phone, and talking to a passenger or riding buddy on an intercom?  Intercoms, both wired and more recently wireless, have been available on bikes for a very long time.  They're as common on Wings as cupholders, which might be even more distracting!"

In my opinion, there is no difference. I don't have any of that communications crap on my bike nor due I need "tunes" for the highway. I ride to get away from all of that. I don't have a cupholder either(sold it to Fudgie). If I get thirsty, I get a drink at a gas stop.

The only difference between talking to a passenger while driving and talking ion the phone while driving is IF you dont have a hands free system.  If you have to hold the phone you are a more distracted driver.  Even more distracted when dialing, way more distracted while texting.  Just talking to a passenger can be distracting, thats why there used to be signs in all buses...."no talking to the driver"

[F6Dave]

To talk while riding is a choice, and choice is a major reason we ride, isn't it?  And we don't only choose to ride on 2 wheels -- we also choose a Valk, or Ducati, or KLR, or Bonneville, or Harley, or...  But every time our 'masters' ban another activity we lose one more choice.  Freedom has risks.

I read a post from a guy driving in NYC the other day.  He was sitting at a traffic light, had a smartphone in his hand, and simply looked down at the screen.  A cop appeared out of the crowd on the sidewalk and wrote him a ticket, for several hundred bucks!  People can be distracted while driving and using a phone, GPS, radio, or cigarette lighter.  If they are unsafe they can be cited for careless driving.

BTW, most states that have banned texting while driving have seen an increase in texting-related accidents.  Apparantly drivers try to hide the phone, and it's more dangerous to operate a phone by your knees than if it's in your line of sight near the steering wheel.

[iba1990]

WHOA!!!!!1

[Chrisj CMA]

To talk while riding is a choice, and choice is a major reason we ride, isn't it?  And we don't only choose to ride on 2 wheels -- we also choose a Valk, or Ducati, or KLR, or Bonneville, or Harley, or...  But every time our 'masters' ban another activity we lose one more choice.  Freedom has risks.

I read a post from a guy driving in NYC the other day.  He was sitting at a traffic light, had a smartphone in his hand, and simply looked down at the screen.  A cop appeared out of the crowd on the sidewalk and wrote him a ticket, for several hundred bucks!  People can be distracted while driving and using a phone, GPS, radio, or cigarette lighter.  If they are unsafe they can be cited for careless driving.

BTW, most states that have banned texting while driving have seen an increase in texting-related accidents.  Apparantly drivers try to hide the phone, and it's more dangerous to operate a phone by your knees than if it's in your line of sight near the steering wheel.

I agree with you dave, (if we lived in a perfect world where people were reasonable and took the time to get good at whatever they did when it was important).  Ive always felt that if you are not coordinated enough to talk on the phone and drive at the same time....you have no business driving.  Unfortunately we have an overabundance of moronic drivers that cant drive safely without a minor distraction.  Therefore I think the only reasonable thing is to just say you cant use the phone thinggy while driving.  Its always that way in a society many rules have to be made to accomodate the few make it unsafe for everyone else.  The world would be a much better place without people!

[Gator]

 

PSA Texting while Driving U.K. Ad [HD]	powered by Aeva

[Gryphon Rider]

"So I have to ask, what's the difference between talking on the phone, and talking to a passenger or riding buddy on an intercom?  Intercoms, both wired and more recently wireless, have been available on bikes for a very long time.  They're as common on Wings as cupholders, which might be even more distracting!"

In my opinion, there is no difference.

In my opinion, based on observation and contemplation, the difference between a remote converstion (cell phone, radio, etc.) and a conversation with someone in the car with you is that the person beside you is aware of what's happening in traffic at that moment and:
1.  is more likely to shut up when more driving focus is required, such as when approaching a busy intersection with lots of distractions, and
2.  is more likely to actually talk about what's going on in surrounding traffic when something unusual happens, or may give a warning when the driver is not responding to something quickly enough, or can help the driver by navigating, and
3. is understanding when the driver doesn't respond immediately because his focus is on his driving.
When we are on the phone, we feel obligated to speak fluently.  When the person is with us, we know they understand when we pause to focus on more important things.

Some of these factors also apply to a lesser degree when using a two-way radio to communicate with someone who is travelling with us.  Two-way radios can improve safety when the communication is limited to "the ride" and does not become conversational.

[Dogg]

that add was sad. I saw it along time ago and it is truly sad, but true. texting is dangerous for everyone, not just riders. and talking ona cell while driving is almost as bad if they are not able to multi task. I dont do it, wont do it but, the kids today are doing it during everything and that is the problem...

[Chrisj CMA]

My daughter was here today.....she complained that I dont have texting on my phone...said it would be nice to be able to send a quick one while at work when she cant call...I thought about it for a second and then came up with a brilliant idea.  I told her if she would make a solemn promise to stop texting while driving I would get texting so she could text me when she needed to.  She wouldnt promise 

[old2soon]

My youngest daughter had her sixteenth birthday celebration today. She actually turns sixteen on the 17th. Showed her that video. Said it was depressing. Told her i truly wanted her to enjoy lots more birthdays besides this one. That i hope and pray got thru to her. I may be a little proud bout how smart and beautiful she is-but i am her dad. I'll give credit where credit is due-she dropped what she was doing to come see that video on my computer. She did watch all of it. Very well done safety video. Course we are all aware that we could be caught up any time in a bad situation not of our own making. Brothers and sisters-i don't just say this-i mean it from the bottom of my heart.   RIDE SAFE.

[Saw]

A couple of years ago  I was riding through Greensboro N.C. When a young girl in a almost new Acura
Integra cut me off.Not once, Not twice,But three times in less than 2 miles. She had a cell phone pressed to the side of her head.She never looked in her mirrors just changed lanes.We rolled up to a stop light.I rolled up beside the car took her phone away from her turned it off and threw it into the passenger floorboard. Then I told her if she couldn't drive and talk to shut the f**k up and drive before she killed someone.The light changed and I rode off.She was sitting there with her mouth gapped open.I only hope it made a difference

Saw.

[Hef]

I have a good friend who is a experienced rider. He was riding this weekend, stopped at a red light and was rear-ended by a teenage girl who was talking on her cell phone with her boyfriend. My friend Ron was thrown from the bike, broke his leg in two places and dislocated a shoulder. Also has a concussion because sadly he was not wearing a helmet. He had just purchased this new bike about three weeks ago.

[iba1990]

DANG!!!!! I never leave home without one (Helmet) because of that possibility. Very sorry to hear that.

[Tx Bohemian]

...a device that is installed in ALL cages that will not let your cell phone operate while the vehicle is in motion.

I like this idea but I wouldn't narrow this to cars (cages) only.  I saw a biker (crotchrocket, not that it makes that much difference) coming to a stop at a red light talking on a phone!  He was swapping the phone back and forth to his left then right then back... as he was braking and clutching to come to the stop.  WOW!! What a doof!! He wasn't doing that good of a job as he thought he was.  Crossed the stripe a couple of times during this manuver.

Couple of personel cell phone/texting stories here (I'm sure we all have a couple):

Similiar to the one just posted, but a better outcome.
A buddy on his new Fatboy was sitting at a red light when he noticed the lady behind him stopped real far back away from him.  He told me he thought that was kinda strange when all of a sudden he hears tires screeching then a bang!!  The lady behind him hits him!!  He said the next thing he knew he was sitting on the passenger seat of his fatboy!! And being a short guy he couldn't touch the ground, he rolled into the middle of the intersection and fell over!  Luckily there was no crosstraffic at that time. (this is one of the busiest intersections in town)  This all happened in a blink of an eye!! 

The lady who stopped so far behind him said she noticed there was a girl behind her coming on fast and wasn't going to stop in time so that's why she stopped far back.  And sure enough the girl rammed the ladys car which shoved her into my buddys bike.

The girl admitted she was TEXTING and didn't notice everybody was stopped!!!

If the lady wouldn't have been aware or if there was cross-traffic I may have been going to a funeral!! Instead all the biker had was a scraped elbow and $2500 damage to his bike.

----------------------

I was sitting at a red light in my car waiting to make a left turn, the "protected left" light turns green for me so I take off only to notice there is a Mustang, that was sitting in the cross-traffic to my right, decided to make a left turn in front of me!  I got a real good, CLOSE look at the driver.  Young girl on a phone!!  At first I thought I was the one in the wrong but after double checking the light again I did have the green light, this gal was too enthralled in her conversation, not paying attention to driving and pulled out right in front of me!

Thanks to MY quick thinking and "cat like" reflexes I was able to avoid a wreck!!  You know, stepped on the brake! (after, I had to go home and change drawers but that's another story)

[iba1990]

DANG!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost got hit again this morning!!! By a cell phoner again this morning. What is going on??? I am going to start walking to work. I guess they could also hit ya on the sidewalk too. DANG!!!
tommy t