Idiots and cellphones

[Fastman71]

I was buzzing along the other day trying to get onto a highway, when a tractor trailer pulled alongside while I was entering the road.  I applied a fair amount of throttle to get ahead as my ramp was quickly coming to an end. 

After I was clear of the truck, this idiot cuts the truck off and gets way too close to me.  The trucker honked his horn and I waved at the idiot to back off my tail.  I was furious....

The idiot was behind me at a safe distance and I got to wondering why he drove so recklessly.  At this point, the road widened into two lanes.  Then traffic stopped cold.  I just got a feeling that I already knew why his driving sucked.

I was in the left lane and stopped short, just so I could confirm my theory.  Sure enough, the idiot was on his cellphone.

Wanting to get his attention, I rolled up closer to his suv and revved my engine a bit.  Well, ok, I revved it a lot!!!! My Valk is equipped with Cobra 6 into 6 pipes, with a few baffles still in place.  She's pretty loud and gets your attention easily.

I got his attention as he hung up his phone quickly, rolled down his window and started yelling at me.  I couldn't hear what he was saying, as I had earbuds in with music playing, but I told him to hang up and drive, that he damn near got me killed.

He continued yelling, and I repeated my initial statement.

My question is this: should I have handled this differently, and if so, what should I have done?

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm not sure there is a good way to handle it. Maybe calling the cops. But I doubt they'd even come out.

[cookiedough]

revving the pipes to piss him off while on his darn cell phone seems like a good thing to do to me.  If he does not like it, hang up and call back later, free country. 

Now I found a good reason as to why to get loud pipes.... 

Just be glad he did not get out and harrass you face to face, not so sure I would be so nice then just revving pipes.   smart to keep headphones in as well enjoying your music since not hearing his bitching was a smart thing to do as well. 

 

[Jess from VA]

Initiating conflict with a cage is (or can be) suicidal. (Yeah, I know, he's the one who initiated conflict with his phone.)  

If you objectively analyze the conflict you had, do you think you got through to him or that he will change his behavior?  The answer is usually no.  (same deal with trying to convert liberals)

I mostly let crap go, and move out of the danger zone (and move on with my ride).  If I let myself get amped up, I tend to stay up for a while, and my good judgment suffers accordingly.  I occasionally let miscreants know I am unhappy with them, but I don't escalate conflict or invite a fight, and I do it where they can't get to me.  

I have simply looked into cars with cell phone drivers and given them a dirty look and slowly shook my head.  They usually put the phone down (probably until I'm gone).

Until we can shoot them on sight legally, I just try to stay away from them the best I can.

Another thing I do is ask myself...... if a cop saw the whole thing, would I be the good guy, entirely.  Or would I just be one of two assholes.

[Robert]

Always leave yourself a get away and always watch for the cager to become aggressive but I would t want to do the same thing. The only problem is that there is so many you wont be able to ride with everyone either on the cell or texting.

[scooperhsd]

This has GOT to be one of my biggest pet peeves on the road - driving AND riding !  And while riding - it just about terrifies me to see drivers on their phones - texting is even worse (and supposedly illegal in NC) .

I like that idea of shooting those offenders on sight

[The emperor has no clothes]

Initiating conflict with a cage is (or can be) suicidal. (Yeah, I know, he's the one who initiated conflict with his phone.)  

If you objectively analyze the conflict you had, do you think you got through to him or that he will change his behavior?  The answer is usually no.  (same deal with trying to convert liberals)

I mostly let crap go, and move out of the danger zone (and move on with my ride).  If I let myself get amped up, I tend to stay up for a while, and my good judgment suffers accordingly.  I occasionally let miscreants know I am unhappy with them, but I don't escalate conflict or invite a fight, and I do it where they can't get to me.  

I have simply looked into cars with cell phone drivers and given them a dirty look and slowly shook my head.  They usually put the phone down (probably until I'm gone).

Until we can shoot them on sight legally, I just try to stay away from them the best I can.

Another thing I do is ask myself...... if a cop saw the whole thing, would I be the good guy, entirely.  Or would I just be one of two assholes.

Converting liberals ? Have you taken up a new career ? For the record, I see plenty of people on cell phones sporting conservative bumper stickers. Stupidity knows no political bounds. 

[Beardo]

Last summer my wife and I were riding down the street approaching an intersection. We had a left turning light. I was pulling into the intersection to turn left when  a car blasted right through the intersection from the other direction, missing me and the wife by a couple feet. His eyes were in his lap, on his phone. It's illegal to text and drive here. It's a very expensive fine. I told the wife to hang on. I went through a parking lot and caught up to the guy at the next red light and told my wife to stay with the bike. His window was open, cell phone still on his lap, I asked him if he was aware he just ran a red light and almost killed me and my wife. He had no clue. I told his girl in the passenger seat if he wants to kill himself, he can go ahead, but he's going to kill her and me and my wife and leave our kids without parents, that's something else.  Continued to express my displeasure with his existence and his driving habits. He got out of the car. Thing got...heated.  He was much larger than I but I was so pissed off, I didn't care. I can take care of myself and where I'm from...I didn't have to worry about getting shot...we tend to solve our differences the old fashioned way.

Probably not the smartest way to handle things but I couldn't just let it go.

The funniest thing was, the next day at work, a coworker asked me if I got into it with someone at a red light the day before. He was across the street and saw the whole thing.

[Moonshot_1]

I'd have to agree with Jess on this.

My thought is that taking on a cage on a bike is like bringing a knife to machine gun fight.
It usually doesn't work out so well.

If this is a constant issue where you ride I might suggest a helmet camera to record such incidents.
Get their attention and point to the camera. And then make good on it by discussing it with law enforcement. Maybe you can get some of them off the road or at least get them to reconsider their desire to talk and text on the road.

But as to the immediate options available, if you are not hit or otherwise put out of commision as a result, thank the powers that be and continue on with your extended lease on life.

[Gryphon Rider]

I have tooted my horn to get their attention (two quick toots are friendlier than a long blast), then made the "hang up the phone" hand gesture. It's been a long time since I've gotten the finger or yelled at for that. Using a hand-held device is illegal here, so they know they're breaking the law.

[msb]

I have tooted my horn to get their attention (two quick toots are friendlier than a long blast), then made the "hang up the phone" hand gesture. It's been a long time since I've gotten the finger or yelled at for that. Using a hand-held device is illegal here, so they know they're breaking the law.

IF I did anything, this would be me ^^^^^  Most likely just get away from the idiot if on the bike, although I rarely if ever ride towards the city, the Valk just doesn't seem to wanna go in that direction  

BC has some pretty tough distracted driving laws ..... The fine for using a phone or other hand-held electronic device while driving is now $368. In addition, there is 4 demerit points that go along with the fine, meaning offenders have to pay an additional $175 penalty. That puts the total cost for a first offence at $543. If offenders are caught a second time within 12 months, the total penalty will jump to $888, and repeat offenders could lose their licences for three to 12 months. Amazing how many drivers I still see pulled over when commuting to work in the Jeep, even with the threat of these fines. Aptly titled post...idiots.

[Beardo]

I have tooted my horn to get their attention (two quick toots are friendlier than a long blast), then made the "hang up the phone" hand gesture. It's been a long time since I've gotten the finger or yelled at for that. Using a hand-held device is illegal here, so they know they're breaking the law.

IF I did anything, this would be me ^^^^^  Most likely just get away from the idiot if on the bike, although I rarely if ever ride towards the city, the Valk just doesn't seem to wanna go in that direction  

BC has some pretty tough distracted driving laws ..... The fine for using a phone or other hand-held electronic device while driving is now $368. In addition, there is 4 demerit points that go along with the fine, meaning offenders have to pay an additional $175 penalty. That puts the total cost for a first offence at $543. If offenders are caught a second time within 12 months, the total penalty will jump to $888, and repeat offenders could lose their licences for three to 12 months. Amazing how many drivers I still see pulled over when commuting to work in the Jeep, even with the threat of these fines. Aptly titled post...idiots.

On that note, my son got a "distracted driving" fine for using his cell phone while driving...he was using the Maps app, it was sitting on his dash, giving him directions, no different than a car with a built in GPS.
He was 17 at the time, so it resulted in him being in the graduate licence program another year.

But I don't mind the stiff penalties, it needed to be done.

[Patrick]

In this neck of the woods one would be yelling all day. I've got to the point where I just do what I can to get away from these idiots and ignore them.  As stupid as some are it just doesn't pay to argue with them.

[RDAbull]

Converting liberals ? Have you taken up a new career ? For the record, I see plenty of people on cell phones sporting conservative bumper stickers. Stupidity knows no political bounds. 

No truer words were ever spoken, ok in this case written. 
Or racial, or religious, or age acquired, or regional, or educational,  or or a whole bunch of other al's 

[Sorcerer]

Glad it worked out ok for you. How ever your statement that you couldn't hear what he was saying to you because you had your ear buds in concerns me as much as distracted driving. Ear buds for hearing protection is one thing, add the volume of music to the mix, that adds to a hole new probem. Just saying.

[baldo]

I  

If you objectively analyze the conflict you had, do you think you got through to him or that he will change his behavior?  The answer is usually no.  (same deal with trying to convert liberals)

Lol.....you just can't help yourself, can you? A topic that is a threat to us all, and you have to mention politics.....smh

[Wizzard]

I never argue with a cage. Bad way to die. Just let it go.

[John Schmidt]

Glad it worked out ok for you. How ever your statement that you couldn't hear what he was saying to you because you had your ear buds in concerns me as much as distracted driving. Ear buds for hearing protection is one thing, add the volume of music to the mix, that adds to a hole new probem. Just saying.

My thoughts exactly re. those earbuds. You don't want to get caught wearing them in both ears in Florida for that very reason, it's both illegal and dangerous. Earbuds are much different than earplugs. With the buds you have the addition of music drowning out external noise, which overrides your ability to hear anything. Earplugs just muffle the sound with no overriding sounds added into the mix, thereby allowing you to still hear. My hearing is such that I can use plugs and still use a phone, and often use them at the gym due to the loud music they pipe in for the youngsters(that's 55 and under to me  )

[3fan4life]

I  agree with Jess' assessment about the risks of engaging in a conflict with someone in a cage.

However, When someone in a cage does something really stupid, I do have a strong tendency to let them know they're #1.

Keeping in mind that if they decide to use their cage as a weapon, my Valk and I wouldn't fare very well.

I almost never let the situation evolve beyond that.

Just the other day I had a guy in a pickup truck come from the left lane and cut me off as I was taking an exit ramp.

Our speeds were low enough that I had plenty of time to react.

As I maneuvered towards the shoulder I laid on the horn.

When he finally heard the horn he brought his vehicle to a stop, as I came around him I simply threw my left hand up in a WTF gesture.

Initially, I was going to let him know that he was #1, but he was older man and his wife was in the passenger seat so I went with the WTF gesture instead.

The look on his face indicated that he had gotten the message and was remorseful.

My primary intent in choosing to confront someone is the hope that bringing their careless behavior to their attention will result in them paying more attention in the future.

Does it work?

I don't know.

If the careless behavior comes from an attitude of the law not applying to them,

Probably NOT SO MUCH.

If it truly was an innocent mistake, Maybe they will pay more attention in the future and another biker will benefit from it.       


 

[baldo]

I  agree with Jess' assessment about the risks of engaging in a conflict with someone in a cage.

However, When someone in a cage does something really stupid, I do have a strong tendency to let them know they're #1.

Keeping in mind that if they decide to use their cage as a weapon, my Valk and I wouldn't fare very well.

I almost never let the situation evolve beyond that.

Just the other day I had a guy in a pickup truck come from the left lane and cut me off as I was taking an exit ramp.

Our speeds were low enough that I had plenty of time to react.

As I maneuvered towards the shoulder I laid on the horn.

When he finally heard the horn he brought his vehicle to a stop, as I came around him I simply threw my left hand up in a WTF gesture.

Initially, I was going to let him know that he was #1, but he was older man and his wife was in the passenger seat so I went with the WTF gesture instead.

The look on his face indicated that he had gotten the message and was remorseful.

My primary intent in choosing to confront someone is the hope that bringing their careless behavior to their attention will result in them paying more attention in the future.

Does it work?

I don't know.

If the careless behavior comes from an attitude of the law not applying to them,

Probably NOT SO MUCH.

If it truly was an innocent mistake, Maybe they will pay more attention in the future and another biker will benefit from it.       


 

I've done the same thing. Occasionally the offender will realize they were wrong and indicate they're sorry. Then I feel bad, and give them a smile and a wave. No harm no foul...

[DK]

revving the pipes to piss him off while on his darn cell phone seems like a good thing to do to me.  If he does not like it, hang up and call back later, free country. 

Now I found a good reason as to why to get loud pipes.... 

Just be glad he did not get out and harrass you face to face, not so sure I would be so nice then just revving pipes.   smart to keep headphones in as well enjoying your music since not hearing his bitching was a smart thing to do as well. 

 

A few of my fellow Arkansans have shot other drivers over less provocation.

[sleepngbear]

I  agree with Jess' assessment about the risks of engaging in a conflict with someone in a cage.

However, When someone in a cage does something really stupid, I do have a strong tendency to let them know they're #1.

Keeping in mind that if they decide to use their cage as a weapon, my Valk and I wouldn't fare very well.

I almost never let the situation evolve beyond that.

Just the other day I had a guy in a pickup truck come from the left lane and cut me off as I was taking an exit ramp.

Our speeds were low enough that I had plenty of time to react.

As I maneuvered towards the shoulder I laid on the horn.

When he finally heard the horn he brought his vehicle to a stop, as I came around him I simply threw my left hand up in a WTF gesture.

Initially, I was going to let him know that he was #1, but he was older man and his wife was in the passenger seat so I went with the WTF gesture instead.

The look on his face indicated that he had gotten the message and was remorseful.

My primary intent in choosing to confront someone is the hope that bringing their careless behavior to their attention will result in them paying more attention in the future.

Does it work?

I don't know.

If the careless behavior comes from an attitude of the law not applying to them,

Probably NOT SO MUCH.

If it truly was an innocent mistake, Maybe they will pay more attention in the future and another biker will benefit from it.       


 

I've done the same thing. Occasionally the offender will realize they were wrong and indicate they're sorry. Then I feel bad, and give them a smile and a wave. No harm no foul...

I'm not far from you, but it's not like that around here. 9 times out of 10 if you call somebody for doing something stupid, be it a horn toot or even just the ol' evil eye/death glare, they'll flip you off, even if what they're doing is illegal. I used to love driving, but now I hate it so much I'm about ready to find a nice self-sustaining commune to move to where I won't have to drive anywhere, because the idiot drivers are everywhere.

[cookiedough]

revving the pipes to piss him off while on his darn cell phone seems like a good thing to do to me.  If he does not like it, hang up and call back later, free country. 

Now I found a good reason as to why to get loud pipes.... 

Just be glad he did not get out and harrass you face to face, not so sure I would be so nice then just revving pipes.   smart to keep headphones in as well enjoying your music since not hearing his bitching was a smart thing to do as well. 

 

A few of my fellow Arkansans have shot other drivers over less provocation.

rednecks with guns?   Shooting someone by revving the loud pipes is a scary area to live near for sure.  I would have just put my hand to my ear area like I cannot hear it or something jokingly.   I once was in a scary neighborhood and a car came up to me in my truck with LOUD, VERY LOUD rap music on enough to hurt my ears in my truck with windows closed actually vibrating my rearview mirror inside my own truck.  I looked over and probably should not have but I made eye contact with the gangster looking young dude and moved my head side to side swinging like Stevie Wonder does pretending to enjoy his LOUD rap crap gangster song.    I guess I am lucky I did not get shot as well?   Gangster dude never did anything just stopped making eye contact looking ahead again.  I was going to increase my volume of my music on my radio station, but am sure he would have never heard it anyways for my stock speakers would not even come close to his speakers.  I thought swinging my head side to side smiling was funny like I was enjoying his chest pounding rap crap,  but the gangster dude might not have thought so?

Some people take life way too seriously although the one time I gave 2 teenage girls a beep with my truck horn to get moving si all since I was behind them seeing them both texting in front at a green light NOT moving after 5 seconds.  they both flipped me off and I guess I responded NOT so well also by blowing by them and beeping the horn again since they went right on to BOTH texting again in front seat of mommy and daddys car.  This has got to stop though texting is dangerous while driving.  I have only done it a handful of times with NO cars around, but still is totally wrong and I know that.  ONLY takes 2 seconds of distraction to cause an accident or get into an accident.  

My IT techy neighbor learned his lesson when he dropped his cell phone while texting/playing with his phone while making a slow easy corner into our small town and slammed almost head on with the car stopped at the stop light doing 20 mph tops totalling his car or enough to not repair it.    Is happening near daily everywhere I see it.

[solo1]

If you want to be the good guy to point out to drivers that they're driving with their head up their arse,
keep in mind that they have metal protecting them and about 3,000 pounds more weight.  Some may even be carrying and are aching to use it.

Best to get away from them, shrug your shoulders and move on.  I don't know about you but it's hard for me to do, even when driving the Miata, they pay no attention to it either.  In fact, the Miata sets so low that even a decent driver doesn't see me if I'm in the next lane.

[old2soon]

I just KNOW I'm fixin ta piss some folks off but I gotz my big boy trousers on dis mornin. Past 5 M P H ALL mobile devices shut off. Simple! Emergency you say-pull over SAFELY and talk. Can NOT JUST be here In the Ozarks. We have teenagers scattering body parts into trees and culverts and other vehicles cuz texting and talking and game playing MORE important than vehicle CONTROL. And-NO-if your operating a mobile electronic device while driving puts me and mine in harms way you have NO RIGHT to put me and mine in a situation where we can DIE. Gonna be late for Sunday Dinner at the inlaws?? Choose-late or severely injured or dead? Been out wurkin my favorite twistys and some dumb sumbitch be in my lane head on cell phone in ear or lookin down texting! So the cell phone companies piss off several millions of customers-B F D. ALL Lives matter. Sposed to be illegal here-mobile device operation while "driving" in Missouri but according to the police blotters in my paper have yet to see a ticket for it. Zackly WHAT did we do for communication BEFORE cell phones? RIDE SAFE.

[Karen]

I just KNOW I'm fixin ta piss some folks off but I gotz my big boy trousers on dis mornin. Past 5 M P H ALL mobile devices shut off. Simple! Emergency you say-pull over SAFELY and talk. Can NOT JUST be here In the Ozarks. We have teenagers scattering body parts into trees and culverts and other vehicles cuz texting and talking and game playing MORE important than vehicle CONTROL. And-NO-if your operating a mobile electronic device while driving puts me and mine in harms way you have NO RIGHT to put me and mine in a situation where we can DIE. Gonna be late for Sunday Dinner at the inlaws?? Choose-late or severely injured or dead? Been out wurkin my favorite twistys and some dumb sumbitch be in my lane head on cell phone in ear or lookin down texting! So the cell phone companies piss off several millions of customers-B F D. ALL Lives matter. Sposed to be illegal here-mobile device operation while "driving" in Missouri but according to the police blotters in my paper have yet to see a ticket for it. Zackly WHAT did we do for communication BEFORE cell phones? RIDE SAFE.

     

[baldo]

I just KNOW I'm fixin ta piss some folks off but I gotz my big boy trousers on dis mornin. Past 5 M P H ALL mobile devices shut off. Simple! Emergency you say-pull over SAFELY and talk. Can NOT JUST be here In the Ozarks. We have teenagers scattering body parts into trees and culverts and other vehicles cuz texting and talking and game playing MORE important than vehicle CONTROL. And-NO-if your operating a mobile electronic device while driving puts me and mine in harms way you have NO RIGHT to put me and mine in a situation where we can DIE. Gonna be late for Sunday Dinner at the inlaws?? Choose-late or severely injured or dead? Been out wurkin my favorite twistys and some dumb sumbitch be in my lane head on cell phone in ear or lookin down texting! So the cell phone companies piss off several millions of customers-B F D. ALL Lives matter. Sposed to be illegal here-mobile device operation while "driving" in Missouri but according to the police blotters in my paper have yet to see a ticket for it. Zackly WHAT did we do for communication BEFORE cell phones? RIDE SAFE.

Nothing there that should piss anyone off. Agree 100%. I hope there is a day when all cells, tablets, etc are auto shutoff once in motion. And no GD workaround either!....

[Sorcerer]

If all devices turn of at 5mph what would people do when the GPS goes off and the music stops. Revert to paper maps and singing to our selfs. Some of us are  afflicted with CRS past one sentence. Just ask my wife when I return from the store.

[Bassfisher]

God knows how many times  idiots and cellphones have do that sort of thing to me.  Especially riding in the city.    My action is normally to get their attention, then point to the stickers on either side of my helmet that say "Would you drive better with that phone up your ass?"    Amazing how it works about 8 out of 10 times and they put the phone away (at least until I'm out of visual range)  I love to see the shocked looks on many of the faces when I point right at it.

[Stitch_in_La]

Just toss them a quarter or 2 not the whole roll so they can use a pay phone.

I think the Stebell gets teir attention quicker than the Cobras.

Stitch

[cookiedough]

God knows how many times  idiots and cellphones have do that sort of thing to me.  Especially riding in the city.    My action is normally to get their attention, then point to the stickers on either side of my helmet that say "Would you drive better with that phone up your ass?"    Amazing how it works about 8 out of 10 times and they put the phone away (at least until I'm out of visual range)  I love to see the shocked looks on many of the faces when I point right at it.

great sticker to have but on your helmet, you must be right alongside them to read the wording?

It is hard to imagine that the 2 young teenage girls have the balls to flip off a 275lb. middle aged man driving a big truck when they were talking on their cell phones and then even after pulling up alongside them they keep doing it again not caring.  One of these days they will mess with someone who is very angry and not be so lucky.  I was about ready to slow back down, get the license plates and call 911 or the local police to report them using cell phones repeatedly NOT paying attention.  IF nothing else,  a call from the police to their parents car would be something.

[da prez]

A year or two ago at Inzane , a member had a truck air horn mounted across the back of his bike.
 You pull up to the offender and let them know (what for) ,and then have plenty of throttle. I believe he had a compressor big enough for a couple notifications. 

      As Cheech and Chong would say "far out man".

                                     da prez

[michaelyoung254]

If all devices turn of at 5mph what would people do when the GPS goes off and the music stops. Revert to paper maps and singing to our selfs. Some of us are  afflicted with CRS past one sentence. Just ask my wife when I return from the store.

It wouldn't need to completely shut down, but forced to be a "Hands-Free" device only. Simply disable the touchscreen once it starts moving. As long as your car had bluetooth capabilities (which most new cars do), you could still use some functions such as playing music.

[Moonshot_1]

My thoughts on what to do with phones, texting and driving.

Legislation that would clear the way to hold the phone manufactures and providers responsible for damages caused by devices that do have a kind of safety system blocking or significantly limiting their use while in motion. Kind of like having gun manufactures installing safeties on firearms. I am confident that the manufactures and providers will develop solutions to this virtually overnight.

If you attempt to limit individuals use of such devices thru legislation you run into Constitutional obstacles trying to enforce it. If you work the liability angle you wind up with products that are limited in use in specific conditions.

The difference is subtle but distinct. 

[baldo]

If all devices turn of at 5mph what would people do when the GPS goes off and the music stops. Revert to paper maps and singing to our selfs. Some of us are  afflicted with CRS past one sentence. Just ask my wife when I return from the store.

It wouldn't need to completely shut down, but forced to be a "Hands-Free" device only. Simply disable the touchscreen once it starts moving. As long as your car had bluetooth capabilities (which most new cars do), you could still use some functions such as playing music.

That's an excellent idea! Problem solved.....

[Jess from VA]

The idea has merit, but we do not hold gun MFRs responsible for criminal or negligent use of their products (the left loves this idea, to put them all out of business), or any other manufacturer liable for idiot use of their products either (cars, power tools, equipment, ladders, electricity, etc) unsafe designs aside.

Causing an accident resulting in damage and death is both criminal and negligent use of a cell phone.

I do think the manufacturers are the people that ought to be working this problem.

If they won't let us shoot them on sight, how about selling us a device like a small remote that when we point it at a cell phone on in a moving vehicle, destroys it.   (I suppose it should only be the driver.  OK, we can be trusted to only use it against drivers, right?)

I'd buy one.... mount it to the fairing and tape the button down the whole time I am riding. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

The idea has merit, but we do not hold gun MFRs responsible for criminal or negligent use of their products (the left loves this idea, to put them all out of business), or any other manufacturer liable for idiot use of their products either (cars, power tools, equipment, ladders, electricity, etc) unsafe designs aside.

Causing an accident resulting in damage and death is both criminal and negligent use of a cell phone.

I do think the manufacturers are the people that ought to be working this problem.

If they won't let us shoot them on sight, how about selling us a device like a small remote that when we point it at a cell phone on in a moving vehicle, destroys it.   (I suppose it should only be the driver.  OK, we can be trusted to only use it against drivers, right?) 

Maybe we could get it to explode ink all over them like they do with bank robbers.

[Jess from VA]

Or blow their heads off.

No, explosions or flying (blinding) ink would be a hazard to all other drivers present, not to mention the passengers. 

[Moonshot_1]

The idea has merit, but we do not hold gun MFRs responsible for criminal or negligent use of their products (the left loves this idea, to put them all out of business), or any other manufacturer liable for idiot use of their products either (cars, power tools, equipment, ladders, electricity, etc) unsafe designs aside.

Causing an accident resulting in damage and death is both criminal and negligent use of a cell phone.

I do think the manufacturers are the people that ought to be working this problem.

If they won't let us shoot them on sight, how about selling us a device like a small remote that when we point it at a cell phone on in a moving vehicle, destroys it.   (I suppose it should only be the driver.  OK, we can be trusted to only use it against drivers, right?)

I'd buy one.... mount it to the fairing and tape the button down the whole time I am riding. 

A gun manufacturer designs a gun without a safety. It is in all other respects one of the finest and most accurate gun ever made. You purchase said gun. You draw your weapon, perhaps just to show it off, perhaps for it's legitimate use, and it prematurely fires, multiple times, and people are maimed and killed.

I'd say we got a problem with the manufacturer and design of the gun.

I see the same thing with these phones. We obviously have them being used in an environment where they are particularly dangerous. The manufacturer and the providers not only have the moral responsibility but they are the ones with the ability to not only add the "safety" to the product but provide legitimate work arounds. An example would be for a mass transit system to be able to "bypass" the "safety" so passengers can continue to use their devices.

In any event, I do believe that this is the direction that would actually solve some of the issues involved.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Or blow their heads off.

No, explosions or flying (blinding) ink would be a hazard to all other drivers present, not to mention the passengers. 

yeah, but most of the sneaky ones have it in their crotch texting. I'm thinking a neon glow in the dark yellow would look good.