cell phone drivers, the modern bike ride outlook?

hocbj23 wrote:

Ive always said there is money to be made for someone to develop a small electronic screen that could be placed in your back window or on your back fender.It could be pre-programmed for several generic messages such as "Shut up,hang up and drive" or "Pay attention or pay a fine" or"my next message will be Missle away", etc.As a guy who still has scars from being run off the road by a drunk driver, I am really cautious these days with idiots and cell phones.I just assume that everyone out there riding on more than 2 wheels is trying to kill me.BJ

I remember seeing a concept Ford Aerostar back in the late 80s that had a scrolling lcd screen built into the rear liftgate. It was supposed to have had some pre-programmed messages, and I believe you had the option of programming some "personal" messages for the following driver.

I used to do the same thing with marbles. They shattered nicely when they hit the car leaving no evidence.....lol

i used to believe that this was a 3rd. world problem...

i used to belive that this was a 3rd. world problem...

They probably wouldn't even notice them. About 4 years ago, my sister and brother-in-law were out on their bike and a teen-age girl...on her cell phone...turned left in front of them. He tried to slow and swerve but she was too close. He hit her behind passenger door and they went over top of car. Car coming from opposite direction seen the whole thing and took plate numbers. This is where it gets weird. The driver of approaching car was a nurse (ex-wifes aunt) and knew what to do. Brother-in-law got away with some scraps and bruises but sister broke both hips and broke her back in 2 places along with scraps and bruises. She healed up after lengthy hospital stays but still walks with a limp. The teen-age girl got a slap on the wrist from the court. Tried to sue her but being a minor and no insurance, they were basically screwed. About a month later the same girl was arrested by a cop who watched her run a couple cars off the road while...yep...talking on her cell phone. Heard she lost her license but never confirmed. I've seen people do some strange things while on the phone. Some laughable but some life threatening...here it's against the law to drive while talking in certain circumstances so it's getting better but not good enough yet.

The other day I heard a teenage girl chastising her friend because she didn't respond to her text while she was driving. "What the hell is wrong with you can't you text and drive?" Yea that's what I wanted to hear as I'm getting on my bike. They have no clue. In fact last week a woman got fired because the video on the school bus she was driving clearly showed her steering with her knees and texting while she had a bus full of kids. I really don't understand what is going through peoples heads. I've had people ask me why I don't get a bluetooth for my helmet because they couldn't get a hold of me. My response is I ride my bike to get away from people bugging me. I always have my phone set to vibrate and I have found that unless I'm at a stoplight the vibrations from my bike cancel out the vibrations from my phone very nicely...lol

Couple years ago had a High School Senior girl from local high school went to a graduation open house. While driving home and texting to her boyfriend she ran off the road into a culvert and died. still see kids driving around here while texting.

True story.

Young lady was turning left while chatting on cell phone with her mother, and killed when tee-boned by an on-coming truck.

Very last words mother ever heard her daughter say, "Oh, Shit!"

My wife and I were in Germany earlier this year. I felt safer driving over 100 MPH on the AUTOBAHN than I do driving back here in Texas. Drivers were highly skilled, extremely attentive, with quick reactions, courteous to each other, and there were strict rules about lane usage. Passing was only on the left side of the car ahead. Drivers constantly searched ahead, behind, and beside them for other vehicles. A car ahead would see you in his rear-view mirror and change lanes if you were approaching him from behind - so you could pass. There was no "rubber-necking" or poking along sightseeing. People were decisive and quickly entered and exited the "round-abouts" - no waisting time waiting on red lights. I did not see anyone eating or drinking coffee in a car, and for sure, I saw no cell phone usage. It was a refreshing change.

WABBMW wrote:

My wife and I were in Germany earlier this year. I felt safer driving over 100 MPH on the AUTOBAHN than I do driving back here in Texas. Drivers were highly skilled, extremely attentive, with quick reactions, courteous to each other, and there were strict rules about lane usage. Passing was only on the left side of the car ahead. Drivers constantly searched ahead, behind, and beside them for other vehicles. A car ahead would see you in his rear-view mirror and change lanes if you were approaching him from behind - so you could pass. There was no "rubber-necking" or poking along sightseeing. People were decisive and quickly entered and exited the "round-abouts" - no waisting time waiting on red lights. I did not see anyone eating or drinking coffee in a car, and for sure, I saw no cell phone usage. It was a refreshing change.

You Military? Ex-ARMY (Honerable Discharge) Fort Hood here.

I've lived in Texas my entire life - and that's a long time.

Notice how German cars don't have cup holders? They have figured out driving is enough, you don't need other stuff to worry about. Plus I heard it cost about 3K to take the school to get a license there.

Theres been plenty of times I've had to practice evasive manuvers to avoid knee driving, texting retards. Makes me think of an older guy I used to work with. He said in his day, when you rode you carried a sack of ball bearings and a .45.