Ed Holland

I coudn't resist this morning. Pulled up at the light in the bike lane alongside a driver who was using his 'phone. Staring for minutes on end fail to attract his attention, so I wave. He looks so I use the internationally recognsed hand symbol for "Hang up please"* and said "Please don't use that whilst you are driving. This was followed by thumbs up and cheesy smile from me, thumbs up and cheesy smile from him (continues telephone conversation as we pull away).

Maybe I'm just being an arse in trying to chastise others, but handsfree units are so inexpensive, there's no need to drive with one (or no) hands.

Has anyone else tried this?

Ed


*Thumb and little finger extended to represent a telephone handset, removed from head and motioned downward onto imaginary telephone.

Blue Order

You know what got my friend to stop driving while using her cell?

A ticket. It's the only thing that gets some people's attention.

N_C

That only works in states where it is illegal to drive & talk on a cell phone at the same time. I'm surprised to see it is enforced.

Blue Order

Well, that's what I meant. And yes, where she lives, it is enforced.

Ed Holland

California vehicle code, cut and pasted from the DMV website (I forget who provided this in another recent thread, but it has been very informative):

Cellular Telephones
Cellular telephones can be a lifesaver in an emergency. In nonemergency situations, they can be a great tool if used properly. Use your cellular telephone in the following safe and responsible ways:

Drive to the side of the road to use your cellular telephone.
Use hands-free devices.
Have your phone within easy reach.
Don’t use the telephone during hazardous conditions.
Pay attention to the road.
Be sensible about dialing.
Don’t engage in distracting conversations.
Use your phone to call for help.

NOTE: Beginning July 1, 2008, with certain exceptions, you may not use a cellular telephone while driving unless hands-free equipment is used.

Blue Order

Studies show that the problem with cell phones isn't solved with hands-free equipment; the problem is cognitive impairment caused by trying to talk while trying to drive. California got it wrong, unfortunately.

Sprocket Man

Why bother? Even though you were quite civil, I doubt you're going to change anyone's behavior. Did you honestly believe that you would have any kind of effect on him?

Ed Holland

No, I'm not that stupid . I just got the urge

2manybikes

or an accident..........maybe !

Ed Holland

I have also read this. However, I have frequently seen telephone drivers attepting to negotiate turns at an intersection one handed. They did not appear to be in complete physical (let alone mental) control of the vehicle - at least handsfree enforcement should help with this.

Then there is the issue of enforcement. There isnt a policeman on every street corner like there used to be when I was a lad. Ergo, a change in the law makes little difference to behaviour, unless people feel pressure to change habits. Some of this could be social pressure as well as law enforcement.

Ed

Big_knob

well you did your good deed for the day, don't you feel good now.

LittleBigMan

I don't think he got it until after he got to work. He was under the "spell."

ellenDSD

I like cell phones; They are handy and all that. We don't even have a landline anymore. But they sure have given some folks license to be rude! I don't know how many times I've been behind some j#ck@ass at the store who can't be bothered to address the clerk because of their cell phone conversation. I want to slap these people upside the head. And the people driving around, holding the phones to their ears and yapping away... Well, I'm usually a much more peaceful person but my dearest wish is to have a bullhorn and a submachine gun attached to my automobile in some manner. Being able to yell things like "GET OFF THE PHONE DUMB@SS!" certainly appeals to my more primal nature

zeytoun

The type of conversation seems to be more of a factor in the competence of the driver that hands free vs. non-hands free, at least to me.

A casual conversation about nothing = driver not paying attention
A brief conversation along the lines of "I'm on the road, running late, etc." = driver paying more attention

My GF and I have a rule that when driving, we are only allowed the 2nd conversation, hands free or not.

AGGRO

It was hard enough jugglin a beer and a joint without another distraction! The noive.

Sandwarrior

I am as rude as I can be when I see a dumb#$& talking while driving. Roll down the window of my truck and yell at them as load as I can. That Bullhorn sounds like a real good idea though. Maybe I'll scare them into an accident, then I can file a statement as a witness saying "well officer, the dumb^&* was distracted while driving, talking on his cell phone. Hopefully the police officer would save the courts alot of time and just shoot the moron

Wogster

There are really four ways to deal with an incoming call:

1) Answer it and ignore whatever else your doing, like driving.
2) Answer it, tell the caller to wait -- while you pull over.
3) Answer it, tell the caller you will call them back, end call.
4) Ignore the $#@%!*& phone, and let it go to voice mail.

Thing is 95% of the folks who have these phones, have to use method 1 exclusively, even when the conversation is complete bull manure.

atbman

Don't know what it's like in the US, but I find that peoplehave a peculiar attitude about landline calls vis-a-vis mobiles (cellphones to you). If I'm on the landline (don't have a mobile - instruments of the devil) and the other person's mobile goes off, they always say they have to end call to answer the mobile.

Does this happen to any of you? If so, why do they do it?

FlyingAnchor

I still like that little dohickey that was posted in another thread that looks like a small radio/cell phone. It is from europe and it interupts cell phone signals in a small radius.
Of course you don't want to interupt a doctor or something like that, but really, how many of the calls on the road are that important. Even if you get a call like "I'm being murdered" what can you really do about it.
Steven

donnamb 

I'm not saying I don't fantasize about it occasionally, but keep in mind that these are illegal in the US.

sbhikes

I don't know about you, but the bluetooth headset actually is easier to hear than holding the phone up to my ear.

I think we need a ban on those things. It's time to restore some civility to society. Of course this will never happen and I sound like some old lady fuddy-duddy luddite for suggesting it. And perhaps that's what I am. Oh well. I just don't see the allure of the darn things you young whipper-snappers, you.

chicharron

I would not recommend going up to strangers and giving them a safety lecture, even if you are right. As much as I resent people who drive and talk at the same time, I feel it is not my job to monitor other peoples driving habits. My favorite pet peeve are people who purposly run red lights, or purposly run red lights at cross walks in school zones. However, we have police for enforcing motor vehicle safety.

Ed Holland

I think it is right to say something if you find another person's behaviour antisocial or (potentially)dangerous. I'll shout at those running red lights

We do not always have the police around to enforce vehicle safety - many will comment that there is never an officer around when needed. There's definitely a place for public pressure IMHO


Unrelated except in the social context, but I was in a very long line for security screening at the airport recently. Two individuals decide to cut the line, ignoring protests from everyone around. I tapped them on the shoulder and asked them to join the end of the line. They were shamelesly brazen about it but I shifted them eventually. They tried to cut in again and were eventually rooted out by the staff. There is no place for this.

OK so I'm beginning to sound like a busybody, which I am not The bottom line - what are we willing to put up with from others before we think they should consider their actions?

Bekologist

I use the "Hang up the phone" hand signal, and the "both hands on the wheel" signal sometimes, used them on Saturday on the ride to work after passing a driver texting while she was doing about 10 miles an hour down the road. pulled in front, slowed down, used the universally recognized "hang up and drive" hand signals.

Its' not going to work every time and may induce a case of the ragin cager.

Dr.Deltron

Strikes me that it's like hosting a party.
You greet each guest as they arrive.
Any conversation that develops is ended when the next guest arrives.
You will get back to them once the party is underway.

But yes, some cell users haven't figured it all out yet, and some people are just busy!
Don't take it personally though.
And that's a disadvantage of a landline, harder to get back to people who don't have a phone with them at all times.