Bicycle Mechanics - Sign the Petition re: stop cell phone use in cars!

I put one together, and I plan to submit it to US Congress and the Conference of Mayors. Please sign it, and distribute it to any usergroups, forums, etc.

http://www.petitiononline.com/7474355/

Thanks!

Koffee Brown

Koffee,

The "Click Here to Sign Petition" button isn't working, returns a "Page cannot be found" message.

-Randy

http://www.petitiononline.com/7474355/

Try this link and let me know if it works.

Koffee

Worked for me. Thanks.

http://www.petitiononline.com/7474355/

Try this link and let me know if it works.

Koffee

It worked for me.

So link #1 is a no go and link #2 works? Or do they both work?

Koffee

I see Kimberlee, Jim's daughter, signed the petition. That will really go a long way, I think.

Koffee

Done.

Done.

Is this just meant for Americans?

Just signed and passed it on to some other forums and emailed it around.

Is this just meant for Americans?

Unfortunately... yes.

I thought about this for a long time, and in the end, I chose not to add in folks from other countries. It's not that I don't love you guys, but more because I wanted this to be a petition of voting constituents, and I thought it may be better to leave it to US citizens. I thank our foreign friends for wanting to participate, but right now, it may be a better idea to leave it just for US citizens.

Koffee

Signed.

Whether this will accomplish our goal or not, it's a step in the right direction, and it's little enough to do for the memory of a good man.

Please sign.

- this just makes sense... many local governments already ban cell phone use while driving (and you can get a ticket - e.g., DC and Alexandria, Va.), but this needs to be universal...

Thanks Koffee!

I signed, but I must say that it was reluctantly. I do hope that it spurs some action to make the roads safe for cyclists and others.

I think that the petition does present a few things differently than I would.

First, do you really thik that DUI laws would be effective if they were only taken seriously when death was the result?

Also, there are too many other things that are just as stupid to do while driving, and we are not addressing them. For example, eating is a significant distraction, yet we as a society encourage it by selling drivers ready to eat food directly to their cars... I have seen people reading maps and newspapers.

Then, I did see that at least one study showed that talking to people in the car was just as distracting as talking using a hands free device... should we outlaw talking in cars?

Additionally, I have heard of at least two cases where multiple cyclists were injured or killed by people who dropped a casette and were trying to pick it up... and without that, some would still focus too heavily on finding the right station. Should we outlaw music in cars?

I will honestly say that I have been guilty of some of the above actions at one point or another, but this does not make them safe.

I have even found myself drifting while trying to check my odometer, or setting the cruise control...

I also have a minor issue with the methodology... A list of names from online with the only verification being an email address is less likely to be taken seriously by law makers than a letter...

Repeating my initial comment, I hope that Jim's death leads to some good in the area of safety, and thank Koffee for taking this step...

Toward enhancing Koffee's actions, I think that I will compose a letter and provide it for anyone interested in using it as a basis for your own letter. I will be sending it to my senators, congressman, state legislators and local officials.

To add weight, I think it would be good to include a couple of other cyclists killed within the past year or two, where the cause was obviously a distracted driver. This would be used to add weight to the concern raised by Jim's death. Any suggestions?

OK, got it. It may have been an AOL problem.

Koffee, thanks for setting this up.

I work for a major multi-national company & we have a strict policy of no cell phone use while driving. However, cell phone usage is just another in a long list of distractions drivers are subject to. It is symptomatic of a much larger problem: Many Americans seem to think that they have a God-given right to drive when they want to, where they want to, and as fast as they want to, and to hell with the consequences.

Koffee,
This is something I would not have signed a few years ago thinking it severely limits freedom. I signed it today based upon anecdotal observations from the past few years. About 80% of the bad drivers I've witnessed over that time period (too slow or too fast, weaving, making ill advised turns, etc) are on cell phones. It's become infuriating to the point that I now believe drivers should not be given the benefit of the doubt on this issue. Thanks for bringing this issue up.

Jim

Thanks, Koffee. I hooked it up early and have some family and friends who are/have, too.

1) I have a "HANG UP!" sign in the back of my car. It's rude, sure, but not as rude as Jim Price's death. I have since ordered bumper stickers that read "Drive now ... talk later!" for my wife's car, and potentially for mine (instead). Please consider adding something like this to your car.

2) I stumbled on this website: http://www.morganlee.org/ . These people lost their little girl to a cell-phone-distracted driver and are now advocates for this cause. They have good ideas, flyers, and names/addresses for cellular company execs to whom you can write. While I agree with the petition idea, I also agree that (even very brief) e-mails or letters to congressional reps and industry execs are powerful tools. I urge you to consider sending a few.

3) To those who say that cell phones are only representative of the issue: of course, you're right, but it has to start somewhere, and the statistics re: cell use and accidents are starting to come in. Cell use was determined to be the #1 cause of accidents in CA, above alcohol. Low-hangin' fruit. Easy pickins.

4) I'll say this again: don't be afraid to write to the DA in the Douglas County Court system (she's prosecuting our 17 year-old, text-messaging buddy). Her name is Carol Chambers. Her e-mail is: DA18@da18.state.co.us . Say what you want to say, but say something about this case. Jim Price needs a voice here.

Be careful out there, all.

EDIT: I'm gonna' post this on rec.bicycles.misc -- the Usenet forum.

I signed shortly after a near collision with a dork making an illegal left turn while talking on his cel phone.

Al

Signed. Great idea Koffee!

First, I can't address everything. But I did make the language slightly broad when I said ban all use of mobile devices and cell phones. That can be clarified later to include hands free. I don't even think hands free should be used.

Second, I can't address everything in one petition. We are trying to address a certain issue. I really think it has to be a "one at a time" kind of thing. I could have included televisions and other electronics devices, but then I think we're starting to get off track. So this is how I went with the petition.

Thanks for the support!

Koffee

Signed. 65 has done the same so far

I edited the first post to reflect the correct webpage.

Koffee

I'm all for banning the things. However, the states each write their own vehicle code. The U.S. Congress is the wrong body to send a petition to. I would recommend a copy to each of the state legislatures, plus to each of the state Governors.


EDIT: Of course, some states-- New York comes to mind immediately-- have already banned the use of cell phones while driving, so it would be pointless to send them a petition. A couple of months ago, I complied a list of the states that have already banned cell phone use while driving; I'll be glad to post the list of you want.

I signed it. I don't think it will get enough signatures for any politician to do anything but ignore it though.

The cellphone industry has bigtime lobbyists and tons of money working against any such laws being passed. It won't happen.

I just picked a couple of important folks. I'm going to send the petition to everyone I can think of once I get enough signatures. I hoped to get about 50,000 signatures, then send them off to each state- especially to each of the State Attorneys, since they decide how to prosecute these cases.

Koffee

Brilliant idea! Thanks Koffee - nice job!

- Wil

Signed

UPDATE: I put together the same petition, but for internationals. It will be treated with the same seriousness as the thread for US residents: http://new.petitiononline.com/7474356/

Koffee

How long do you guys think the 17 year old should go to jail? Just curious.

5- 10 years would be nice. And no more drivers license.

I do know it was an accident. But he was careless. A life ended. What do you think Jim's life is worth in years to this kid who killed him?

Koffee

As an update, if any of you belong to other international forums, feel free to pass out the http://new.petitiononline.com/7474356/ link around there. Perhaps sharp criticism from internationals that have these laws might help too.

Koffee

Signed. I'm going to forward this on to the local bike clubs here in the area. Thanks Koffee....

B'Dog

Signed it I think? When I clicked the button an error page came up.

If you clicked on the international one, it's only for folks outside of the usa. If you live here, click on this: http://new.petitiononline.com/7474355/

Koffee

Just signed up, Koffee.

Let's hope and pray for success, and thank you for your efforts.

signed, and I can't beleive there is still <100 sigs.. lets go!!!!!!!

5- 10 years would be nice. And no more drivers license.

What do you think Jim's life is worth in years to this kid who killed him?

Koffee

I don't know, but putting away a 17 year old who made a mistake isn't going to bring him back either. I really don't know what the answer is.

I think if we took crimes like these more seriously, people would be less apt to making such "mistakes". The only thing I'm concerned with is that a life is gone, snuffed out, finished... and that kid gets to go on and live a full life. He gets a chance to say hello and goodbye to his family. He gets to go on like nothing happened while Jim gets cremated. Somehow, I just think that the slap on the wrist he got doesn't even come close to fitting the crime. I don't know what the solution is, but I think that less than a year in jail is very light.

It would be nice if they sued his family in civil court for wrongful death, but I don't know how far the family is willing to take it, and I don't know if that's something Jim would have wanted.

Koffee

I think if we took crimes like these more seriously, people would be less apt to making such "mistakes". The only thing I'm concerned with is that a life is gone, snuffed out, finished... and that kid gets to go on and live a full life. He gets a chance to say hello and goodbye to his family. He gets to go on like nothing happened while Jim gets cremated. Somehow, I just think that the slap on the wrist he got doesn't even come close to fitting the crime. I don't know what the solution is, but I think that less than a year in jail is very light.

It would be nice if they sued his family in civil court for wrongful death, but I don't know how far the family is willing to take it, and I don't know if that's something Jim would have wanted.

Koffee

Very true. Sometimes, Civil Actions are needed to get attention. Too bad!

Petition signed. I hope it does some good. Thank you Koffee & well done. Bob

Koffee, I think this is an awesome thing to do and am saddened for Jim. I have experience many times cars, TRUCKS, many times getting to close and not paying attention or giving me no respect or room on the road. Im deeply saddened for him and his family, and know that until this is passed, this could be me on my next ride or ride in the future. This is defenitely an eye opener for me and should be and eye opener for the rest of the cycling/motorist community.
Thanks again,
Matt S.

I have sent this to my mom, and sent to my friends, some arent cyclist, but you dont have to be a cyclist to help. I really want to help with this.

The cellphone industry has bigtime lobbyists and tons of money working against any such laws being passed. It won't happen.
Sorry for the dodgeball reference, but, your a negativity spreader, you spread negativity. You maybe right, but lets try to turn some heads.

Sorry for the dodgeball reference, but, your a negativity spreader, you spread negativity. You maybe right, but lets try to turn some heads.


I am a realist.

SELF Magazine Dec 2005 issue (wife's mag) has an article entitled, "Arrive Alive". Pg 144 discusses cell phone use in cars. A couple excerpts:

"Hands-free technology does little to improve safety odds because it's the conversation, not the equipment, that distracts you. Chatting on the phone actually suppresses the type of brain activity needed to deal with traffic. In fact, one study has shown that a driver talking on a cell phone is as impaired as one with a 0.08 blood-alcohol level, ..."

"At least 25 percent of all police-reported accidents are due to in-car distractions,..."

"The bottom line: Keep your eyes on the road and your mind in the moment."

Good advice.

I signed.

It's true that other distractions can interfere with safe driving, but I'm not aware of a more consistent and reliable interfering factor than the use of cell phones or other electronic devices -- unless it's drunk driving. I can't recall a single instance of a person driving well while talking on a cell phone. Can you?

In full truth, the danger that killed sydney springs from a failure to respect the risks of driving. That failure leads to the deadly belief that it's okay to ignore the "prime safety directive": devote your full attention to the road at all times.

What was the significance or his name, sydney?

Koffee once again, good work on the petition. I was wondering when I started the first thread if there was enough interest and I'm glad you took the bull by the horns cause I had no idea where to start.

Putt