Advocacy & Safety - Told Him!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Has anyone else tried this?

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?

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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).

*Thumb and little finger extended to represent a telephone handset, removed from head and motioned downward onto imaginary telephone.
I don't think he got it until after he got to work. He was under the "spell." :D

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 ;)

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.

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

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. :rolleyes: Hopefully the police officer would save the courts alot of time and just shoot the moron

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 :beer:

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 :o The bottom line - what are we willing to put up with from others before we think they should consider their actions?

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.

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?
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. :rolleyes:

I'm slightly more concerned about that guy I saw at an intersection once... he was playing the guitar while driving!

I'm slightly more concerned about that guy I saw at an intersection once... he was playing the guitar while driving!

It depends on the song, could've been "Hangin' on the Telephone" by Blondie ;)

It depends on the song, could've been "Hangin' on the Telephone" by Blondie ;)

I liked that song.....

Worst I have seen was a woman, driving a big Benz, cell phone in one ear, taking down notes with one hand, and putting on Mascara with the other, at 120km/h! Fortunately for me, I was getting off at the next exit.

Well, I've resolved to keep telling them. Last night I was almost taken out by a driver talking on the 'phone, who was paying far too little attention as they merged from the right. Luckily I anticipated the situation & just had time to take avoiding action & get their attention. This also enabled me to pass them, which provided an opportunity to scream my message at them a couple of times, complete with the internationally recognised hand signals for "hang up the phone".

However, it seems the smart-dumb balance might have been restored in part:


**************************************************************
Man believed to be using a laptop is killed in car crash
From the Associated Press
February 27, 2007

YUBA CITY, CALIF. — A man who authorities say appeared to be driving while using his laptop computer died Monday when his car crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Hummer.

California Highway Patrol officers found the victim's computer still running and plugged into the cigarette lighter of his 1991 Honda Accord.

The 28-year-old victim was a computer tutor in Chico, Calif. The Sutter County coroner's office was withholding his identity until his family could be notified.

"The screen itself shattered from the impact, so we can't be sure if he was working on it or not, but we think from the way it was found that he might have been working," said Sgt. John Pettigrew, a CHP spokesman. "It's a straight road right there, and it doesn't look like he fell asleep or anything else."

The couple in the Hummer escaped the 8:30 a.m. collision with bumps and bruises, Pettigrew said.

The crash, near the intersection of California highways 99 and 113 about 30 miles north of the capital, totaled both vehicles. It closed a section of Highway 99 south of Yuba City for about two hours

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.

I use the middle finger as a signal to idiot drivers.