Advocacy & Safety - If all motorists drove like this, then we're doomed!

Check out this guy...

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/driving/articles/120378/article.html


Mark Stevens is a multitasking maniac. A couple of months ago, the White Plains, New York, marketing consultant was working his cell phone with one hand and his Blackberry with the other while trying to steer his Mercedes SL500 with his wrists and knees — when he plowed it into a rental vehicle in an Enterprise parking lot. That followed his fourth ticket in four years for talking on his cell phone while driving.

"If you are a determined multitasker, it's an addiction — and you can't stop it," said the 59-year-old Stevens.

Talk about distracted driving. Even during a short trek, he said, he's likely to sip a Diet Coke and a bottled water, eat a sandwich, read a copy of The Economist, write notes to himself and listen to NPR, in addition to performing his cell phone and Blackberry action — oh, and driving. "I'm a driven person, and that's why I do all this stuff while I drive." Efficiency, not safe driving, is primary.


I think such distracted driving should carry the same penalties as drunken driving. The highlight of his response is the last sentence "Efficiency, not safe driving, is primary." What good is efficiency if you're dead?

We should find out where this guy lives, and go slash his tires ;)

We should find out where this guy lives, and go slash his tires ;)

No man, you just don't understand. He's too busy being a productive member of society while you play around on your silly toy bikes. He can't help it, he's driven!

No man, you just don't understand. He's too busy being a productive member of society while you play around on your silly toy bikes. He can't help it, he's driven!

By being a productive member, you mean running into parked cars?

By being a productive member, you mean running into parked cars?

Exactly! Watching where you are going is a luxury he does not have time for.

Exactly! Watching where you are going is a luxury he does not have time for.

:roflmao2:

I'll bet he can bloody well stop it if the penalties are high enough. Make driving with a phone in your hand a primary offense and put a $500 first time fine on it, license suspension on 2nd incident, and I bet he'll find that he can stop.

Strap his kid to the front of his car, so if he hits something it's him instead of a cyclist that gets crunched, and I bet he can be incredibly attentive to the road.

Are you kidding--he doesn't have kids!! He's too busy for sex!!

Are you kidding--he doesn't have kids!! He's too busy for sex!!

If he did have sex, he'll likely be sipping a Diet Coke and a bottled water, eating a sandwich, reading a copy of The Economist, writing notes to himself and listening to NPR, in addition to performing his cell phone and Blackberry action — oh, and driving.

Isn't this fellow guilty of reckless driving?

Any person who drives any vehicle upon a public highway carelessly and heedlessly and in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others is a reckless driver.

Every person has a duty to operate their motor vehicle on the public way with due caution, circumspection and at a speed or in a manner that will not endanger any person or property.

This cavalier attitude about using an automobile is ruining the commons.

Which is the most car-free nation in the world? That's where this jackhole needs to be deported to.

I'll bet he can bloody well stop it if the penalties are high enough. Make driving with a phone in your hand a primary offense and put a $500 first time fine on it, license suspension on 2nd incident, and I bet he'll find that he can stop.

Strap his kid to the front of his car, so if he hits something it's him instead of a cyclist that gets crunched, and I bet he can be incredibly attentive to the road.

Sadly, I doubt it. He sounds like the type of person to drive with a suspended license, all in the name of efficiency!

However, and I hate to say this, but at least he hit a parked (and I'm assuming empty) car.... instead of another motorist or worse, a cyclist.

How is smashing cars & racking up tickets efficient? If our hero took the bus, he could do all his stuff and more.

Wonder if this (http://www.msco.com/Home.html) is him

Which is the most car-free nation in the world? That's where this jackhole needs to be deported to.

Yes, and I'd like to see him multi-task all that while riding a bike.

If he did have sex, he'll likely be sipping a Diet Coke and a bottled water, eating a sandwich, reading a copy of The Economist, writing notes to himself and listening to NPR, in addition to performing his cell phone and Blackberry action — oh, and driving.

haha the NPR thing got me for some reason. Also it seems like public transportation would be the perfect solution for a guy like this. But due to the stigma I'm assuming no one in his social class would want to use it.

That part of New York, the only public transportation they have is a shuttle bus that drops off the seniors at their hair appointments and bingo games.

Check out this guy...

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/driving/articles/120378/article.html


I think such distracted driving should carry the same penalties as drunken driving. The highlight of his response is the last sentence "Efficiency, not safe driving, is primary." What good is efficiency if you're dead?

We should find out where this guy lives, and go slash his tires ;)

He's "driven" alright one of these day's he's going to be driven to the grave probably taking some innocent pedestrian or bicyclist with him.

That part of New York, the only public transportation they have is a shuttle bus that drops off the seniors at their hair appointments and bingo games.

I used to live outside of White Plains and commuted to work in White Plains during the summer. I think you were joking, but if not they have a very good public transportation system although it can get crowded at times (Buses mostly). They also have the Metro North Train Station which many use to get anywhere from NYC to Dutchess county.

Four tickets though, I think his insurance company needs to drop him. Especially admitting his doesn't pay attention while driving in order to be efficient :twitchy:.

IMO a beautiful example of why all cars should have a transmitter which prevents mobile phone use while driving. Also eliminate cup holders and lock GPS and car entertainment system controls when the vehicle is moving.

While waiting for a stoplight a few months ago, I happen to see a woman drive by in a newer Ford Super Duty pickup holding a cell phone to her ear with one hand, looking down and sorting through some sort of paperwork on the center console with her other hand.

IMO a beautiful example of why all cars should have a transmitter which prevents mobile phone use while driving. Also eliminate cup holders and lock GPS and car entertainment system controls when the vehicle is moving.

As much as I can support tech like that I have to ask what about passengers who want to use a cell phone or GPS or change CDs or settings for the driver?

While waiting for a stoplight a few months ago, I happen to see a woman drive by in a newer Ford Super Duty pickup holding a cell phone to her ear with one hand, looking down and sorting through some sort of paperwork on the center console with her other hand.

And I am sure that both she and the individual in the OP will be surprised come the day that they are in a major accident. No, in this case hitting a parked car really doesn't count as a major accident, but it should have been a wake-up call for the driver.

And I am sure that both she and the individual in the OP will be surprised come the day that they are in a major accident. No, in this case hitting a parked car really doesn't count as a major accident, but it should have been a wake-up call for the driver.

Should you answer those when you are driving.....

But seriously, I'd love to re-instill in every road user that operating one's vehicle is not some ancilliary task. It is the primary task and is best conducted with one's undivided attention. OK, so that is not always possible, but I see drivers that dont seem to recognise when they should really be paying attention compared to the relatively more predictable moments of travel. Telephones, however, just plain NO!

Mr Multitasking Maniac should be beaten bloody and half-crippled by police, thrown into the gutter, and allowed to crawl to the nearest emergency room provided he can live long enough to reach it.
This is a species of dangerous vermin--not a human being. Final ****ing solution.