Dear Incompetent Motorists...

[areias]

Nope, not me. I hate the drunks.

I have to remember to like-put *internet sarcasm*. No, I'd rather a tail gaiter than a drunk, I wasn't serious.

Came across a new one today..."yielding" does not mean drive as fast as you can to cut me off.

[CathyBogart]

Here's one....if there is not a stop sign or a red light at in intersection, DON'T STOP. Certainly don't look all offended when I honk at you.

[Cataholic]

I can't get to either of those links, LH! ??? I found something done by Fox News, or, at least reported by Fox news...but, it doesn't really say anything about how drunk...I guess I should start drinking and driving! (Not).

[areias]

I can't get to either of those links, LH! ??? I found something done by Fox News, or, at least reported by Fox news...but, it doesn't really say anything about how drunk...I guess I should start drinking and driving! (Not).

Don't click on the links, just copy and paste it into your address bar. It should work then.

[Cataholic]

LH fixed 'em...I did cut and paste, nothing was working. Here I was blaming my computer.

Anyhow, I will read them. My point in wanting to know the 'they', and then see what 'they' tested is that studies often have a conclusion not supported by the testing mechanism.

For instance, for the study to test people that drank a twelve pack against people that have a casual conversation on the phone (with a hands free device) probably wouldn't result in a statment that cell phones are as dangerous as drunk drivers.

But, if the test was, say, someone at a .10/BAC vs. a cell user holding an argument over the phone, okay, I could see that.

People should know their limits. Some people shouldn't drive, period. I have had several fender benders in the last 20 years of driving. None of them had anything to do with a cell phone. (nor, drunk driving ). I see absolutely no difference between holding a casual conversation with a front seat passenger and a casual conversation with someone over the phone. Maybe I can handle it? Past experience suggests that I can.

I will, for as long as I live, remember being attacked by this woman for being on a cell phone. I was in my car, in the parking lot of a public library, backing up. Seatbelt on, physically moving in reverse (slowly, as it is a parking lot), on the phone. This idiot adult woman RAN behind my car- from her car to the entrance. I slammed on my brakes. She cursed ME for being on my cell phone. Incredible. I WAS on my cell phone, but, that had nothing to do with what happened. She was completely and totally at fault for running behind a moving vehicle, in a parking lot. Sheesh. Total knee jerk reaction, IMO, when someone sees someone on a cell phone. (I didn't hit her....).

[RedHedd]

When I'm on the phone I want to provide my undivided attention to the person on the other line and expect the same in return when I call others; it's called manners. When I'm driving, my undivided attention should be and is on the road, which is about manners and safety. Seeing drivers backing up, parallel parking, changing lanes or just plain driving down the freeway, or even worse in San Francisco traffic, while on the cell phone is just plain asking for it IMHO. I cut those people a very wide swath if I see them while driving or walking, as I know their undivided attention is not on their driving. I've seen way too many close calls to call this safe behavior.

[Cataholic]

I have deleted my original post. If anyone saw it, especially Redhedd, I apologize. I have a difference of opinion on cell phone usuage while driving, and maintain I can do it safely. I respect that others (even experts!) disagree with me.

To RH- we have a big difference of opinion. But, for me, I don't want it to put a distance between us, you are someone I have great respect for. Look at it this way, there isn't any chance I will harm you with my driving- we live too far apart.

[sandragonfly]

it's about dialing too, unless you suspect a unmarked policecar. "421-345..oops! 421-344 .. noo, that doesn't look right.. (searches for paper..) I was right, 42...." and you're dead.

three years ago, on my way to second last performance, I got whipped. first thing I saw in my rearview the woman behind me was glancing off the road at her cellphone multi-times.. I said to my passenger who was part of cast too, "let's hope she won't crash into us! tailgating makes me nervous, we cannot get hurt, I wish she'd get off the phone!!" I speed up a bit to pass the car on right of me so I could let her pass! until then I see she was far away from me.. then there was a traffic coming up, we stopped and I forgot all about her - boom!

(pencil flew out of friend's hand in slow motion) .. boom!

..then boom again. my car bounced off the van in front of me back to that cell driver's car. last thing I saw was her sleeping. dead.

drunk drivers vs cell drivers - reminds me - people got killed by donkey more than car crashes...it was true...don't know if it still stands a fact afterall so many crashes around here.

- I remember my first hit and run by a drunker. it was my first week of driving!! caught the license plate. lucky. honestly, I'd take cell drivers any day, it's shorter than drunk drivers! I'm a good multi-tasker but you never know what's out there by second to second...deers are world's favorite surprise. sigh.