Do I really have to answer? I did get a traffic ticket in DC for being inattentive to a red light (which I ran) because I was talking on the phone. In truth, I went back through the intersection and even when looking for the traffic light, it was hard to see. As far as fiddling with my Blackberry while driving… who can resist replying to a PIN message from you Rob?

#1…er, *hand raised*
#2…ummmm, *other hand raised*
#3…never been in an accident but do know of another who has “gently” hit rear bumpers, while paging away
#4…i believe (correct me if i’m wrong) there is a law in d.c. that you’ll get a ticket for paging or talking on hand-held cellphones while talking

“…while talking” should’ve been “while driving”

Geez. What happened to that friend who was in that car? I hope he isn’t too injured.

Hi, I spottet this page accidently and would like to spit out my comment. In germany, we have a law against talking on the mobile in the car, as we have a law against private car races,and
many other unnecessary laws, the government is trying to regulate more and more of the indi-vidual rights and even kinds of behaviour until they have a stereotype, less dagerous, but completely boaring society, we’re on the way to that. Of course, like very willingly stated by the authorities, 99% of the accidents are coused by speeding. Attention loss, problems of vision or hearing, vestibular problems or problems of perception and reaction, presented primarily by elederly, are denied. However there’s really no scientific proof of that fact. There are, however, scientific proofs, that bright (red, jellow, orange, white) cars are seen much earlier than dark (black, grey).

Making a law against talking on mobiles while driving is problematic, it doesnt really solve the problem. Smoking in cars, or even having a quarrel with your wife or kids can reduce your attention enormously too. I myself had experience as I lit a cigarillo after a tiresome 3 hour drive, and the hot ash fell to my pants,
nearly burned my balls. I was unattentive for a moment and nearly crashed onto the preceding car. Setting your navigation system while driving can be much more troublesome for the attention, than speaking on the mobile. I think no law is necessary, however there insurances should not pay the whole amout of the damage, if someone crashes due to talking on the phone, setting his nav, smoking or other bad habits.

Those who really make the accidents should be punished, not those, who just phone not making a crash. And the best way to learn to be more attentive, is when you have to pay the bill for the rapair or your health bill by yourself at least partially. OOps, I think, i got engaged a little too much :)

wow you said it well, freedom. i have to say i agree with you.

I am very happy you brought up this subject, simply because motor vehicle crashes are usually preventable. “Crashes aren’t Accidents” is one of the key themes that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at the US Department of Transportation often employs to remind people. For more information regarding distracted driving, please click the link below:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/porta.....0dba046a0/

One day not too long ago, I had about an hour-long IM conversation with a friend. I had no idea he was driving while conversing with me simultaneously. As soon as our conversation was over, he thanked me for killing his boredom from long driving. I was of course flabbergasted! Thank goodness, it did not result in a motor vehicle crash.

On a personal note, I am no better and have been feeling guilty for using my SK2 while driving, but most of the times I just read incoming e-mail messages and respond when given an opportunity to do so when not driving.

Again, Rob, thank you for making us think twice.

You’ll be disgusted with what I have done while driving. I’ve actually taken my contacts out to switch over to my glasses! How terrible is that???

One: I don’t have a pager! When I lived in NYC, it was essential (and I wasn’t driving there anyway) but I didn’t like how it ruled my life. Now I’m back in Vermont, I don’t need it.

Two: I’m guilty of eating and drinking (non-alcoholic, of course) while driving which some say that can be a dangerous thing since my attention is not fully on the road.

Three: I know quite a few people who had accidents while driving because they were distracted by their pagers, reaching for something in the car or even attempting to swat a bee while continuing to drive!

Four: In the state of New York, the cell-phone use is banned while driving and this law applies to pagers too. There seems to be a decline in accidents since the law went into effect. However, I agree with Freedom that there are so many other things that distract us. How about those DVD players? I’ve seen people watching movies on their dashboard while driving!!! Or if the DVD players for for the people in the back, the driver still has to turn it on, change DVDs, etc. I think GPS systems should not be used in cars, as effective they are, because drivers DO get distracted.

I believe that our culture is shifting and people nowadays are much more distracted than ever due to technology advances. The use of technology is starting to become “dangerous.” We just need to become more aware and take our time to do things instead of rushing about. Conversations can wait until the car is parked. If a conversation is needed at that moment, pull over. Life is too short to be rushing around and getting hurt as a result of that. That’s my two cents. =D