Driving and cell phones

[ChrisnSteph]

I have to preface this by saying that I have never had a problem with people talking on cell phones while driving. I do it all the time, and have never let it cause me to be distracted. Until last night.

It was 8:00 pm, and I was driving into town to pick up my dd's halloween costume. It had been a rough day with the kids, and I was happy to be out of the house for some alone time. I thought I'd use the opportunity to chat with a girlfriend I hadn't been able to talk to all day. We talked on the phone as I drove along, and the next thing I know I see a Suburban make a left turn right in front of me. I slammed on my brakes to avoid it, but I hit their front passenger side fender. I look up, cell phone still in hand, and see that the turn signals are green, and it occurs to me that I must have run a red light. I don't remember seeing a red light, but obviously it was. There was some damage to both of our cars, and there were no injures, thank God. But I was horrified that I could have not only killed myself, but the passengers in the car that I hit. The first thing the lady said was "You were on the phone." I took full responsibilit, I was so wrong. If I wasn't on that phone, I wouldn't have been distracted enough to realize that the green light I thought I saw was actually the turn lane signal, not mine. I just want to make people aware that yes, THIS CAN HAPPEN TO YOU. I've never run a red light in my life, and a cell phone distracted me to the point that I did. This has made me see the issue in a whole new light.

 

[Kimberly]

It's illegal here in NJ and in NY. NY was the one who started the craze, and I agree whole-heartedly with it...

It's a good thing you are okay though!

 

[Marseeya]

I'm so glad everyone was okay.

 

[yeartolate]

I have been hit several times by cell users.

The worst was when my camry was totalled. I walked away with minor injuries. If my son had been with me he would have died or suffered life threatening injuries. On another note, the accident was at a financially crippling time. I had been out of work for a prolonged period of time after a shoulder injury with rotator cuff surgery and I had just gotten back to work. My camry was old, so I did not recoop much, but yet I was forced to by another car. My camry was carefully maintained so it was never a problem. I had to buy up and take on payments I was not financially in a good spot to make. The extra time off work compelled me to take on cobra payments ($750 as compared to my $125 payroll deduction). My injuries were not severe so a personal injury settlement did nothing to recoop these losses.

Thank you for coming foward and attempting to talk sense to people. I really appreciate it.

 

[Jennifer S]

Thanks for the reminder. Glad you are OK

 

[escape]

I'm glad everyone is okay. You are doing a great public service by sharing your experience.

 

[fireman17]

There is a new law enacted here in Connecticut. Anyone using a cell phone while driving can be fined $100.00. You can use hands free operation but, that can still be distracting.
So all you visitors to Connecticut be warned...

 

[yeartolate]

I'm glad everyone is okay. You are doing a great public service by sharing your experience.

ITA!!!!!

 

[swankybeth]

I'm glad you are okay. Definitely a good message to spread. In NY you can use a hands-free device, but I still think it's distracting.

 

[MamaLema]

I don't care if I get flamed.

In my opinion no one drives well while using a cell phone. I think people would be shocked if they could see themselves on camera.

 

[LoveWDW]

I am so glad that everyone was OK. What a frightening experience. Thank you for posting.

When I see an erratic driver any more, almost always they are talking on a cell phone. A pick up truck came right at me from the other side of a two lane road a few weeks ago- man on a cell phone. I pullled off the road and he did see me and jerked his pickup back into his lane.

 

[CharlesTD]

We don't have the driving and talking on a cell ban up here funny to because you see more cops driving around talking on the phone than any one else actually. I am glad to hear there were no serious injuries thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[lulugirl]

I don't care if I get flamed.

In my opinion no one drives well while using a cell phone. I think people would be shocked if they could see themselves on camera.

No flames here, I agree completely.
Talking on cell phones while driving, IMO should be illegal in every state.

 

[DawnCt1]

There are tons of things that can be distracting while driving; drinking coffee, talking to passengers, misbehaving children, changing the dial on the radio, looking at scenary. Most accidents are caused because someone didn't see the danger, usually due to distraction. I have gotton my hands free head set and I find it more annoying than anything else. When I use my cell phone, in my hand, I don't find that I am anymore distracted than with the hands free set. The only difference is, I find I end the call quicker when its in my hand. Cell phones were an easy target.

 

[barbeml]

In NJ the law says you must use a hands-free cell, but no one is complying. I see more drivers ON the phone than not. I actually saw a school bus driver on his cell while driving a bus load of kids--he was making a turn in heavy traffic while chatting away.

My neighbor (has kids & teaches, so you think she would be more careful) routinely drives with her cell in one hand and her tiny dog in the other. Don't ask me what she is steering with.

 

[VSL]

Glad everyone was OK.

It's illegal here in the UK, but I still see people doing it every time I am out. Makes me seethe.
Then again, I also get irritated when my dad doesn't indicate to turn, use roundabouts or cross lanes... is it really so hard?
Then he has the nerve to complain about other people not doing it.
And the way my BF's dad speeds...
I could go on and on and on and...

 

[Snowysmom]

I'm glad you are OK. It was a tough lesson to learn. I always pull off the road to use my cell phone. If it rings while I am driving, then I pull off wherever I can and call back the person who called. My kids have both been told not to use their cell phones while driving. People get very distracted and I believe that even using the hands free devices are dangerous. Your mind is not on driving but on the phone call. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Marseeya]

OMG! I read your post before I went to the grocery store and almost got in an accident myself!

This IDIOT woman was flying through the parking lot, gabbing away on her cell phone and didn't look left or right and we almost hit each other. She didn't even bat an eyelash when I honked my horn at her. Two miles later, I was headed home and driving in my neighborhood and who went flying down a 25 mph road but the same MORON still chatting away.

 

[shortbun]

I hate bad drivers period. I drive 7 hours a day and see many more horrible drivers NOT on a cell phone than bad ones ON a cell phone. I think bad drivers are simply THAT wether on a phone or not. In other words, a cell phone has LITTLE to do with it,
just a symptom.

 

[TSR6]

It's not a problem with cell phones.... It is a problem with people.

Each individual cell phone user needs to analyze themselves, and truly beleive if they can or cannot hold a conversation on the phone, and drive at the same time. Different people have different multi-tasking abilities. Some people shouldn't even listen to the radio and drive. Either way, banning everyone is wrong.