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  1. #16
    Jeff P
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell


    "(PeteCresswell)" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > Per Jeff P:
    >>What frightens me is that there are a lot of bubble-heads out there who
    >>"think" that they can balance the skills of driving a car and talking on
    >>the
    >>phone but really they can't. These are the same people who can't walk and
    >>chew gum at the same time. Those are the ones I am afraid of. I think
    >>everybody should be required to demonstrate during their drivers test that
    >>they can safely operate a vehicle while being distracted by some form of
    >>object, such as a cell phone.

    >
    > I think you've put your finger on a significant phenonomon: the
    > apparently-great difference in different people's ability to multiprocess.
    >
    > I'm one of those "can't chew gum and walk at the same time" types. I
    > know it,
    > and I behave accordingly when driving - i.e. I avoid even trying to
    > multiprocess.
    >
    > OTOH, I used to commute in a van pool and had many hours to study other
    > drivers.
    > One thing I'd see day-after-day was people reading newspapers while they
    > were
    > driving. Not strealing furtive glances, I mean *reading* that sucker.
    >
    > Since there wasn't accident-after-accident on that route we ran every day,
    > I
    > conclude that they were getting away with it. The logical extension of
    > that is
    > that some people are capable of multiprocessing on a level I never dreamed
    > of.
    >
    > On the other end of that scale was the guy who almost got me on the
    > Atlantic
    > City Expressway last year. I was in the right lane and this grey
    > Cherokee in
    > the left lane just starts drifting over into me. I took to the shoulder
    > and
    > braked lightly as he wove back into the left lane again - holding a cell
    > phone
    > in one hand and dialing with the other - all the time studying the
    > keyboard
    > intently.
    >
    > Maybe they should add something to driver's tests.
    > "Cellphone-Certified"....-)
    > --
    > PeteCresswell


    Pete, that's a great idea. I indeed feel that some people are more than
    capable of safely driving while operating other devices, yet others simply
    aren't up to the challenge. It's the people that attempt to do it without
    knowing how that I worry about. I think those who know what they are doing
    shouldn't be restricted from doing it just because there are stupid people
    who will try it without being capable. A certification on their license
    would be excellent--just like how we don't let people drive semi trucks
    without having a CDL or something of that sort.

    I attempted to read a map one time while driving. Not a pleasant experience
    to say the least! I was only taking quick glances at it, but soon realized
    there was absolutely no way that I could locate where I was on the map
    before having to put my eyes back on the road. By the time I'd get a chance
    to glance back at the map I'd lose where it was that had previously found my
    position, so I'd have to start over. It became obvious that I had to pull
    off the road to figure out where I was or where I was going.

    -Jeff





    See More: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell




  2. #17
    Notan
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell

    "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
    >
    > <snip>
    >
    > Maybe they should add something to driver's tests. "Cellphone-Certified"....-)


    And, for the sake of others on the road, DMV attached bumper stickers,
    stating "Good To Go," "Dumb As A Rock," or whatever level of expertise
    they possess! <g>

    Notan



  3. #18
    Jeff P
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell


    "Notan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
    >>
    >> <snip>
    >>
    >> Maybe they should add something to driver's tests.
    >> "Cellphone-Certified"....-)

    >
    > And, for the sake of others on the road, DMV attached bumper stickers,
    > stating "Good To Go," "Dumb As A Rock," or whatever level of expertise
    > they possess! <g>
    >
    > Notan


    Haha! That's great.

    To keep the less informed out of the loop we could just issue two different
    colors of license plate tabs and only tell the smart people why they got a
    different color. Then we'd know everybody with the blue stickers were dumb
    as a rock without offending them or having to put up with their complaints.

    Personally there are some people who I think should be restricted from
    driving on any highway, even state highways. My mom would be one of these.
    She goes 35 in a 55 and thinks she is driving "safely" even though it is
    causing a mile-long pile of cars trailing each others bumper, ready to pass
    at even half the opportunity.

    -Jeff





  4. #19
    Notan
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell

    Jeff P wrote:
    >
    > "Notan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
    > >>
    > >> <snip>
    > >>
    > >> Maybe they should add something to driver's tests.
    > >> "Cellphone-Certified"....-)

    > >
    > > And, for the sake of others on the road, DMV attached bumper stickers,
    > > stating "Good To Go," "Dumb As A Rock," or whatever level of expertise
    > > they possess! <g>
    > >
    > > Notan

    >
    > Haha! That's great.
    >
    > To keep the less informed out of the loop we could just issue two different
    > colors of license plate tabs and only tell the smart people why they got a
    > different color. Then we'd know everybody with the blue stickers were dumb
    > as a rock without offending them or having to put up with their complaints.
    >
    > Personally there are some people who I think should be restricted from
    > driving on any highway, even state highways. My mom would be one of these.
    > She goes 35 in a 55 and thinks she is driving "safely" even though it is
    > causing a mile-long pile of cars trailing each others bumper, ready to pass
    > at even half the opportunity.


    That's another bumper sticker option... "OBLIVIOUS!" <g>

    Notan



  5. #20
    (PeteCresswell)
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell

    Per Jeff P:
    >What frightens me is that there are a lot of bubble-heads out there who
    >"think" that they can balance the skills of driving a car and talking on the
    >phone but really they can't. These are the same people who can't walk and
    >chew gum at the same time. Those are the ones I am afraid of. I think
    >everybody should be required to demonstrate during their drivers test that
    >they can safely operate a vehicle while being distracted by some form of
    >object, such as a cell phone.


    I think you've put your finger on a significant phenonomon: the
    apparently-great difference in different people's ability to multiprocess.

    I'm one of those "can't chew gum and walk at the same time" types. I know it,
    and I behave accordingly when driving - i.e. I avoid even trying to
    multiprocess.

    OTOH, I used to commute in a van pool and had many hours to study other drivers.
    One thing I'd see day-after-day was people reading newspapers while they were
    driving. Not strealing furtive glances, I mean *reading* that sucker.

    Since there wasn't accident-after-accident on that route we ran every day, I
    conclude that they were getting away with it. The logical extension of that is
    that some people are capable of multiprocessing on a level I never dreamed of.

    On the other end of that scale was the guy who almost got me on the Atlantic
    City Expressway last year. I was in the right lane and this grey Cherokee in
    the left lane just starts drifting over into me. I took to the shoulder and
    braked lightly as he wove back into the left lane again - holding a cell phone
    in one hand and dialing with the other - all the time studying the keyboard
    intently.

    Maybe they should add something to driver's tests. "Cellphone-Certified"....-)
    --
    PeteCresswell



  6. #21
    Notan
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell

    "(PeteCresswell)" wrote:
    >
    > Per Notan:
    > >And, for the sake of others on the road, DMV attached bumper stickers,
    > >stating "Good To Go," "Dumb As A Rock," or whatever level of expertise
    > >they possess! <g>

    >
    > If we're going down that path....
    >
    > I've always had this idea that, in addition to the license plate, every vehicle
    > should promenantly display something of similar size that shows the driver's
    > state and license ID number.
    >
    > That would enable giving each of us drivers a certain number of "Gotcha" labels
    > every year. Maybe 5 per year.
    >
    > During the year, we get to assign your "Gotcha"s to other drivers by logging on
    > to a web site, and entering the offending driver's ID number and the license
    > number of the vehicle.
    >
    > If any driver gets more than some number - let's say fifty - of "Gotcha" labels
    > in a given year, they get called in to a courtroom setting to explain.


    "... they get called in to a courtroom setting to explain."

    Or they're just shot and buried! <g>

    Notan



  7. #22
    (PeteCresswell)
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell

    Per Notan:
    >And, for the sake of others on the road, DMV attached bumper stickers,
    >stating "Good To Go," "Dumb As A Rock," or whatever level of expertise
    >they possess! <g>


    If we're going down that path....

    I've always had this idea that, in addition to the license plate, every vehicle
    should promenantly display something of similar size that shows the driver's
    state and license ID number.

    That would enable giving each of us drivers a certain number of "Gotcha" labels
    every year. Maybe 5 per year.

    During the year, we get to assign your "Gotcha"s to other drivers by logging on
    to a web site, and entering the offending driver's ID number and the license
    number of the vehicle.

    If any driver gets more than some number - let's say fifty - of "Gotcha" labels
    in a given year, they get called in to a courtroom setting to explain.
    --
    PeteCresswell



  8. #23
    NerdRevenge
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell


    "Garner Miller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:160620051218144253%[email protected]...
    > In article <[email protected]>, Notan <[email protected]>
    > wrote:
    >
    >>
    >> You've got one hand on the wheel... If you're holding the cell phone
    >> with the other hand, how do you operate your directionals?

    >
    > You've never driven in New England, have you? <grin>
    >
    >> You've got both hands on the wheel, and you're using your shoulder
    >> to keep your phone against your ear... How do you turn to see if
    >> there's any other cars, before changing lanes?

    >
    > As with the turn signals, a turn of the head will give away your
    > strategy, and the other drivers will accelerate to block your lane
    > change. You must give no indications to the other drivers of your
    > intent.
    >
    > (I kid, I kid.)



    Actually that a fact while driving in Mexico


    >
    > Here's a post from James Atkinson that I found a while back, that may
    > help shed some light on the subject:
    >
    >
    > Massachusetts Driving Rules:
    >
    > 1. A right lane construction closure is just a game to see how
    > many people can cut in line by passing you on the right as you
    > sit in the left lane waiting for the same drivers to squeeze
    > their way back in before hitting the orange construction
    > barrels.
    >
    > 2. Turn signals will give away your next move. A real
    > Massachusetts driver never uses them. Use of them in Boston may
    > be illegal.
    >
    > 3. Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance
    > between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be
    > filled in by somebody else putting you in an even more dangerous
    > situation.
    >
    > 4. Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane-change is
    > considered "going with the flow."
    >
    > 5. The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the
    > chance you have of getting hit.
    >
    > 6. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive
    > bodywork. Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance states and the
    > other driver has nothing to lose.
    >
    > 7. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure
    > that your ABS kicks in, giving a nice, relaxing foot massage as
    > the brake pedal pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a
    > chance to stretch your legs.
    >
    > 8. Construction signs warn you about road closures immediately
    > after you pass the last exit before the backup.
    >
    > 9. The new electronic traffic warning system signs are not there
    > to provide useful information. They are only there to make
    > Massachusetts look high-tech and to distract you from seeing the
    > State Police Radar car parked on the median.
    >
    > 10. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right.
    >
    > 11. Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as
    > suggestions and are apparently not enforceable during rush hour.
    >
    > 12. Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to
    > speed up or move over doesn't mean that a Mass driver flashing
    > his high beams behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your
    > spot.
    >
    > 13. Please remember that New Hampshire is the Granite State,
    > named so for a reason. Try to stay on the road.
    >
    > 14. Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident or
    > even if someone is just changing a tire.
    >
    > 15. Throwing litter on the roads adds variety to the landscape
    > and gives Adopt-a-Highway Crews something to clean up.
    >
    > 16. It is assumed that State Police cars passing at high speed
    > may be followed in the event you need to make up a few minutes
    > in your travel.
    >
    > 17. Learn to swerve abruptly. Massachusetts is the home of
    > high-speed slalom driving thanks to DOT, which places potholes
    > in various locations to test drivers' reflexes.
    >
    > 18. It is traditional in Massachusetts to honk your horn at cars
    > that don't move the instant the light changes.
    >
    > 19. Seeking eye contact with another driver revokes your right
    > of way, except in Boston where it acts as an invitation to duel
    > or play chicken.
    >
    > 20. Never take a green light at face value. Always look right
    > and left before proceeding. (In Maine it is allowed to stop and
    > then decide which direction to turn.)
    >
    > 21. Remember that the goal of every Massachusetts driver is to
    > get there first, by whatever means necessary.
    >
    > 22. Real Massachusetts female drivers can put on pantyhose,
    > apply eye makeup and balance the checkbook at seventy-five miles
    > per hour during a snowstorm in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
    >
    > 23. Real Massachusetts male drivers can remove pantyhose and a
    > bra at seventy-five miles per hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic
    > during daylight hours.
    >
    > 24. Heavy snow, ice, fog, and rain are no reasons to change any
    > of the previously listed rules. These weather conditions are
    > God's way of ensuring a natural selection process for body
    > shops,junk yards, and new vehicle sales.
    >
    > --
    > Garner R. Miller
    > Clifton Park, NY =USA=






  9. #24
    Klein
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell

    On Thu, 16 Jun 2005 21:53:19 -0400, "Jeff P"
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    >
    >"Notan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news:[email protected]...
    >> Jeff P wrote:
    >>
    >> Which hand do you use to change radio stations? For a lot of people,
    >> I've seen, their cell phone is their priority and, consequently,
    >> they use their "steering" hand.
    >>
    >> To me, it's just another example of Darwin at his best.
    >>
    >> Notan

    [...]
    >I think if we pulled the licenses of all of the people who are unable to
    >drive while using a cell phone or similar object, the roads would be much
    >safer--even if everybody else were using their cell phone all of the time.


    Fortunately, this is already done during the flight test of
    prospective airplane pilots. Typically, the examiner will throw some
    distractive element at the testee during a critical phase of the
    flight to see how the would be pilot reacts. An example would be to
    ask the testee a question about the physics of flight just before he
    needs to made a turn to a new heading or level off at a new altitude,
    etc. Typically, the testee will feel under obligation to answer the
    question, but the correct response is to say, "just a minute, I'm busy
    with this level-off right now." If the testee blows through the
    altitude, they have failed the test.

    But, sadly, comparing a flight test with a driver's license test is no
    where in the same realm.

    Klein



  10. #25
    GeekBoy
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell


    "Jeff P" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > "(PeteCresswell)" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >> Per Jeff P:
    >>>What frightens me is that there are a lot of bubble-heads out there who
    >>>"think" that they can balance the skills of driving a car and talking on
    >>>the
    >>>phone but really they can't. These are the same people who can't walk and
    >>>chew gum at the same time. Those are the ones I am afraid of. I think
    >>>everybody should be required to demonstrate during their drivers test
    >>>that
    >>>they can safely operate a vehicle while being distracted by some form of
    >>>object, such as a cell phone.

    >>
    >> I think you've put your finger on a significant phenonomon: the
    >> apparently-great difference in different people's ability to
    >> multiprocess.
    >>
    >> I'm one of those "can't chew gum and walk at the same time" types. I
    >> know it,
    >> and I behave accordingly when driving - i.e. I avoid even trying to
    >> multiprocess.
    >>
    >> OTOH, I used to commute in a van pool and had many hours to study other
    >> drivers.
    >> One thing I'd see day-after-day was people reading newspapers while they
    >> were
    >> driving. Not strealing furtive glances, I mean *reading* that sucker.
    >>
    >> Since there wasn't accident-after-accident on that route we ran every
    >> day, I
    >> conclude that they were getting away with it. The logical extension of
    >> that is
    >> that some people are capable of multiprocessing on a level I never
    >> dreamed of.
    >>
    >> On the other end of that scale was the guy who almost got me on the
    >> Atlantic
    >> City Expressway last year. I was in the right lane and this grey
    >> Cherokee in
    >> the left lane just starts drifting over into me. I took to the shoulder
    >> and
    >> braked lightly as he wove back into the left lane again - holding a cell
    >> phone
    >> in one hand and dialing with the other - all the time studying the
    >> keyboard
    >> intently.
    >>
    >> Maybe they should add something to driver's tests.
    >> "Cellphone-Certified"....-)
    >> --
    >> PeteCresswell

    >
    > Pete, that's a great idea. I indeed feel that some people are more than
    > capable of safely driving while operating other devices, yet others simply
    > aren't up to the challenge. It's the people that attempt to do it without
    > knowing how that I worry about. I think those who know what they are doing
    > shouldn't be restricted from doing it just because there are stupid people
    > who will try it without being capable. A certification on their license
    > would be excellent--just like how we don't let people drive semi trucks
    > without having a CDL or something of that sort.
    >
    > I attempted to read a map one time while driving. Not a pleasant
    > experience to say the least! I was only taking quick glances at it, but
    > soon realized there was absolutely no way that I could locate where I was
    > on the map before having to put my eyes back on the road. By the time I'd
    > get a chance to glance back at the map I'd lose where it was that had
    > previously found my position, so I'd have to start over. It became obvious
    > that I had to pull off the road to figure out where I was or where I was
    > going.
    >


    Next time try folding the map to the general location then holding up at eye
    level and off to the side so you can see the road and map at same time


    > -Jeff
    >






  11. #26
    Notan
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell

    GeekBoy wrote:
    >
    > <snip>
    >
    > Next time try folding the map to the general location then holding up at eye
    > level and off to the side so you can see the road and map at same time


    Yo, Einstein!

    PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD to read the map!!!

    Notan



  12. #27
    Jeff P
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell


    "GeekBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    > Next time try folding the map to the general location then holding up at
    > eye level and off to the side so you can see the road and map at same
    > time
    >


    I could do that, except I was using a street atlas that is published in a
    book form. The maps become too much of a folded mess when I attempt to touch
    them. I guess folds and I simply don't get along well in cars.

    -Jeff





  13. #28
    Osmo R
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell



    Notan wrote:

    >
    > Would you mind explaining why using headsets "will likely result in more
    > severe distractions (and thus potentially more harmful accidents) than
    > the 'problem' which it attempts to cure?"


    Well some (most?) people do not prepare the headset before they
    start driving. Instead when someone calls they start looking the
    phone, the headset, clear the cord of knots, plug the headset
    to the phone and then answer (If they are still alive).

    Osmo




  14. #29
    Notan
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell

    Osmo R wrote:
    >
    > Notan wrote:
    >
    > >
    > > Would you mind explaining why using headsets "will likely result in more
    > > severe distractions (and thus potentially more harmful accidents) than
    > > the 'problem' which it attempts to cure?"

    >
    > Well some (most?) people do not prepare the headset before they
    > start driving. Instead when someone calls they start looking the
    > phone, the headset, clear the cord of knots, plug the headset
    > to the phone and then answer (If they are still alive).


    Cites?

    Notan



  15. #30
    Osmo R
    Guest

    Re: Connecticut Cellphone Ban -- Letter to Gov. Rell



    Notan wrote:
    > Osmo R wrote:


    > > Well some (most?) people do not prepare the headset before they
    > > start driving. Instead when someone calls they start looking the
    > > phone, the headset, clear the cord of knots, plug the headset
    > > to the phone and then answer (If they are still alive).

    >
    > Cites?


    That is just what I have observed on the comments of those who
    criticize the ban here (in Finland). That is also the natural
    behavior if one really does not expect calls.

    Osmo




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