The Last Text - A documentary on the dangers of texting while driving... (Page 1/20)
Synthesis DEC 28, 01:06 PM
I watched this, and thought that it was something worthy of sharing..
avengador1 DEC 28, 01:36 PM
I don't see what the appeal is that texting has. I don't answer my phone while driving and I would never text either. Driving a car gets more difficult, the more one is distracted. It can wait is the right idea.
phonedawgz DEC 28, 02:40 PM
Cars crashed before texting.

I agree that texting on a busy road is just stupid. But on a straight divided four lane highway when you are bored silly is something else. I don't hear anyone pushing for banning radios in cars. People can get so engrossed that they crash playing with their radio. I don't hear people pushing for banning eating or drinking in cars. Spill your coffee on your lap and you can crash. Leave your window open and a wasp can come in and sting you and you can crash.

So there are a lot of distractions that can make you crash. It just seems to me that everyone has the focus on texting.

The problem the way I see it is way too many people see safety as black and white.

I taught Sunday School for over 10 years. I was a Scoutmaster for over 10 years. Even try this with adults. Ask them which is more dangerous. Driving a car with no seat belt on, or riding a motorcycle with your helmet on.

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Do you know which is more dangerous? There really is no debate which one is much more dangerous. Any if you have been following you knew the answer before I asked the question. It's the one that seems just a bit backwards if you don't actually think about it.
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Safety isn't black and white. We take risks in EVERYTHING we do. Figuring what is acceptable risks is what is needed. And for many texting isn't something they should be doing while driving. I will REALLY say that for an 17-18 yo driver. They tend to crash more. They tend to loose concentration more.

Look at a fighter plane pilot. Look at how many tasks they juggle while flying. Look at the cop with all the things he juggles while driving. If we took that same mentality that says "the distraction of texting is TOO dangerous to let ANYONE do while driving, we better start not having pilots fly planes and better start putting two cops in every car so one can keep his mind on the road. Don't give me that 'texting isn't needed but my examples are different.' You could EASILY ban a single cop who's driving from doing anything else. Easily say you always need two in a car. (Germany has that as a rule)

Do I think it's safe enough for me to text on a open highway and not to loose my mind on the road. Yep. idk if it is for all others. I also ride a motorcycle. Sometimes with a helmet, sometimes without (legal in WI). I rarely drive without a seatbelt on. The advantage of it isn't worth the risk. That's because I really can't see an advantage in not wearing a seat belt. btw, it should be clear I can see an advantage of all those other more risky things.

So what is more dangerous, beltless or helmetless? Clearly it is MUCH more dangerous riding a motorcycle with a helmet than driving a car without a seatbelt.

Too many people just love this kind of thing the video says. It makes the complicated issue very black and white. Maybe that's what is needed to get some people to change their ways. idk.

Yeah WI has banned texting and driving. I post to PFF while driving at times. I don't when I feel I need my full attention on the road.

It's not really reality. ...but maybe some people need something that isn't quite reality.
87antuzzi DEC 28, 02:57 PM
yes yes.....speed kills, texting and driving kills, drugs kill bla bla bla. I dont text and drive for one reason.....I dont want the ticket.....I do talk and drive every day. And according to the video she sent out hundreds of texts a day. Texting and driving did not kill her. Her own stupidity did.
ARFiero DEC 28, 04:23 PM

quote
Originally posted by phonedawgz:

Cars crashed before texting.

Yeah WI has banned texting and driving. I post to PFF while driving at times. I don't when I feel I need my full attention on the road.

It's not really reality. ...but maybe some people need something that isn't quite reality.



I don't know how to take the statements you make but I will tell you this. If you take your eyes off the road for 1 second at 75 MPH you have travelled 110 feet without even knowing where your car is going and that to me is just plain dangerous. I am not saying distractions can't happen like the wasp in your story but the idea of driving is to drive the car and keep the distractions we have control over to the very bare minimum.

Shelby
avengador1 DEC 28, 08:41 PM

quote
Do I think it's safe enough for me to text on a open highway and not to loose my mind on the road. Yep. idk if it is for all others.


I wonder what your last text will be, you didn't get the message the video was trying to convey. There is no question that you will be involved in an accident, the question is when?
As for the comment someone made comparing texting to what a fighter pilot does, that is an Apples to Oranges comparison. A fighter pilot isn't flying his plane in close proximity to other planes or has oncoming traffic, stopping traffic, or even lane changing traffic. Most well run police forces do have two policemen to a car for safety reasons. One drives and the other handles the radio and computer.
Remember you are responsible for any damages you cause while driving if you are negligent. Many states have banned this because of how dangerous it is, many are also banning the use of cell phones unless you use a hands free device.
Here is what happens when you text and drive.


This one is made by actors but could be real.

Here is one by Car & Driver. It shows your reaction time is worse than driving impaired.

There are many more videos on YouTube. Don't text and drive. The life you may save may be your own.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 12-28-2010).]

8Ball DEC 28, 09:03 PM

quote
Originally posted by phonedawgz:

Cars crashed before texting.

I taught Sunday School for over 10 years. I was a Scoutmaster for over 10 years.

Do I think it's safe enough for me to text on a open highway and not to loose my mind on the road. Yep.
Yeah WI has banned texting and driving. I post to PFF while driving at times. I don't when I feel I need my full attention on the road.

It's not really reality. ...but maybe some people need something that isn't quite reality.



Yea, if you think Texting while driving is ok... You are a moron. I don't care how many years you spent teaching sunday school, Texting while driving is stupid. And so is everyone who does it. I would hate for YOU to kill someone that I love just because you felt BORED while driving your two ton vehicle at 70 miles an hour, 6 feet from my loved ones bumper. Tell me, exactly WHEN does 2 tons of metal not need your full attention?

So you freely admit to breaking the law as well.... Texting is banned in your state, but you post to the forum while driving. But it is ok.. YOU are teaching our youth.

Smarten the heck up and act like the good intelligent adult you claim to be.
Boondawg DEC 28, 09:41 PM
I wept.
starlightcoupe DEC 28, 09:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by 8Ball:


Yea, if you think Texting while driving is ok... You are a moron. I don't care how many years you spent teaching sunday school, Texting while driving is stupid. And so is everyone who does it. I would hate for YOU to kill someone that I love just because you felt BORED while driving your two ton vehicle at 70 miles an hour, 6 feet from my loved ones bumper. Tell me, exactly WHEN does 2 tons of metal not need your full attention?

So you freely admit to breaking the law as well.... Texting is banned in your state, but you post to the forum while driving. But it is ok.. YOU are teaching our youth.

Smarten the heck up and act like the good intelligent adult you claim to be.



I TOTALLY agree with you. phonedawgz's posts are usually right on the mark and you can take his Fiero advice to the bank but he is wrong on this issue.

I saw a woman nearly kill a pedestrian and her dog while driving her Jeep Cherokee all over the road. I took her license plate number and called the cops when I got home but they told me they had to see her do it because my description of the event isn't legally binding.
lurker DEC 28, 10:05 PM
i've been run off the road by people with cell phones. they are not paying full attention to their surroundings. the guy in the car next to me was texting, started drifting into my lane. i honked, he kept on texting, never even looked up. i went to the shoulder to avoid him. jerk.

if you guys want to kill yourselves, feel free to do it at home where it's not my problem.

cellphones dont kill, idiots with cellphones kill.

[This message has been edited by lurker (edited 12-28-2010).]