Ok, so I'll admit, I'm not always the safest driver on the road (no one really is) but this am I saw something that totally shocked me and thought, "oh great, she's the accident waiting to happen for the day." I was driving behind a person in the left lane who was going about 5 -10 mph lower than the speed limit but I had to turn left so I didn't pass. Right before I get to the left turning lane, I turn on my blinker (I know so uncommonly used in Phoenix or AZ for that matter) and get over. This woman gets right in front of me with no signal. I let it go and just think, I'll pass her when I turn. Suddenly her arm comes out the window with a cigarette in hand (explaining why she probably didn't use her signal but still not sure why she was driving so slow), then we turn and I pass her and it suddenly becomes clear...Not only was she smoking, she was on her cell phone at the same time!!! I don't even know how it's possible to drive like that. This got me thinking about the person who almost took out my car a few months back because he was eating while driving and the lady a few days ago that was so involved with her phone that she switched lanes almost into my car. Is it just me or does there seem to be a lot more people on the roads with only one (and sometimes none) hand on the wheel or only a 1/2 of a set of eyes on the road? I'm seriously starting to think that maybe the state should have a law like they do in NY where hand set usage allowed only with cell phones to help elimanate some problems.
"It's not to late to become who you've always wanted to be..."
We had a friend visit from
We had a friend visit from New York a couple years ago and he couldn't believe the number of drivers speaking on their cell phones. I would support a law against cell phone use in cars (it's so easy to get an ear piece for your phone so you can keep both hands on the wheel anyway). Also, all these car accidents & deaths caused by text messaging - it's ridiculous. It's hard enough driving with all the distractions on the road - cell phones just add another one.
Lattemom is the mother of three energetic kids ages 6, 8 & 11 and a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com.
Yes, I'm from California but
Yes, I'm from California but have lived here over a decade now. Anyway, first thing I noticed is how many more accidents there are here. I couldn't understand it as people drive pretty fast in LA on freeways and such but I guess people here speed on streets and of course the situation is aggravated by the inattention while driving. I also feel driving while talking on cell should be banned. If it saves one life it is worth it.
I will probably get a lot of
I will probably get a lot of heat for this comment, but i wish AZ would ban cell phones while driving. I refuse to answer my phone while i am driving. If you need to use the phone, pull over.
My husband and i joke about it, even though it's really not funny because some can be killed....but whenever we are behind someone driving who is going 5-10 miles under the speed limit (yes, this is different than the flow of traffic in AZ) we say on the cell phone? (Plus a few other G rated comments, because our daughter is usually in the car) And sure enough 9 times out of 10, the slow driver is on their phone.
I would say talking on the phone, while driving and smoking takes talent, but in reality it just stupid!! Not to mention dangerous and irresponsible.
just~me
LOL...you comment cracked me
LOL...you comment cracked me up...I usually say as I'm passing them, "of course, your too busy yakking on the phone to pay attention to the road."
"It's not to late to become who you've always wanted to be..."
I would definitely support a
I would definitely support a no hand-held devices law. So dangerous!!
I can't tell you how often
I can't tell you how often my husband and I talk about how scary it can be driving these highways and even the surface streets. Okay, so no one is a totally perfect driver, but nothing angers me more then when someone is driving so carelessly. I'm almost afraid to go out with my 2 month old in the car for fear of some idiot driver crashing into us. I even had a co-worker admit she puts on make-up in the car on her way to work! I told her flat out, "it's drivers like you that tick me off and put the rest of us in danger." I don't know if it's the spreadout highways or what, but people here drive like they are race car drivers. I find myself clutching my wheel when I drive because of all the idiots out there. God forbid if there is more than a few inches between you and the car in front of you, others think it's an invite to cut you off (without using the blinker!). I too will not answer my cell phone while driving it's not worth it. Even if you're not the one being distracted you need to pay attention for all the people who are! I could go on and on about this it gets me so angry. So many accidents and deaths could probably be avoided if people just drove appropriately. I see no reason why when the speed limit is 65 people need to go 80mph. You won't get there any faster! I feel your frustration and I COMPLETELY agree with you there should be some law put into place!
I passed a woman putting on
I passed a woman putting on makeup while driving the other day. I seriously thought that was just a stereotype.
I have answered my phone while driving, but I have a hands free and speakerphone system, in which case, it's not really much different from having a conversation in the car. And I don't make a habit out of it, I just do it on an as needed basis and try to keep the conversation short. For example, I never answer if it's my mother because I know I'll be stuck there a while, and she'll probably make me angry. But I will answer if it's my husband or son's daycare.
hands free is the way to
hands free is the way to go.....I have one in my acura, the buttons are right in the steering wheel and I really like it.....I rarely talk on the phone in my car(or anywhere else for that matter....a few years of doing csr work in my early twenties, and now I only talk on the phone when absolutely neccessary)......but this system makes it less of a distraction, as you said it's no more so than having a conversation in the car.
I used to have a freind in my wild early twenties who could smoke, hold a beer, and drive a manual transmission car all at once.....at the time I thought that was impressive....but she ended up spending time in prison for dui so it really wasn't cool at all!!
i too would support a no
i too would support a no hand-held device law. they makr so many handy ear pieces...it seems do-able.
LisaMommy is a 38 year old discussion leader for arizonamoms.com from the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Her two boys are ages 7 months and 3 years old.
There should definately be a
There should definately be a law that only allows talking on the cell phone if you have a hands free device. Anyone caught driving with a phone up to their ear should be subject to a hefty fine because it is such a driving hazard. Absolutley no texting while driving! Anyone who wants to text can pull over on a side road or shopping center, park their car and do what they have to do. That person should not be putting anyone's lives in danger on the road!!!