September 12, 2011
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Driving while talking- are we taking things too far?
The good news is I get to leave work early, the bad news is I have to go to traffic court. The crime, talking on a cell phone in a construction zone. Okay, I know, that sounds bad. Even I can see now why that probably is a bad idea, but let me plead my case.
First, I live in Il. in Chicago, you cannot be on the cell phone at all, unless it's hands free. As far as the suburbs? Every town is different. I did hear about the new state law that you couldn't be on the phone when you were near a school, but heard nothing about the construction law. And yes, I should have bought a hands free devise because you can see it coming, it's going to be against the law period to use your cell phone while driving. But I didn't.
In my opinion, they just should have made that the law and be done with it. When they made the seat belt law, they didn't say you had to wear it when going over ten miles an hour, but when going 30 in a rural area, you could take it off. I mean make the law, be straight forward, and move on. Don't say it's okay here but not there, and how am I supposed to know a school is going to pop up out of nowhere, and what if it's a weekend? And why not ban it if you are going by soccer practice, or a little league game, lots of kids are there too? Just say, only hands free devices allowed.
And although this is not going to make any difference to the Judge, no one was working that day. Yes, there were the cones, but that's all I was going to hit, if anything. The cop asked if I knew about this law and I said, in a very nice tone, that no, had I known, I wouldn't have been on the phone. He informed me that he had given tickets to fifty people before me that also didn't know. And he didn't say it in a nice way either. Anyway, maybe I am making excuses, but a sign would have been nice. they post the speeding, fine, signs in construction zones, how hard is it to add one more?
Regardless, I'm guilty, I did the crime I'll pay the fine, which I am praying is affordable.
My friend gave me a hands free thing that goes on my visor and I plan on showing the judge, but it might be too little too late.
Having said that, did you know the National Safety Council (NSC), wants to ban all cell phone use in the car? Even hands free?
I really have to take issue with that. Now the texting and driving is a no brainer. I mean to me that's like saying don't read a book while driving, don't take a nap while driving. I mean clearly, texting and driving was never going to be a good idea.
I personally don't think talking on a non hands free phone is a huge deal, but apparently studies say it is.
But really? Not at all? Why not ban the radio? Ban talking to the passenger next to you. And while your at it, don't drive with anyone at all under 10. Because when my kids were fighting in the backseat, that wasn't distracting? Oh no, not at all. And when my baby was screaming from the car seat? That was nothing compared to driving, with both hands on the wheel and talking about what a nice day it is.
I mean come on? Seriously? I'm sorry ___ who is sitting next to me in the passenger seat, we need to drive in silence and I can't look at you either, so if you could please wear this invisible cloak that would be great.
Johnny, mommy needs to drive, you know the rule, if you have to go potty, go in your pants, mommy is not allowed to listen to anything but the traffic.
It's ok husband, I'll just sit here while you drive around getting lost on our way to your dad's funeral, we can't talk, the big brother monitor is on and we could be fined up to one million dollars.
We could all learn sign language but that would require taking your eyes off the road.
I mean I can name tons of things I have personally done in my car that are more dangerous than talking on a hands free phone in the car. Here are my top twenty in no particular danger order.
1) reaching back into the back seat to give a bottle to one of my kids when they were babies, or a cookie, or a toy or whatever.
2) reaching into the back seat in an attempt to gently smack one of my kids because they were distracting me by hitting their sibling for the last hour.
3) reaching into my glove box or the seat next to me or sometimes the back seat to get something.
4) Looking at a map, ( same as reading a text).
5) eating and or drinking ( non alcohol ) while driving.
6) when I smoked, smoking while driving. Actually, really dangerous when an ash flew somewhere in the car. And then your like, shit, shit, shit, trying to see where it went and hoping your car doesn't start on fire.
7) Singing really loud to the radio while driving and then being distracted when I notice good looking man in the car next to me heard me and saw.
8. As I said, listening to crying, whining, fighting, bad singing, repetitive questions such as are we there yet, while driving.
9. Having no where to pull over when one of the kids puked in the car.
10. checking my self out in the rear view mirror or visor mirror to make sure my make up was on right.
11. Arguing with expunge while driving.
12. Crying while arguing with expunge while driving.
13. Crying for a reason, or no reason at all while driving.
14. laughing really hard while driving.
15. Sneezing ( which makes you close your eyes ) while driving.
16. having period cramps while driving.
17. Had braxton hicks ( mini contractions) while driving when pregnant.
18. Have to pee really bad, while driving.
19. got a massive migraine while driving.
20. had an eyelash fall into my eye while driving.
I mean, lets just ban driving all together. In fact, America is fat anyway, the walking will do us good.
I understand safety. I don't want people to die. I eventually got used to the seat belt law, even though I still find it uncomfortable. And I used to wish for the days, on long trips, when there was no seat belt law, especially for the whining kids. I just wanted to throw them in the back of a station wagon, like when I was a kid.
In reality, being on a cell phone in the car has actually made me a safer driver at times. If I need to vent, I can just talk to someone and calm down. Better than driving all angry. If I am lost, I have had someone calmly direct me, rather than panic. Telling someone a creepy guy is on my ass, is better than freaking out about it alone. Sometimes it has kept me awake when tired.
Can we just draw the line somewhere? Because honestly, if you are not prepared to ban driving all together, forget it. There are at least 20 more things that can distract you while driving. I'm fine with the hands free, especially since my friend gave it to me for free. But that's where I draw the line.
Please give me your opinion but only if you agree. Just kidding, GOD! You Xangans are so sensitive. I really want to know what you think.
Okay my photos for today, not blog related just, because.
Comments (49)
WEll, I'm your Mommy and I don't want anything bad to happen to you ever so no more talking on your cell while driving, please. Whether you're holding the phone or talking hands free, I find it's still distracting. But if you can convince the judge you didn't deserve that ticket, that's great. I totally agree on correcting the inconsistancies of the regulations.
I was thinking this when I saw a special the other day. The special was basically about texting while driving, but a bunch of doctors and police officers were saying that any use of a phone, even hands-free, while driving was super distracting. I remember thinking that this was odd, because how could it be even worse to use a hands-free device than to talk to a passenger in the car or listen to the radio?
To be fair, many of the behaviors you listed as dangerous are technically illegal. It's not illegal to drink (non-alcoholic) while driving, but did you know it's technically illegal to eat while driving? Yep, I remember that from drivers ed. And, yes, actually you can get in trouble for reaching into the back seat to give your kid a bottle. It's even illegal to drive without shoes on. Also, by the way, all the constructions zones do have the no cell phone signs up now; I'm not saying that you necessarily saw one or that it was obvious, but I see them all the time.
But, the point is, that talking on a hands-free could not possibly be any worse than talking to someone in the car. I don't get that at all. The point this TV special was trying to make (by showing a brain imaging scan) was that talking took some percentage of your attention off of the road. But, I'm sorry, that's crazy. I have gotten distracted in the car without talking to anyone. Sometimes I am in such deep thought that I miss my exit for work that I take EVERY DAY. So I just can't see how talking on a cell phone is so terrible.
And I have thought the "map" thing too. And since I am often using my cell phone as a map now (with the google map/gps thing) I always wonder if I am going to get pulled over and prepare my response. Because I am not sure what else I can do if I don't know how to get somewhere. I mean, I know I am supposed to technically pull over, but, I'm sorry, that's unreasonable because I would literally have to either memorize the directions, or pull over every five seconds. And the TV special was saying how cars nowadays with all their gadgets and whistles (like the ones they have the commercials where they will give you your facebook newsfeed out-loud, or just the ones with fancy gps systems) are really distracting for people. Well, duh. They should stop putting them in cars, then!
The one interesting thing about the TV special was that it said texting and driving is statistically more dangerous than drinking and driving. Now THAT'S a sobering thought. If that doesn't convince you to keep your eyes on the road, I don't know what will.
I rarely talk on the phone while driving - the adult kids give me grief and it makes it hard to change gears and steer the car. You might argue the community benefits of Distracted Drivers. They are the best to take advantage of: if you need to change lanes, cut in on the cell phone user because they never notice and they are usually moving slower than the rest of the traffic.
You just educated a whole bunch of Xangans and I agree they should put up warnings like they do about seat belts and DUI.
Oh officer this phone call was an emergency, my (fill in the blank) is sick and dying. I have to go and pick them up....usually a policeman would give you a break with a prize winning excuse....
Still I am not addicted to answering the phone (maybe because I am cheap and I am charged 25 cents per minute) and will quickly glance at the phone to see who is calling...
Whoever was the one on the phone, spread the guilt on them for calling /answering you.
@dianestickler - mom, I'm sorry, I will talk on my hands free cell, as I said it's the same thing as talking to someone in the car. That's dumb.
@sincerely_jennie - I know the shoe law,but leave it to you to know the eating etc.. and remember it from drivers ed OMG. And wait until you have a baby screaming at the top of it's lungs, on a highway, where it is dangerous to pull over. I'm telling you, if it's no hands free then total silence should be enforced. That's the stupidest thing I ever heard.
@Owain_Gwynedd - True, you can take advantage of the cell talkers. I actually understand the hand held thing, and dialing. But voice activated calls, hands free, are fine. In my opinion that is. My daughter above said there are warnings, but I go through that same construction site daily, no sign. If they are so worried about accidents and killing someone they should have warnings.
@PPhilip - no way this cop was a jerk, he wasn't cutting me a break even if my house was on fire and I just learned my child was burning up inside.
@sincerely_jennie - BTW there is NO sign in that construction zone, I drive through it all the time.
" I'm sorry ___ who is sitting
next to me in the passenger seat, we need to drive in silence and I
can't look at you either, so if you could please wear
this invisible cloak that would be great."
LOLOL, I will have to use that on my daughter. She never stops talking, what a chatterbox. I love her, though, and always remind myself that it's better that she IS talking than that she is not!
I hope your ticket isn't too expensive. The law varying in parts of Illinois IS confusing. i know there are some laws that pertain to Chicago, but not the rest of the state. Who knows where the boundaries are? I hope my daughter learns all this in drivers' ed next semester.
Ever though about syndicating a column? You'd be great, with your sense of humor and your writing skills. You could be the next Erma Brombeck!
@musicmom60 - $215.00 and court supervision. If your daughter is a nerd, she will learn and remember 9 years later ALL the laws. See my daughters comment above. LOL
@mammaquiet - Thank you So much. I have thought of writing a book, with someone who knows how to write. I would give them the ideas and then they could write it. I want to write my life story because it's crazy, but I'm really not a writer. I am very flattered though, you made my day.
i'm not in any way pointing a finger at you but what has always disturbed me is the attitude of many drivers that they are such good drivers they don't need to pay attention as other drivers do. all this means to me is they are not even aware enough to realize they become distracted. take tailgaters. the road in front of where i live is residential. there are children around which should be all that is necessary to say. the speed limit is 30. with the 5 mph legal leeway i stay between 30 and 35 yet almost every time i go out there is an impatient driver on my tail waiting for an opportunity to pass and take off at what looks like 45 or 50 and you know if he or she has an accident or hits someone it will be the other person's fault, in their mind.
the best thing i did was ride motorcycles. if you're a smart biker you assume 2 things. 1. cars do not see you. 2. cars will do something erratic and unexpected at any moment like turn or change lanes without a directional. as a biker you always do 1 thing, make sure you have plenty of room in front, behind and beside you. in other words don't get boxed in by cars. i apply this same awareness when driving my car.
common sense should be the guide in keeping from becoming distracted. the law should be the last resort. laws are created because many people don't use common sense and many think themselves to be better drivers than the rest of mankind, a sure sign of stupidity right there.
sometimes people who think they aren't writers, are! I think you should just keep writing......what you have to say and how you say it is more important than technique, I think. Of course there is value of staying on point, sentence structure and all that, but I still think you should keep going. In my mind you have a command of the language and that's all it really takes; that, and lots of writing. The rest will evolve. That being said I am going to send you this link and see if you can get to it. It is a site that I have started that I am inspired to maintain, mostly memoir, but some essays and stuff that I have tried to polish. Also it is neat to be a part of a network of women writers. Let me know!
http://www.writergoddess.com/
If IL has the law where we cannot talk on hands free phone system built in the car, then I am a dead duck. Living in a small town has some advantages, but I see your point. I have done just about every thing you did, ( except smoke ) and I think about them and cringe...how did we survive?
Couldn't you have cried when the cop pulled you over? One of my friends did that, and it worked. My daughtergot pulled over once and she innocently asked the cop if he had heard this joke about the snail and the turtle. He said no he hadn't, and she told him...'The snail got on the back of the turtle and said, hi ho giddyap!' The cop dropped the pencil and started laughing with her, and let her go. Just giving you some hints here.
Good luck in the traffic court.
@TheSutraDude - ok, point taken. I'm sure there are some people who think they can multi task a million things, while driving, and really don't care or pay attention to the road.
And tailgaters suck. I'm always thinking F you buddy I am going the speed limit, why should I go faster for you? And that is very distracting, having someone on your ass.
My point is, there has to be a line drawn somewhere. There are always going to be stupid people. I have had bikes cut me off, swerve in front of me and weave in between cars, while going so fast it's scary. My son has a motorcycle, I pray he isn't one of those. But at least he has a old little thing, not a crotch rocket, or a Harley which would scare me more.
I really don't think, talking on a hands free phone is any different than talking to a person in the car with you.
I am not proud of my list, but even if I had done none of those things, every mother knows a crying, or sick child in the car, with no recourse to pull over, is more distracting than almost anything. Are they going to ban that?
I have a HUGE pet peeve about people speeding through residential neighborhoods, and I always yell slow down, not that they can hear me.
Not everyone is going to have common sense, so I think SOME laws need to be made ( ie. texting and driving, drinking and driving etc...) but sometimes the lawmakers are just crazy. As I said, what's next a monitor in your car that says whether or not you're speaking to a passenger? Because if talking is the issue, then no talking should be allowed in the car period.
@ZSA_MD - I have teared up and begged before and it's worked ( with speeding). I knew right away this guy was not budging AT ALL. I was all apologetic and said I honestly didn't know, but that when I thought about it, that made sense.
Could have cared less. He was giving tickets out like Halloween candy, he bragged about it. Oh well, got a fine, got supervision, lesson learned.
@mammaquiet - Thank you, I will definitely check it out. Maybe, my mom would edit for me. She doesn't do much at 72.
I have a learning disability, which is the main reason the English rules, elude me. Thanks for the link and the compliments, I will be sure to look into it.
@momofjenmatt - i definitely understand what you're saying and yes there are a lot of idiot bikers. crotch rockets are actually safer. it is much easier to turn and maneuver when you are leaning into the handlebars. it's why you don't see Harleys and dirt bikes in professional races with them. that and class differences i suppose.
the first time i went into one bike dealership in Manhattan to buy a new helmet i noticed a sign behind the counter saying, "If you have a $10 head buy a $10 helmet." i pointed to the sign, then asked the fellow behind the counter, "Got anything for five bucks?" i was hoping for a laugh. i just got a look.
yes i hate tailgaters too, totally.
i agree too that hands free laws should be consistent throughout a state at the very least. i'm guessing the differences you come across in town or county lines are due to more opposition in some pockets than in other. it's stupid.
The tongue texting made me laugh! I try not to ever answer my phone while driving and I never make calls (except when stopped at RR crossings). I don't see a problem with hands free though.
An that 3rd photo is marvelous!
@murisopsis - Thank you very much. I liked the tongue thing too, especially the harmonica holder lol
I'm reccing this as it's thought provoking, that means I can disagree a little, right?
To me, I think it all should banned, my reasoning is linked to personalities. Some personalities are very volatile, easily distraught, etc. It can be very distracting. I would never talk on a hands free phone while driving, I learned. A spat with my boyfriend could make me see red, thereby blurring my vision for real. We can't know which personalities can handle it, so I would vote it no, I'd say pull over to talk. The other things you refer to cannot be helped you know, I learned the hard way, don't look for something that fell, it almost killed us all by me driving right off a cliff. But I digress...
@ZSA_MD - LOL crying can work two different ways. I have gotten off a couple of times when the cop was nice, but another time the cop was nice enough but the problem was I was so upset about everything in general, and so stressed out by life at that moment that I could not stop crying. Everytime he was nice, I cried more. The car was filled with potted plants and whining dogs (we were moving). I cried, the dogs whined, and the cop was seriously considering getting me institutionalized. He thought I was too upset to be driving. I wasn't, I just didn't need a traffic violation which was a last straw at that moment. I can't remember if that one let me go without a ticket or not, but I do remember there were 5 cop cars by the time I left.
@DivaJyoti - I'm sorry but disagreements are not allowed. I am forced to block you now lol. No of course you can disagree, but let me debate with you a bit. By your own logic, not everyone has the emotional stability to drive a car period. What if your boyfriend is in the car and you get upset and see red, it's the same thing, except I suppose you could let him drive, but what if he's too angry too? well then you might say in that case we would pull over and fight, but that's you. Not everyone is going to pull over and fight, they will still drive, and it's almost worse, you can hang up a phone, if the person is in the car you are forced to be with them.
That's why I brought up the example of me and expunged ( my ex), it doesn't matter if I'm on the phone or he's in the car, either way buttons are pushed. If I got that angry with someone on a call, I would simply hang up and pull over to get a grip. Others might not, but then they shouldn't be driving at all.You are right, reaching for things is stupid, and I have had close calls myself. Anyway, unless we all have a psychological assessment, you can't control people's emotions in the car. I know people storm off in a rage and drive all the time, and you can't make a law saying no driving when pissed. I don't like the government being my parent. I can handle being on a hands free phone, and I am responsible about it. Others may not be, but they are going to be reckless either way.
@momofjenmatt - you're right if expunged is in the car and you're getting pissed somebody should pull the fuck over, that's VERY dangerous.
Re: the phone thing, I still maintain my position for several reasons. a) the phone thing can be controlled, it's been shown to cause accidents and it can be something that a law can be made about. It's not plausable to make laws about driving with somebody you don't get along with. I'm pragmatic.
b) People think they drive better then they do while on a cell phone. There are statistics. Many accidents these days are caused by cell phones.
I've been behind too many cell phone talkers who think they're great drivers when they suck - I've observed, every time in the last 5 years or so that someones driving has especially sucked I think "I'll bet they're on their cell phone" sure enough, every time, it's been the case. That's personal experience but my opinion is a personal thing too.
govt. statistics that show trends also and I'm a person who does favor government imposing safety standards child seats regs and so forth. They may seem extreme but I vote in favor of erring for safety. Man my grandmother always got so pissed off at me when I made her put her seat belt on! she hated it, haha
I think the cell phone thing will remain a state by state thing and our opinions will matter not at all.
I'm tired of the government making new laws to control us. The can't legislate all danger out of our lives but it sure looks like they are going to continue to try to do that.
too much common sense for me in one post. brain overload.
@DivaJyoti - good points, and that's why I think the hand held phones are dangerous. I still don't see the difference between a voice coming out of my radio, which is what my hand free device does, and the person sitting next to me, but I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one. Thank you for the rec though. ALWAYS appreciated!
@momofjenmatt - Just as long as you don't try to talk back to that voice coming out of your radio, y'all shouldn't have any disagreements
Yeah we disagree on this issue, in fact I disagree with people I usually agree with on most other things, people like @C_L_O_G -
I think one too many cell phone talking people tried to mow me off the road. I am biased.
@C_L_O_G - I'm all for laws and safety, but sometimes, as in the case of a HANDS FREE phone, the government needs to back off. I have no problem with most laws, but telling me I can't talk to what is basically air is stupid. Then I can't sing in the car either.
@BenelliMan - lol is that a nice way of saying I'm long winded? I think I do go on and on sometimes. But thanks for saying it was common sense, obviously I agree, I wrote it : )
@momofjenmatt -
@momofjenmatt - You're absolutely right.
Why is the wall spitting on the children?
THAT is what is distracting to me!
Good luck in court
I can't say anything. I totally text and drive. I rock at it too...
@opticalnoise - ha ha ha, you would have to ask the wall.
Anyway, I had my day in court. $215.00 and 90 day supervision. It was fine, except they really should make the judge so high up. I'm short and I could barely see him or hand him my papers. I felt stupid and like a little kid.
@TNLNSL_PRN - not gonna lecture, not your mom, but I will pull over to text, I would never forgive myself if I killed someone just because I had to say something stupid like " heading to the mall, I'll call you later"
@momofjenmatt - I think they do that on purpose, to try to make you feel awe or something.
Fortunately, we have blogs-- we can be irreverent all we want!
Hey, just fyi, I've been thinking about you lately and I'm super grateful we found each other on here!
@opticalnoise - Makes sense and thanks, I am also glad we found one another, you're creative and interesting, and very cool.
@momofjenmatt - Haha... don't worry about it. I get lectured all the time. Its one of my bad habits. But i will say i'm VERY careful about. And i won't do it in heavy traffic or where there are lots of people around. Normally its when i'm on the interstate, and on cruise control. Not justifying it cuz i know its wrong.
@TNLNSL_PRN - I hear ya, I have done it myself in the past, i just can't justify it anymore. besides i have my new hands free thinging so I can just say " call ___, it calls and we talk.
@momofjenmatt - I need one of those.
I think you shouldn't talk on the phone (non-hands free) at all and that's where they should make the law. Not this "here" but "not here" crap. I hope the judge gives you a break.
Wow, you're not allowed to talk on the cell phone near SCHOOLS in Chicago? I don't think they have a law like that here in CA.
I agree that laws should be more blunt and straight to the point, rather than enforcing conditional ones, to ensure that everyone follows them more seriously. The picture with the huge "cell phone illegal" highway sign reminds me of the signs here saying, "Click it Or Ticket." Good way to enforce seat-belt wearing.
Interesting and hilarious pictures! btw, [thanks for recommending my blog!]
Driving is a dangerous activity; more dangerous than people give it credit for. Given the number of deaths daily in this country, I'm generally all for laws that try to help with that, even if they are somewhat inconvenient. No more talking to passengers!
@mle26 - will be blogging about court later
@MiSZ_C0MPASSi0NAT3 - you're welcome on the rec. No, in the actual city of Chicago it's hands free only. In all suburbs now, it's not near a school or construction zone, and I heard police station from someone. Other than that each town has different rules. It's stupid, but Il. is not known for bright government.
@TheMushyPear - Driving is dangerous, and like I said, we should just have the law, no more driving, walking is healthy.
Singing in the car is ok. Drumming on the steering wheel is not okay. How did it go in court?
Good entry (as usual).
I hope they're lenient on you.
I agree... if they ban talking while on a hands free thing.... then whats next?? cause talking into the air to someone is the same, phone or in person. ridiculous I say.
In Washington State it is illegal to talk on a cell phone, text while driving and smoke a cigarette within 25 feet of any public entrance. The people of Washington State votes these laws in and they are not enforced unless the person doing so is busted for something else.
I have talked on a cell phone while driving and did not get caught.However I think anyone texting while driving is committing a felony crime.I said texting not talking.My oldest brothers only child, a beautiful 16 year old honor student, was killed when her car was hit head on by a moron who was texting and not watching where he was going. His foot missed the brake and hit the gas and he came down the block at 60 mph. She had no chance to get out of his way.
@Owain_Gwynedd - blogging about it later @twoberry - Thanks I'll try and blog about it tonight
@BubblysLife - thank God a voice of reason
@Grannys_Place - we have basically the same laws here. And I agree, as I said texting while driving is like reading a book or taking a nap while driving, it's horrible. Even holding the phone could be bad, but hands free? You will never convince me that isn't the same as talking to a person who is in the car with you. It's no more distracting. I am sorry about your niece, that is horribly sad, and easily preventable.
My opinion —— of course I agree with everything you say.... just like you told me to do.
@vexations - I wonder if other people realize how funny you are.
To my own wits most of what you reply seems correct
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