 Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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Found this story rather interesting. Figured that from most of what I hear in this place many might agree with the sentiment of the article. I know I do. I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have made a cell phone call while driving and each time felt very uncomfortable doing so. No big difficulty, just that it seems so wrong to be launching a 2 ton piece of metal and plastic down the highway traveling at 70+ mph and not paying attention to the things it may impact. Like anything will ever be done about it. Yeah, right! Ban Cell Phones while Driving
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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The problem is, laws like this are virtually unenforceable. There's also some question as to whether they might be trumped by federal law (FCC) that governs use of transmitting devices. Practically speaking, what's needed is an active interlock that prevents operating a cellphone in a moving vehicle. Maybe something like a 1mW jammer built into the car's controller module...
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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ya mean like this bad boy... Cell phone jammer I can't wait till that's a standard!
Let my dying thought be that every mile was fun and let my tombstone read,"They never made one fast enough for me."
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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The jammer would be fought by guys like me and organizations that represent the towing industry. I depend on my cell to get calls while on the road. A customer in need of a tow doesn't want to leave a message they want to talk to someone and an ETA.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I hate when drivers do it but have to admit I'm guilty as well. Recently I bought a bluetooth headset just for driving and I have to say I feel better using that then holding the phone to my head but only because my phone supports voice recognition dialing.
John
Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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I think everyone is guilty to a certaint extent on dialing and talking on cell phones. In my opinion, I think talking is OK but dialing is a problem.
If you are able to have a conversation with someone in the car while you drive, you are/should be able to speak(HANDS FREE) on a cell phone and drive as you normally do. However, dialing or searching a list of contacts takes your eyes and attention off the road. This is where the technology needs to catch up and become standard features/items. Eventually, it won't be a problem. We just have to wait until everybody can say things like, "Call Home" in our cars.
But, we definitely need enforceable laws for now that will steer people from dialing.
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Joined: Jul 2008
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
The jammer would be fought by guys like me and organizations that represent the towing industry.
I think vehicles like yours could be exempt. No matter, the cellular industry would lobby like crazy. They'll never let safety stand in the way of profit.
'08 America Blue/White; Custom Headlamps, Custom Lowers, Clearview 20", Bafflectomy
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Well, here's a thought as to why the idea that (non-hands free) cellphone use while driving is gettin' the "bad rap" that it probably deserves.... Now, I don't know about YOU, but I KNOW that I can probably count at least half a dozen times since this "boon to modern man's communication needs" hit the market where I've been coming up to pass a cager and just as I'm tryin' like the devil himself to get past the talkative driver's BLIND SPOT so he won't pull into the lane that I'm in, but he/she MAKES that move into my lane ANYWAY, because as I USUALLY learn later and AFTER my initial "emergency avoidance maneuver" and as I pull up next to them, THAT, more times than NOT, the REASON said friggin' cager DIDN'T turn his/her empty little HEAD and CHECK his/her friggin' BLIND SHOT was because of a HAND-HELD friggin' CELLPHONE being placed up to their ear!!!!!!  (now...ya think I juuuuuuust might be onto somethin' here????)  
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
and as I pull up next to them, THAT, more times than NOT, the REASON said friggin' cager DIDN'T turn his/her empty little HEAD and CHECK his/her friggin' BLIND SHOT was because of a HAND-HELD friggin' CELLPHONE being placed up to their ear!!!!!!
Which means they DIDN'T USE A SIGNAL either while they cut you off!!! Which leads me to a whole other ISSUE. 
But that's another topic and beside the point... 
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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you guys are forgetting the other thing that cell phones do.. texting and yes this is done just as much when thier driving... Ed 
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Which is absolutely insane. You'd have to be crazy to think that's OK. I can honestly say, "I have NEVER sent a text from my car, EVER". That's easy cause I don't do the text thing.  It takes just as long, if not a shorter amount of time, to give me a call.
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Which is absolutely insane.
you bet it is but I tell you it's being done..expecially with the younger drivers...
Ed
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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there are people who cant walk and chew gum at the same time and there are those that can. should we outlaw walking and chewing gum?? 
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
there are people who cant walk and chew gum at the same time and there are those that can. should we outlaw walking and chewing gum??
yes if there killing innocent people while thier doing it..
Ed
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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Awhile back I remember a case where a truck driver was charged with manslaughter because he was watching a portable TV he had mounted on his dash at the time of crash. Whats the difference?
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
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Walking and chewing gum does not endanger my well being, property or potentially my life. While funny to use as a comparison it really is irrelevant to the topic at hand.
Tow truck drivers can use a dispatch and a radio. They are prob one of the few on the road that require such communication outside of our fire, police etc. I would just expect them to be conscientious when using it.
I am with Dwight on this one. I have been cut off tooo many times whether in my car or on the bike by people yapping away on the cell phone. Regarding handheld versus bluetooth; there is a difference in conversing over a head/handset versus a passenger. There seems to be a temporal displacement of most drivers while on the cell in that they are more involved in their conversation instead of paying attention to what they are doing - Controlling a potentially harmful and deadly vehicle. Granted, I think less so on the headset than the handset but it is not a one for one in comparison to speaking with a passenger.
Hate the things in vehicles. Think they are dangerous. If everyone were skilled and payed attention to what they are doing cool. But they don't. It causes harm and endangers us all and something should be done. Ain't sure what but...
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
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Quote:
Awhile back I remember a case where a truck driver was charged with manslaughter because he was watching a portable TV he had mounted on his dash at the time of crash. Whats the difference?
There isn't IMHO. I know that is illegal in most states. Hmmm, wonder why?
How about a good novel?
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I have been hit by gum and lived.
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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They are proposing a ban on all cell phones while driving to include hands free. This is supposedly because talking on them is tooo distracting. Now, does this mean that the next step is to ban all passengers because you might talk to them and be distracted? If we let them get away with this there is no telling where it will end. Yes! Ban the use of them while holding them but banning hands free is way over the top. 
Yes! I am a Redneck. Any Problems?
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I guess that would mean getting rid of the headsets for the helmets too?
~Brent
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"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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So you would want your doctor banned from being on the phone with the ER as he drove in for an emergency?
2007 America, Phantom Black/Sunset Red
Deposit down on 2010 Thunderbird - can't wait for it!
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Let's assume this...
We will PROBABLY NEVER have a law that will ban the use of cell phones in cars. How we use these cell phones is the topic of interest.
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
So you would want your doctor banned from being on the phone with the ER as he drove in for an emergency
would not happen.. the doc in the ER would do the treating..
and anything your doc would want done would have to be in writing and fax ..
Ed
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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There should be a law against picking you nose while driving!! I mean it's like, HEY ASSWIPE!!! THAT'S NOT ONE WAY GLASS YOU GOT!!!! Jeez!!  
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
Tow truck drivers can use a dispatch and a radio. They are prob one of the few on the road that require such communication outside of our fire, police etc. I would just expect them to be conscientious when using it.
Not all towing companies, mine included, have the income to hire such a staff or purchase the equipment. We use cell phones. I am not in a minority either by any stretch. The number of 1 man operations in the towing industry is staggering. I do use a phone with speaker phone and don't have the phone to my ear or text anyone. Texting is just crazy while driving. I also drive normally and pay attention to the road while I talk just as I would if I had a passenger I was talking to. Those idiots that don't pay attention to the road while talking are the same idiots that don't pay attention any other time either and would cut you off even if they had left the phone home. Trouble is instead of owning up to their own stupidity they blame it on the phone.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
talking on them is tooo distracting.
A person talking on a cell, hands free or not has been proven to be as incapacitated and unresponsive as a drunk driver. Bottom line? Speech Stops Thought .
I am for banning ALL use of cell phones in or on moving vehicles. I love my cell phone, but I am not a slave to it, nor am I addicted to it. If mine rings, it always shows the number calling me. I will call that number when I stop, or I'll pull over and call if I think it may be important.
I am not smart enough to talk on a cell phone and hurl a 2 ton vehicle down the road - and I am obviously a lot smarter than you.
Talking to someone inside the vehicle with you is distracting, but your mind is still inside the vehicle. When you are talking to someone outside the vehicle, your mind is not behind the wheel.
We ride motorcycles (well most of us). If you are a rider, you see it on a regular basis. I have a cager pull out in front of me 2 - 3 times a week. In almost all cases, a cell phone is glued to the driver's head. When I am being tailgated at speed, the idiot almost always has a phone stuck to their ear.
Talking on a cell phone while driving is one of the most STUPID things a human can do.
GET OFF THE PHONE or GET OFF THE ROAD!!!!!
Ride Safe,
Dennis
Triumph, it's how I live and what I ride.
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
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Geez peeps. It wasn't that long ago when these things were rare or didn't even exist and people got by. My point is that even though it is a useful technology there is a time and place to use it. Hands free, i am up in the air on that one but handheld should be a ticket. Are there exceptions to the rule? Of course. In the general stream of things, use of a cell phone is an endangerment to you and those around you. You want to go smack yourself in the head with a 2x4 please be my guest (as long as you're insured). You wanna jeopardize my well being because you need to to talk to your honey cuz you need your undies washed. Do it someplace safe. That safe place does not include while operating a motor vehicle.
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Once again, we're trying to legislate against stupidity and the lack of common sense. It won't work, and the people who will lose will be the ones who use common sense. If the doctor or the tow truck driver make or receive a 1-2 minute call in the course of their business, chances are they won't pose a threat to anyone. But if the doctor and the tow truck driver spend 20 minutes on the phone talking about the latest Miley Cyrus record or the cute shoes they just bought at the mall, then the hazard factor goes way up. In so many ways.... It will be easy for legislators to just ****** everyone, rather than do some research and target the primary offenders. I can dream, can't I??
More flags
More fun!
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
Quote:
talking on them is tooo distracting.
- and I am obviously a lot smarter than you.
Carefull Skillet. Let's not get personal, I may be home in the near future. 
Yes! I am a Redneck. Any Problems?
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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We just need all these laws. There should be a law against Twinkies and Hershey bars. There should be a law against motorcycles with quiet pipes. there should be a law for this and that. BUT! there should only be laws against what I don't like. Be careful what you wish for. Laws are fun, lets make some more! How bout adjusting the stereo, putting a cd into the stereo, lighting a cigarette. Whoah! that's it, no smoking in your car to avoid accidents. Car stereos need to be banned. NO TALKING TO PASSENGERS IN YOUR CAR! That should be a felony. I am a genius! Another good excuse for social engineering via legislation. 
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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I am sick and tired of laws that supposedly protect up from ourselves and do absolutley nothing but limit our freedom of choice and make us less responible for our actions and more reliant on the government!!   Soren
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
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Why do people here always use absurd examples to try to make their point? It only weakens your argument, reduces the level of the discussion and tends to then degenerate into personal insults and the locking of a thread. If you are going to say something, do it intelligently and if you can't do that keep your yap shut so all doubt of being the fool is not removed.
Yeah, I am not one for tons of laws, loss of personal freedom. But apparently there are those of you that think you are above the norms and can drive a vehicle, even while chewing gum, talking on a cell phone, chowing on a burger and fries and reading a newspaper all while being a safe and responsible driver. Guess what? You can't! If "the man" says you cannot do this, OMG this is communism! How can you take away my personal freedoms! The audacity. Since our culture has seemed to latch onto the idea that constant communication with all in the world is the standard and any restriction thereof is a quashing of "my personal freedom", then something should be done within the culture to make people understand this is not the case. You have any other ideas to do it? Please propose them. Perhaps, crazy as this sounds, set the example yourself. Perhaps discuss this with the offspring you have had. But stop freaking threatening my life and property because you need to make sure that you need to get 2% instead of Vitamin D on the way home.
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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We already have laws. Called, improper lane change, inattentive driving, failure to signal. You ban phones from all to prevent the few who probably should not be allowed to drive anyway. Kinda like seat belt laws. You have to wear your belt. You have to belt your kid. When you drop the kid at the bus stop the bus pics up your kid with no belts. The nonsense is the assertion itself. 2600 killed last year due to cell phone use. I want to see the data! NHTSA does not capture that on accident reports. 43000 in 2006 killed 17,000 for alcohol (self explanatory) 4800 pedestrians (pedestrian error almost always) 5000 big trucks (almost always fatigue and speed) ------- 26,800 accounted for. Of the 16,200 deaths left we have 2600 from cell phones as the proximate cause. That is about 16%. Lets say some pedestrians, truckers and drunks were also using their cell phones. Adjusted for that you have a 1 in 5 chance of being killed by a cell phone user whether it be you or somebody else after you have avoided all the normal traumatic about to happen stuff. I am just playing with numbers but that is what the social engineers do. This took 90 seconds. Give me a week and an organization with an agenda and I will make a study to make you want to hide under bed. 48.6% of all statistics are made up on the spot to make a point. 
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
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Quote:
There should be a law against picking you nose while driving!! I mean it's like, HEY ASSWIPE!!! THAT'S NOT ONE WAY GLASS YOU GOT!!!! Jeez!!
Well Dave, maybe those folks WEREN'T doing what you THOUGHT they were doin', dude! YEAH! MAYBE there WAS no picking going one there!
BUT, I'm gonna let THIS GUY HERE argue this point from here ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU3Q4nRWq7I
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
2600 killed last year due to cell phone use
hey you for got this number...
and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year due to cell phone use....
but you all so have to know these numbers are just estimated because many states don't keep track of this kind of accidents because it not breaken the law to use your cell phone..
so That number can expected to be low, because of the lack of formal procedures for noting cell phone use as a cause of a traffic accident.
Ed
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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New Data Showing Record Low Highway Fatalities Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced the number of people killed in traffic crashes is expected to reach a record low in 2008, with early projections showing an almost 10-percent drop in traffic deaths in the first 10 months. “Our focus on safety – from our highways, railways, seaways and airways – has led to one of the safest periods in our nation’s transportation history,†Peters said Dec. 11 in Kansas City. Estimates show 31,110 people died on U.S. roads from Jan.-Oct., compared with 34,502 in 2007 during that same period. In addition, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicles miles traveled for the first nine months of 2008 is 1.28, compared with 1.37 for 2007. NHTSA
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Quote:
48.6% of all statistics are made up on the spot to make a point.
Oh come now, it's at least twice that amount...
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I text while riding the bike!
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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really .. then how come you never text or call me  damnit.... Ed
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Re: Irrelevant Truths
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Quote:
Once again, we're trying to legislate against stupidity and the lack of common sense. It won't work, and the people who will lose will be the ones who use common sense.
If the doctor or the tow truck driver make or receive a 1-2 minute call in the course of their business, chances are they won't pose a threat to anyone. But if the doctor and the tow truck driver spend 20 minutes on the phone talking about the latest Miley Cyrus record or the cute shoes they just bought at the mall, then the hazard factor goes way up. In so many ways....
It will be easy for legislators to just ****** everyone, rather than do some research and target the primary offenders.
I can dream, can't I??
That is a good point and I am talking about a quick call I get from a customer who needs help. I also have to pull over anyway to take directions.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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