Comments on: Another distraction for motorists?!?

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:46:43 +0000

Just posted on Chicago’s Active Transportation site: http://www.activetrans.org/blog/mkohara/focusdriven

Check out Focus Driven and join the effort against distracted driving.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:45:45 +0000

Heck, I am alarmed by navigation systems and GPS devices installed in the dashboard…adding web-browsing capability seems like a reallly.bad.idea. Surely the safeguards to prevent use while driving can be easily defeated, too.

It’s like the old saying goes: “just because you CAN, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.”

By: Guy

Guy — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:42:16 +0000

It’s unbelievable what car makers will put into an SUV. As both a driver and a cyclist, I hate it when I see an SUV with not just one but five video screens playing. Four were on the back sides of the seats and one in the very middle. Granted I couldn’t see the placement of the center display but does a TV really need to be playing while you’re diring?

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:53:30 +0000

@Jeff – I’ve heard that the parking brake must be engaged, but then what if they put the car in park while at a long stop light and then suddenly must get into drive? They may veer into a cyclist/pedestrian (or another car) just in a frenzy to move again. You’re right – we need the drivers more aware of us and not what’s happening in cyberspace.

By: crazycommutingcyclist

crazycommutingcyclist — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:05:27 +0000

I am a person that doesn’t believe in making a lot of law that restrict our freedoms. I was not a big fan of the helmet law for motorcycles, or the seat belt laws. Don’t get me wrong you need to wear seat belts driving the car and a helmet while riding motorcycles. I just thought it would be a no brainer to wear the items that would protect you when you’re driving. Now that texting and talking on the phone is common while people drive the roadways, I have to say it but there needs to be a law in our state (Iowa) to make it illegal. It is sad to think that some people do not get that distracted driving is a bad thing that not only affects them but other around them. At least if and when this law passes it will be a law that not only saves the driver, but also saves the pedestrians and cyclist alike.

By: Tejvan

Tejvan — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 09:46:47 +0000

It’s a real problem. THe blackberry culture creates a state of almost anxiety, with people always waiting for the next text. So many deaths must be caused by lack of attention.

By: Dottie

Dottie — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:55:08 +0000

Yeah, all those new “safety” products in cars are basically lap tops for drivers. Total bullcrap – I can’t believe it’s allowed.

By: Iron_Man

Iron_Man — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:16:04 +0000

Amen! I’ve offended my sister before by pointing out that she may not be the most attentive driver with the rolling entertainment system that is her minivan. She’s got DVD player for the kids—which she is constantly trying to attend to because the kids are locked in their car seats. Her radio and CDs. She loves to grab the phone when driving and gab away with whoever will pick up because she spends so much time in traffic and is bored. Then there is the distraction that comes from kids alone—fights, constant questions, things being tossed.

Here in Missouri they passed a law that bans texting and driving for those under 21….so apparently those over 21 can do it safely?!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:30:58 +0000

@tom – you make a valid point about those distractions that motorists create – eating, not getting enough sleep, playing with the radio; in fact I was rear-ended a few years ago in my car by a woman driving a brand new car who felt her radio was more intriguing than paying attention in the stop-and-go traffic she was navigating. Gr!
However, these laws for no cell phones or texting (and hopefully no screens in the dashboard) hope to limit the distractions available to already distracted motorists.

By: tom

tom — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:23:16 +0000

None of these laws have anything to do with safety, they’re about control. Airbags, seatbelts, alcohol, what about drivers motoring about with dogs on their laps, eating hamburgers, fooling with the radio, lighting cigarettes, not having slept in a couple of days? Don’t those things contribute to death and dismemberment on the highway?