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Post by anxiousmom on Apr 2, 2016 12:39:15 GMT
This going to sound selfish, but I drive a tank. It is the world's oldest tank, and there are times that I think about trading in and starting over, but honestly (besides being paid off and the idea of a car payment makes me screamy) when I think of all the people who have their phones surgically attached to their hands, I think my tank is going to give me a little extra protection when I inevitably get in the way of one of those distracted drivers.
I am a pretty laissez-faire about most people living their own lives, but this thing with people feeling the need for instant communication make me a little crazy.
I'm sorry about your accident and glad that you are okay.
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Post by Patter on Apr 2, 2016 12:42:01 GMT
Ugh so dangerous. It's banned here, but I still see people talking and texting behind the wheel. So irresponsible. Glad you weren't hurt. It is here in many places too but it doesn't stop people Yes, illegal in our state and the neighboring state. We see it constantly in both states. Sure wish there was something they could do and now with text messages coming in on watches, oh dear!!!
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zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
Aug 28, 2014 2:37:56 GMT
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Post by zookeeper on Apr 2, 2016 13:01:26 GMT
I am sorry to hear that this happened to you! Distracted driving is so incredibly dangerous and I know that we all see it a lot of the time. I don't understand why people that it is okay to drive a speeding bullet and text at the same time. I would venture to say that the majority of rear end collision occur from people texting and driving. I commute an hour each way to work and I see this all the time.
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Post by houston249 on Apr 2, 2016 15:50:00 GMT
Glad to hear your ok! Sorry your having to deal with this situation.
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Post by SallyPA on Apr 2, 2016 16:19:02 GMT
So sorry that happened and now you have to deal with fixing a car or getting a new one. Such a hassle when it wasn't even your fault!
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Post by lovetodigi on Apr 2, 2016 17:32:28 GMT
I am glad that you are okay. My DH was hit in the rear end while at a redlight, a couple of years ago. The other driver was on her phone. She was a Senior Agent for Allstate. His car was fixed fast and although he was not hurt, they still sent a check in case he had any medical problems afterwards. He told them there was no need, but they insisted. I suspect she got into a lot of trouble.
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 2, 2016 18:39:10 GMT
I'm so happy you were not hurt! People are idiots. My BFF was rear ended by a guy reading the newspaper! She said she made him wet himself by the time she was done yelling
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ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,019
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
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Post by ddly on Apr 2, 2016 20:00:12 GMT
That sucks! I am glad you are okay!
Lisa D.
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,771
Jul 31, 2014 5:23:25 GMT
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Post by craftymom101 on Apr 3, 2016 14:57:20 GMT
I am so sorry your car was hit! I see a lot of people messing with their phones while driving and it makes me so mad. Put your phone down!
I was t-boned on April fool's day last year and it sucked. You have my sympathies!
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Post by disneypal on Apr 3, 2016 15:30:06 GMT
I am so glad no one was hurt and totally agree with you about texting and driving. You are now the third person I know of that was hit in the rear, while sitting at a red light, by someone texting!! NOTHING. Is that important! NOTHING! put the phone away while driving, whatever it is can wait until you are at your destination.
I promise, the world won't end if you don't answer the text in your car right away. However, your world, or someone else's world could end if you hit them while texting.
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Post by jemali on Apr 3, 2016 15:46:51 GMT
I hope you are still feeling okay. Sometimes it takes a day or two for whiplash to set in. It is amazing how many people STILL text and drive even after knowing how dangerous it is.
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Post by maryland on Apr 3, 2016 16:23:46 GMT
I'm so sorry this happened to you! I am glad you are okay but sorry about your car. What a jerk, I hope she has to pay a big price for causing an accident while texting. Accidents happen, but this was preventable. I wonder if she even realized how lucky she is that she didn't kill people texting while driving. Sorry to sound harsh, but I hate hearing how many innocent people are killed by people that think their texting is more important than others lives!
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Post by Zee on Apr 3, 2016 17:35:52 GMT
I'm sorry to hear about the accident. It's good that you are ok. Texting and driving is so dangerous and I see people do it all the time. I always wonder what the hell is so important. First, OP, I am glad you are OK and commiserations on the car hassles and possible cost. Now a little speculative rant: IMPORTANT? hahaha! Probably counting "likes" on their last vapid post of their meal/ manicure/ selfie. I venture to suggest it is usually the stereotypical empty headed IDIOTS who indulge in this idiotic and life-threatening offence. Like starlets and wannabes who are seemingly unable to breathe unless a flashbulb is going off in their faces (including selfies ) these road menaces cannot stand feeling unconnected for a nanosecond. The same nanosecond it might take to wipe out someone I love. You watch it with the "vapid manicure" comment
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Post by anonrefugee on Apr 3, 2016 17:39:25 GMT
I'm sorry! My son had that happen to him last fall. It's been a hassle!
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
Jun 26, 2014 15:57:39 GMT
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Apr 4, 2016 0:22:09 GMT
So glad you're OK. And I agree - people suck.
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Post by myshelly on Apr 4, 2016 0:26:27 GMT
Is it legal to use a phone as a driver in the USA? You can take/make calls hands-free with a bluetooth device, but texting is strictly forbidden. That's not the correct answer. Texting while driving is a state or city law issue. The laws are different everywhere. There is no law that covers this for the whole US. It is not illegal to text and drive here. Our last governor was very loud and adamant that he would never sign a texting while driving ban into law bc he thought it was government overreach.
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Post by myshelly on Apr 4, 2016 0:29:24 GMT
Glad to hear you are ok. A lovely friend lost her husband and her daughter was seriously injured by a 'distracted' driver. Is it legal to use a phone as a driver in the USA? There is no law that covers this for the whole country. It is seen as a state/local issue. So the answer to your question is - it is illegal in some places in the U.S., but it is not illegal in other places in the U.S. It is not illegal at my state level. It is illegal in some cities here. It is not illegal in my city.
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Post by padresfan619 on Apr 4, 2016 0:34:11 GMT
I'm so sorry OP. My car was totaled the same way 5 years ago. I saw the woman barreling behind me but there was a car in front of me so I had nowhere to go. She came out of her car hysterically crying, she was visibly pregnant. I really, really wanted to be an asshole and ask her what the hell she was thinking, but I kept my mouth shut.
Her insurance paid for many massages and I stretched out that rental for as long as I could.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Apr 4, 2016 9:17:01 GMT
You can take/make calls hands-free with a bluetooth device, but texting is strictly forbidden. That's not the correct answer. Texting while driving is a state or city law issue. The laws are different everywhere. There is no law that covers this for the whole US. It is not illegal to text and drive here. Our last governor was very loud and adamant that he would never sign a texting while driving ban into law bc he thought it was government overreach. Wow. I had no idea. Well then, I stand corrected. In the state where I live, it is strictly forbidden. It would have never occurred to me that in any state a governor would be against banning texting while driving. I mean, sure, it sucks to have to legislate common sense, but I'm pretty sure everyone can attest to the fact that reading a screen while driving is not a safe practice.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Apr 4, 2016 9:26:30 GMT
and now with text messages coming in on watches, oh dear!!! Oh heck, I never even thought of that possibility. Has the law (for some states) caught up with that? It would be too easy to be staring at your wrist, reading texts, but look like you are still looking at the road ahead of you. Such a hassle when it wasn't even your fault! I know! I just want to have a tantrum and stomp my feet and scream, "But it isn't fair!" in my best whiny voice. My BFF was rear ended by a guy reading the newspaper! A newspaper?! Oh heck. I wonder if people ever read their Kindles and other screen things while driving. I hope you are still feeling okay. I am still pretty much okay. Little sore, nothing big. Thank you for caring.
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Post by Patter on Apr 4, 2016 10:18:49 GMT
LavenderLayoutLady, I don't believe the laws have changed with the new watches on the market. But I don't think the law should be "texting and driving." It needs to encompass "distracted driving." If a police officer sees a man reading his newspaper while driving, that man should be pulled over and ticketed. If a woman is putting on her make-up while driving, she should be pulled over and ticketed. I am amazed and saddened at the horrible things I see people doing when driving. One time I saw a man shaving. What? ? Can you not get up a few minutes earlier to put on your make-up or shave? Gracious!!!
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Post by Patter on Apr 4, 2016 10:36:06 GMT
Hmmm, did you know that "National Distracted Driver's Week" starts today? It's on my local news right now, and they are discussing what the local police are going to be doing. Who knew?
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Apr 4, 2016 11:50:40 GMT
Some people are idiots. I'm glad you're ok. Hopefully she has good insurance.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Apr 4, 2016 11:51:27 GMT
LavenderLayoutLady , I don't believe the laws have changed with the new watches on the market. But I don't think the law should be "texting and driving." It needs to encompass "distracted driving." If a police officer sees a man reading his newspaper while driving, that man should be pulled over and ticketed. If a woman is putting on her make-up while driving, she should be pulled over and ticketed. I am amazed and saddened at the horrible things I see people doing when driving. One time I saw a man shaving. What? ? Can you not get up a few minutes earlier to put on your make-up or shave? Gracious!!! I agree.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,788
Location: Kentucky
Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on Apr 4, 2016 12:25:19 GMT
I'm glad you're ok but hate that you had that experience.
3-4 months ago an older lady turned left in front of me while we were both driving down a two lane, one way street resulting in me broadsiding her. I drive a Chevy Tahoe and she had a small crossover/SUV type vehicle. I did a ton of damage to her car and I'd be shocked if it wasn't totaled. She also had another elderly woman with her who had to be taken from the scene in an ambulance. I'm so freaking furious with her still. My car was in excellent shape dammnit! Now my wipers intermittently stop working. I have problems with my headlights. I've had to take it back into the shop multiple times which is a huge inconvenience since DH travels for work and is often gone during the week with our second car. They repaired the body damage so my car looks great but it's not the same vehicle I had before and that pisses me off. And the worst is *I* struggle with the fact that I hurt somebody else. It was 100% not my fault. There was an off duty officer who witnessed it and I was going the speed limit. There's nothing I could have done to prevent what happened but I get to feel the emotional affects of her stupidity. The bad thing is this happened a couple blocks from my office and there are accidents just like this 2-3 times a week. Distracted driving or not heeding the laws of the streets/roads you're on drive me insane.
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Post by threegirls on Apr 4, 2016 12:40:51 GMT
I have to add that distracted walking is just as bad as distracted driving. I probably see it more than most. I live near a university in a heavily populated area. There are several large intersections that I go through every day. I can't tell you how many people (mostly college age folks) I see who are looking down at their phones and most of them wear headphones or earbuds. I have no idea why they think it's ok to slowly walk through busy intersections while the crossing light is red. Or they step right off the curb and into the crosswalk with little more than a glance (if at all). I was with my husband (who was driving) and he almost hit a kid that blindly stepped into the crosswalk (while the walk light was red). It about gave both of us heart attacks!
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,956
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Apr 4, 2016 13:52:52 GMT
Glad you are fine, sorry about the car.
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