New Assignment For The MADD Folks

[SillyPuddy]

What is the name of your state? OR

The local news aired a new study released that showed that people talking on cell phones while driving were more likely to cause an accident than drivers driving the legal alchohol limit or lower. Interestingly, the drivers with alchohol in their system outperformed drivers talking on cell phones in various field tests.

The producers of the study were very clear that this applies to driving the legal limit or lower. Considering I got a "love tap" on the rear end of my car last week by a driver BS'ing on their phone, I took great interest in these findings.


MADD?? Why haven't you been championing legislation to shut those cell phones off?

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

What is the name of your state? OR

The local news aired a new study released that showed that people talking on cell phones while driving were more likely to cause an accident than drivers driving the legal alchohol limit or lower. Interestingly, the drivers with alchohol in their system outperformed drivers talking on cell phones in various field tests.

The producers of the study were very clear that this applies to driving the legal limit or lower. Considering I got a "love tap" on the rear end of my car last week by a driver BS'ing on their phone, I took great interest in these findings.


MADD?? Why haven't you been championing legislation to shut those cell phones off?

Why don't you go to their forum and ask THEM.

 

[CdwJava]

Great, use the study (and it's questionable methodology ... yeah, I read it) and appeal to your state legislature to ban cell phones while driving.

Interesting that with all the alleged impairment of cell phones that it is still a statistical non-entity in causes of collisions in the state with the MOST cell phones - CA.

- Carl

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

Great, use the study (and it's questionable methodology ... yeah, I read it) and appeal to your state legislature to ban cell phones while driving.

Interesting that with all the alleged impairment of cell phones that it is still a statistical non-entity in causes of collisions in the state with the MOST cell phones - CA.

- Carl

Well Carl,****************************Silly can't drive without a interlock you know!

 

[mb94]

Being that MADD is an organization made up of people who have lost loved ones due to drunk driving why should they try and ban cell phones. Why don't you start an organization dedicated to stopping cell phones?

It's like asking an organization that helps people with AIDS why they don't do more to help people with heart disease (since heart disease kills more people then AIDS).

 

[CdwJava]

Well Carl,****************************Silly can't drive without a interlock you know!

It's easy to avoid getting an interlock ... don't drink and drive!

- Carl

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

It's easy to avoid getting an interlock ... don't drink and drive!

- Carl

How was your weekend? We had family visiting and were at Clear Lake. We saw the Scorpions Rock Mt. Konocti Sunday night! They were awsome!

I'll send you pics when I get settled back in.

*HUGS*

 

[CdwJava]

Being that MADD is an organization made up of people who have lost loved ones due to drunk driving why should they try and ban cell phones. Why don't you start an organization dedicated to stopping cell phones?

It's like asking an organization that helps people with AIDS why they don't do more to help people with heart disease (since heart disease kills more people then AIDS).

Good point!

That, and I don't know of any MADD members that have ever posted here. For some reason everyone that posts in favor of DUI laws gets labeled a MADD member. Not that this is a bad thing, but one does not have to be a member of MADD to see the dangers of DUI.

- Carl

 

[CdwJava]

How was your weekend? We had family visiting and were at Clear Lake. We saw the Scorpions Rock Mt. Konocti Sunday night! They were awsome!

I'll send you pics when I get settled back in.

*HUGS*

Cool!

Well, my family left last Thursday morning for our old haunts in San Diego ... I had to work. They come back Friday.

The weekend was busy, busy - as usual on Holiday weekends. I might get away eventually ... eventually.

- Carl

 

[Echo1]

Hi. Not only am I a MADD member, I am also a past elected State Chairperson.

Your post is not without merit. Of course, having said that, there are numerous dangerous activities that cause death and injury on our highways. To expect one organization....especially one with a dedicated cause....to champion ALL dangerous activity is asking a bit much.

I agree that the use of cell phones is yet another unnecessary distraction that needs to be addressed. I have been in contact with our States AG as well as my congressman to address this issue. I highly recommend you do the same if this, in fact, bothers you and was not just an open door for you to take a pot shot at a truly honorable organization.

 

[SillyPuddy]

With such strong legislative power, I think MADD is more than capable of championing safe driving causes that go beyond alchohol. When MADD speaks, lawmakers listen and act.

 

[CdwJava]

With such strong legislative power, I think MADD is more than capable of championing safe driving causes that go beyond alchohol. When MADD speaks, lawmakers listen and act.

The point is, they do not HAVE to do so. Plus, their consituency is drunk drivers - if they venture into the world of cell phone users, they could alienate their core constituency.

If you want them to cheerlead for this thing, then join MADD and pressure their governing body to join the cause.


- Carl

 

[BL]

I see people driving all over this City using cell phones , and the cops don't enforce the no cell use while driving law . It sits on the back burner like jaywalking laws and enforcement .

Heck you can be anywhere anytime without a driver on the cell , and get hit .

In the parking lot of the grocery , where peeps get in turn the key and back up , like it's their world .

Or any stupid stunt like changing lanes hitting you , and then try to blame you for driving straight . Again likes it's their world out there and you invade their space , LOL.

And now they are even getting braver cutting in front of you close from any direction more often than not . That's more dangerous than cells .

Plus the cops have there hands full with domestics , homicides , etc .

 

[Echo1]

SillyPuddy ~

Stand up and be counted. Start your own grass roots organization and change the laws if this is a point of concern for you.

You wouldn't ask the American Cancer Society to "champion" the cause of the American Hosta Society, would you? Trust me...the work you see MADD accomplishing is not done overnight. In many cases, it takes YEARS of lobbying, hard work and public awareness.

Agreeing that cell phone use while driving is dangerous, you have my support when you charter your new organization.

 

[CdwJava]

While it may be an arguable fact that driving with a cell phone in your ear is bad, it is another thing entirely to show that it is responsible for collisions or other traffic-related problems. In my state cell phone usage is not even on the map as a cause of collision adn we have been having to track it at collisions for 5 or 6 years, as I recall.

- Carl