What Caused the Fatal Crash on I-75: Texting, Driving, or Darwin?

[TumblingDice]

From the Detroit Free Press today:

A 22-year-old man killed in an I-75 crash southwest of Detroit this morning was found with a cell phone in his hand, police said.

“There were no skid marks observed at the scene, and alcohol was not a factor,” according to the news release.

It’s unknown why the car drove into the semi, but the cell phone was found in Contreras’ hand after the vehicles were separated, state police report. ... ... The crash is under investigation.

Adults should know better. Teenagers need experience. We need to keep reminding everyone.

 

[DaveC426913]

Seen on a bumper sticker:

Honk if you love Jesus.
Text if you want to meet him.

 

[dipole]

I'm guilty of this on an empty road, but it's still a very very stupid thing to do. Many young people have been killed or seriously injured due to being distracted by cell phones.

I don't know how people wouldn't be aware of the dangers though - it's essentially equally as dangerous as driving with your eyes closed.

 

[lisab]

I wouldn't think of texting while driving - how can anyone justify the risk?

 

[phinds]

I wouldn't think of texting while driving - how can anyone justify the risk?

There IS no risk for teenagers. They are immortal. Until they aren't.

 

[Medicol]

 

[nsaspook]

PSA

 

[Borg]

I have been wanting to get a dash cam for my car to record the many people that I witness weaving all over the road while texting or even just talking on their phones. Unfortunately, I don't think that it would take long to get some great videos.

 

[Rick21383]

There IS no risk for teenagers. They are immortal. Until they aren't.

This is a pointless statement that old boomers like to make. The reality is that adults are just as dumb and careless as teenagers. More so in many cases.

 

[phinds]

This is a pointless statement that old boomers like to make. The reality is that adults are just as dumb and careless as teenagers. More so in many cases.

Gee, I wonder why insurance companies charge teens so much more than adults?

 

[Rick21383]

Gee, I wonder why insurance companies charge teens so much more than adults?

Because they're younger and, therefore, less experienced than adults...

Lacking experience is not the same as carelessness.

"Adults more likely to text and drive than teens, study says"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...759024-97ad-11e2-814b-063623d80a60_story.html

 

[russ_watters]

"Adults more likely to text and drive than teens, study says"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...759024-97ad-11e2-814b-063623d80a60_story.html

I wonder if that poll asked the right question? Was it strictly about text messaging or did it include social media?

Also, carelessness and experience are not completely separate things, but regardless, carelessness really is higher for kids than adults. It's basically a self-evident reality.

 

[Psinter]

You know what the problem is? When I drive I get all kinds of calls and SMSs. If I don't reply when the people see me they are all offensive and say: "What the hell is wrong with you, why don't you answer the phone?!"

You tell them that you were driving, but it matters not to them. You have to answer and get yourself killed (along with the old lady, the dog, and the innocent kids) so that they like you (which I don't do).

 

[russ_watters]

You know what the problem is? When I drive I get all kinds of calls and SMSs. If I don't reply when the people see me they are all offensive and say: "What the hell is wrong with you, why don't you answer the phone?!"

You tell them that you were driving, but it matters not to them. You have to answer and get yourself killed (along with the old lady, the dog, and the innocent kids) so that they like you (which I don't do).

[shrug] They'll live. You might not.

 

[Danger]

I don't know about any of the rest of you, but where I live it's illegal to talk, let alone text, on the phone while in motion. The specific charge is "distracted driving", which carries the same implications and penalties as "impaired driving". It applies also to eating, putting on makeup, or anything else that potentially takes the driver's attention away from controlling the vehicle.
Incidentally, a new study has just shown that a hands-free cell is actually more distracting to a driver than one which you have to hold.

 

[davenn]

same here in Australia, high fines and demerit points

here's one ...
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/07/this-new-australian-no-texting-while-driving-ad-is-intense/

and another...
http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/getyourhandoffit.html

The lower of these 2 videos on this page has just started showing in Australia -- pretty graphic

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...distracted-driving-new-national-campaign.html

Dave

 

[Stephen Tashi]

The "Darwin" aspect hasn't been addressed yet. The argument that we could let Evolution eliminate drivers who text (or motorcyclists who don't wear helmets etc.) isn't valid. There might not be a gene or combination of genes that determines the specific behavior of texting while driving. For example, texting while driving might be due to genes that control "risk taking behavior" and that behavior also has some positive contribution to surviving.

 

[Danger]

...texting while driving might be due to genes that control "risk taking behavior" and that behavior also has some positive contribution to surviving.

True, and like impaired driving, this behaviour has a nasty habit of eliminating members of the same species while leaving the perpetrator alive.

 

[leroyjenkens]

The "Darwin" aspect hasn't been addressed yet. The argument that we could let Evolution eliminate drivers who text (or motorcyclists who don't wear helmets etc.) isn't valid. There might not be a gene or combination of genes that determines the specific behavior of texting while driving. For example, texting while driving might be due to genes that control "risk taking behavior" and that behavior also has some positive contribution to surviving.

Well, not to mention the fact that those driving while texting could also be eliminating those who aren't. If they were only hurting themselves, then life would be great. But life isn't great.

 

[davenn]

yeah that is the problem ... They can also take out innocents

 

[symbolipoint]

I wouldn't think of texting while driving - how can anyone justify the risk?

Finally, the sensible statement.

 

[Danger]

Finally, the sensible statement.

Finally? That was the 4^th post into a thread in which yours is the 21^st. Lisa is brilliant and beautiful and we her love her, but we've all been saying pretty much the same thing ever since the thread opened.