Driver Crashes Car While Reaching For Cell Phone (But Saves Cup Of Coffee)
Modern conveniences and technology allow us to do many things while driving. We can navigate our way along unfamiliar highways, avoiding traffic and finding random points of interest. We can save fuel by motoring along on steam. We can even juice the stereo in our car to the point that it turns all components and passengers into something resembling tapioca pudding. But none of these technological advances can help us if we're still refusing to use our brains while sitting behind the wheel of a fast-moving car.
Case in point: An Oakland driver decided it was more important to reach for her ringing cell phone than keep control of her car. The result? She dunked her automobile into the Oakland Estuary. She somehow escaped injury and even saved her cup of coffee. Onlookers reported that she emerged from the car's watery resting place still clutching her cup of morning joe. No word on the cell phone, though.
May we suggest a hands-free device? Or perhaps a suspension of her license?
From AOL News.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
gary @ Mar 29th 2008 2:20AM
I want a large sign on my car telling drivers on cell phones to 'get the hell away from me'. I have been hit twice by driving cellphone users and almost totaled by a numbskull broad in a large SUV that ran a stoplight because she was dialing...missed me by inches.
California law is 'no ceel phones while driving' TIME TO ENFORCE THE LAW!
USA gal @ Mar 29th 2008 4:23AM
I agree with Gary, 100%
Many states have laws banning cellphone use while driving but I've yet to hear of anyone [in my state anyway] being cited for a violation nor have I seen anyone stopped.
Cellphone use among drivers is at epidemic proportions. It may be my imagination but talking while driving seems to be even worse than a year or so ago. The actual driving itself also seems worse, if that's possible.
Parking lots seem to be particularly vulnerable spots; they are like free-for-alls. Frightening!
And the texting! Geez! How the h*ll does one drive and text at the same time? I've seen people driving and fiddling with their phone, trying to read the screen I guess, trying to find the right number to dial. Some folks also make notes while talking & driving! I'm quite sure could I see onto their car seats, some of them are no doubt using a laptop too. I've seen drivers watching videos on displays mounted on the dash.
What on earth could possibly be so blasted important that folks have to be flapping away constantly on the phone? The "I'm stuck in traffic and running late" call cannot take more than 30 seconds. What else is there to say?
I'm all for some actual law enforcement and a $500 fine for the first offense. Second offense, loss of license for 60 days. Of course this means the police would actually have to stop someone. Last week I saw the same cop, twice in one hour, talking away on his cellphone while on patrol. Great example he's setting!
Hands-free cellphone use doesn't make one automatically a better driver. There's still the issue of dialing, etc plus not paying attention while talking.
Cellphone abusers like to rationalize their bad behavior by pointing to other driver's poor habits of fooling with the radio, CD's, eating, chatting with passengers, etc. This useless excuse doesn't cut it. Driving while using a phone is a big safety hazard for everyone else on the road.
I guess, like everything else, we have to wait for some horrific accident to happen before some folks wake up and stop this behavior.
Mike @ Mar 29th 2008 10:48AM
I think cups of coffee, and oh, wait...kids in child's seats in the back should be outlawed...seriously, texting is crazy but cell phone use is not the problem. It's people not using turn signals, looking before changing lanes etc that's the problem. Poor drivers are the problem...not the radio, the cell or the Pepsi in your cup holder!
Keke @ Mar 29th 2008 4:46PM
My sister will call me while driving simply because she is bored. I ask, how can you be bored while driving a huge, heavy vehicle? Every other person on the road, including you and your passengers counts on you to not kill them. Driving is the most important thing you will do any day you get behind the wheel. If you are stupid enough to use your cell phone (talking or texting) while driving then I say you aren't smart enough to drive as it is.
SHOELOVER @ Mar 29th 2008 6:19PM
It's now New Jersey law against cell phone users while driving. But guess what you should see cell phone user addicts who are still driving talking on their cell phones. Go figure! There should be a cop on every corner watching and catching these cell phone addicts.
What do yo think
David @ Mar 29th 2008 7:58PM
Enforcement is the problem. The solution: New rule for the cops - no donuts until they write at least three tickets for cell phone use while driving.
Bara @ Mar 29th 2008 9:28PM
This has to be a very sore subject with me. I
hate cell phones. There just isn't other word to describe them. Junk that make this world alittle more crazy to live in. What has happen to everyone? No respect for each other at all.
its really to bad. They say that we need to save the world, well I think it is to late.
No one cares about anyone but them selfs.Its really to bad. And Im sure it will only get worse as time goes on and on and on.
ANDREA PYCHEWICZ @ Mar 29th 2008 11:03PM
My husband got a $150.00 ticket for talking on the cell phone while driving- we live in NY. They need to inforce it because it is dangerous!
Tennfan @ Mar 29th 2008 11:24PM
I think cell phones should be outlawed unless using a handsfree device. To many people are to busy dialing or texting when driving and not paying attention, teens especially. I would prefer the driving age be 18 instead of 16, kids these days are not responsible enough
mike @ Mar 30th 2008 12:31AM
I am a traveling tech who does talk on phone while driving. Never been in an accident because of cell phone. Tonight I almost got tagged (guy changing lanes). To my suprise after road rage set in it was his hamburger that he was trying for. I think that eating in your car while driving should be fined as well. I do agree that cell phone use while driving is dangerous and has cost alot of lives but come on it is the driver who can't pay attention not the hamburger or cell phone. PS have been talking on phone and driving for over 8 years with no incidents. Some people just can't do both also anyone been hit in the rear of car by women putting on makeup I have years ago or men primping thier ties, Lets face it there are alot of things we shouldn't do behind the wheel but cell phones are only one of them.
El_narfo @ Mar 30th 2008 6:46AM
I find this to be of no surprise: Woman driver not knowing how to drive.
It has already been documented that women require on the average of 3x the time to react on the road than the average man. Some women, my wife included, have a very slow reaction time, hence, I restrict her speed to a modest 65MPH, less based on driving conditions.
Nice to see that the priority was her coffee. She could have mowed someone over, but as long as her coffee is safe, that is all that matters.
Come to think about it, the coffee more than likely is a better driver than she is.
There needs to be stricter rules on driving in place.
This is someone that should not drive again.
2 years ago, a woman driving a jeep through New Haven, CT ran a red light and plowed into my truck, stopped to look at the damage, once I called for the police, she took off. My wife, who was about 5 months pregnant at the time, later told me that the bitch was doing her hair.
The entire saying that women are better drivers is a complete steaming crock of crap.
tfcrow @ Mar 30th 2008 8:17AM
I have been hit in the rear twice while stopped for a red light by women. Women are the worst drivers. They are either yapping on the phone or applying makeup.
Bobby @ Mar 30th 2008 1:21PM
Technology will eventually be the death of us all in one form or another. Name your poison, head on while using your cell phone or being liquified by a terrorist H-bomb. I'm retiring in a few yrs to the deep woods with my dogs, horses, hot tub & assault rifles. Come see me by appointment only...
warren garrison @ Mar 30th 2008 2:59PM
lemme just go ahead and waste my time typing this up, but 9 times out of ten, stupid ass thing doesn't post for some reason. Anyway, i agree with Gary and the guy that agrees with Gary at the top. As I sat at a light yesterday and watched the cars making a turn, 9 out of ten people, and in this case allllll women, not that men aren't terribly guilty also, but 9 out of 10 women were on the phone. Several were making this turn mind you, trying to hold the steering wheel, trying to pull down the visor, trying to hold the phone to their ear, it's nothing but a disaster waiting to happen. Anytime I see someone on the phone, especially those who are impedeing traffic, weaving from side to side, just lost in that conversation, I'll do the phone hand thing to my ear and then do it like I'm violently slamming it down and then I do a hands on the wheel driving motion. Of course EVERY SINGLE ONE WITHOUT FAIL has flipped me off which if the bastards would pull over I'd break that finger off and stick it up their butt, but of course they aren't about to pull over.
kathy @ Mar 30th 2008 4:05PM
Wow - you restrict your wifes driveing???? Good luck guy- you'll be single before your child hits 10!!! Dhe won't put up with you very long!
Yankee @ Mar 30th 2008 6:09PM
Its time for a new sport in the US - Target shooting of cellphone driving morons (CDM)!!! Rules are as follows:
1) The CDM must be using a handheld phone "one hand on the wheel" makes a valid CDM.
2) Target must be on an urban street or multi-lane highway. Rural or county roads are considered wildlife preserves. CDM's would most likely only kill themselves in these areas
3) Those wishing to harvest CDM's must purchase a license and register the hunting "plot" they will use.
4) CDM's that are harvested must be "tagged" or registered for the purposes of tracking and monitoring the health of the herd.
5) Bonus bounties will be paid by the service provider, Sprint, ATT , etc. for CDM's taken during local rush hours.
Just a thought :)
Steve @ Mar 30th 2008 7:52PM
Who the hell are all these people talking to? I can't think of anyone i want to call while I'm driving and i surely don't want them calling me!
DENNY @ Mar 30th 2008 10:30PM
I SAY THE AUTO MAKER'S NEED TO INSTALL SOME KIND OF A DEVICE THAT PREVENT YOU FROM BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE A CELL PHONE SIGNAL IF YOUR IN YOUR CAR WHILE ITS RUNNING.
Bobby G @ Mar 31st 2008 11:30PM
My sister gets on her cell phone the minute she gets behind the wheel of her huge Escalade. It's like a habit, a routine. Some people light up a cigarette as soon as they get in the car. My sister gets on her cell phone. It's almost like she can't drive without it in her ear. It's weird. These women get these gigantic rug-rat haulers (SUV's) and make them "command central" for all their day's activities. It has become a common social hazard. People conducting every/and-all-kind of business from their vehicles using their cell phone. If this is you, STOP IT! Take care of your shyt before you leave the house or office, NOT ON THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC! That was my kid you just side-swiped on his bike! That was my dad you just broad-sided when you ran the red light! That was my neighbor you just ran over when you turned the corner without even looking! Leave your cell phone alone when you drive! Take it along for emergencies-only once you STOP.
heather @ Apr 1st 2008 9:02AM
I have been in 2 accidents in 17 years of driving. Both times, I was answering my cell phone. One was minor, the other time I totaled mine and the other persons car. Now my PHONE is OFF in the car and that is the way it should be.