Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: Craig McClure on March 19, 2014, 10:46:22 pm

Title: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Craig McClure on March 19, 2014, 10:46:22 pm
Three times in the last two days I have witnessed (& nearly been run down) Turning into a parking lot, only to find A Women in a Big Detroit Boat, turning toward the exit & coming all they way into my lane, obviously unable to control her vehicle, due to SUCKING on a Cell Phone. This was different Women, Locations, & Detroit Boats all three times. Made me so angry I wanted to pound phones down their throats. Everybody knows it's against the law to hold a cell phone while driving - But its getting much worse. Laws need to be more severe, Ranging from Vehicular Assault, to  Vehicular Attempted Murder, & Vehicular Homicide (depending on outcome)
BE VERY VERY CAREFUL!  This was in a town of under 6000 people.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Ducati Scotty on March 19, 2014, 11:02:58 pm
I pretty much try to avoid all mini-vans and clean SUVs, especially those that are speeding.  They're generally filled with a family, which means a distracted driver male or female.  And I don't know why but they're always speeding.  Who speeds with their kids in the car?  Who are these people?  Soccer practice is not that important.  I don't care what the safety rating on the vehicle is, it's way safer if you're not going 80mph.

Scott
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: azcatfan on March 19, 2014, 11:24:31 pm
 >:(  I'll jump in on the cell phone rant - EVERY DAY I see it, women more than men, but I do see both.  They actually have BOTH hands texting on their phones!  Not even trying to slyly palm it in one hand while trying to keep an eye on the road, nope, BOTH hands on the phone, forearms used for steering...

I commute through town to and from work, I purposely choose the smaller streets just to deal with fewer people on the road.  It is sad and frustrating that a cool piece of technology combined with lackadaisical usage of said technology threatens to force motorcycle riders off the road.

I already know the inherent dangers of riding a motorcycle, I don't need asshat, center-of-the-universe people, afflicted with HUBS (Head Up Butt Syndrome) adding to those known dangers because of their perceived urgency to respond to a text chat.   >:(

Rant off   ::)

Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Gypsyjon on March 19, 2014, 11:47:57 pm
Craig, it is illegal use a hand held phone in California while driving, but not in Georgia. You are totally right on every other point.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Royalista on March 20, 2014, 12:30:50 am
The bizar thing however is we're advised to dress as xmastrees as if that'll ever work against cellular challenged ones.  ;D
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: suitcasejefferson on March 20, 2014, 12:44:39 am
I wish all 50 states would pass laws making cell phone use while driving the same as a DUI. I keep a cell phone with me in my car and on my bike. But it is always turned off. Sometimes I will pull into a safe place, park, and check for messages.

NAPA parts delivery vehicles now have signs on the back window that say "cell phone free vehicle" I had NAPA get me a couple of those for my own cars.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: mattsz on March 20, 2014, 01:08:31 am
Remember Click & Clack's "Shut Up And Drive" campaign?  It included bumper stickers...  8)
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Desi Bike on March 20, 2014, 02:09:13 am
Newer vehicles that come with fancy touch screen radio systems often cause me problems on the road as a rider. These radio systems have developed into pretty much a touch screen computer mounted in the dashboard just sitting there ready to distract the driver.

Want to change the heater or air conditioning, go to this menu then that one, adjust, this then that. Hit the menu buttons again and navigate back to your radio station. Oh, the song that they are playing is your favorite, but you can't remember the artist, simply push a few more spots on the screen and you can now see the entire data for the band including the hairstylist that did their hair for the last tour. Oh, your hair.. Right, forgot about that. Hit the menu again and dial up your hairdresser to make an appointment. More menu buttons to navigate to a calender function, make note of the appointment and set a reminder alarm which, sadly you will miss because it will be your local funeral director doing your hair because you were supposed to be PAYING F@CKING ATTENTION TO DRIVING not futzing with electronics.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Norm on March 20, 2014, 02:35:41 am
Oh god, the number of distracted drivers out there (and here) is ridiculous!  We riders really have to assume we are invisible, even with high-beams on and reflective gear.  It is getting harder to get excited about going out for a longer ride.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: suitcasejefferson on March 20, 2014, 03:09:10 pm
I avoid city and urban freeway riding as much as possible. I prefer backroad riding. I have spent a great deal of my riding life on interstates, just racking up miles. I finally decided to slow down and smell the roses. There are millions of miles of rural roads in this country. I'm going to explore some of them. I have noticed that you are a lot safer from distracted drivers on these type of roads.

It's not just motorcyclists who are in danger from these idiots. Car drivers are running over each other. Ans I don't know how many times I have seen people walking down a sidewalk mindlessly staring at their smart phones and collide with each other. My daughter calls them cell phone zombies. Unfortunately she is one of them.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: GreenMachine on March 20, 2014, 08:52:56 pm
Desi: Want to change the heater or air conditioning, go to this menu then that one, adjust, this then that. Hit the menu buttons again and navigate back to your radio station.

I find that if I don't use the selector/volume control on the steering wheel and start mucking with the front panel, the car immediately starts to go all over the road..Forget plugging info for the GPS either, best to have that done before u depart ...The thing is I need to get with the program and figure out that voice recognition system that supposedly solve that problem... :-\
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Ducati Scotty on March 20, 2014, 09:19:12 pm
I really don't like touch screens for basic controls because they are very distracting and you have to navigate menu levels, removing your attention from the road for too long.  Three dials are all you need for heating and cooling, a radio needs just a few buttons. 

I recently noticed the climate control dash lights were out in my car.  How long were they out?  Who knows.  I've owned the car for 17 years and never look at them since I know exactly where they are.  They could have been out for years.

Scott
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: GreenMachine on March 20, 2014, 09:25:17 pm
Duc:   They say that the car of the future will drive itself...Maybe that's a good thing, but it will probably irritate some of us assuming we live that long or if the human race last that long...I always liked a  huge red reset button ...GM
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Ducati Scotty on March 20, 2014, 09:42:26 pm
There are many cars that already do it and a big push to market them.  I also suspect that some large car companies are against it, because when you sell me a car that drives itself and it crashes I'm going to sue the manufacturer.  Imagine a manufacturer had to absorb the cost of every accident that ever happened, damage and injuries.  So I'm not so sure we'll all be getting chauferred around by our cars tomorrow ;)
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Royalista on March 21, 2014, 01:38:43 am
The last car was made somewhere in the 80s
They still make supercars though: no radio, no satnav, just shift'n vroem.  ;D
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Craig McClure on March 21, 2014, 01:58:44 am
There are many cars that already do it and a big push to market them.  I also suspect that some large car companies are against it, because when you sell me a car that drives itself and it crashes I'm going to sue the manufacturer.  Imagine a manufacturer had to absorb the cost of every accident that ever happened, damage and injuries.  So I'm not so sure we'll all be getting chauferred around by our cars tomorrow ;)
HELL, I'm still waiting for my one piece stretch metallic V-Neck Suit, & thimble full of Uranium to power our Homes & Cars. THEY PROMISED US WE'D HAVE THESE BY NOW.
Closest we came was Side Lace Earth Shoes, & Saab Spaceship Station Wagons. I don't care for most of the Electronic Monkeys On Our backs.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Craig McClure on March 21, 2014, 02:08:30 am
The bizar thing however is we're advised to dress as xmastrees as if that'll ever work against cellular challenged ones.  ;D
I remember seeing a rider in the Atlanta Metro area, wearing a big Dirty Harry Shoulder Holster rig on the outside of his jacket, & thinking to myself "they WILL NOTICE this rider".
  As for the Easter Egg Outfits, Can't do it - Rather be dead.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Ducati Scotty on March 21, 2014, 03:26:28 pm
Earth shoes and turbo Saabs were pretty cool :P
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: REpozer on March 21, 2014, 05:19:47 pm
It's pretty hard to use a cell phone with a helmet on, plus all that wind noise. Texting is difficult durning gear changes.
I'm glad to see RE riders as being more mature.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Ducati Scotty on March 21, 2014, 05:22:36 pm
There are bluetooth helmets now.  I could see it if you like some tunes on long rides but who the hell wants to talk on the phone while riding? 

Scott
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Gypsyjon on March 21, 2014, 07:26:40 pm
There are bluetooth helmets now.  I could see it if you like some tunes on long rides but who the hell wants to talk on the phone while riding? 

Scott

+1
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: tooseevee on March 21, 2014, 08:08:20 pm
The last car was made somewhere in the 80s
They still make supercars though: no radio, no satnav, just shift'n vroem.  ;D

            Y'er correct. The last car was a round '79. From then on they started becoming more & more just a 4-wheeled, digital, electronic device like all the others. And I don't even HAVE a cellphone. I don't want anything smarter than me in my pocket. I'm a dinosaur.

            I just donated my 1995 Ford Taurus to a military organization who will sell or auction it off & give the money to Wounded Warrior Project. I maintained it well & it served me well for almost 20 years, now it can help somebody who needs it more.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Ducati Scotty on March 21, 2014, 08:19:50 pm
I don't want anything smarter than me in my pocket.

Me either, but some mornings I feel like that clump of lint is really giving me a run for my money.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: GreenMachine on March 21, 2014, 08:36:53 pm
Duc: "I don't want anything smarter than me in my pocket".
R U sure?  I feel the same way but I find myself enjoying all the techno things too.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Ducati Scotty on March 21, 2014, 08:41:51 pm
I didn't say I don't have anything smarter in my pocket, just that I don't want it. I was fine with no cell phone.  Then I got one when I got a bike again so my wife could check on me if I was out late riding to ensure I was not dead. Now she says I never put it down.  I mean, I am a professional computer programmer.  But the days I leave it behind when I leave the house seem much more relaxing.

Scott
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: ROVERMAN on March 21, 2014, 09:19:20 pm
It would be easy to characterize you lot as a bunch of old farts. But that would be missing the point, a lot of this technology just doesn't work right. If i have a touch screen i want it to react when i touch it, not 2 seconds later, or after the last thing i did cleared the %$^&* screen! It is amazing that the people in charge of these companies (the lawyers of course) let this crap get into production.
 Some stuff is great, side/head airbags, heated mirrors, adaptive cruise (don't knock it till' you try it) control etc. But, stupidly powerful airbags, to make up for drunks and people who are too tough to use seat belts, and parking aids etc just drive me nuts. Just be engaged and drive using common sense, that should just about take care of it. And, for crying out loud, doesn't anyone look further than past their front bumper anymore!
Rant over. ;D ;D ;D.
Robert.
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: heloego on March 21, 2014, 10:24:41 pm
Quote
Just be engaged and drive using common sense...

I finally got fed up with being a Safety Chair for my company for New Mexico when one of my bosses made the statement that "common sense" means different thing to different people, therefor it is never found in any company memo or policy.  :o
Title: Re: Newest Cell Phone Danger - Lookout!
Post by: Sectorsteve on March 21, 2014, 10:27:48 pm
i treat cell phone users the same as the threat of someone pulling out in front of you.
Avoid them. if someones in front of you on their phone. get outta their way.