A Scary Moment

R1Kirby · 11-24-2010, 04:35 PM

While driving down the road in Alabama we saw a vehicle moving into our lane. We moved over and he kept coming further into our lane. We moved over to where we were off the road. As he went by…guess what…he was busy texting. As he went by he swerved back into his lane. Fortunately no one was hurt and no damage. This has happened twice in one year. We have severe DWI laws, but nothing for cell phone or texting. Isn’t distracted driving as big a problem, or not bigger, than driving under the influence?

**RickO** · 11-24-2010, 05:14 PM

You bet it is! Here in California we have laws against talking or texting while driving. Problem is that nobody pays any attention to them... including the CHP. I've had the same scenario happen to me many times but usually it is a teenage girl texting and putting on make up while steering with her knees! Ahh.... for the good old days when only young boys were a problem on the road!

Rick

jodann · 11-24-2010, 05:52 PM

Here in NJ, despite laws prohibiting talking or texting while driving, the situation is totally out of control. It's gotten to the point that I no longer enjoy driving, especially on 2 lane roads. It's a common occurance to have oncoming traffic drifting into your lane.

Also, as one who has been rear-ended by a teen talking on her cell phone I 'freak' when I see someone tailgating me & talking at the same time. I would love to see severe penalties - loss of driving privileges - for a 1st offense. jodann

**NLOVNIT** · 11-24-2010, 06:42 PM

We have laws here in Columbus, OH, too, but I still see people texting & driving. I so want to take down their license plate number & turn them in, but unless they're caught doing it by law enforcement, I don't think my reporting them would make any dif.

Lori-

Vegasdan · 11-24-2010, 07:13 PM

My wife and son were rear ended recently by a driver who was obviously texting before he hit the rear end of my son's car. It happened in a work zone where the speed limit was 35. He was merging onto the freeway and drove into the back of the car.

TXiceman · 11-24-2010, 07:17 PM

The problem is that idiots can get a license (if they bother) and get out on the roads.

ken

Elkhartjim · 11-24-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jodann

Here in NJ, despite laws prohibiting talking or texting while driving, the situation is totally out of control. It's gotten to the point that I no longer enjoy driving, especially on 2 lane roads. It's a common occurance to have oncoming traffic drifting into your lane.

Also, as one who has been rear-ended by a teen talking on her cell phone I 'freak' when I see someone tailgating me & talking at the same time. I would love to see severe penalties - loss of driving privileges - for a 1st offense. jodann

Not to hijack the thread as its a big problem but on our trip this fall we drove through many states and it seemed to me the further NE we drove the closer the tailgaters got. Unfortunately, Cape May, NJ was unbelievably the worst. It didn't matter if I drove 5mph or 25mph over the speed limit in our toad, they sat on our bumper. I judge when I can't see their headlights, they can't see my tail lights. They were not teenagers and most had more white hair than I do. "Holly crap", wonder how their reflexes were. I don't care when I'm in the motorhome but when I'm in the toad...dang it, back off. And yes, it didn't matter if I slowed 20mph below the posted speed limit, rather than pass they would just get closer. I can't count the number of times I would pull off the road and let them pass.

Boy, that feels better. Now all of you that have had similar experiences in Texas jump right in. We do have laws regarding texting and they are strictly enforced in school zones.

chasfm11 · 11-24-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elkhartjim

We do have laws regarding texting and they are strictly enforced in school zones.

I guess I don't believe that laws are going to fix the problem. We've had laws of all kinds to try to control human behavior (remember Prohibition and how well that a worked out?) There are more than enough laws on the books to enforce the kind of tailgating and cell phone use that you encountered (as reckless driving) but our local LEOs never seem to write those kinds of tickets
I absolutely HATE tailgaters and will do discourage them from following me. It it just doesn't work very well.

One of my classic examples that we were driving in the MH with the MH and the toad in the middle of nowhere. There aren't other vehicles visible for miles but I have a driver perched a 1/2 car length behind me. I put on the flashers - no response. I slowed down to 10 mph less than the speed limit - no response. Finally, I signaled and moved to the inner lane - and the jerk followed me.

I call it "license plate driving" and the folks in the Northeast seem to have it down to a fine science. They just plug into the car in front of them, leaving little to no space. Since I'm a "lift foot" kind of a driver (I use the brakes as little as possible and slow down to avoid things by lifting my foot off the fuel pedal in advance), the only clue that they'll get that I'm changing speeds is gap closure - when they are too close already.

NITEHAWK · 11-24-2010, 09:05 PM

I found a very good way to get a tailgater off my rear end when driving our toad. I slow way down and if they don't go around I put the passenger wheels in the gravel on the shoulder and then floor the gas pedal. Amazing how it gets their attention!! They even wave with one finger when they go by!! As if I was the party doing wrong.

AZgl1500 · 11-24-2010, 09:13 PM

a few marbles out the window bouncing on the pavement and onto their windscreen gets their attention.

or, install a windshield washer pump with a spray nozzle on the rear bumper/ladder pointed about 45* backwards.

soapy water or some noxious smelling agent makes them back off.

I have on occasion forced the bad guy to a full stop when they did not get the hint to pass or back off.