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Cell phone frustration

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 6:52 am
by scan
I know everyone here hates to see cars driving down the road with the driver covering the left side of his head with a cell phone. Seems crazy to do, but I've seen it very often. At least if they were holding it on the right side they could look out the driver window, but I'm sure that is their last concern. But I digress, because I think they should not be on the phone at all if they are moving.

Honestly, is there anyone here who talks on a cell phone while in their cage? I know I do not. I have the cell phone in the car, but pull over to answer or make a call. Everyone seems to hate this behavior, but that is not possible, or no one would be doing this, and I know I saw about half the car on the road last night on the phone driving. Most of these people were not a problem to me while I was riding, but I knew I had to keep a special eye on them as an extra hazard.

How can it be that so many complain about his problem, and yet I see so many still acting in this manner?

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:01 am
by oldnslo
A lot of people do, and I guarantee there is absolutely no reason for it beyond it just being a dangerous habit.
I spent my working life in a car, first with a beeper to tell me someone wanted me to call back, stop at a phone booth, etc., then added the cell phone. It is very easy to pull over, answer the call or return it, write down anything required by the conversation, and be on your way again. Flame away, but anyody who can't do this probably shouldn't be driving at all. Talking on the phone and driving is a true menace to society. I have many stories about things I have seen on the streets and hiways involving cell phones and driving, plus other activities.
I think people continue to talk and drive out of habit. Some places have made the practice illegal, but the law is toothless. Maybe if the cops would arrest and jail people for it and confiscate their vehicle it might get more attention. Of course, roadside executions would be another option.

Ever wonder why people talk on cells in grocery stores? Do they need help choosing what to eat? Worse yet, cells in restrooms, picking up all the interesting sounds........

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:35 am
by cb360
The grocery store thing just kills me. I was behind someone in line the other day and the cashier was frequently unsure whether the person on the phone was talking to her or the person on the other end of the phone. I tapped him on the shoulder (I'm kind of buddies with the cashier and it was really bugging me for some reason) and said, "you're very rude" he just turned around and kept on talking. I don't care if you want to sneak down the aisle and call the wife to ask what kind of crackers to get, but when you're engaging with someone else in a transaction it is the height of rudeness to expect them to put up with it. If I were the cashier I would say, "I'll wait until you get off the phone."

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 8:46 am
by nyrblue35
apparently people using cell phones in a bathroom need help finding their members. :frusty:

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:28 am
by Joe Mc
I have never made a call while driving, and very rarely answer. Depends where I am though. In the city, never; on the open road occasionaly.

I'd be completely in favour of banning cell phones while driving. They should be banned in restaurants and movie theatres too.

I have never seen anyone talking on the phone at the check out of a store, but if I did I'd probably smack them, along with everyone else in the store. That is extremely rude and tolerated here.

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:41 am
by Grendel_Sprite
The reason I don't use my cell in the car is that I just don't want to! My cell is turned off most of the time. Whatever it is, it can wait. Most of my car time is spent in commute, alone, and that time is best used for relaxing and digesting the events of the day. I also enjoy the act of driving and the phone would detract from that.

I understand the frustration, though, when that @$$hat who drifts into your lane was talking on the phone when he did it . There are a LOT of drivers out there with marginal skills who have no idea how to pay attention to what they're doing at the moment. One more distraction is not what these people need.

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:24 pm
by dr_bar
I haven't driven my car since I insured the bike in March. I actually took the insurance off of
the car. When I have need of the cell in the car, I use the hands free headset that I keep
in the car. If I'm with someone, I rarely use the cell period. If I go to a restaurant, if I'm
not alone
, or when at a movie theatre, it is turned off right away. The only time I don't
follow that rule is when I'm expecting a call from one of my daughters, (they live about
1000 km away) and then I keep the phone on vibrate mode and inform my dinner partner
that I'm expecting a call and explain the reason. That way I'm apologizing in advance
for my rudeness...

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:38 pm
by 9000white
i have one that the company furnishes for me and i have never even charged the batery.they ask me why i dont answer it when they call.i tell them that the battery is dead.if it is important enough you can send somebody to find me.

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 3:11 pm
by BuzZz
Firstly, let me start by confessing, I hate all phones. It is almost a phobia. I can't stand to hear a phone ring, it strikes me numb every time. I blame my first full time job as a partsman, taking hundreds of calls a day. The truth is probably more deeply disturbing... or I'm more deeply disturbed.... whatever.... :roll:

That said, I must always have a phone with me, as I am on fulltime 24 hr call. Talk about depressing.... :|

The good thing is that my phone sucks and the coverage around here sucks, so if my phone does ring when driving, I HAVE to pull over to talk, or I'll lose the call.

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 5:33 pm
by Itzamna
I saw a guy on a brand new Harley Road King talking on his cellphone going down the road the other day. Only the second time I've ever witnessed this kind of idiocy. I think I'm just going to buy an airhorn for my bike, so I can keep blowing it and the people won't hear on their cellphones. Sounds like a simple solution.