Harsh punishment for talking on celphone while driving - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Kuan · #1 02-21-2006, 01:36 PM

From http://www.wlextv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4449021

Quote:

A Letcher County woman suffered a horrible injury early Thursday when her arm was severed in a car crash on the Mountain Parkway in Clark County.

Jacqueline Dotson and her six-year-old daughter had to be cut out of their vehicle after the accident in which Dotson veered into the median and over-corrected, rolling her truck over the guardrail and landing upside down after flipping several times.

Several people stopped to help, and it turns out, the good samaritans may very well have saved Dotson's life. Sheila Vice, a nurse's aide, and an off-duty EMT from another county stopped to help, and put a tourniquet on Dotson's arm to stop the bleeding. Her arm was found near the accident still clutching a cell phone.

"Basically we stayed there and talked to them until the EMT drivers got there," said Vice.

Rescuers used the jaws of life to get the Dotson and her daughter out of the truck. Both were flown to hospitals, and Dotson is listed in serious condition at UK Hospital. Her daughter is not in the hospital, and sheriff's officials say they believe she's going to be fine.

Both were wearing seat belts.

Pete Geither · #2 02-21-2006, 02:03 PM

Pretty brutal, but won't make a bit of difference to the people who choose to talk and drive. Saw a bumper sticker the other day,,,, "Hang up the phone and drive !"

DuckMuck · #3 02-21-2006, 02:28 PM

In the past month, I've almost gotten into three accidents because somebody was talking on the cell phone while driving:

1) Some idiot went running through a red light while chatting on the cell phone...I'm not talking about running a yellow as it turned red...I am talking about just plain didn't see the red light and just came driving into the intersection...I thought he was driving a little too fast coming to the light so had my foot already prepared to brake...luckily, I avoided it...

2) Some idiot was making a lane change into my lane and almost sided me while he chatted away on the cell phone...I had my hand on the horn and the guy still didn't get it...I had to basically brake like crazy to let the guy in...when I reached the light...he fingered me...sheeeesh...shouldn't I be the guy who should be doing the fingering?

3) There was some weird guy driving really slowly, braking constantly, and swerving a bit while he drove...he kinda looked like he was drunk...I followed behind him, as it was a one-lane road...and all of a sudden, he SLAMMED on the brakes and just stopped in the middle of the road...I honked him, and after a few minutes, he actually moved his car to the side...from what I could see, I think he was being given directions over the cell phone and apparently took a wrong turn...

I hate people driving while chatting away on a cell phone...sheesh...give me a break...

MTI · #4 02-21-2006, 04:30 PM

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has issued prohbitions against the use of cell phones while driving to members of the military and civilians on base. Call can be made from hands free devices or if parked. The DOD directive cites safety concerns for personnel and pedestrians since cell phone use while driving is distracting and may prevent users from hearing emergency sirens and warnings.

WVOtoGO · #5 02-21-2006, 06:28 PM

A few of the cities around here are starting to crack down on cell phone drivers. I think Addison is one with some of the larger fines. I’m all for it. If you have to talk and drive, at least go hands free. Still not a good thing to do though.

Like’n the sticker Pete. Also have seen: “It’s not a phone booth. IT‘S A CAR.“

MTI; Where in Honolulu are you? Just curious how things are down there. I was MPI class of ‘80. Worked at Dan’s Dive Shop (It was behind the Ala Moana Center. Still there?) and the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor for a couple of years. Made the last $$ for my M/B there (lots of yards here, before that). Nice place, Oahu. Haven’t had time to stop and visit on pass through flights lately.

Wes Bender · #6 02-21-2006, 08:07 PM

If it weren't for the possibility that I might interrupt an emergency call, I'd have one of those cell phone jammers in a heartbeat.

Botnst · #7 02-21-2006, 08:26 PM

"Hey, can you give me a hand? Hold the phone."

Hatterasguy · #8 02-21-2006, 10:37 PM

Supposidly you are are not allowed to talk on your cell in CT, but it doesn't seem to be enforced. Lots of cops do it thats for sure.

neanderthal · #9 02-22-2006, 11:21 AM

i wish i had a jammer in my car.

hate those cellphone using lemmings on the road.

davidmash · #10 02-22-2006, 03:57 PM

It is unfortunate that the penalty for her foolishness was so extreme but I am guessing that this will no longer be an issue for her. How ever, she placed her life, that of her child and the lives of all those who were on the road with her at risk. Better her than me. Some folks just don’t learn from a slap on the wrist.

I finally got my wife a ear piece for her cell fon that she likes to use. It is comfortable and clear so she uses it.

MTI · #11 02-22-2006, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVOtoGO

MTI; Where in Honolulu are you? Just curious how things are down there. I was MPI class of ‘80. Worked at Dan’s Dive Shop (It was behind the Ala Moana Center. Still there?) and the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor for a couple of years. Made the last $$ for my M/B there (lots of yards here, before that). Nice place, Oahu. Haven’t had time to stop and visit on pass through flights lately.

Thunderstorm last night, so today is a typical "kona" day . . . muggy.

WVOtoGO · #12 02-22-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Thunderstorm last night, so today is a typical "kona" day . . . muggy.

Better than here. That's for sure.
Too fuzzy to make out much in Manoa Valley.
I see Sand Island is still there. As I recall, that's where all the auto salvage yards were.
Those were the days. Thanks for the shot.

Tirebiter · #13 02-23-2006, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neanderthal

i wish i had a jammer in my car.

hate those cellphone using lemmings on the road.

I've had a jammer for about a year now. Great in restaraunts and grocery stores

Not too wise on the freeway though. The clown weaves everywhere while slowing down and trying to redial

cmac2012 · #14 02-23-2006, 03:39 AM

I had a sobering experience the other day. I got a call on my cell while driving, pulled it out of my pocket and then tried to see who it was on caller ID.

What a dumb ass. Never again. I almost ran a red light and a woman was about to push her bike out and walk across the intersection.

I have vowed to make that my one and only warning. If I answer the phone, I'm going to try to pull over first, and if not possible, NO WAY IN HELL am I going to look at the screen. They can tell me who they are...