Alberta passes distracted driving law

[Lubicon]

It probably doesn't show up statistically but I can recall several instances of people being hit by trains likely due to distracted walking. CTrains, freight trains etc. Weirdest one I can recall is a guy unfortunate enough to be struck and killed in Cranbrook by a helicopter that crashed.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Weirdest one I can recall is a guy unfortunate enough to be struck and killed in Cranbrook by a helicopter that crashed.

Yeah I'm gonna go with not pining that one on distracted walking and maybe just with the helicopter falling out of the sky.

[Swift]

You don't walk around scoping out the sky all the time? You're part of the problem dude.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

It probably doesn't show up statistically but I can recall several instances of people being hit by trains likely due to distracted walking. CTrains, freight trains etc.

Not paying attention to surroundings sure as hell doesn't help.

Look left, look right. Even if you have the right of way, doesn't mean they will be able to stop in time. For instance, icy roads.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Dan02

Yeah I'm gonna go with not pining that one on distracted walking and maybe just with the helicopter falling out of the sky.

He had his headphones on and was listening to music. Really stretching the definition of distraction though.

[GP_Matt]

The problem with technology is how do you tell if it is the driver or a passenger.
The same technology would kick in when riding the bus.

[Erick Estrada]

Ever notice how some people get really defensive when they notice you are watching them do the head bob or have their heads buried in their phones while behind the wheel?

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Ever notice how some people get really defensive when they notice you are watching them do the head bob or have their heads buried in their phones while behind the wheel?

It's only when I bang on their window and tell them to hang up and drive that this happens.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Dan02

Yeah I'm gonna go with not pining that one on distracted walking and maybe just with the helicopter falling out of the sky.

Gotta keep your head up son!

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

One issue IMO is the label. "distracted driving" isn't as specific and full of negative stigma as "drunk driving" or "DUI". Furthermore, technology to reduce "distracted driving" are only "reduction" of the activity and not banning it (ie: Voice activated response built into the console of your car vs car doesn't even start if you have a breathalyser built in).

I agree with others, most of the time, people think that crashing and dying is associated more with bad luck and sucky drivers than it is a "fleeting" activity like texting or phone calls. The stigma isn't the same.

People also don't think texting while at a red light is wrong, because the car isn't moving. One example from earlier in the thread. I'm sure there are others.

Originally Posted by polak

No one is defending texting and driving.

We're defending checking our phone when we're stopped at a red light. A completely harmless activity. I guarantee, 100% that no one has ever been killed by someone not moving at a red light.

Weird hey.

[CaptainCrunch]

The idiots at the red lights checking their texts are the worst of the worst in terms of out right wrecking traffic flow, or running into cars ahead of them, or brake bouncing in panic.

Seriously, 90% of the population aren't essential personal, so you don't need to be checking your phones when you're driving.

[MoneyGuy]

Years ago I was running down one of our downtown hills with headphones on and a car came careening down the hill and missed me by a few feet and took out a fence and a tree.

[Cube Inmate]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

The idiots at the red lights checking their texts are the worst of the worst in terms of out right wrecking traffic flow, or running into cars ahead of them, or brake bouncing in panic.

Seriously, 90% of the population aren't essential personal, so you don't need to be checking your phones when you're driving.

And the legislation has made things worse. Now, instead of glancing at text messages while *also* keeping an eye on the cars in front of them, people attempt to hide the phone in their crotch and completely lose situational awareness.

I've "viewed" my phone unlawfully maybe 5 times since this became law, so I'm hardly a serial text-and-driver...but I recognize unintended consequences when I see them and the law is the reason that crotch-starers are "wrecking traffic flow."

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

The idiots at the red lights checking their texts are the worst of the worst in terms of out right wrecking traffic flow, or running into cars ahead of them, or brake bouncing in panic.

Seriously, 90% of the population aren't essential personal, so you don't need to be checking your phones when you're driving.

Not coming off the line when the light turns green sure, but I'm gonna go ahead and say that no one has ever run into the car in front of them while stopped at a red light.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I actually think a lot of the over zealous attitudes in this thread are more a reflection of frustration with generally poor drivers than an accurate depiction of the dangers of texting while stopped at a light, or while driving or doing a million other "distracted" things.

Fact of the matter is that most people are easily distracted behind the wheel. Even this whole bluetooth thing is hilarious. As if there is any tangible difference between talking on bluetooth, talking while holding a phone or talking on a phone that is on speaker sitting on the dash. There are so many things that cause distraction behind the wheel that in turn cause accidents.

It is one of the harder things to detect, enforce and ticket. Especially since some people do just suck at driving.

And the previous points are right. Before we had people texting with their head up. Now they are buried in their lap and there just aren't enough resources to fight it.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Not coming off the line when the light turns green sure, but I'm gonna go ahead and say that no one has ever run into the car in front of them while stopped at a red light.

It happened to me. I was stopped at a light with a Caravan behind me. He must have let his foot off the brake enough to roll forward and tapped my rear end. I can't say he was texting but something distracted him. Maybe the baby in the back seat, I don't know. But yeah, keep your eyes on the road at all times people.

[Fuzz]

I hate cell phones, and what they do to people. You are not so important that whatever buzzing is going on in your pocket cant wait until you get home. If you are that important, you should have a driver. If you can't afford a driver, you aren't that important.

People on their phones in theatres, while out for a walking, commuting, driving, eating, on the toilet, WTF is wrong with you? Put the damn thing away and enjoy the world or your thoughts for 5 fircken minutes.

[DownInFlames]

I love cell phones but I have enough common sense not to use them when I might affect others negatively. Waiting for someone to realize the elevator is at their floor because they're texting nonstop is infuriating.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I hate cell phones, and what they do to people. You are not so important that whatever buzzing is going on in your pocket cant wait until you get home. If you are that important, you should have a driver. If you can't afford a driver, you aren't that important.

People on their phones in theatres, while out for a walking, commuting, driving, eating, on the toilet, WTF is wrong with you? Put the damn thing away and enjoy the world or your thoughts for 5 fircken minutes.

woah woah woah.... you don't take your phone with you to the washroom?

[Fuzz]

I don't even really have a phone.