2yrs for texting and killing

[shmike]

Originally Posted by dubbs

He sent a text at 2:34 and received the response at 2:35.. The crash happened at 2:35.. He was texting.

Yep.

Talking on the phone may be distracting but there is no way that it compares to people texting. In addition to the distraction of a conversation, people are taking their eyes off the road for extended periods of time when sending or reading texts.

Sure, 'slice, if it was a chick applying make-up or a dude reading the paper, the same penalty should apply but texting is a major concern currently and I would not be surprised to see more verdicts like this.

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by shmike

Yep.

And if it was a chick applying make-up or a dude reading the paper, the same penalty should apply.

Talking on the phone may be distracting but there is no way that it compares to people texting. In addition to the distarction of a conversation, people are taking their eyes off the road for extended periods of time when sending or reading texts.

I still cant see how someone could drive and send a text at the same time. Still not sure if this will be a deterent, se ehow all the stiffer drunk driving penalties havent done a whole lot.

[OneSickPsycho]

I'd be interested in seeing the proof that he was texting at the moment he lost control and how police concluded EXACTLY what time the crash occurred.

I'm all for hammering people when they're irresponsible, especially in cases like this where someone else dies as a result... however, I'm skeptical of this sort of precident... He could have sent the text at 2:35:10 and crashed at 2:35:40... 30 seconds is a LOT of time in this scenario. Odds are he's probably guilty as sin, but still...

[OneSickPsycho]

Originally Posted by tommymac

I still cant see how someone could drive and send a text at the same time. Still not sure if this will be a deterent, se ehow all the stiffer drunk driving penalties havent done a whole lot.

Yes and no... DD penalties are still pretty much a slap on the wrist unless something else happens...

[Turbo Ghost]

I can't lie. I've texted and drove. With my old phone, I could text without looking down at the buttons since they were textured. I've since quit texting for several years now (while driving). If I have my Jawbone Bluetooth connected, an automatic text is sent telling the sender I'm driving and can't text and please call me. If I'm on the bike it's the same. They get an automatic text telling them to call me. Personally, I think handsfree is safer than talking to a friend in the car because you aren't constantly looking over at the person and you keep your eyes on the road.
While I was still driving truck, I was on the phone a lot! That may scare some of you but, I was driving up to 20 hours a day and the conversation kept me awake and alert when I got tired. As the day went on and I got tired, I had to call someone to help wake me up. If it got too bad, I pulled-over.
Texting for most people including teens who are very talented at it, requires you to physically take your eyes off the road. ONE SECOND away from the road can be the difference between life and death!
I was on the jury of a wrongful death suit where the accused looked down just to push the button to change the station and when she looked back up, the other car was turning in front of her (the turner had a green arrow and the light was notoriously short) and her light was red. Only a moment and a life was taken.
As motorcyclists, we are (generally) much more aware of our surroundings and our own vulnerabilities. Most people have no concept of the importance of what they are doing when they are driving. I blame that on our government not requiring training to drive.
In Germany, I believe it's a minimum of 10 weeks of training IF you get everything right the first time through! If you fail a course, you are required to take it again AT YOUR COST! I haven't looked but, years ago it was around $1400. Over here you hop in drive to the street and back and you're good to go. Not good!

[fasternyou929]

Originally Posted by Turbo Ghost

Personally, I think handsfree is safer than talking to a friend in the car because you aren't constantly looking over at the person and you keep your eyes on the road.

An interesting theory, but an in-depth study was done a while back that proves otherwise. Turns out when you are talking on the phone, your brain does something to establish a "connection" with the other person, something it doesn't have to do when you are sitting next to them.

It changes your focus to the horizon and creates a "virtual" connection characterized similar to a day-dream. Your eyes, and your mind, are taken off the road an order of magnitude more on a phone call than they are during a person-to-person discussion.