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General discussion

What do you think is the biggest threat to safe driving?

May 30, 2007 4:37AM PDT

- Bad drivers (Tell us why.)
- Car stereos (Tell us why.)
- Cell phones (Tell us why.)
- DVD players (Tell us why.)
- Eating or personal grooming (Tell us why.)
- GPS/navigation systems (Tell us why.)
- Kids (Tell us why.)
- People with road rage (Tell us why.)
- Pets (Tell us why.)
- Other (What is it?)

Discussion is locked

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people who think they are good drivers
May 30, 2007 1:30PM PDT

Face it everybody thinks they are a good driver. Being that driving is a skill there are going to be people that are just not good at it for any number of reasons. With the rather large amount of drivers currently out there their are bound to be a sizable amount of bad drivers add in drivers that never really learned how to drive or learned just enough to pass their states driving test and you have an awful lot of risky drivers. Then add in the drunks, the people who don?t pay attention, the ones that don?t care how they drive, the ones that like to dictate the speed limit to everyone else, people in a hurry, the indestructible teenager, the nervous driver, older drivers loosing their skills the list goes on. The only reason cell phones are being blamed is because when you do see some driver do something stupid and he or she has a cell phone stuck in their head you think nobody?s that stupid must be the cell its like it has to be something physical to blame and it doesn?t help that cell phones are relatively new. Maybe just maybe it was the driver and he or she doesn?t really need a cell phone to do something stupid they just can?t drive.
. You also have to remember that with the amount driving some do (sales people, truck driver etc.), sometimes a good driver can have a bad day. I sometimes think that better driver?s ed. could help or if some of these drivers really knew the consequences of their actions for instance a crash simulator that would give one a real idea of what it feels like to be in a crash might help.
You must keep an eye on other drivers all the time because you never ever know what they might do or if they even know you are there and keep driving first no matter what is going on in the car drop that burger, drop that cell, let that kid scream at least until you can pull over and fix the problem to be free to drive.

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Animals
May 30, 2007 1:53PM PDT

Im sorry guys, aside from stupid drivers (most of the other categories) the most dangerous thing on the roads is wildlife.

I have been driving for about 20 years and i have only totaled two trucks. Both trucks died due to an impact of a White-tailed Deer.

And the worst part was: both times i had to use one of my Deer hunting tags because of the "death" of the deer.

Imagine the irony in that. . .
Wink

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Bad driving starts it all...
May 30, 2007 2:02PM PDT

Cell phones, drunk, eating, playing with the stereo, the entire list can be grouped under this title...maybe nobody actually taught some of these people how to operate a motor vehicle, not just drive a car. I think most young drivers these days just get behind the wheel and go...afterall they have probably played thousands of hours of video games where they were driving something and how hard could it be to perform the actual task?

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Dangerous Driving
May 30, 2007 2:45PM PDT

Inexperienced drivers are another thing. A friend of mine was killed outright on Saturday on his way to work, when an 18 year old driver cut in front of him, much to close knocking him off his motor cycle. Yes, he was wearing helmet and leathers...but on the freeway there is not much safety. Really think that teens should be restricted when it comes to freeway driving. Stereo's are no hazard to my mind...in fact on long trips can be a useful tool to keep a driver awake and alert.

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Distractions
May 30, 2007 2:10PM PDT

I drive an ageing Volvo. There are no cup holders which my American husband finds wierd. Europeans do not eat and drink in a cara car is not a dining room. The only thing you get in mine is gum or bottled water if the weather is exceedingly hot. If you need to do something...stop and get out.Obviously we need to transport children, I see some of them in the front seat or not on boosters or inproper child seats. Cell phones, application of makeup, smoking, unrestrained pets (My Dobie sat in a seat with a seatbelt through her harness,the cat rides in a pet container restrained by a belt, eating, drinking, and anything else that takes a drivers eyes off the road or hands of the steering wheel is DANGEROUS. While the driver may be able to handle the car...if an emergency comes up...like an animal or worse still a child runs into the road...the reaction is delayed for that split second. Not worth the risk IMHO....Cat.

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bad drivers
May 30, 2007 2:21PM PDT

I think there all bad. people who don't pay attention and try to do other things takes there mind off their driving.!!

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other reason
May 30, 2007 2:25PM PDT

I choose this because I believe all of the other reasons add to the carnage on our roads. They are all distracting and dangerous. It takes only a second of inattention to create and have an accident.
I've been there, done it, and am still paying the price of it.

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Cell Phones
May 30, 2007 2:26PM PDT

No matter how "hands free" you are, talking on the phone is a distraction while you are driving. A car is heavy machinery and driving requires your full attention and concentration. In order to drive defensively, your attention must not only be on the road in front of you, but checking your mirrors, intersections, dealing with passengers, if any. A cell phone is a MAJOR distraction, and unless you have an emergency, phone calls are not that important that they can's wait. Otherwise, pull over to somewhere safe and make the call!

WordAssist

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CELL PHONES!
May 30, 2007 2:33PM PDT

When people are on cell phones, they're not paying attention to the most important thing-driving! States should pass legislation prohibiting using cell phones while driving and make it a big-buck offense, maybe like parking in a handicapped parking space when they're not. If your call is THAT important, pull off the road! How soon everyone has forgotten what they did before cell phones were invented-they had to wait until they got home to talk.

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This poll is a slam-dunk...
May 30, 2007 2:45PM PDT

This was an easy poll to decide--all the other choices fall under the aegis of "Bad Drivers". Some answers are mind-numbing--putting on mascara on the Hollywood Freeway...I have seen this. Eating is probably a little less distracting...especially for men who generally eat something already designed to fit the hand (fast food). Watching a DVD is insanity--commit those caught doing it. I have had lots of cars...almost every one of them had some dents (or worse). I bought a Volkswagen Rabbit years ago which came with no radio (why pay $400 for a $50 radio). I never got around to putting any music machine in it. It had not a single dent when I traded it. I have no children, but when I was one--the blindedly aimed and swift adult arm passing into the back seat where we kids were usually solved the problem.

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Children
May 30, 2007 2:53PM PDT

Amen to that one....kids are not usually encouraged to behave nowadays and if one gets swatted...whooopidooo..."child abuse" ...according to the crazies. Of the opinion that a well aimed swat is worth a book of words...well aimed swat...better behaviour. I am only avocating a little discipline and the ability to learn to say "NO" and mean it...really really mean it.

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Biggest threat
May 30, 2007 2:46PM PDT

I have been a professional driver my whole life. I beleive it is a combination of things. Bad driving, cell phones...(ok if there is an ear peice.).. Eating and personal grooming. The Worst thing in the world is to get behind someone who is not paying attention to the road. And People who have horrible driving skills or knowledge. Driving properly requires good skills and education.

I have always beleived that no one should be able to get a license until they are at least 21. The reason is most kids girls too have a tendancy to get behind the wheel and hit the gas and dont stop until they get in to an accident. Kids who now drive should have to see more than just photos of the injuries that accidents cause. They should have to go through more than just school driving course. Any one that wants to drive needs to go through an extensive 2 week course. ANd if you get a ticket with in the first year.. you should have to take the course over again at their own expense. Or loose their license.

And elderly people who are over 65 need to have a by yearly driving test. Including the actual written. I say this because so many elderly people are not able to drive with any kind of proficiency. The either cannot see over the steering wheel or they drive very slow. They go through red lights and stop signs. I know there are elderly that do fine. But I would like to see it as a nation wide requirement.

Road rage in portland oregon is a felony offense. They need to stiffen the offenses and fines. For instance. I was pulling up to a stop sign one car ahead of me. I pulled up about 5 feet from his car. He got out of his vehicle at the stop sign left it running and came back and banged on my window yelling I was too close to his car. UHHHH no. Following to close cutting people off on the highway... Especially truck drivers. I am one. I have been cut off and one person went in to a wall trying to illegally pass me on the right in california. Another went in to a ditch trying to cut corners and get to his exit after we had passed it. HE decided to cut me off and I slammed on my brakes to keep from hitting him and he went side ways in the road with 7 trucks behind me.... and then rolled it in the ditch... A motor home ...... got it????

Yes i have had tickets and I have had accidents. I learned my lesson. I have not ever had an accident that was my fault. My tickets were for not paying attention to the speed limits. I have not had a ticket in many many years. I did go through the classes. Children have no idea what the consequenses are of speeding and being rude on the road are. You can do things that you dont realize cause accidents. You have to drive both defensively and offensively. It is not a right it is a privilage. I will be happy to teach a class. With all the photos of accidents I have and the blood and broken bodies. I think it needs to happen. Thanks

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to my own thread here.
May 30, 2007 3:29PM PDT

I am a truck driver. I have been cut off by aggressive driver more times than I care to count. Thanks

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Ohio driving laws
May 31, 2007 6:23AM PDT

In Ohio its 15 and 6 months for temps and 16 for license. As we have a Graduated Drivers License, if you are under 17 or under 18 but have had your license for less than 6 months, you need to drive with your parent(s)/legal guardian(s) if you recieve a moving violation (The wording is confusing so this may not be exact). Also, I know many parents who must drive their kids everywhere which causes stress. The point I'm trying to make is that if we educate new drivers well, and put in these GDLs it may be safer to let minors drive.

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Bad drivers
May 30, 2007 3:01PM PDT

Good drivers always concentrate on driving. If they have to phone or consult a map, they will stop by the road and do whatever they want to do before going back. It only takes a fraction of a second to get into or cause a catasthophe...

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I think cell phones are part of, but not THE, problem
May 30, 2007 3:13PM PDT

Cell phone users don't seem to be paying attention to other drivers. They pay attention to the road and to their correspondent, but not to other cars or drivers except those immediately in front of them.

It is a phenomenon I call "tunnel driving" where one drives as fast as he can without actually striking the car in front of him. If that car seems to be moving too slowly, a quick lane change is made and a pass. No concern seems evident for any other vehicle in the new lane other than that at the precise moment of the lane change, the space to be occupied was, if only for that instant, vacant.

I am a self-described "sicko." I watch the road at least a half mile ahead and behind me and plan my lane changes to avoid being caught behind slow cars and to be out of the way of cars moving faster than I. I use the curve of the road to execute lane changes when that will work and I never change lanes just before or in the midst of an intersection.

One night while driving to Atlanta with a couple young people in my car, I described the difference between people who "drive" cars and people who "aim" cars. My young passenger confessed that she was one who "aimed." Happy

That covers most of it for me. I frequently see people talking on cell phones who seem oblivious to anything else on the road. I am tempted to say the use of the cell phone makes the situation unsafe. But then I realize that the person under observation wouldn't be paying attention to driving even if cell phones had yet to be invented.

I think cell phone laws are misguided and that if law enforcement were aimed at people who failed to yield or people who weren't paying attention, that would be a better strategy.

If I'm a cop and I follow a guy talking on a cell phone for a half mile and he doesn't get out of my way, I give him a ticket for failure to yield right of way. I'll be glad to meet him in court.

We don't need to outlaw cell phones or lipstick or powder or soft drinks or even corn dogs! Its the driver!!!

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Cells Phones are my Peeve but not always the biggest threat
May 30, 2007 3:22PM PDT

The other day I came up to a light. The car next to me was a "Student Driver". I was so compelled to motion for the instructor to roll down the window. I wanted to say, "If you're going to teach the guy how to drive properly, you need to put a cell phone in his hand!" Fortunately, the light turned green.

Although it doesn't eliminate the distraction, there is no valid reason for a driver NOT to be using a headset, bluetooth or handsfree.

The ones that really get to me are the drivers on the cell or texting not watching the road with their kids in the car.

Overall, the worst are the impolite, impatient and those needing to be in anger management. Afterall, if your vehicle is considered a "deadly weapon", would you waive a loaded gun around the same way you drive your car on the road?

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Bad drivers who need their licenses revoked...
May 30, 2007 3:25PM PDT

We Americans think driving is a constitutional right of something. It is a privelege; and if we would get these bozos off the road you wouldn't see 40,000* deaths every year! In fact I have seen people get away with downright criminal behavior behind the wheel that in any other context would have got them 40 to life behind bars. Maybe that and revoking more licenses would clean this mess up!

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Cell phone pressed to the ear + SUV = BIG PROBLEM
May 30, 2007 3:52PM PDT

When you see it, the driver is either agressive (blowing through stop lights and cutting off pedestrians) or driving out of sync with traffic (drifting in and out of the other lane or driving 20 mph slower than traffic). These driver appears to be both too focused on her conversation and unaware of the size of her vehicle.

Sorry to be sexist on this one folks, but you rarely see men driving an SUV with a cell phone pressed to his ear. So It may not have anything to do with gender, but I have only seen women doing this.

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Bad Drivers
May 30, 2007 4:24PM PDT

Of course, good drivers wouldn't allow distractions from the other items in this poll...

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Dangerous Drivers
May 30, 2007 4:37PM PDT

Ever seen one of those "thoroughly modern" women at the driving wheel of their enormous 4x4, who can barely see over the top of the steering wheel, the 4x4 doted with an assisted steering mechanism so that frail woman can steer the thing, and tends in fact to oversteer? Ever seen them trying to weave their way through the hundreds of other similar types outside the school, at the same time trying to get their favourite radio station on the car radion, or turning the cassette over, or changing the CD whilst also trying to hold the handy mobile phone with her shoulder against her ear, and invariably trying to tap the ash from her cigarette into the ashtray!! She at least doesn't need a GPS System, she knows where the school is, but she does need space to control the little ones who are high spirited at leaving school!
Good lord! A car is transport, and he/she who is driving it should do just that - drive, and nothing else!!
(iwmpop)

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Science proves it
May 30, 2007 4:43PM PDT

The parts of the brain that are working while speaking/listening on a cell phone are DIFFERENT from those parts that are involved in listening to a radio or even conversing with a passenger....thus, it is improper to compare cell phone usage to those others...cell phone usage--the process of listening and responding to phone calls takes away from driving concentration in a way that is different from the distraction of radio-listening or passenger discussion

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Bad Drivers
May 30, 2007 5:03PM PDT

All the things you list are things that distract a bad driver. A good driver does not allow him or herself to be distracted and knows when to take steps when something is going really wrong.

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bad drivers
May 30, 2007 5:24PM PDT

Bad drivers - the simple answer. All the options mentioned in the poll are just because of these kind of people.

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Cell Phones
May 30, 2007 5:25PM PDT

I have been driving for 46 years. During that time before cell phones I would have answered 'bad drivers'. But without a doubt, bar none, people on cell phones are the worst drivers I have ever seen (or course excluding drunks/druggies). I have been in more near misses involved with people being on cell phones in the last 2-3 years than any other hazard combined. Not to mention the morons I have been behind driving 10-20 mph below the speed limit and weaving all over the road. I have had to evade 2 morons driving down the middle of the road while dialing their phone and, thank God, they realized what they were doing at the last second. Sure I have had some close ones in all my driving experiences but not nearly as many in the cell phone age.

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Driver distraction
May 30, 2007 6:10PM PDT

They are all dangerous except when I use them (whoever I may be)

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ALL ABOVE IS BAD
May 30, 2007 6:30PM PDT

WELL WHEN YOUR DRIVING YOU SUPOSSE TO PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DRIVING AND NOT DOING YOU HAIR OR MAKE UP AND MOST OF ALL I HATE THE ONES THAT JABBER ON THE CELL PHONES AND DONT PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR DRIVING WE ALMOST GOT INTO A WREAK CAUSE OF SOMEONE WITH A CELL PHONE GLUED TO THEIR EAR . THEY SHOULD GET THE WIRELESS HANDFREE ONES SO THEY PAY ATTENTION TO OTHERS. IT IS A LAW HERE IN CALIF. IF YOUR CAUGHT DRIVING WITH THE CELL PHONE TO YOUR EAR YOU GET FINED 20.00 DOLLAR BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE MORE HERE LIKE 100.00 OR MORE FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE.
LILDOLPH

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The impact of in-car stereo on road safe driving
May 30, 2007 7:16PM PDT

I agree with the gentleman who has been rear-ended 4 times - To say that in-car stereos are not a major contributory factor is delusion on a grand scale. Firstly, just listen to the 'stereo' cars - all that volume (usually VERY high) dulls the reactions, repetetive bass rhythms are hypnotic (just look at the eyes next time you visit a gig)and recall that ALL war-like/violent movements have 'martial' music - loud, repetitive bass rhythms. Most war-like peoples have some type of 'war-drum' for precisely this reason: incitement and excitement.
As for women being multi-tasked- just look at ANY GROUP of women; most of them seem to lose control of their limbs whenever 'pop' music is being played. And the louder it is playing the more vigorously they tend to respond/react. These responses within the confines of motor cars are extremely dangerous. Ban in-car stereo if you want to see a real improvement in driving behaviour and road manners - both male and female!

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Speed and competition
May 30, 2007 7:35PM PDT

I have just witnessed a bump outside my house. A stationary car (not mine) meant the road was too narrow for two to pass. Two cars approached, travelling probably under the speed limit of forty, both went for the gap neither being nearer than the other and therefore able to 'win'. With a closing speed approaching eighty, both probably a bit aggressive in style there was just not enough 'decision time' available. By the time they hit the brakes it was too late.
For my money driver character is the main problem. Many people just have to get in front of others, enjoy their skill to such an extent they think they can do anything whilst behind the wheel, and above all cannot anticipate.

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The biggest threat are... drivers themselves!
May 30, 2007 7:24PM PDT

I think that we tend to become a nation of autovehicle drivers. We teach driving in schools. Nevertheless, we seem to forget that driving, just like all manual and coordination skills is not for everyone. Not anyone can become a painter, or an automechanic, or for instance an airplane pilot. Take the pilot for instance. He has a copilot, a board engineer and a control tower that help him all the time and he flies the airplane in the open air. He has no traffic lights, crazy people crossing the street, drunk drivers to avoid, traffic lights, traffic signs and so on to worry about. His airplane has an automatic pilot that can safely land or take off. However, before flying from Boston to New York he is subjected to a full medical exam and his plane checked top to bottom. If John Doe wants to drive from NY to LA, all he has to do is jump in his car and away he goes. He maybe tired, sick, bored, sleepy or simply, incompetent. No matter! He's free to roam the country and maybe kill inocent people just because his car brakes were too worn out to hold and though he knew it he was too cheap, reckless or mechanically incompetent to get them fix. Or because his reactions were FAR too slow.. Or he was eating a sandwich while cruising at 100 mph and his tooth filling broke out... Think about it!