Just get out
Deja Pseu's post on driver's phone use inspired this related post, which I could write in just three words: Just Get Out.
My real estate agent told me that she was a passenger in a builder's truck when he texted nonstop while driving to Home Depot–and back.
In a cab, the cabbie never stopped talking on his handheld mobile phone, while maintaining a second conversation with the dispatcher.
A friend apologized that "just this once" she had to check on her child's test results, via a text sent while flying down a six-lane expressway.
Just.Get.Out.
We don't have to be all blaming and stroppy. Make a polite, neutral request, "Please, could you wait till we're there?" to start. If there's no result, make an immediate, certain exit. Tell them you care about their safety, too.
I'm doing it; it's the same tactic I use in cabs that have missing or broken seatbelts. (There is always an excuse that the previous customer "lost" or broke the belt.) I pay the fare to that point, no tip, and tell them why the trip's cut short.
Remember when we used to carry $20 in our wallets in case we had to get home safely from a party? Tuck a few Just.Get.Out. bills in there.
As I said to Pseu, I witnessed a death caused by driving and phoning, and it's one too many, a 24 year old young woman who passed me one rainy early morning, speeding and chatting, then missed a curve.
Just.Get.Out.
Comments
They need to make the fines steeper or impound the cars...why is it that people feel that they need to be connected 24/7 ?
Were you aware that Oprah had a huge campaign earlier this year
and had her guest sign a pledge
promising not to text/talk while driving.
I also like Just Get Out. It's simple and proactive. What gives me nightmares are the kids....
- none of you would drive and text (or talk on a handheld device) but what if you are *the passenger*?
- getting out is an immediate consequence and "drives" home the message that you will not support the behaviour
- you cannot force another person to change (impounding and fines are so far not that effective), but you can do what you can to protect yourself
I estimate that 5 out of 7 days (here in my large city) I see someone driving and on handheld device.
The thinking seems to be that if traffic is slow, it's OK.
That being said, I hope you don't mind if I swipe the image you shared (the inspirational poster) to share with my neices and nephews. Thankfully my kids are still oo young to drive.
I know people who phone or text and drive and not a single one has ever been stopped. They also know I have strong feelings about it so at least they refrain if I'm in the car.
Darla
Funny you bring up the subject, it happens to be a pet peeve of mine lately. Have been to a few MVC's lately involving people that were texting or talking on their cell...thankfully no fatals! The problem is, they still don't get it!!
The more people talk or voice their opinion on the subject, the more it will become like smoking....not tolerated.
Say hi to bro for me.
The in-law-bro / firefighter.
It is illegal in Quebec as well, but once again there is the enforcement problem.
I don't drive period, but alas there are many places, even cities, that are utterly car-dependent. Right now I'm in Amsterdam where there are very strict liability laws with burden of proof on the 'stronger' party (truck against car, car against cyclist or pedestrian, cyclist against pedestrian). Don't know about the phone/text driving laws though.
There should be hard-hitting campaigns against this like the DWI ads of a generation ago.
lagatta: I am interested in citizen's behaviour; laws are necessary but not sufficient. So my question to everyone is, when you are in a car with a person texting or on a handheld phone, what are you going to DO?"
Yes Duchesse, I agree. It has to be an attitude shift. We are old enough to remember when drinking and driving was something of a joke. And of course one smoked everywhere - I had a coughing fit when interpreting in a smoke-filled auditorium. The subject? A trade union conference on occupational health and safety. But that was decades ago.
And texting is much worse. Try this truly great game, which every single driver should be required to do before getting their license: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/19/technology/20090719-driving-game.html
Marie-Christine: Thanks, hope everyone tries the game.