tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077386656187888581.post5049044000588696942..comments2024-03-19T22:06:41.165-04:00Comments on fromtheeditr: NTSB Wants You to Shut Up and DriveAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04217963475185024609noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077386656187888581.post-59222348298677568422011-12-15T12:39:36.104-05:002011-12-15T12:39:36.104-05:00I think talking on the phone while driving, textin...I think talking on the phone while driving, texting or operating any other communication device while driving is one of the most selfish and irresponsible act a person can commit. There is nothing else that we do on a daily basis that more endangers other peoples lives than driving on a public highway. To purposely allow oneself to be distracted is nothing more than selfish, dangerous behavior. As a bicyclist, these folks are the ones I worry about. But, until the NTSB comes out with very specific data on how many people are killed annually by drivers who are on the phone, texting or otherwise communicating by other electronic device, I am afraid nothing is going to happen. There is considerable data on distracted driving but "distracted"means many things. My daughter was distracted when she had a serious accident. She was reaching for a bottle of lotion on the floor. That is distracted driving. It is going to be a hard sell until that very specific data (unless I am missing it) pinpoints exactly how many deaths annually are directly attributable to cell phone use. Especially when the overall vehicle fatality numbers are the lowest since 1949. Legislators are going to look at that number and say it is a non issue, especially in today's environment of less governmental interference in our lives. Of course I am aware how hard this number will be to figure given lack of evidence, reluctance of the driver to admit the cause etc. I'm afraid in this climate we live in nothing substantial is going to come about from this study.scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18290358317090714278noreply@blogger.com