Triumphrat

propforward · 07-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdnz

Lets face it, lots of people can't chew and walk at the same time. Driving holding a mobile, talking or texting causes a distraction and in traffic is dangerous, you're simply not paying sufficient attention to the main reason you're in a car, that's driving. As motorcyclists you all should be supporting banning of this as bikes are less noticable than other cars.

You yourself might think you can perform these tasks simultaneously and safely, that is, until you cause an accident through lack of attention, don't say it won't happen, it can and does.

Here's a list of countries that ban mobiles whilst driving. NZ has just joined them.

http://www.cellular-news.com/car_bans/

+1 on all this. You know why there is anti bike legislation? People complain - if enough people complain about cell phone useage in cars etc etc, legislation and action can be forced on that too.

Contact your government representative and get something going. If you do it, you can make a difference. Encourage enough others, and you can make a bigger difference.

propforward · 07-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by seumas

I find that my Stebel Nautilus horn does a good job of interrupting their conversation, especially if I'm right next to the driver's window.

Man - that is something I needed to know about. Last week I had occasion to use my bonneville horn for the first time in a real situation, and apparently the factory feel that a muted, strangled duckling is the right noise for alerting drivers to your presence!

I shall be looking into this Stebel Nautilus forthwith!

seumas · 07-18-2008

It's great. Rated at 139 db. It definitely gets their attention.

Gob-ny-geay · 07-19-2008

I'va adopted a new riding tactic recently strictly because of cell phone users, and because I almost had my first riding accident in 39 years of motorcycling!

I count "one one thousand, two one thousand" slowly now after the cager in front of me starts off, and before I start off at a traffic light or stop sign if I know the person in front of me is on the phone. This allows for ample space to react in a panic situation.

Why? Because they are distracted, and sometimes hit the brake, or slow down for no apparent reason in the middle of the intersection. Then you almost rear end them, as you never anticipated that happening. Yes I let her know loudly and verbally what I thought of her... and her #$@$%^ cell phone.

I agree with some readers above. Very simply said, and a fact, SOME drivers apparently can drive and be attentive whilst on the phone, others are totally absorbed and are also totally distracted. That said, unless all can drive safely while talking, the act should be 100% Banned. Tests HAVE been performed to illustrate that cell phoning in a car is actually WORSE than Driving Under the Influence.

Cell Phone driving is illegal in Chicago, but unless you actually have an accident, and they find the cell phone in your cold, dead, stiff-rigored hand, no one enforces it.

I agree with TbirdNZ as well, let's quit moaning, and start writing/campaigning for stricter enforcement and banishment.

Finally, to avoid being hypocrites, lets also not use cell phones while driving cars ourselves, and not use Ipods or music headphones while riding, as this is also illegal in some areas, but not others..

I don't!

TattooedRedHead · 07-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by seumas

I find that my Stebel Nautilus horn does a good job of interrupting their conversation, especially if I'm right next to the driver's window.

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

Amen to that brother!

TattooedRedHead · 07-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gob-ny-geay

Finally, to avoid being hypocrites, lets also not use cell phones while driving cars ourselves, and not use Ipods or music headphones while riding, as this is also illegal in some areas, but not others..

I have an iPod in my car... but mine hooks directly into the head unit and is controlled by some buttons on the steering wheel, so I'm good

I have a '07 Scion tC, and one of the stock features is a cable in the armrest that directly attaches your iPod to the head unit. It's very handy I must say, as I live off my iPod. My music is my life!

I also have built in speakers in my helmet and plug my iPod into them, the pod sits on my chest in one of my pockets.

But I get your point as to not fiddle with it while driving, I hear that can make you blind as well, not to mention publicly embarassed.

--Kory

denman13 · 07-19-2008

As I've been a professional musician for many years (amongst other things) I can completely understand the need for music to be a part of the journey. But, I do agree with the law that says you cannot wear a "head unit" that covers both ears while driving. I use my iPod in the car but just play it through the normal stereo speakers. Forgive my ignorance if you meant something different by "head unit."

Without igniting discourse on a well-debated topic, I do not agree with the iPod while riding philosophy. Bike piloting requires so much focus that any distraction, even minor, can be disastrous. And I certainly disapprove of blue-tooth in-helmet cell phone tools. Just wait until you get where you're going or pull off the road and check calls. Period.

We now return you to your normally scheduled witter banter already in progress.

TattooedRedHead · 07-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by denman13

I use my iPod in the car but just play it through the normal stereo speakers. Forgive my ignorance if you meant something different by "head unit."

The head unit is that fancy smanshy thing sticking out of your dash with all the buttons and knobs on it that allows you to do really amazing things like change the station and pop in a good ole 8 track, or even a cassette!

I've also heard of these things really recently called CD's you can put in them too!

You're a professional musician and you don't know what a head unit is?

/end Sarcasm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_unit

Point is... my iPod has a stock wire that rests in my armrest box that my iPod connects to, when connected my HEAD UNIT understands that it is connected and I can browse through the playlists, or artists, or albums.

--Kory

Lee · 07-19-2008

The law has had little affect even in the states that have passed it. Perhaps having the phone rectally implanted for those that feel so compelled to drive and talk on the phone. As if coffee, tea, eating, fixing hair, makeup etc. was not enough to diminish our numbers.

propforward · 07-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gob-ny-geay

I'va adopted a new riding tactic recently strictly because of cell phone users, and because I almost had my first riding accident in 39 years of motorcycling!

I count "one one thousand, two one thousand" slowly now after the cager in front of me starts off, and before I start off at a traffic light or stop sign if I know the person in front of me is on the phone. This allows for ample space to react in a panic situation.

Why? Because they are distracted, and sometimes hit the brake, or slow down for no apparent reason in the middle of the intersection. Then you almost rear end them, as you never anticipated that happening. Yes I let her know loudly and verbally what I thought of her... and her #$@$%^ cell phone.

I agree with some readers above. Very simply said, and a fact, SOME drivers apparently can drive and be attentive whilst on the phone, others are totally absorbed and are also totally distracted. That said, unless all can drive safely while talking, the act should be 100% Banned. Tests HAVE been performed to illustrate that cell phoning in a car is actually WORSE than Driving Under the Influence.

Cell Phone driving is illegal in Chicago, but unless you actually have an accident, and they find the cell phone in your cold, dead, stiff-rigored hand, no one enforces it.

I agree with TbirdNZ as well, let's quit moaning, and start writing/campaigning for stricter enforcement and banishment.

Finally, to avoid being hypocrites, lets also not use cell phones while driving cars ourselves, and not use Ipods or music headphones while riding, as this is also illegal in some areas, but not others..

I don't!

I'm with you 100% here - an attitude of practice what you preach is essential.

I do not use my cell phone in my car, end of story point blank. If it rings, then at the earliest possible moment I come to a safe stop somewhere to find out who called.

As for Ipods - I do use one in the car through the standard speakers, and not too loud. I don't touch it while drivingh. It plays what it plays. I don't think it distracts me in the car. I have tried analyzing that a couple of times.

I did try using one on the bike last year, but there I found myself worrying about volume and what track was playing, often when approaching junctions festooned with cell phone worshipping cagers! So for some reason the ipod is more of a distraction when I'm on the bike.

Therefore - no more use of the ipod while riding for me. I need my limited wits about me trying to keep the rubber on the road.

I foolishly advised someone on this forum to consider an ipod for a long journey. I won't make that recommendation anymore either.