Shotgun 1 #1 April 4, 2009 QuoteREDDING, Calif. – A woman who crashed into a line of stopped vehicles while text-messaging on her cell phone has been sentenced to six years in a California prison for killing a woman in one of the vehicles. Deborah Matis-Engle was sentenced Friday by a judge in Redding, Calif. Investigators said Deborah Matis-Engle was speeding and text messaging when she slammed into the vehicles stopped at a construction zone in August 2007. Shasta County prosecutor Stephanie Bridgett said the 49-year-old woman had paid several bills by cell phone in the moments before the crash. She was in the middle of one of those transactions when she struck a vehicle that burst into flames, killing 46-year-old Petra Winn. Defense attorney Jeffrey Stotter said he will appeal. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090404/ap_on_re_us/text_crash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #3 April 4, 2009 So someone else's life is only worth 6 years (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #4 April 4, 2009 I see this ALL the time driving on the freeways even though it's illegal. I still see people with phones up to their ears as well. I don't understand it.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #5 April 4, 2009 QuoteI see this ALL the time driving on the freeways even though it's illegal. I still see people with phones up to their ears as well. I don't understand it. I know. It seems that there were a couple of months after the law went into effect that I noticed fewer people doing this, but now it seems to be right back to how it was before it was illegal. (And I notice these people because they're often driving in a manner that makes me notice them.) I don't know if it's just not being enforced, or if the fine is so low that no one cares? Anyhow, I'm wondering if this case will make people pay a little more attention to the law. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #6 April 4, 2009 Oh I understand it well enough - these people think that the law is an arse and that they are perfectly O.K using their phones whilst driving, after all, it's just talking, what could possibly go wrong - Fuck wits. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #7 April 4, 2009 Quote So someone else's life is only worth 6 years It's an improvement. Too often in the past, people have killed cyclists while changing tapes in the stereo and gotten off completely. At the same time, you don't give a bigger punishment to this sort of idiocy then you do to someone that intentionally runs over a person. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christelsabine 1 #8 April 4, 2009 Quote Oh I understand it well enough - these people think that the law is an arse and that they are perfectly O.K using their phones whilst driving, after all, it's just talking, what could possibly go wrong - Fuck wits. OK. I'm one of those idiots. Just had to pay EURO 73,00 for phoning while driving. Was my last time, definitely. My cell phone is OFF the moment I enter the car. dudeist skydiver # 3105 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #9 April 5, 2009 Quote Anyhow, I'm wondering if this case will make people pay a little more attention to the law. I doubt it. Unfortunately it didn't seem to make a difference after the California Metrolink vs freight train collision last year. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tumbler 0 #10 April 5, 2009 no problem with this... in fact it should have been longer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #11 April 5, 2009 Why do people feel the need to text while driving anyway? The whole point of texting is that the text message will just sit there in your phone until you're ready to read & respond to it. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #12 April 6, 2009 Excellent.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #13 April 6, 2009 QuoteI see this ALL the time driving on the freeways even though it's illegal. I still see people with phones up to their ears as well. I don't understand it. QuoteIf you really want to reduce the risk you need to make all calls illegal when driving. It has been studied and found that the dialing and conversation (not holding the phone) is the distraction that needs to be iliminated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites riddler 0 #14 April 7, 2009 QuoteIt has been studied and found that the dialing and conversation (not holding the phone) is the distraction that needs to be iliminated. In that case, do we also need to ban vehicle drivers from having conversations with passengers in the car while driving?Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks2065 0 #15 April 7, 2009 QuoteQuoteIt has been studied and found that the dialing and conversation (not holding the phone) is the distraction that needs to be iliminated. In that case, do we also need to ban vehicle drivers from having conversations with passengers in the car while driving? Quotethis is a cnn news studywww.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/16/cellphones.driving.safety/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #16 April 7, 2009 the ongoing problem with these studies conclusions is that they're not backed up by real data. If cell phone use was so distracted and dangerous, we should have seen a massive increase in accidents in the past decade. We have not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks2065 0 #17 April 7, 2009 Quotethe ongoing problem with these studies conclusions is that they're not backed up by real data. If cell phone use was so distracted and dangerous, we should have seen a massive increase in accidents in the past decade. We have not. QuoteI guess you haven't been hit by someone on the phone. it sucks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shropshire 0 #18 April 7, 2009 Are you suggesting that texting on a mobile phone whilst driving is NOT dangerous? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #19 April 7, 2009 QuoteAre you suggesting that texting on a mobile phone whilst driving is NOT dangerous? Are you having trouble reading today? Mark referenced one of the studies talking about how any form of cell phone talking is dangerous. If so, why doesn't it show up in the accident rate? Drivers are like skydivers - they seem to find ways to die at about the same rate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #20 April 7, 2009 Quote QuoteI guess you haven't been hit by someone on the phone. it sucks Does it suck any less if they were tailgating, eating a burger, applying makeup, or reading to the child (I in fact observed this last one)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks2065 0 #21 April 7, 2009 QuoteQuote QuoteI guess you haven't been hit by someone on the phone. it sucks Does it suck any less if they were tailgating, eating a burger, applying makeup, or reading to the child (I in fact observed this last one)? Quoteyou are right that any distraction can cause an accident, but cell phones are really becoming one of the biggest distractions while driving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #22 April 7, 2009 Quote Quoteyou are right that any distraction can cause an accident, but cell phones are really becoming one of the biggest distractions while driving. And again, why is this not reflected in the accident results? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shropshire 0 #23 April 7, 2009 Could it be that people just plain lie after they've had an accident? So they don't mention the fact that they were using their mobile phone at the time of the accident, but rather blame the other person involved,. for example. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites downwardspiral 0 #24 April 7, 2009 Being a rider, I really hate it that people can't shut the fuck up long enough to drive their car. Are we so codependant that we can't be alone for even our daily commute? That being said I see your point. Question... If the data did show an increase in accidents, would you support banning cell phones while driving?www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #25 April 7, 2009 QuoteCould it be that people just plain lie after they've had an accident? So they don't mention the fact that they were using their mobile phone at the time of the accident, but rather blame the other person involved,. for example. People can lie about why. But we're talking about the number of accidents, not the cause. Since cell phone use doesn't remove the other causes, if it is a new risk, it should result in more accidents. BTW, cell phone records would indicate usage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
riddler 0 #14 April 7, 2009 QuoteIt has been studied and found that the dialing and conversation (not holding the phone) is the distraction that needs to be iliminated. In that case, do we also need to ban vehicle drivers from having conversations with passengers in the car while driving?Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #15 April 7, 2009 QuoteQuoteIt has been studied and found that the dialing and conversation (not holding the phone) is the distraction that needs to be iliminated. In that case, do we also need to ban vehicle drivers from having conversations with passengers in the car while driving? Quotethis is a cnn news studywww.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/16/cellphones.driving.safety/index.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #16 April 7, 2009 the ongoing problem with these studies conclusions is that they're not backed up by real data. If cell phone use was so distracted and dangerous, we should have seen a massive increase in accidents in the past decade. We have not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks2065 0 #17 April 7, 2009 Quotethe ongoing problem with these studies conclusions is that they're not backed up by real data. If cell phone use was so distracted and dangerous, we should have seen a massive increase in accidents in the past decade. We have not. QuoteI guess you haven't been hit by someone on the phone. it sucks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shropshire 0 #18 April 7, 2009 Are you suggesting that texting on a mobile phone whilst driving is NOT dangerous? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #19 April 7, 2009 QuoteAre you suggesting that texting on a mobile phone whilst driving is NOT dangerous? Are you having trouble reading today? Mark referenced one of the studies talking about how any form of cell phone talking is dangerous. If so, why doesn't it show up in the accident rate? Drivers are like skydivers - they seem to find ways to die at about the same rate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #20 April 7, 2009 Quote QuoteI guess you haven't been hit by someone on the phone. it sucks Does it suck any less if they were tailgating, eating a burger, applying makeup, or reading to the child (I in fact observed this last one)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites marks2065 0 #21 April 7, 2009 QuoteQuote QuoteI guess you haven't been hit by someone on the phone. it sucks Does it suck any less if they were tailgating, eating a burger, applying makeup, or reading to the child (I in fact observed this last one)? Quoteyou are right that any distraction can cause an accident, but cell phones are really becoming one of the biggest distractions while driving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #22 April 7, 2009 Quote Quoteyou are right that any distraction can cause an accident, but cell phones are really becoming one of the biggest distractions while driving. And again, why is this not reflected in the accident results? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shropshire 0 #23 April 7, 2009 Could it be that people just plain lie after they've had an accident? So they don't mention the fact that they were using their mobile phone at the time of the accident, but rather blame the other person involved,. for example. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites downwardspiral 0 #24 April 7, 2009 Being a rider, I really hate it that people can't shut the fuck up long enough to drive their car. Are we so codependant that we can't be alone for even our daily commute? That being said I see your point. Question... If the data did show an increase in accidents, would you support banning cell phones while driving?www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #25 April 7, 2009 QuoteCould it be that people just plain lie after they've had an accident? So they don't mention the fact that they were using their mobile phone at the time of the accident, but rather blame the other person involved,. for example. People can lie about why. But we're talking about the number of accidents, not the cause. Since cell phone use doesn't remove the other causes, if it is a new risk, it should result in more accidents. BTW, cell phone records would indicate usage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
kelpdiver 2 #16 April 7, 2009 the ongoing problem with these studies conclusions is that they're not backed up by real data. If cell phone use was so distracted and dangerous, we should have seen a massive increase in accidents in the past decade. We have not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #17 April 7, 2009 Quotethe ongoing problem with these studies conclusions is that they're not backed up by real data. If cell phone use was so distracted and dangerous, we should have seen a massive increase in accidents in the past decade. We have not. QuoteI guess you haven't been hit by someone on the phone. it sucks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #18 April 7, 2009 Are you suggesting that texting on a mobile phone whilst driving is NOT dangerous? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #19 April 7, 2009 QuoteAre you suggesting that texting on a mobile phone whilst driving is NOT dangerous? Are you having trouble reading today? Mark referenced one of the studies talking about how any form of cell phone talking is dangerous. If so, why doesn't it show up in the accident rate? Drivers are like skydivers - they seem to find ways to die at about the same rate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #20 April 7, 2009 Quote QuoteI guess you haven't been hit by someone on the phone. it sucks Does it suck any less if they were tailgating, eating a burger, applying makeup, or reading to the child (I in fact observed this last one)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks2065 0 #21 April 7, 2009 QuoteQuote QuoteI guess you haven't been hit by someone on the phone. it sucks Does it suck any less if they were tailgating, eating a burger, applying makeup, or reading to the child (I in fact observed this last one)? Quoteyou are right that any distraction can cause an accident, but cell phones are really becoming one of the biggest distractions while driving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #22 April 7, 2009 Quote Quoteyou are right that any distraction can cause an accident, but cell phones are really becoming one of the biggest distractions while driving. And again, why is this not reflected in the accident results? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites shropshire 0 #23 April 7, 2009 Could it be that people just plain lie after they've had an accident? So they don't mention the fact that they were using their mobile phone at the time of the accident, but rather blame the other person involved,. for example. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites downwardspiral 0 #24 April 7, 2009 Being a rider, I really hate it that people can't shut the fuck up long enough to drive their car. Are we so codependant that we can't be alone for even our daily commute? That being said I see your point. Question... If the data did show an increase in accidents, would you support banning cell phones while driving?www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #25 April 7, 2009 QuoteCould it be that people just plain lie after they've had an accident? So they don't mention the fact that they were using their mobile phone at the time of the accident, but rather blame the other person involved,. for example. People can lie about why. But we're talking about the number of accidents, not the cause. Since cell phone use doesn't remove the other causes, if it is a new risk, it should result in more accidents. BTW, cell phone records would indicate usage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
shropshire 0 #23 April 7, 2009 Could it be that people just plain lie after they've had an accident? So they don't mention the fact that they were using their mobile phone at the time of the accident, but rather blame the other person involved,. for example. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downwardspiral 0 #24 April 7, 2009 Being a rider, I really hate it that people can't shut the fuck up long enough to drive their car. Are we so codependant that we can't be alone for even our daily commute? That being said I see your point. Question... If the data did show an increase in accidents, would you support banning cell phones while driving?www.FourWheelerHB.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #25 April 7, 2009 QuoteCould it be that people just plain lie after they've had an accident? So they don't mention the fact that they were using their mobile phone at the time of the accident, but rather blame the other person involved,. for example. People can lie about why. But we're talking about the number of accidents, not the cause. Since cell phone use doesn't remove the other causes, if it is a new risk, it should result in more accidents. BTW, cell phone records would indicate usage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
