a couple of suggestions for safety today

[Patagoniamaniac]

1. You should always have your cell phone in your pocket while driving. If you were to get into a crash, chances could be that you could get stuck or injured without being able to move and call for help..things get thrown around and you may not be able to reach your phone
2.also...when driving to and from fresno with the rain ???....watch for the side puddles. I hydroplained numerous times without even seeing the water ( even in the big rig) that scared the Cr%# out of me..and always have both hands on the wheel when driving in the rain..

[Dakota Blue]

Thank you very much--kind of you to post and good information. This is one of those mornings where I truly fear driving in to work.

[CatdaBrat]

I know I am entirely alone in my aversion to telephones, but I can't ever see myself with a cell phone. Oh wait -- I did have one, but it had candy in it! I carried it around in my car to make people think I finally joined the real world! They did get fooled, at least for a moment!

[BGW]

Another good thing about having your cell phone in your pocket is that if you do happen to get into a wreck it is not one of the loose items in your vehicle that is instantly transformed into a flying object that might cause you harm. Acell phone seems pretty innocent just sitting there all cute and useful, but give it some velocity...not so cute anymore. Shoot a million years ago when I was 15 and finding myself experiencing a massive car wreck,I was knocked out by a flying beer can and not the actual rolling end over end (twice) or the rolling down the hill (three times) or the final landing (under water).

Anything that can become a projectile during an accident can become deadly.

PS, we had not started drinking yet. The beer was in the 'hatch-back' section of the car!

[Patagoniamaniac]

Some Positive Cell Phone Statistics
Although it is becoming increasingly apparent that cell phone usage on the road is a safety concern, it is also true that wireless technologies do provide benefits to safety and traffic management. The Cellular Telephone and Internet Association reported that drivers using cell phones place 139,000 emergency calls each day, something that state police are generally appreciate. A 1997 study in the New England Journal of Medicine also found that emergency response times have been reduced due to cell phone usage, helping to save lives. The NHTSA study showed that drivers with cell phones are able to contact authorities about road hazards, traffic, or road rage and problem drivers. Cell phones have also proven to be beneficial in a drivers personal security by allowing drivers to contact help quickly when they experience roadside mechanical problems.

In any case, cell phone usage continues to rise and, subsequently cell phone usage while driving is increasing. As technology advances we are sure to see a greater response to the problem of cell phone distraction while driving and perhaps the cell phone car accident statistics will decrease with time, research, and awareness.

wonder what the statistic are for deaths caused by cell phone users while operating a vehicle?.....high im sure...

[CatdaBrat]

My main reasons for not having a cell phone are that I would like to be able to do whatever it is I am away from home that needs doing without people being able to interrupt, and so far, I haven't found a need for one.

I know they can be turned off, but why would I want all that extra expense every month for something I am not going to even use? Too many people I know with cell phones mostly just chit-chat on them. I am not that lonely -- you know me -- "Miss Recluse."

I have a camera already and my computer for music files, games, and even "text messaging" (typing e-mails!)..I don't see anything a cell phone can offer me but irritation and expense.

If I get in a wreck, I'm sure somebody will go by who has a phone. I would probably be unconscious and couldn't use one anyway!

As a side note, I truly am not knocking those who enjoy having cell phones; it's just not for me. People can have my e-mail address, but just don't call me up! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

[Newcomer]

Cadabrat what if your car goes off the rod down a steep embankment where you cannot be seen from the road and nobody saw it happen and you are trapped in your vehicle? I carry a cell phone just for emergencies and its a prepaid phone, no monthly fees.

If you own a cell phone, program the phone with the name "ICE" and the phone number of who to contact in an emergency. Most firefighters know what this means.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Cat... i DETEST phones.. I have voicemail with Sierratel and rarely answer my phone (just ask Messy, she contacts me by Yahoo Messenger now). I have a mobile phone for the purpose of emergencies. And let me tell you... after we had an arsehole try to run us off the road last yr.. a camera phone is INVALUABLE! Had I had a camera phone... i coulda got a pic of the arsehole... and nailed him... instead, the sheriff laughed in our faces.
Im not one of those idiots who drives and chats... oh, i might check my empty voice mail on the way to work.. but with the 0 messages... that takes 1 second! lol.

[CatdaBrat]

Well, there is always the possibility that I could find myself in the situation that Newcomer described, but to me, I guess it's like other risks we take every day. I conceivably could fall down my porch steps and break my leg when I am all alone, but chances are it's never gonna happen, so I don't want to pad my steps with foam rubber and a mattress at the bottom.

I'm trying to think of other examples ... when I had horses, I could have gotten thrown and hurt while out riding alone, but the soulful benefits of a solitary ride far outweighed the safety factors of having somebody ride with me.

I will just take my chances, I guess. Anyway, I always seem to have people behind me because I won't drive 75 mph around these mountain curves, so if I go over the edge, somebody's bound to see it happen (and no doubt they will cheer)! Maybe I can get a car with GPS and the buzzards will be able to find me that way.

I honestly do not worry about it, but I appreciate the advice. Thanks. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif