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Re:
That might work, lion. Sometimes drastic measures are needed to curb people from doing such idiotic things! If I recall, when the laws were first introduced ( at least here in New Jersey ), the "first offense" fine for driving while texting was something like $50-$100, second offense $100-$200, third offense, $500 and a loss of license for a month! But they weren't working! So, they upped the ante to something like $250 for the first offense, $500 and a loss of license for a month for the second offense, and then $1,000 and a loss of license for six months for the third offense! And guess what? It still isn't working! Go figure . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 27, 2013 at 12:23 PM
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I agree but then I always thought it should be met with an instant and permanent ban from driving, perhaps then people will listen to the law (police included)
posted by
lionreign
on March 27, 2013 at 8:06 AM
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Re: Re: Re:
I think they will be eventually, adnohr. And you're right . . . there are many in the law enforcement agencies who are hard-working, caring, dedicated professionals, upholding the law and serving the public to the best of their abilities! But it seems there will always be those few bad apples . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 27, 2013 at 5:02 AM
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Re: Re:
Not ALL of them, Jimmy. But the few rotten apples that we find in every barrel. We also have some very caring and brave men and women in the service, putting their lives on the line for all of us. As for those two in the video - suspension is not enough. I'd fire their asses!
posted by
adnohr
on March 27, 2013 at 2:39 AM
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Re:
It almost seems, mariss, as if it was a lesson to be taught to a young child as opposed to a grown adult! You know you're not supposed to pick on your little sister, but some do it anyway! You know you're not supposed to write on the walls with crayons, but some do it anyway! And we know that we're not supposed to text while driving, but some do it anyway! I guess the only thing to be thankful for in this particular incident is that no one else was involved in the accident itself other than this idiot! But next time, the end result could be much, much worse! Hopefully there won't be a next time . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 1:29 PM
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Re:
Thanks for the info on CP, lovelylady! I guess it was just one of those things that I never really came in contact with, simply because I've never known anyone who suffers from this particular disability. I guess I thought that it was on the decline because, from everything I've heard or read lately, autism seems to be the infliction on the rise!
As far as your cousin and her texting while driving is concerned . . . keep giving her hell! If she doesn't have any concern for her own life or safety, she should at least be thinking of those innocent victims who may suffer because of her carelessness or lack of concentration! It's been proven time and time again that cell phone-distracted drivers are just as dangerous as drunk drivers, and I don't want to be crashed into by either . . . !
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 1:24 PM
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Most people seem to have to learn the hard way. The story is a good reminder of not doing things you know not to do.
posted by
mariss9
on March 26, 2013 at 11:48 AM
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Hi Jimmy,
I HATE people who text and drive at the same time! Nothing infuriates me more. They either end up seriously injuring or killing themselves, or they take others with them. My cousin is famous for doing this, and I give her hell for it all the time.
In response to the comment you left regarding my post of last night, here are some facts you might find interesting...
CP affects more men then women-more boys are born with it than girls-I just happen to be one of the lucky ones!
The amount and severity of damage caused by CP depends on which lobe of the brain is injured.
While CP is usually confined to one side of the body, quadrapledgia is more common now.
Sadly, CP is not on the decline in this country. While the number of births of children affected by the disorder is much less than it used to be, the number of multipul birth incidents is on the rise.
There you go!
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on March 26, 2013 at 10:11 AM
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Re:
I think that's putting it mildly, sam! Yes, he definitely should have been at least ticketed for leaving the scene of an accident, something I guarantee you or I would have been! I'm not sure if his "stupidity" has been heightened, but it was surely put on display for everyone else to see! And I can't help but to wonder what his "voting constituents" think of him now . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 8:10 AM
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Re: JimmyA
I'd have to agree, Sir Wiley. When I got "out of line" as a child, my father would not hesitate to introduce my posterior to his leather belt, several times! Whatever I did to warrant that whippin', I guarantee I never did again! From that point on, all my dad had to do was to give me "that look" while reaching for his belt, and suddenly I was sitting down, hands folded, with a halo suddenly floating above my head! You're absolutely right! Time to bring back the lash . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 8:05 AM
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Re: Big fines...that is the only thing the general public listens to
That's probably true, Kabu. Hitting certain officials with suspensions, jail or probation time doesn't really have the same affect as hitting them in the pocketbook! If you knew that getting caught driving while texting was a $1,000 fine, you'd see those phones disappear pretty quick ( I think ) . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 8:01 AM
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Re:
That's what they must feel, TAPS. Unfortunately, we all pay the price, for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that while everyone is blabbing away on those damned phones, no is minding the store!
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 7:58 AM
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Re:
Apparently they feel they are, adnohr! And is that a fairly accurate description of the behavior of some of those Canadian cops? Wow! I thought they were bad down here! Besides talking on cell phones while on duty, the only other thing our wonderful men ( and women ) in blue do is make rap videos touting the joys of killing cops! ( yes, two police officers - one man, and one woman, both black - were suspended for actually participating in a rap video about "cop killers!" Nice, huh? ) How can anyone be above the law when there no longer seems to be any law . . . ? 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 7:57 AM
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Re: Jimmy
No argument here, Naut! Not to sound too cynical but, we all know of the continued downward spiraling of the intellect of the average citizen, and there are many among us that simply can't "walk and chew gum at the same time." But this is different, because other people's lives are at stake as well, and I wouldn't want to be broadsided by a driving "texter" any more than I would want to be broadsided by a drunk driver! I think dangerous idiots may be an understatement . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 7:50 AM
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Re:
You're probably right, FSI. Many people ignore certain things until it affects them personally. But what's that old saying? "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" It's too bad those cell phone drivers don't feel that way . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 7:46 AM
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Re:
It's a terrible epidemic, lustor, that unfortunately I don't see going away any time soon. And I must say that even that device supposedly designed to "catch" dropped cell phones probably won't make much of a difference. In form or another, the driver will probably still be distracted and end up on someone's front lawn . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on March 26, 2013 at 7:43 AM
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He is a knucklehead! And, he should have been ticketed for leaving the scene of an accident, there should never be favoritism! I wonder if his stupidity has been heightened for him as well! lol Ah, in the words of Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does!" LOL on that dude! sam 
posted by
sam444
on March 25, 2013 at 7:50 PM
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JimmyA
Corporal punishment, bring back the lash they used to have in penitentiaries in Québec years ago, that corrects most every criminal problem...
posted by
WileyJohn
on March 25, 2013 at 6:46 PM
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Big fines...that is the only thing the general public listens to
Unless it hurts them financially most people refuse to accept that the laws apply to themselves.
posted by
Kabu
on March 25, 2013 at 5:22 PM
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Didn't you know that the rules are for everyone else....I'm special and it couldn't happen to me mentality.
posted by
TAPS.
on March 25, 2013 at 11:56 AM
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As FSI said, it's the 'Could never happen to me' thingie for many. Many cops not only text while driving, they smoke pot, gamble, beat their wives and drive under the incluence. Who's above the law????
posted by
adnohr
on March 25, 2013 at 11:18 AM
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Jimmy
I have my phone connected to my GPS via Bluetooth, and can talk that way, completely hands-free - I don't even have to take the phone out of my pocket. But I would never, ever text while driving! People who do that are dangerous idiots! 
posted by
Nautikos
on March 25, 2013 at 10:06 AM
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Politicians certainly do get their perks...I've noticed that too with cops...If I had to guess, I would say that he was aware of those studies, and he probably thought that it could never happen to him. I believe that is why so many studies and warning labels get ignored.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on March 25, 2013 at 9:35 AM
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on Shark Tank they had a guy that invented something to go over your divider between the seats that catches the phones and anything else you might drop, to stop this kind of thing from happening. Yes I agree it seems every other car you see someone is driving with a phone attached to their head and barley making corners etc
posted by
Lanetay
on March 25, 2013 at 7:50 AM
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