Texting

[aczlan]

I don't suggest a blocking of the signal. I think a collaboration between congress, auto manufacturers, and phone manufacturers to create a system that would completely block a user from the texting interface on the phone... maybe even other applications such as web browsing. Reading is nearly as bad as texting and blocking the transmission of messages would do little.the way phones become obsolete, it wouldn't take long for all phones to have this technology. Cars may lag behind, but it is something that is retrofittable if the parents wished.

1. If its a software block, there will be a video on Youtube within a month showing how to remove it.
2. If its a network side (ie: on the towers) change, it would not work for just the driver without software on the phone (see #1 but it might be 3 months).
3. If its proximity based and retrofittable, someone will hack the jammer and make it a "no texting zone" device for themselves and/or to bother others.


Aaron Z

 

[dave1949]

There are some poor drivers out there, texting or not, as someone else noted.

Nearby last week an 18 yo pulled out of a driveway turning right and hit a car--going the opposite direction in the other lane. I think I had encountered this driver myself several months back. The color and make of car matched, young girl driving. She almost forced me to either hit her or a line of trees in the exact same situation. She obviously has no idea of where the front of her vehicle is.

Not only that, when I missed her, she was pulling out of blind driveway for cars in her lane. It makes no sense to pull out when opposing traffic is coming toward you in that situation since anybody coming around the blind curve has no defensive escape route. How does she get a license I wonder?

On our recent trip over to NY, I saw too many older drivers whose driving skills showed that they didn't belong on the interstate. That is going to be a growing problem over the next 10 years.

I think we need to put the emphasis on driver skill levels. Skilled drivers do not text and/or talk while driving, they know better. Maybe we need to assign classes to roads. Your license or license plate carries your class rating depending on your periodically demonstrated driving proficiency and violation history. Set a higher skill bar for higher classed roads. Texting while driving would involve a fine, a suspension, and when that is over you get busted to the lowest class road rating.

Maybe driver's don't belong on high speed, high class-rated roads if they can't pass a gymkhana course test. :laughing: If our main transport roads are going to be safe and efficient, then we need to move beyond handing unrestricted driver's licenses to any warm body.

We also need more exacting enforcement using unmarked cars or drones. For example, passing someone then pulling back into the right lane and slowing down to less than the speed of the car just passed (happens to me all the time while using a very accurate cruise control), ought to earn a fine and an appointment at the gymkhana course. Raise the expectations if we expect better driving.

 

[3930dave]

1. If its a software block, there will be a video on Youtube within a month showing how to remove it.
2. If its a network side (ie: on the towers) change, it would not work for just the driver without software on the phone (see #1 but it might be 3 months).
3. If its proximity based and retrofittable, someone will hack the jammer and make it a "no texting zone" device for themselves and/or to bother others.


Aaron Z

Agreed - as much as I like tech (for certain things) the real solution is better humans, not more technology.

Rgds, D.

 

[Daver1963]

Agreed - as much as I like tech (for certain things) the real solution is better humans, not more technology.

Rgds, D.

The problem with building things idiot-proof is that the world keeps building better idiots.

 

[3930dave]

WARNING!!!! If you are driving in Tennessee and see a tractor trailer truck that's painted in THP colors.......

THP uses a new tool to catch distracted drivers

Those LEO's are thinking outside the box..... with that platform, catching those drivers would be like shooting fish in a barrel, even with Police ID on the truck. (!!!)

With the quality of today's cameras, the video they could pull off that truck would make most of those tickets pretty hard to beat.

Smart move.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

The problem with building things idiot-proof is that the world keeps building better idiots.

Agreed... that 'twas just my Utopian Thought of The Day..... :laughing:

Rgds, D.

 

[Redneck in training]

There is a simple solution. Phone that can make only telephone calls. You can get a "unlocked" simple mobile for $20-80. Another advantage is that thouse have 8 hours talk time and without talking they can go at least a week between charging battery. They are also available with two or even three SIM slots. You pick the SIM that is cheapest for particular call or configure it to Autoselect. Search Best Buy, Amazon or ebay for unlocked phones.

 

[Whitnel]

For example, passing someone then pulling back into the right lane and slowing down to less than the speed of the car just passed (happens to me all the time while using a very accurate cruise control), ought to earn a fine and an appointment at the gymkhana course.

Or when you go to pass a person you come up on while using cruise and they speed up and match you, and when you go faster to pass they keep speeding up like they want to race.

 

[3930dave]

There is a simple solution. Phone that can make only telephone calls. You can get a "unlocked" simple mobile for $20-80. Another advantage is that thouse have 8 hours talk time and without talking they can go at least a week between charging battery. They are also available with two or even three SIM slots. You pick the SIM that is cheapest for particular call or configure it to Autoselect. Search Best Buy, Amazon or ebay for unlocked phones.

You hit on one of the main reasons I don't have a "smart" phone - the battery life is terrible. As a true communication tool, that is their primary weakness.

An unlocked phone could work for me, but I don't think I'd be able to convince most kids these days to go text free - persuading the same age group (meaning under 25) to not date might be easier. :laughing:

Rgds, D.

 

[aczlan]

You hit on one of the main reasons I don't have a "smart" phone - the battery life is terrible. As a true communication tool, that is their primary weakness.

I can get 2-3 days out of my phone (Touch Pro 2 with Windows Mobile 6.5) and still have 60% left if I have light calls (~1 hour/day).
But, that is running a custom firmware, no data or wifi usage to speak of, an extended battery pack, etc. I use my phone as a device to make calls and a PDA rolled into one device.

Aaron Z