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I don't so much worry about myself being able to handle the speed in and of itself, but I am more than aware that I SHARE THE ROAD with other people with varying degrees of expertise, some of whom have delusions of grandeur that make them think that laws don't apply to them and that the roads belong to them, some of whom only started driving last week, some of whose vehicles are in great shape and some not so much.
A good driver takes all of that into account. If the road is straight and new and there's no one else on it, have at it. If you are in traffic, the traffic is not there specifically to annoy you, they have just as much right to be there as you do, and you need to have the capability of adjusting your expectations accordingly.
If you can't do this, and all you can think about is how these folks aren't driving fast enough and they need to GET OUT OF YOUR WAY, then you're a lousy driver no matter what you think about yourself and no matter how fancy your car is. That's the way it is, pure and simple. Every person who says that the rest of the traffic needs to get out of their way so that they can speed has exposed themselves as not having the most basic requirement of a good driver, the ability to adjust to road and traffic conditions.
Location: Central Bay Area, CA as of Jan 2010...but still a proud Texan from Houston!
5,061 posts, read 1,975,044 times
Reputation: 5638
Quote:
Originally Posted by Canine*Castle
I don't do it; I don't even own a cell phone. Unfortunately, many do it and it's ridiculous. I work for a school district and one day while pulling in the parking lot, I noticed one of the teacher's pulling in in front of me and she was chatting on her phone. I even mentioned it to her when we got in the building and she said, "Blame my mother; she called me." Okay, I'll blame her mother...NOT!! Duh! I sure wish a policeman had been around and ticketed the heck out of her.
It is not against the law to talk on a cell phone in the state of Texas while driving.
My bad... it is not OK if you're in a school zone...but you can if you are stopped or using a hands free device
From the TXDPS website:
Cell Phones and Texting
Cell phone restrictions:
You cannot use a cell phone while in a school zone, unless you're stopped or using a hands-free device. Otherwise, all types of cell phone usage are allowed, if you have a driver's license with full privileges.
Novice drivers in the beginning and intermediate phases of the graduated learning process cannot use cell phones while behind the wheel.
School bus drivers must avoid cell phone use while passengers are aboard.
Texting restrictions:
New intermediate license holders are banned from texting while driving during the first 12 months.
All drivers are banned from texting in school crossing zones.
From what I gather reading, German drivers take 4years of driver training and can be ticketed for driving while using cell phones, etc..Also, the left lane is for passing only. NOONE is supposed to be in the left lane except to pass and then get back over. The roads are also heavily monitored. This sentiment was voiced by others and that is., in contrast here in Texas people drive in the left lane whether they are going kinda slow or going fast and then just staying there. Americans take very brief driving courses and German cars are apparantly built somewhat differently than cars here are.
And I have buried US Army Troops -- from Texas -- who were flat ass ran over on the Autobahn.
It is not against the law to talk on a cell phone in the state of Texas while driving.
My bad... it is not OK if you're in a school zone...but you can if you are stopped or using a hands free device
From the TXDPS website:
Cell Phones and Texting
Cell phone restrictions:
You cannot use a cell phone while in a school zone, unless you're stopped or using a hands-free device. Otherwise, all types of cell phone usage are allowed, if you have a driver's license with full privileges.
Novice drivers in the beginning and intermediate phases of the graduated learning process cannot use cell phones while behind the wheel.
School bus drivers must avoid cell phone use while passengers are aboard.
Texting restrictions:
New intermediate license holders are banned from texting while driving during the first 12 months.
All drivers are banned from texting in school crossing zones.
No hand-free device was used nor was she stopped. It ought to be against the law everywhere, but more stupidity is being exhibited each day in this country.
Texas is one of only eleven states without a ban on text messaging by all drivers. In my opinion, that is dumb, thanks to Perry since he vetoed the ban. It has been said that Texas won't see a statewide texting ban until at least 2014.
Location: Central Bay Area, CA as of Jan 2010...but still a proud Texan from Houston!
5,061 posts, read 1,975,044 times
Reputation: 5638
Quote:
Originally Posted by Canine*Castle
No hand-free device was used nor was she stopped. It ought to be against the law everywhere, but more stupidity is being exhibited each day in this country.
Texas is one of only eleven states without a ban on text messaging by all drivers. In my opinion, that is dumb, thanks to Perry since he vetoed the ban. It has been said that Texas won't see a statewide texting ban until at least 2014.
I will agree with you about the text messaging issue. But since I have moved here from living my entire life in Texas the CA laws are really stupid IMO. What a very hefty fine you will pay if caught talking on a cell phone here while driving. What cracks me up is how Californians love to think they live in the most liberal state but in actuality they are so heavily regulated that many basic rights are violated...and wow do they love to take your hard earned money and **** it away! (I know that is a different discussion...sorry)
Some people can drive and talk on a cell phone and some can't...why punish all of us for the ones that can't handle driving and talking on a cell phone
I will agree with you about the text messaging issue. But since I have moved here from living my entire life in Texas the CA laws are really stupid IMO. What a very hefty fine you will pay if caught talking on a cell phone here while driving. What cracks me up is how Californians love to think they live in the most liberal state but in actuality they are so heavily regulated that many basic rights are violated...and wow do they love to take your hard earned money and **** it away! (I know that is a different discussion...sorry)
Some people can drive and talk on a cell phone and some can't...why punish all of us for the ones that can't handle driving and talking on a cell phone
Is your last comment kind of like, "I can handle drinking and driving." I'm being facetious, but any distraction is not good while driving. I don't live in CA anymore, but I can guarantee that no matter where I live, I will never use a cell phone while driving. Of course, I have to buy one first and then put my adamant statement to the test. Actually, I can't stand the things and am 99.99% sure I'll never own one. Go California! Fine the heck out of them.
The number of people who died in car accidents is closing in on all-time lows (not including adjustments for millions of miles driven and population increases by which driving now is so much safer than it was in the past it's not even funny) so the gov't should just declare the war won and strongly police the laws in place but really doesn't need to add new ones about texting and driving.
Location: Central Bay Area, CA as of Jan 2010...but still a proud Texan from Houston!
5,061 posts, read 1,975,044 times
Reputation: 5638
Quote:
Originally Posted by Canine*Castle
Is your last comment kind of like, "I can handle drinking and driving." I'm being facetious, but any distraction is not good while driving. I don't live in CA anymore, but I can guarantee that no matter where I live, I will never use a cell phone while driving. Of course, I have to buy one first and then put my adamant statement to the test. Actually, I can't stand the things and am 99.99% sure I'll never own one. Go California! Fine the heck out of them.
Sounds like California conditioning for sure. You guys don't seem to mind having your basic rights taken away. That is why this is a gun free state. Your basic right to protect yourself has been taken away.
But you still did not answer the question...just because some people are not very good at doing something why should everyone be punished for it? It is a known fact that teenage boys cause the most wrecks and collect the most speeding tickets and DWI's...so should we pass a law banning all teenage boys from driving? Even though it sounds like a good idea do you think taking all teenage boys rights to drive away is the way to solve the issue?
I am glad Texas allows people to use their cell phone while driving. If you can handle it great but it you can't then don't...pull over and use it instead.
I still use mine sometimes while driving in CA Actually many people do Interesting that I have never been involved in a wreck or any type of driving offense during all of the years I used my cell phone while driving. I am sure there are many others who can claim this as well.
80 in West Texas on I-10 and I-20, but I think it's a huge waste of money to replace all the speed limit signs in the rest of the state just for a measly 5-10 mph increase. If you do the math, going 5 or 10 mph faster isn't going to make an incredible difference in the time it takes to reach your destination. In my opinion, if you want to get to a place early or on time, just get ready earlier.
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I sure wish a policeman had been around and ticketed the heck out of her.
Actually many people do 
Interesting that I have never been involved in a wreck or any type of driving offense during all of the years I used my cell phone while driving. I am sure there are many others who can claim this as well.
