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The dangers of excessive communication [message #53237]

Mon, 15 September 2008 19:05

JimB

Likes it here

Registered: December 2006
Messages: 349

There has been a commuter train wreck in Southern California and the preliminary cause is stated to be that the engineer missed a red light while texting on his cell phone. There has been a lot of talk and some new laws regarding use of cell phones while driving and even a news article about people texting while driving. I don't see how a person can key a message while driving and can't imagine doing something so stupid, but they do.

Is constant communication with others that important? It certainly isn't to me. I admit that I'm not what you would call a social person and don't really understand this need for talking to others constantly. I don't even talk on my cell phone while driving; if it rings I pull over to the side of the road.

JimB

Re: The dangers of excessive communication [message #53238 is a reply to message #53237]

Mon, 15 September 2008 19:25

timmy

Has no life at all

Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796

In cars in the UK we may not, EVER, text, and may not use a hand held phone, though may, quite reasonably, use a hands free kit.

We may not eat, drink (or doubtless be merry) while at the wheel, shave, use hand held dictating equipment, fiddle with satnavs, but we MAY fish for and light a cigarette, cigar or pipe!

Train drivers are subject to the regulations which bind their employers and bind them to their jobs.

A couple of years ago I was driving to see a real estate agent. The idiot sent me a text when they knew I was heading their way (it was a 100 mile trip). She seems unable to understand why I thought her message was a stupid use of technology! I had to find a place to pull off the motorway (freeway) to read her banal message!

With the rail crash, why didn't the equipment have automatic brakes applied because of the red light? (I know you can't answer that)

Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School

Excessive communication [message #53239 is a reply to message #53237]

Mon, 15 September 2008 19:58

Nigel

On fire!

Location: England
Registered: November 2003
Messages: 1756

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21lOpV5c2OQ

Hugs
N

I dream of boys with big bulges in their trousers,
Never of girls with big bulges in their blouses.

…and look forward to meeting you in Cóito.

Re: The dangers of excessive communication [message #53240 is a reply to message #53238]

Mon, 15 September 2008 20:42

Roger

Really getting into it

Location: USA
Registered: February 2007
Messages: 522

The train didnt apply the automatic brakes because there arnt any. I know that in Europe and Japan they are equiping trains with automatic brakes but not here in the US. Correct me if Im mistaken Timmy, In England a RR crossing is blocked by an actual fence. There is no way short of actually running thru the thing that you can go accross when a train is coming. IN the States you can drive around the barriers and some crossings dont even have a barrier just a sign.

If you stand for Freedom, but you wont stand for war, then you dont stand for anything worth fighting for.

Re: The dangers of excessive communication [message #53241 is a reply to message #53238]

Mon, 15 September 2008 20:44

Roger

Really getting into it

Location: USA
Registered: February 2007
Messages: 522

There have been numerous attempts to pass lawas regarding the use of cell phone technology in a moving vehicle. All but a very few have failed. This is becasue the cell phone companies have spend tons of money fighting any laws.

If you stand for Freedom, but you wont stand for war, then you dont stand for anything worth fighting for.

Re: The dangers of excessive communication [message #53242 is a reply to message #53240]

Mon, 15 September 2008 20:48

timmy

Has no life at all

Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796

We have three types of crossing: Full barriers, half barriers, no barriers. The volume of road traffic dictates which type.

Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School