BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Joe_F
Date: 08 Jun 12 - 08:16 PM

It seems to me likely that the problem with texting while driving is the same as the problem with drinking: It's a folk custom. There is no way of assembling a jury that does not contain at least one person guilty of the same.

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 08 Jun 12 - 03:30 AM

Where are the MADD Mothers Now???

They are probably texting, asking directions to their local bar while driving!...either that, or sitting next to you, in bar, posting on Mudcat!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 11:26 PM

Seems to me that MADD isn't in much of a position to do much these days. I believe they've had a scandal about misuse of funds, and they're not the popular charity they once were.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: meself
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 07:48 PM

Hardly seems fair to blame MADD, or any mothers for that matter, for people texting while driving ... !

On second thought, maybe mothers are to blame - for giving birth to such idiots.

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 06:51 PM

There are companies in Alberta which have told their drivers NOT to use the phone while in motion. Period. They carry placards which read to the effect that if the driver is using a cell phone while driving, please call 555-1212. There are no warnings. It's goodbye on the spot.

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 06:44 PM

A suit against the hand that feeds, McGrath?

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 04:48 PM

If a company does that I'd have thought that a prosecution for criminal conspiracy or some equivalent charge against the executives would be in order, in any state where using a phone while driving had been banned.

And that kind of thing is the reason why unions exist.

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 03:35 PM

If he did, Greg, and something happened, he would lose his job, no questions asked, we'd be without health insurance etc. I know, no excuse is good, but there's a lot more to it than you make it sound.

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Greg F.
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 03:27 PM

the companies folks work for, who expect them to be avail. 24/7 via cellphone

Be an adult. Show some responsibility. TURN OFF THE FUSKING PHONE!!

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 01:17 PM

Then there are the companies folks work for, who expect them to be avail. 24/7 via cellphone and don't give a damn if you are driving their company vehicle in a pouring rain in the dark of night with two inches of previously iced pavement. Keep driving, keep talking, solve the problem and move along. (When I am with him, I make sure he pulls over!)

and, while we're at it, where's Mothers Against Medical Marijuana?

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 10:31 AM

I have responded to more than enough MVCs where one of the drivers involved had something so important to do on the fu#king cell phone that s/he forgot about details like "Idiot, you're driving and you should watc...", and then some cop just doing his/her job has to call next of kin and make someone sad.

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Bettynh
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 10:29 AM

Massachusetts had its first conviction for driving while texting yesterday. As the prosecutor said, there were no winners in this case.

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Greg F.
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 10:17 AM

Big problem is that once they pass the laws, they figure the problem is solved, no enforcement necessary. Or the penalties are ridiculously light.

The cops hardly bother to stop and ticket users of these devices.

If they actually started ticketing people and taking away their liscences for a couple of months,( or years?) THEN you might see some improvement.

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: DebC
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 09:06 AM

My opinion: all cell phone conversations hand held and hands free should be illegal. There is more and more research out there demonstrating that both types of cell phone conversations can cause accidents.

I do have an iPhone and when I am on long drives in the car I put it on airplane mode so it becomes just an iPod playing music. I have told my carrier to turn off texting (I was getting so much text spam that it was starting to cost me extra $ on my bill!) and on short drives around town, I either leave the phone at home or put it away where I cannot be tempted to use it.

I have blogged about this subject
on a few occasions.

As someone who travels a lot, the cell phone and now the smart phone has been a huge improvement in my life and work, but not at the expense of my life and others' not to mention common courtesy and respect.

And don't get me started on cell phones in public places. :-)

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 08:48 AM

Some people are crazy, that's the trouble. Evidently up to 75 per cent in North Carolina...

Penalties should be more realistic - at present for using a mobile in the UK it's up to £1,000, which is fair, but only three points on your licence. I'd think for texting a lifetime driving ban would be more reasonable.

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: maeve
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 03:18 AM

Here is a start, Bobert:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mothers-Against-Distracted-Driving/157626304293051

http://www.lovefromafar.net/news/

http://www.focusdriven.org/

http://www.distraction.gov/

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jun 12 - 12:51 AM

Mothers Against Distracted Driving. Seems an easy shift.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 11:17 PM

Mothers Against Dumb Driving, perhaps??

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 10:50 PM

Here in Charlotte, NC, I'd bet that 1/2 of all drivers are playing with their boxes while driving... Might be 75%... Ain't no laws...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: GUEST,marks (0n the road)
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 10:37 PM

But most States have laws banning texting and cell chatting while driving, so perhaps MADD is not needed these days.
Mark
(who knows from personal experience what a cell phone ticket is like!)

Subject: RE: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 10:32 PM

Bobert, keep in mind the MADD acronym: Mothers Against Drunk Driving'. We need a different one for today's foolishnesses.

Subject: BS: Where are the MADD Mothers Now???
From: Bobert
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 10:20 PM

Everywhere you look people are driving and playing with little plastic boxes... People are being killed everyday by these distracted drivers...

Where's the MADD mothers now??? Not a peep from mom... What??? It's okay to kill someone while texting but not okay for killing someone for having a few beers???

Lets get real... Killing folks because you think you have a right to do this or that that you want to do is all the same...

Right, mothers??? RIGHT???

Guess they are too busy texting...

B~