Smoking

[lisamariewillbe 1]

What about dancing, I like to dance and play drums on my rear view mirror, my kids think Im 12 years old.

I am the worlds worst driver, Ill admit it, but I agree take all the distractions away from me , and I will be worse. Drinks keep me awake, music drowns out my childrens "are we there yets" which keep my stress levels less, so sometimes these distractions are good.

What is worse, the person who is smoking in their car or the person who is stressed and gets into road rage with others???

Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this
Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this

[Rebecca 0]

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making a "general" statement about smokers, is like making a general statement about any "group" change the word smoker, to black person, gay, or white person and it is derogratory (sp)

I think there's a rather large difference between someone born technicolor, and someone who chooses to smoke. I can make a general or specific statement about smokers all I want without being prejudiced.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[boinky 0]

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The radio (and other musice players) are not quite as culprit. Listening to music does not impeed your ability to focus on the road. And it's the law that the the radio in your car be installed such that you can operate it without taking your eyes off the road. It is also your responsibility as a driver to learn to do so.

Music in itself might not impede ability to focus on the road. But switching stations, changing cd's or "dancing" to the music can. How many of us honestly can change a radio station, the volume or the mode of music without looking at the stereo for even just a milli-second?

It only takes that milli-second for the car in front of you to stop suddenly, the car on the side of you to swerve towards you or the car behind you to not hit their brakes soon enough, if YOU stop suddenly.

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[Rebecca 0]

It's about common sense. That's all.

ANYTHING that keeps your focus away from the road and the cars around you is a distraction. Some of these can't be changed - other passengers, kids, wrecks, traffic, etc.

Some of these things are unneccesary and dangerous - paying more attention to you phone call than driving, using two hands to eat and knees to steer, dropping a lit cigarette in your lap, yelling at and 'punishing' the asshole who cut you off, the list goes on.

JUST PAY ATTENTION!! If you do what you want without compromising your attention, fine. Light up at a stoplight, yell at the kids at the stoplight, make your call quick and to the point if you must talk on your phone, JUST DON'T FORGET to look for me in your blind spot, in your rearview, in your sideview and in front of you as I'm braking hard to avoid the asshole who's not paying attention.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[aftermid 0]

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Actually, listening to the radio and singing along can improve alertness and prevent drowsiness - it's a benefit in the car.

But changing the station or CD exponentially increases the chance for an accident. We must draw the line somewher or it'll be anarchy.

[Rebecca 0]

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Actually, listening to the radio and singing along can improve alertness and prevent drowsiness - it's a benefit in the car.

But changing the station or CD exponentially increases the chance for an accident. We must draw the line somewher or it'll be anarchy.

Exponentially? Don't think so. It should not be an issue. I can raise and lower the volume and change stations without looking away once. If you must change CDs, wait 'til a frickin light, it's not that important...

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[billvon 3,111]

>But switching stations, changing cd's or "dancing" to the music can.
> How many of us honestly can change a radio station, the volume or
> the mode of music without looking at the stereo for even just a millisecond?

I can; the controls for that are on the wheel and can be operated by feel.

[boinky 0]

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I can; the controls for that are on the wheel and can be operated by feel.

Yeah, but not everyone has this luxury. When was the last time you saw a Chevrolet Metro with controls on the steering wheel?

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[goose491 0]

I agree but once again. I work for an insurance company that does things by the numbers.

The numbers don't lie.

Call your company today and ask. Cigarette smoking distracts you from the road much much more that listening to your music... even dancing to it. lol. In fact, the number of accidents due to use of the radio are all but insignificant in comparison... sorta along the same numbers as people crashing because they were messing around with the climate control and stuff. Shit does happen... but drivers smoking does increase the number of times shit happens dramatically.

Again, I'm not pushing for this law but... the road doesn't belong to us. And the truth is that the individual has no idea of the impact that smoking in our cars has on the safety of the roads like the government and insurance companies do.

They (government) are now thinking of passing a law which prohibits you from enjoying the very product they make so many millions of dollars for... in your cars, where you spend a great great chunk of your time. What does that say to you?

What motivation do you supposed this comes by? You think they're just trying to give you a hard time? Again, the numbers don't lie.

My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

[Rebecca 0]

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I can; the controls for that are on the wheel and can be operated by feel.

Yeah, but not everyone has this luxury. When was the last time you saw a Chevrolet Metro with controls on the steering wheel?

Before I had my controls on the steering wheel, I reached over to the knobs and buttons and operated those by feel - gets pretty automatic.

If you can't operate your radio without taking your eyes off the road, maybe a simpler stereo or sweet sweet silence is your best option.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[goose491 0]

And another thing. Let's not all forget the all-important statement:

Driving is not a right, it's a priviledge.

A priviledge awarded by the powers that be and if they decree that smoking makes driving more dangerous and should not be done, then we will have to make a choice to drive or to smoke.

My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

[boinky 0]

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My biggest complaint about smoking in cars is the people who toss their butts out the window. The last few years we have been at the highest level fire danger and all it takes is one little butt to destroy 1000s of acres and many homes.

Poor Mike...while we were in Texas, he was subject to many a rant about people throwing butts about haphazardly. Not just fire hazards, but littering. Ugly butts laying all over the place because folks didn't take the time to put it out and throw it away properly.

If you are "responsible" enough to choose to smoke, you should also take responsibility for disposing of those butts properly.

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[goose491 0]

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If you are "responsible" enough to choose to smoke, you should also take responsibility for disposing of those butts properly.

But it's so much easier to throw it out the window then have to butt it out... let's see you butt out a cigarette without thaking your eyes off the road or burning your fingers.

My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

[boinky 0]

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And another thing. Let's not all forget the all-important statement:

Driving is not a right, it's a priviledge.

A priviledge awarded by the powers that be and if they decree that smoking makes driving more dangerous and should not be done, then we will have to make a choice to drive or to smoke.

Very true. But laws are basically created to stop something that is considered wrong or harmful to others.

How many people are still driving, after having their licenses suspended/revoked for DUI, no Proof of Insurance, too many points on their licenses, health issues, etc.?

Unless these same people do something else wrong or manage to get stopped in a random road block, those laws don't prevent anyone from continuing on in their careless ways.

My X refuses to wear his seatbelt, even though there are now laws requiring it, "to save lives." He has been fined several times, but STILL does not wear it.

Laws only stop those who are basically honest. Those who aren't, will find ways around the laws.

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[goose491 0]

With all due respect, what point are you trying to make? Yes, laws are created to stop something that is wrong or harmful to others. In this case, smoking at the wheel is arguably an increasingly large factor in the motor vehicle accidents occuring each year and they are considering passing a law to prohibit it.

But some drive when their licences are suspended. I don't see the relation other then the fact that it has to do with driving. There is many a way to kill with your car.


That they should not pass a law against smoking while driving because people drive without their licences and don't get caught.

Is just as obsurd as:

That people should not have to wear seatbelts because others speed.

That people should not be made to obey the speed limit because others don't insure their vehicles?

That people should not have to insure their vehicles because others drink and dirve.

That people should not have to drive sober because others don't have their vehicles properly maintained.

There are many ways to be irresponsible. Pointing your finger at someone doing something else when we are addressing what you have done is one of them.

My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

[kelel01 1]

Here. Aftermid said it better than the rest of us.

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1749170#1749170

[aftermid 0]

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And another thing. Let's not all forget the all-important statement:

Driving is not a right, it's a priviledge.

A priviledge awarded by the powers that be and if they decree that smoking makes driving more dangerous and should not be done, then we will have to make a choice to drive or to smoke.

__________________________________________________
Driving is definitely more of a privilege than a right, in so much that it is initially earned, maintained, and subject to be taken away if abused. However, I have to question this notion that it is awarded to us by the 'POWERS THAT BE';. In much of the United States, driving is essential both to the individual and the economic structure as a whole. The idea that it can be arbitrarily taken away by the 'POWERS THAT BE'; is (or at least should be) preposterous. The problem is that typically when they 'DECREE'; something the result is more government intrusion, and people twiddle their thumbs and say 'they know whats best' or if it will make us safer I'm all for it.' Politicians use the notion of fear to whittle away at our freedoms. Driving is inherently dangerous! Risks can be moderated and legislated but not completely eliminated, and the more risks are legislated the more masses have to pay for the mistakes of the few.

You're exactly correct; I have no right to drive. However, I should have the right to operate my licensed vehicle in a safe way without the intrusion of the government. Moreover, I also shouldn't have additional taxes levied while I'm operating my vehicle in a safe manner. We pay enough taxes and fees as it is, we ought not be punished for what could happen.

It is just one more way for the government to stop us, interrogate us, and take our money.

PS I don't smoke

[TomAiello 26]

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New Hampshire is the only state that doesn't require adult motorists to wear seat belts...

This might be true if we are talking about front seat passengers. Where I live (Idaho) it's legal to be in the back seat without a seat belt.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[Michele 1]

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Actually, listening to the radio and singing along can improve alertness and prevent drowsiness - it's a benefit in the car.

Not the way I sing....

Just a quick note. In one day, I had two confrontations about my smoking...both while I was a passenger in a car. The last one was vile; a car pulled up next to us, and he actually spit on me. Spit on me. Hawked a lugie and let fly. The driver was unable to follow him, or else I'd've had him up on a battery charge. I was absolutely abhorred and disgusted by that. I scrubbed my hand with alcohol, and still wish I'd been able to get his plate and/or had a "coversation" with the jerk. It was horrifying. And what was interesting was the self-satisfied look on the asshat's face, knowing I couldn't get to him, and being subjected to his spit and mucous.

It's trendy and cool to be anti smoking. We pay extra taxes, we get called names, we get nasty looks. It's just another way for people to look down on other people; this time, though, it's supported by the government.

But people won't see that; they'll hear the cry "it's for the children," and tax us and spit on us and ban us from smoking. And it's got nothing to do with the children...I haven't a child, and there was no child in the car with me. So why spit on me? because it's trendy...cool...and he was expressing a deep seated anger on an innocent citizen.

Yuck.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Nightingale 0]

If people want to smoke in their cars, let them. There's no need for new laws in this situation. There is, however, a need to enforce some of the laws we already have. If they want to throw their cigarette butts out the window and damage property, start grass fires, and litter, then bust them for property damage, arson or reckless burning, and littering. If their cigarette is obviously a distraction while driving, bust them for driving while distracted, or that state's equivalent.

What someone does to themselves of their own free will is not the business of the government. Smoking shouldn't be a crime unless and until it infringes on the rights of others.

[BillyVance 35]

I could care less whether people smoke in their own cars. Just keep the windows shut!

However, what really PISSES me off is seeing a parent smoking in their car with their kids inside. It makes me want to pull them over and slap the shit out of them...

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[rehmwa 2]

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[I was absolutely abhorred and disgusted by that. I scrubbed my hand with alcohol, and still wish I'd been able to get his plate and/or had a "coversation" with the jerk. It was horrifying.

Sounds like second hand smoke - only external. If your windows were up, he wouldn't have breathed your exhale and you wouldn't have gotten moistened.

(with that, it was a pretty jerky thing to do - I wouldn't spit on someone, nor would I expose someone to smoke like that - I'd consider them equivalent acts really - other than the spitter only targets one person while the smoker targets everybody in the area)

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[madscape 0]

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I can; the controls for that are on the wheel and can be operated by feel.

Yeah, but not everyone has this luxury. When was the last time you saw a Chevrolet Metro with controls on the steering wheel?

*See also Billvon's multiple posts on how he's better than everyone else because he can afford feel-good technologies such as solar panels and hybrid vehicles.*

[billvon 3,111]

Ah yes. Speaker's Corner - the only place you can get shit about talking about a problem but doing nothing about it, then get even more shit when you _do_ do something about it. "Hey - he's come up with a solution - GET HIM!"

[Rebecca 0]

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I can; the controls for that are on the wheel and can be operated by feel.

Yeah, but not everyone has this luxury. When was the last time you saw a Chevrolet Metro with controls on the steering wheel?

*See also Billvon's multiple posts on how he's better than everyone else because he can afford feel-good technologies such as solar panels and hybrid vehicles.*

Yeah! That damn Billvon! I hate people who earn enough money for these frilly little luxuries! Who does he think he, being all smart and ecologicamal?

The nerve!



(who the hell is this guy?)

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?