Grizzly Man Director on Texting and Driving
It’s quite obvious that it’s dangerous. We all know it kills.
Anyone that denies these facts is stupid, or wantonly ignorant.
Yet nearly all of us do it.
I’m hoping that for a moment, while you’re reading this, and watching the video below, you’ll keep this in mind next time you get a text while driving. It can wait.
Werner Herzog, the acclaimed filmaker – Alaskan’s know him best as the Director of Grizzly Man – produced this film for AT&T on texting, it’s worth watching.
I don’t get the attraction. There is nothing going on in my life that is so important that it needs my immediate attention at any time night or day.
Remember when we would leave the house and the phone was still firmly attached to the wall?
“On June 26, 2007, just five days after they all had graduated from Fairport High School, Hannah Congdon, Bailey Goodman, Meredith McClure, Sara Monnat and Katherine “Katie” Shirley — died when the sport utility vehicle they were in collided head-on with a tractor-trailer in East Bloomfield, Ontario County.” (Fairport is a suburb of Rochester, NY)
More than 100 people participated in a 3 mile walk in memory of the girls on August 2.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013308020063
The evidence uncovered during the investigation indicated that the driver was probably texting. The car swerved to the right on the two lane country road and she over-corrected, bringing her into the oncoming lane, directly into the path of the truck. All five girls were killed instantly.
A law banning the use of portable electronic devices while driving in NY State was signed into law in 2009. Support for this law was inspired, in great part, by the story of the ‘Fairport Angels’. A new law, increasing penalties for the same infraction, was signed by Governor Cuomo last month.
Since I have an iPhone, I do text. I only do so when I’m NOT doing something else, like walking on NYC’s streets. I’m pushing 60, and just learning how to drive a car (I can sail a boat, and ride a horse, but never learned how to drive). I pledge that, once I get my license, driving will be the only thing I’m doing behind the wheel. Period. Not eating, not talking on the phone, just driving. NO ONE should be texting while driving. Werner Herzog has been making films for a very long time. Recently, I enjoyed his ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams.’ In my opinion, this short film is the most important he’s ever made. Distracted driving is dangerous. I’ll not be texting behind the wheel; I hope my life is not cut short because someone else believed that message couldn’t wait.
You gonna borrow Mitten’s groovy car elevator to reach your floor? With a motorcycle you could climb the stairs, Just be sure to wear a helmet. Neighbor’s DIL was teaching her GD to drive a four wheeler when they hit the back of a parked car and the DIL is almost a month into a hospital stay. She has some brain damage and may never be able to care for herself again. No one knows for sure. She is re-habbing at the U of Nebraska in Lincoln,Neb. She has memory lapses. She was in coma,but can now talk some and walk with help.Granddaughter had scrapes and bruises. Neither wore a helmet.
http://tinyurl.com/m69j295
Oklahoma rethugs want to make sure drivers are free to text or even eat cheeseburgers while driving. Florida wants to pass a law that says texting while driving is bad,but not bad enough to warrant a traffic stop. OTOH,if you text and crash,then you can be pulled over because your texting/driving violation would be secondary to whatever violation caused you to crash.
Oh for cryin in a bucket , Oklahoma!
Personal freedoms require personal responsibility as a counterbalance- something we desperately need to get sorted out in a meaningful and useful way. Not the hinky bootstraps crap responsibility either…
Comparing eating a cheeseburger while driving to texting while driving is apples and oranges and stoopid to boot.
Pffft!
My ‘personal freedom’ means that I survive a trip in my car because someone else did NOT text while driving, get distracted and hit me. Or is my freedom to continue living not important to him?
Just last week I’d pulled over to the side of a country-ish road and a police cruiser pulled up behind me. The officer got out and asked if I needed any help. I thanked him and told him, no, I didn’t; I’d gotten a call on my cell and had pulled over to answer it. He told me I didn’t need to pull off the road to answer the call. I assured him I did. He walked away shaking his head.
Thing of it is, I didn’t start driving/get my license until I was 29 and the mother of two young’uns…I was mature and aware enough, and had enough physical age on me, to fully understand the immense responsibility (and consequences) of driving. In that, I feel very fortunate. The only time I’ll answer a cell call when I’m driving is if I can safely pull off the road, first — otherwise, it can go to voicemail. And I only text -either send or read- when I’m either out of the car or if said vehicle is in “park” and in a parking lot. I know I’m a complete rarity in this — and I wish it weren’t so.
I’ve shared the video with my own 3 kidlets, all of whom think nothing of texting while behind the wheel. I hope the words of the victims, victims all the way around, will give them some food for thought and I won’t have to keep getting all pissy at them when they text me from behind the wheel. [and I wonder why I have gray hair…not!] beth.
I don’t know how to text. Don’t know if that service is available on my phone.
Great post!
Line up 1000 humans. Are they..worthy? In what ways? Any culture, any country..any island in this world. Are they worthy? If..they are..speak to them..in person. Speak to them..with a flow of written word..across your choice of paper, tissues..or a torn inner cardboard..from a box of jr. mints..that y’all..enjoyed as kids. Send a leaf..drying..through the mail..and wait../for the joyous ..landline..phone call. Leave a message..on their phone..or an email..from one comp. to the next..if must. The death of our..Family of Humankind..has taken root in..’thinking’..that instant communication..equals actual communication. Will one..of that ..one-thousand..walk to their little plastic hummer of a toy..and ‘see’..in minds eye..each person..who they think, they cherish now? Will they grab, go..and continue on..snipping loose..the connective tissues..that brought the worlds people..closer, closer, stronger..until now? Will 1..take time today..to kill/immobilize, turn off the status items..and then..turn to one they love, surround them..with a hug, or..a landline phone call-message..and say.. This more perfect..communication..is how..I will honor you..from now on? I am..1. I never let the ‘toyness’..intrude upon those whom I love, and cherish. Their puppity fleshness, their scent..the timbre of their voice..compels me..to be the best I can be..for myself, them and their ..Potential. Think of it..my friends..as the true church/religion/belief system….The citadel of the Living Heart..which resides..in all of us. I have..1 landline, and..one comp. in my apt. cubby. I will be reached..in that way..and with mail..which arrives by snail mail. The only damages I am apt to..inflict..are those to Willow-Cat..when she says..pay troll..as I walk…across my rug..to the coffee pot. Peace.