I’m beginning to hate cell phones. Why has every state in the country not outlawed talking on the cell phone while driving? Oh right . . don’t tell me YOU can do it and not be distracted! How many times have you driven down the road and been almost hit or been driving behind someone slowing down or speeding up and you realize they’re on the cell phone.
Today I was on my way to Joplin to do a trunk show, detoured to run by the bank before I left town. There was this woman who was parked in one of the parking spots on the street, talking on the cell phone . . obviously thinking she’s the only one on the street. Just as I got even with her, she pulled out, and hit me. Neither door opens but worse, the front passenger door is ajar and can’t be closed. Scraped all the way down the right bottom of my car. I can’t drive the car now . . both wheel covers are ruined. I’m really mad. I’m aggravated that our legislators haven’t passed laws making it illegal to drive and talk on the cell phone and I’m mad that my car is all banged up and I’m mad that I missed my trip to Joplin.
Why can’t people just be responsible. This woman who hit me was driving an old, banged up Blazer and looked like she just got out of bed at 1:30 in the afternoon. What was so darned important that she had to be on the cell phone instead of paying attention to what she was doing?
I wasn’t hurt and I know it could’ve been worse but it didn’t need to happen.
Tanner says
OMG! Im glad you are ok!
Suzy says
So sorry to hear about your accident, Judy. Here in NJ there IS a law against talking on a cell phone while driving — unless you have a earpiece, so that you are hands-free. Unfortunately, that still doesn’t stop people from using their handheld phones while driving. Go figure…
Cathi says
We see the same thing happen here all the time and it is beyond frustrating. Those who insist on talking on the phone while driving should be charged with dangerous driving, in my opinion. They can’t possibly be paying as much attention as they think they do.
I’m glad you weren’t hurt but very sorry that your car was so damaged.
Melinda says
You have a right to be upset. People have always had wrecks because they were not paying attention, but cell phones have made the problem so much worse.
Carolyn says
Judy, I’m glad you’re okay! This could have been much worse. Maybe you need to send an email or make a call to some of your legislators and get something done! Like Suzy said, we have a law in NJ, but I’m amazed at the number of people I see who disregard it…and I can’t even say it’s just the kids who ignore the law, it’s everyone!
Carole says
OH MAN–I would be hopping mad, also! Idiots with cell phones become bigger idiots. I couldnt tell you how many times I have been pushed off the road, and yesterday I had someone run a stop sign in front of me–thankfully no one else was around…If i have to talk to someone that darned bad, I pull off the road and out of harm’s way. When driving, I certainly do not have time to watch everyone else’s driving and talk on the blasted phone…I hope she had insurance?
Mary says
Hi Judy,
I’m sorry you were hit and agree that cellphone usage while driving is a big problem. Here in NY like NJ, we have a law, but it must not be very well enforced, as it seems there are still tons of people using their phones and driving.
I was sorry to see the damage to your CRV, but it could be worse. My CRV was rearended and totaled in April by a county worker who didn’t see me because he was looking at his computer!!! At least neither of us was hurt. I miss my CRV!
Nancy says
So sorry to hear of your accident, what a shame! To have your life disrupted because someone else was distracted. They should make her insurance pay for someone to get your estimates, tow your car to the repair shop, get a loaner and bring your car back…Better yet….get you a brand NEW car just like you have…
2 years ago, I was run off of the road by an 18 wheeler who passing a car that was making a left turn, he was going up a hill, in a no passing zone, SURPRISE!! on his cell phone. Luckily no one was hurt..except for two mailboxes that were destroyed by my car….
I use a hands free device and only take incoming calls. Even with hands free, you have to dial the phone to call out, so I won’t do it…
Nancy says
Well I must admit that I have driven and chatted. But I do try to pay attention to all angles……… I know its wrong and I shouldn’t do it.
Please tell me the other woman got ticketed for this? Did she try to weasel her way out of it? What a goober!
Patti says
Hear, hear! I’ve thought exactly that so many times! I’m so sorry your were hit – thank goodness you weren’t hurt. Obviously completely her fault.
Vicki W says
I’m glad you are OK. I recently developed a cell phone use policy for our company. In my research I found out that people are jsut as distracted using hands free devices (which I believe). I think all cell phone use needs to be outlawed but unfortunately the genie is already out of the bottle. The best thing that could happen is for insurance companies to make it a condition of coverage so that if you are using a cell phone and cause an accident the ins company will not pay for your damages – only those of the person you hit. That would fix it!
Leslie McS says
So glad you are OK.
Here in Maine, I think it is also a law, but no one pays attention to it- A friend’s son took out a porch (yes part of a house) and totaled her GMC Jimmy recently because he was text messaging!!! Her response was “I’m glad he is all right because I’m gonna kill him” I think he is grounded ’till he is dead.
Marlene says
I am so sorry. I know you are mad and frustrated and overwhelmed by the sheer stupidity of the whole thing. While having a hands free device is helpful it doesn’t solve the problem. I refuse to allow my husband to talk on the phone when he is driving – I’ve noticed as we get older we don’t multitask well at all and particularly when driving. 🙁 I hope you get a car to drive soon and that you don’t have any soreness from the accident in the coming days. Blessings, marlene
SusanB says
Good Grief! Such utter stupidity and carelessness. I’m so sorry you were hit. At least you weren’t too far from home. Hopefully, your body shop will be able to keep the vehicle inside out of the weather until the door is fixed
My old Cavalier looked worse after a deer sideswiped me a few years ago. The damage was cosmetic ($3,000 worth) and I was able to drive the 1/2 mile home. The deer whacked the windshield with his head before ripping off the side mirror, bouncing off the door, and knocking out the rear passenger window. Fortunately I had on long sleeves and the spiderweb of windshield glass held together as I gingerly drove home. I saw the deer pick himself up off the road in my rear view mirror.
jen eskridge says
I’m glad you’re OK. I wonder if her insurance is going to cover the cost of the trunk show you missed. The Cell Phone lady not only wrecked your car, but she’s costing you money. I hope everything is back together in a timely fashion. Good luck! ~jen~
Marilyn says
Judy, don’t let this woman steal your joy too. My car was totalled in an accident back in May of this year and I was so angry for a long time. The lady wasn’t paying attention and ran into the back of my van and wrecked it. I was mad at her for stealing so much of my time, but really, I gave up more of my time by being so angry.
Take a deep breath, let the insurance handle everything–that’s what you pay them for, and do some quilting today! It will make you feel so much better. Hugs to you!
Deb Levy says
Glad you’re OK! You are absolutely right about the cell phone menace….probably won’t get any better though.
Vicky says
The hands-free law went into effect here in CA on July 1st. For the first week you didn’t see one single person on their cell phones on the freeway. Week 2 it was back to business as usual.
I’m glad you’re okay, sweetie! Darn stupid woman!
Barb D in Maine says
So glad YOU are ok – your car can be fixed – your life , on the other hand, is worth more!!
Thank GOD for insurance!
Libby says
At the end of the day the good news is that no one was physically hurt – things are things and can be fixed or replaced, but people cannot. California’s Hands Free Law went into effect at the beginning of the month. Our family is 100% compliant with the new law with hands free devices in each of our vehicles. I don’t mind following the law – it is, after all, the law. Still it frosts me that people drive around with their dogs in their laps. Now if that isn’t distracting and dangerous . . . I don’t know what is!
June says
Judy,
I’m glad you are ok. I swear by my hands free device. It allows me to keep my eyes on the road and my hands on the stearing wheel, if I absolutely have to take a call. Check out my blog from April about driving and talking on the phone.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/446503/The-Hazards-of-Talking
This was from the accident we were in, in a state where you legally can’t talk on the cell phone without hands free and drive.
Mar says
Judy! Glad you weren’t hurt. It’s against the law here in california now, we have to have a hands free device. Hello blue tooth!
Freda Henderson says
Thank goodness you weren’t injured. I know what you mean about people on cell phones. Drives me nuts.
dawn says
I am really glad that you weren’t hurt…and I agree…people should SO NOT be on their cell phones while driving!!! Just pull over already, get your talking done, annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd then drive on. Sheesh!!
dawn
Kathy says
Oh you are preaching to the choir!! It is ridiculous that people are allowed to operate a huge, expensive, potentially dangerous piece of machinery and not be paying any attention at all because they are on the phone. And the kicker is that the call is never anything important or life threatening — they just chat about nonsense. As Vicky noted, CA just put the hands-free law into effect this month. Let’s see how well it gets enforced. So glad you weren’t hurt and sorry for all your frustration!
Kathleen says
Here in New Mexico, cell phones are only banned in certain cities – Albuquerque, Santa Fe. But even though only hands free devices are allowed, you still see dozens of people talking and driving. There are just not enough police to find all these people.
I’m glad you are OK 🙂 I love reading all about you and your family.
Happy Quilting!
Amy says
AMEN! I totally agree with you. I’m so glad that you are alright.
Connie says
OK, I’m adding to here saying DON’T EAT AND DRIVE! A gal from the quilt shop here was recently hit when someone was more interested in their french fries than paying attention. The police told her that when they checked on the woman she was covered in fries and soda.
Julie says
Judy! I’m glad to hear you weren’t hurt and that everyone was willing to assist in locating Vince. Got to love that about a small town. I hope the CRV is back to new soon and that you’re not having any trouble w/ her insurance company.
Rebecca says
I know I’m late to the scene, but you have my sympathies. Regarding the new law in California: holding the phone to your ear is all you can’t do…you can still dial, look at the phone to answer, even TEXT!! I saw a girl (won’t even call her a young woman) quoted in the newspaper as saying “you can put the phone at the top of the steering wheel and watch the road and text!” Yeesh.
I think Vicki’s policy^ is good. It isn’t the use of the hand that’s dangerous, it’s the distraction of the mind!