High accident areas...bad design or bad driving?

[BigVMan23]

Another post got me to thinking about this, and thinking of a couple of areas in my town that have a lot of accidents.

 

There are undoubtedly bad roads, and many can be found all through the state. However, I am beginning to wonder if bad roads/bad design is as much a factor in accidents in many areas/circumstances, what with drivers attention probably at the lowest level it's ever been.

 

For example, there are two intersections where I live that seem to have a high rate of accidents, one in particular. Both of the intersections cross 4 lane 127 highway, and traffic at times can be busy. However, the intersections are wide, no blind spots so the sightlines are friendly. The lights are timed well and have adequate delays from one turning red to the other turning green. The one that is particularly bad is beside of Wal-Mart, but traffic crossing or turning on to 127 from that intersection probably isn't as much as you would think.

 

Anyway, after another accident a few days ago that I happened to see the aftermath of, I asked my buddy, local deputy sheriff if he worked the accident. That prompted a conversation about the intersection, which is when he stated how "bad" that intersection was and how many accidents occurred there. So, I asked him what made the intersection itself so bad. He thought a few seconds, then stated that it wasn't really that the intersection was so bad really, it was so many drivers just not paying attention that made it bad and caused so many wrecks there.

 

Drivers definitely have to pay attention to the road, no matter where. But I really believe today so many people are multitasking behind the wheel in the most inopportune of places, it's leading to a lot of accidents that just don't have to happen.

[lawildcat]

First thing the police did in the accident that got you started on this thread - took the young lady's cell phone. I would bet money that she was texting while driving.

 

My cousin is a truck driver - saw a car flip 5 times and the driver ejected just yesterday (he's down south somewhere). He said the driver passed him just before the accident and was texting. Came up too fast on another semi, swerved to avoid him and overcorrected.

 

You have to pay attention on the road! As I tell my kids, pretend everyone around you is an idiot.

[se7ens]

First thing the police did in the accident that got you started on this thread - took the young lady's cell phone. I would bet money that she was texting while driving.

 

My cousin is a truck driver - saw a car flip 5 times and the driver ejected just yesterday (he's down south somewhere). He said the driver passed him just before the accident and was texting. Came up too fast on another semi, swerved to avoid him and overcorrected.

 

You have to pay attention on the road! As I tell my kids, pretend everyone around you is an idiot.

 

To me it is simple as this - if a police officer witnesses a driver with a cellphone in hand (calling, texting, checking emails, etc...) and unless they are calling someone for a verifiable emergency, it needs to have similar reprecussions to a DUI. It is the best way to fix it. I know people would relent, especially on the calling part, but it's the only way to give that kind of legislation teeth. JUST PULL OVER. It can wait til then.

[UKMustangFan]

To me it is simple as this - if a police officer witnesses a driver with a cellphone in hand (calling, texting, checking emails, etc...) and unless they are calling someone for a verifiable emergency, it needs to have similar reprecussions to a DUI. It is the best way to fix it. I know people would relent, especially on the calling part, but it's the only way to give that kind of legislation teeth. JUST PULL OVER. It can wait til then.

 

 

That's a complete overreaction. You don't put someone in jail for making a phone call. Come on.

[doomer]

Texting and driving seems to be an epidemic...and an especially dangerous one. Also, whether because of distractions or just poor driving, when there is a large disparity of speeds on a road, it becomes more dangerous. Meaning, you are turning left across a three lane highway, a la 127 above with a speed limit of 45mph. Car 1 approaches at 40mph, so you patiently wait for it to pass, however car 2 is swiftly approaching at 60mph, so the plan must be adjusted quickly or there is a serious accident. And....one cannot count on the 60mph car driver to anticipate that you may be turning, so he/she does nothing to reduce speed to increase your decision-making time. Thus, higher wreck potential.

[se7ens]

That's a complete overreaction. You don't put someone in jail for making a phone call. Come on.

 

Negligent Driving

I don't think it is. Especially if texting is illegal and phone calls are not and I get pulled over, I can just say I was making a phone call. My iPhone doesn't record the exact moment a text goes out in an ongoing conversation. Gives the legislation teeth and cuts down on distracted driving.

 

And for the record, yes there are bad roads but the overriding problem is distracted driving followed of course by drunk driving.

[plantmanky]

To me it is simple as this - if a police officer witnesses a driver with a cellphone in hand (calling, texting, checking emails, etc...) and unless they are calling someone for a verifiable emergency, it needs to have similar reprecussions to a DUI. It is the best way to fix it. I know people would relent, especially on the calling part, but it's the only way to give that kind of legislation teeth. JUST PULL OVER. It can wait til then.

 

Thats fine, as long as they add to it, eating, drinking, using a gps, radio, other car accessory use. Its all distracted driving.

[lawildcat]

Thats fine, as long as they add to it, eating, drinking, using a gps, radio, other car accessory use. Its all distracted driving.

 

Exactly. Saw a guy on 471 this week merging without using his signal and almost merged right into another car. I looked over and saw why he couldn't signal; he had a huge double-decker sandwich in his left hand!

[UKMustangFan]

Thats fine, as long as they add to it, eating, drinking, using a gps, radio, other car accessory use. Its all distracted driving.

 

Having a conversation with the person in the passenger seat...Where does it end?

[UKMustangFan]

Negligent Driving

I don't think it is. Especially if texting is illegal and phone calls are not and I get pulled over, I can just say I was making a phone call. My iPhone doesn't record the exact moment a text goes out in an ongoing conversation. Gives the legislation teeth and cuts down on distracted driving.

 

And for the record, yes there are bad roads but the overriding problem is distracted driving followed of course by drunk driving.

 

And they'd be able to take your phone and prove you were in fact texting if they really wanted to.

 

Bottom line is sending people to jail for making a phone call is absolutely ridiculous and would create huge issues.

[plantmanky]

Having a conversation with the person in the passenger seat...Where does it end?

 

Good point forgot that one.

[plantmanky]

Exactly. Saw a guy on 471 this week merging without using his signal and almost merged right into another car. I looked over and saw why he couldn't signal; he had a huge double-decker sandwich in his left hand!

 

That was me, sorry.

[se7ens]

Having a conversation with the person in the passenger seat...Where does it end?

 

There is a reasonable deviation when it comes to those activities. Statistics show that. Texting, phone calls (and the undersold point with that is making or taking the outbound call), eating statistically cause more negligent driving than radio or in-car discussions. I think we can find some common sense here.

[UKMustangFan]

There is a reasonable deviation when it comes to those activities. Statistics show that. Texting, phone calls (and the undersold point with that is making or taking the outbound call), eating statistically cause more negligent driving than radio or in-car discussions. I think we can find some common sense here.

 

Common-sense went out the window when it was suggested that making a phone call should result in going to jail IMO.

 

Courts are already jammed full of cases and violations. There's no need to create additional backlog by adding another ridiculous law to the books.

[OlDog75]

That's a complete overreaction. You don't put someone in jail for making a phone call. Come on.

 

I cannot tell you the number of times I have almost been hit by folks who are using their phone. I have no idea if they are making a call or not. I just know when this occurs, they are looking down at the phone. It's a real problem. Just pay attention to those around you when you are driving or sitting at stop lights/stop signs. It is incredible the number of drivers who are playing with a phone. You can generally tell when folks are on the phone in front of you or in lane beside you because they are weaving around in the lane or driving 5-10 mph slower. When I encounter this I get away from them if I can, same thing if I suspect a drunk driver. I don't know if se7ens post about repercussions similar to DUI is overreaction or not. What if your wife and/or kids were hurt or killed because the driver was fiddling with his/her phone?