Um, wow:
KETTERING, Ohio (AP) — Police in Ohio say a woman has been charged with child endangering after another motorist reported she was both breast-feeding a youngster and talking on a phone while driving.
(Source: Chicago Tribune)
Just so you know: Nursing while cell-phone talking–though possibly a bus foul— is perfectly legal on Metro.
On a recent 8 excursion, Chicklet awoke from her nap (she is fond of napping in the Ergo) directly underneath Metro’s “chill on the cell usage” ad.
After checking it out for a few seconds, she giggled, then turned to me and said one of her latest words: “teeth.”
Funny, that’s what I think when I see it, too.
Given the recent discussion about cell phone conversations on the bus, I thought I’d share this PSA, spotted earlier today on an eastbound 27:
I realize I’m probably in the minority on this, but I don’t find anything inherently wrong with cell-phone talking in transit. After all, you can’t expect silence on the bus. Folks are talking to each other, babies are crying, the driver is calling out stops over the PA … you get the picture. If the conversations are quiet and about subjects that are appropriate for public consumption, I don’t see the harm. When they’re not, the problem isn’t cell phones; it’s rudeness. Loud, personal conversations are a no-no, whether on the phone or in the flesh.
Even though I’m not a big bus phone-talker, I think having the option is one of the (many) advantages of public transportation. Drivers must pay attention to the road, while we transit types can use our travel time as we see fit (see below)–even, if we so choose, to check on a restaurant reservation or catch up with Mom.
Your turn.
Last night, we left work early to attend Bus Nerd’s Godson Shannon’s graduation from Ingraham (545 + 41+ 346). Thanks to Friday evening traffic, we were running late, so late that we were afraid we were going to miss Shannon’s walk. Fortunately, two young men who rode the 346 with us were also late to the graduation. They used their Sidekick to keep in touch with their graduate, and I used my eavesdropping skills to figure out just how much we had missed. (“She says it’s hella crowded–oh, the principal just gave his speech.”) Thank goodness for modern technology (and teenage texting trife).
Unfortunately, the young men with the Sidekick weren’t the only folks making use of handheld devices. Our 346 driver spiced up the ride by driving one-handed while chatting on his cellie.
Come on, man. If you’re going to go there, at least get a headset.
A few days ago, my coworkers had an e-mail discussion about the new “no texting while driving” law that will take effect in 2008.
Here’s an example of the comments:
“The law makes sense, but I don’t know how I’m going to live without texting in the car.”
As a frequent pedestrian (and thus, a frequent victim of distracted drivers), I have to admit I was a little thrown–not really because people actually do this (OK, a little because people actually do this) but because they freely admit to it, as if it’s as common as driving five mph over the speed limit.
On the way home that evening, I decided to see for myself how common it was. As my bus zoomed by all the cars stuck in traffic, I peered inside at their drivers. Out of the dozens of drivers I spied on, I saw only three sending text messages–fewer than the earlier conversation had led me to fear. Then again, that was probably because most of them (at least 80%) were busy talking on their cell phones. One guy was using a laptop (with both hands), and another woman was reading a book.
Folks who want to use their commute time to get stuff done: It might be best to choose a form of transportation that allows your hands (and eyes) to remain free. I can think of at least one that fits the bill…