DWT: Driving While Talking

By chi_nick
April 7th, 2005 @ 4:58 PM Uncategorized

Scene: Chicago, 2006
Officer: Do you know why I pulled you over?
Chicagoan: No sir officer.
Officer: You

10 Comments so far

  1. tankboy (unregistered) on April 8th, 2005 @ 10:52 am

    Nikkos, do you actually drive anywhere in this city? Have you not noticed the outrageous number of people cutting other people off, speeding up and slowing down for no reason and swerving all over the place? have you not noticed that every one of these assholes has a cell-phone pressed to their ear.

    Me? I’m hoping for a statewide ban.


  2. nikkos (unregistered) on April 8th, 2005 @ 11:31 am

    Of course I drive in the city- every day in fact.

    What you describe, “people cutting other people off, speeding up and slowing down for no reason and swerving all over the place” is how it’s always been and always will be in a big city like Chicago.

    And no, I don’t think cell phones are particularly responsible for the bad driving you cite. I think those folks drove recklessly before cell phones, they drive recklessly now and they will drive recklessly in the future, cell phone ban or no ban.

    If you can describe for me how the ban will change this behavior, I’m all ears. Again, I ask, what’s the difference between handheld and hands-free? Is it just that you both hands free to steer? If that’s the case, better ban cigarettes, beverages in vehicles, and all the other things that people may have in their hands while driving. If it


  3. sabrina (unregistered) on April 8th, 2005 @ 12:36 pm

    Cars don’t kill people, either; bad drivers do.

    Therefore, I propose that we force all drivers to pass exams on skillful, defensive driving, and grant them a license which proves they’re not going to kill me as I walk to the grocery store.

    Oh, wait. :)


  4. tankboy (unregistered) on April 8th, 2005 @ 1:07 pm

    Nikkos, are you a dedicated cell-talker when driving?

    I honestly can’t see anything negative coming out of this proposed ban…


  5. nikkos (unregistered) on April 8th, 2005 @ 1:18 pm

    Dedicated? Not sure what that means, but yeah, of course I use my cell phone in the car, as do millions of other people. It is convenient, therte’s no denying that.

    OK, since you can’t or won’t defend your position by ansering my questions (stated above) then I will reply to yours.

    Here’s why I don’t like this proposed law:

    1.) It’s illogical and singles out the pet peeve of a certain fraction of the population for legislative action that will affect the entire population.

    2.) Cops have enough reasons to pull people over. Chicago feels like a police state enough already. I guess one worst case scenario is that cops will use this in a discriminatory manner, as they do broken tail lights and other minor infractions already, to pull over minority drivers, harass them and search their vehicles.

    3.) I think the same people that are currently agitating for this law will be the one’s who are complaining the loudest when they get ticketed for DWT themselves.


  6. tankboy (unregistered) on April 8th, 2005 @ 4:12 pm

    //Again, I ask, what’s the difference between handheld and hands-free?//

    There isn’t one. I’m for a total ban. This law would just be a good start.

    //Is it just that you both hands free to steer?//

    It’s a matter of paying attention to your driving rather than focusing on the person you’re yapping with.

    //If it


  7. nikkos (unregistered) on April 8th, 2005 @ 4:27 pm

    Tank, I will graciously relinquish this argument. Your wall of illogic is simply too formidable to penetrate, and my boss just cut me loose (early for once!).

    I enjoyed the back and forth, this is what blogs are for, let’s do it again.

    To one and all, have a great weekend!


  8. tankboy (unregistered) on April 8th, 2005 @ 7:33 pm

    oh no you don’t…you’re not getting the last word!

    so here it is:

    last word


  9. Benjy (unregistered) on April 12th, 2005 @ 2:48 pm

    While I see some issue with singling out cell phones vs. make-up, food, etc. I have to say that I’m in favor of such a bill after what somebody on a cell phone did to my car on Thursday.


  10. nikkos (unregistered) on April 12th, 2005 @ 2:57 pm

    Holy shit Benjy! Are you OK? I certainly hope so!!!



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