Those of you driving......

I totally agree with you my friend!!! I also ride a motorcycle with aftermarket exhaust pipes for the very same reason as you mention. The use of cell phones for ANY reason while driving a vehicle should be against the law PERIOD! It not only endangers those of us who ride motorcycles, it also endangers the lives of everone out there who are trying to safely drive their vehicles. I have noticed several indicators that someone is on a cell phone while driving: (1) making lane changes or turns without using their turn signals (2) weaving or wandering in their lane of traffic (3) failure to maintain a steady speed within the flow of traffic around them (4) eratic turns due to the inability to use both hands on the steering when while making the turn (5) and constant driving at night with headlights on bright because they don't have a free hand to activate the dimmer lever. When I see any of these cell phone use indicators I try to go ahead and get around these dangerous and inconsiderate drivers to avoid being involved with the problems that they are creating by using their cell phones. Cell phones are a great conveinance to have but if that call is SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO MAKE IT, please pull off the road to make that call. I would not want to see anyone maimed or killed simply because you called someone to remind them to get a gallon of milk. It's just not worth that call....... Cherokee, Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club

I must confess I am guilty of using my cell phone while driving. I don't if I am in a lot of traffic or making turns. But I agree with you, it is not safe. I was almost run over by a woman at the grocery store the other day because of indicator #4. When she saw what was happening, she looked at me like I was doing something wrong by being in her way.
I like that you guys use the loud pipes, its kind of startling when a bike comes up beside you and you didn't know it was there because it was too quite.
Thanks for the reminder, I will try to do better.

I pay extra attention to be on the lookout for motorcycles. I also quit riding many years ago because of the lack of attention form other drivers.

I don't ride myself...but it scares me sometimes just watching the way some people drive around motorcycles. I always keep a good distance between myself and motorcycles.

I fully understand and sympathize with you on your situation, but don't indict us all.

The only think that is worse than someone chatting away on a phone and not paying attention is your LOUD ASS MOTORCYCLYES.

Seriously. It sucks and you guys on them suck.

I always ensure that plenty of room is between my car and motorcycle.

I've programmed my cell phone for voice dialing. When I drive and use my cellphone, I push the button on my bluetooth earpiece and say a word. The phone dials and I talk. I can keep my eyes and attention of the road and talk into my earpiece. I do agree that if you use a cellphone and drive, a hands free earpiece should be mandatory.

I've been a passenger on a Harley a few times. It is scarey how some people act. Some just are not paying attention, and some act like "hey, a motorcycle, let's see how close we can get!"

I always try to keep a safe distance between my car and motorcycles, or other cars.

I once almost ran a motorcyle off the road because I was not paying attention. Fortunately, I saw the bike before I changed lanes, and we were both lucky. I really felt terrible and apologized to him (through the window) when we pulled up beside each other at a light. I have been especially careful since then. (I wasn't even on a cell phone, just didn't see him pull up in my blind spot. I heard his pipes before I saw him, that's what made me check again."

quote:

Originally posted by Ronnie P.:
The only think that is worse than someone chatting away on a phone and not paying attention is your LOUD ASS MOTORCYCLYES.

Seriously. It sucks and you guys on them suck.

I've never heard of any wrecks caused by the fact that a motorcycle had loud pipes, but I have heard of wrecks caused by someone talking or texting on a cell phone.

I do talk on the cell phone some when I drive, but I try to make it a short conversation and only do it if absolutely necessary. Texting and driving is just dumb.

Hey, Ronnie P, It's not just motorcycles that are affected by incosiderate people on cell phones/texting... it's EVERYONE on the road, regardless of what they are driving/riding. I have never in my 30 years of driving been affected by "loud ass motorcycles"... if your hearing is that sensitive, maybe you should stay off the road altogether.

I don't ride motorcycles and don't particularly care for them, but they have as much right to the road as anyone else. It all comes down to respecting others and seems you might be lacking in that area. I would much rather be in the middle of a group of loud motorcycles than behind/beside/in front of someone talking/texting on the cell phone while driving.

I read a while back that they are working on a chip that will eventually be standard in ALL cars and ALL cell phones. Seems the two chips will work together. If the driver attempts to use the cell phone for any reason (texting/talking) while the car is in motion, the signal will be blocked. The driver will have to stop the car and put it in park before the signal will be allowed out. The only exception will be for 911 calls. The signal will work for anyone in the back or front passenger seats, just not directly behind or within so many inches of the steering wheel. I think it's great idea. Of course some people here (who shall remain nameless) will have some type of gripe about it.... but then with people like that, it's all about them.... to heck with everyone else....

quote:

Originally posted by autumn1964:
I do talk on the cell phone some when I drive, and only do it if absolutely necessary. Texting and driving is just dumb.

Driving & talking on your phone is also dumb. That absolutely necessary call you just made only takes a second to kill someone. It's much safer to pull off the road first.

quote:

Originally posted by HARLEY FLSTS:
The one you keep easing forward on and getting as close as you can because you're too busy talking on your cell.

I was almost rear ended on Woodward a few days ago. The lady was putting her make-up on while driving.

quote:

Originally posted by semiannualchick:

quote:

Originally posted by autumn1964:
I do talk on the cell phone some when I drive, and only do it if absolutely necessary. Texting and driving is just dumb.

Driving & talking on your phone is also dumb. That absolutely necessary call you just made only takes a second to kill someone. It's much safer to pull off the road first.

That is a good point semi.

I'm still trying to figure what someone needs to talk about that is soooo important that it can't wait until they get home. Cell phones in cars should only be used for quick conversations (like to ask a question), and not for lengthy, shoot the bull talk. And texting while in the car should not be done while driving.

What about cell phones on motorcycles?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So2rZOeRLvU

I know you're making a joke (maybe!) I usually just wait until I stop. I can't hear the cell phone thru my helmet.

But, if you're serious, there's a company that makes helmet headsets, radios, and electronic gizmos that will integrate cell phones, music players, GPS thingys, and all manner of man toys and let you hear them through the headset. The cell phone overrides the radio automatically, and so forth. If you want the link PM me. We want to get a set so wife doesn't have to use hand signals to communicate with me when riding. Of course, I only know the one.

quote:

Originally posted by zippadeedoodah:
I know you're making a joke (maybe!) I usually just wait until I stop. I can't hear the cell phone thru my helmet.

But, if you're serious, there's a company that makes helmet headsets, radios, and electronic gizmos that will integrate cell phones, music players, GPS thingys, and all manner of man toys and let you hear them through the headset. The cell phone overrides the radio automatically, and so forth. If you want the link PM me. We want to get a set so wife doesn't have to use hand signals to communicate with me when riding. Of course, I only know the one.

The helmets with the built-in mics and speakers for communicating are awesome...and absolutely vital on long road trips. I would recommend all biker couples get a set.

For quite a bit less, you can just get the headsets that fit underneath the helmets.

The one company I know has a CB radio that mounts on the handlebar, antenna, helmet speakers and microphone, and an integration module you can plug your cell phone into. About $1800 for both bikes. There are others that are much less expensive, but I don't like the dongle mounted onto the helmet. Before serious riding season starts, we'll be getting something like that.

quote:

Originally posted by zippadeedoodah:
I know you're making a joke (maybe!) I usually just wait until I stop. I can't hear the cell phone thru my helmet.

Did you watch the video?

I have been a passenger in the car with people who would answer their phones and start lengthy conversations or start texting while they were driving, I have had no qualms about reaching across and taking the phone away from them. If I am a passenger in their car at their request, the least they can do is try to ensure MY safety. Yep, taken phones away from folks several times and not a one of them has ever asked me to get out of their car or not asked me to go with them somewhere a second (third, etc) time. AND they have always watched it with the cell phone from then on when I'm with them.

Just talked with a friend from out of state and told him about this subject on on the forum. He said he has several friends who talk/text while he is riding with them and he has often told them he feel unsafe with them doing that. They told him to relax, they were safe drivers. One night he got a couple of them in his car and he intentionally eased into the wrong lane (visibility was about 3 miles, so he could see in time to get back in the right lane) and would do little things like that with them in the car. When they complained he countered with "Don't worry, I'm a safe driver... it's not going to hurt to drive in the wrong lane for a little while".... they got the picture quickly enough.