You know things are getting crazy out there when states start considering legislation against playing games while driving. Wisconsin is the latest to bring up the matter.
Now, I don’t know if anyone has yet been seen playing a computer or console while driving, but it wouldn’t surprise me. There is no limit to human stupidity.
In New York state, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving. No one seems to be paying attention to that, from what I see every day. It’s only one step from that to a PSP or DS, or even a laptop.
Of course, the real question is whether such a law, if passed, would really do any good. While there are certainly plenty of idiots behind the wheel, my guess is that only a very small percentage would do something so moronic. Then again, it only takes one jerk to cause an accident.
The proposed law, by the way, covers more than gaming; it includes watching movies while driving, too. I can see more people doing that than playing games. I bet some are doing it already.
There are times I think we should have stayed in the trees. Life would be a lot simpler.
Weird. I’ve never heard of nor seen people playing video games while driving. Drivers zoned-out and doing crazy things while on a cell phone, yes (it’s not illegal in CA), but never anything that would keep their eyes pointed out their windshield.
Not that having their eyes “on the road” always makes a difference. Last year I had a guy on a cell phone come at me from the opposite direction on a one-way street. Fortunately I was stopped at a light. I watched his eyes as he slowed to the intersection and made a left in front of me. Glazed eyes. He never showed any awareness of what he was doing as he talked into the phone glued to his ear. No doubt if asked later if using a cell phone while driving is dangerous he’d claim it makes no difference in his driving. And he’d be telling the truth, as he knows it.
I guess a law makes it possible to sue the idiot for being at fault, though. Whether he’s on a cell phone or playing Mario.
It’s a sad thing that they have to create a law to outlaw such behaviour. It would seem that common sense would prevail. I would be almost tempted to say let nature take it’s course if it wasn’t for the chance of innocents being hurt.
I wish they would outlaw cell phone use while driving everywhere, not just NY and a few other states. The other day I saw someone blow through a stop sign in my neighborhood because they were talking on the cell phone instead of paying attention to the road.
Xian, you’re old enough to know that “common sense” is really uncommon these days. Note Dell’s post on the jerk with the cell phone.
Now, suppose all cars were required to have a coating that blocked cell phone usage. Of course, everyone would complain. But it might go soem ways to solving part of the problem.
Of course, I don’t know if such a coating exists, but hey, maybe they can invent one.
Many years ago my Dad took me to the airport to fly back home from a visit. Some jerk on a cell phone pulled away from the curb and right into him. Fortunately he wasn’t going very fast and didn’t really hurt my Dad, but Dad sure did chew him out. He apologized profusely and agreed it was all his fault. I hope he learned something.
Scorp I read about a paint being developed that can block wireless signals, but really it wouldn’t help. It would just create and after market demand for an in car signal repeater.
Getting drivers to pay attention in general is the issue, not any specific distraction. And I have to go with the sci-fi writers on this one. It will be an issue until cars can drive themselves, which I still see as a long way off.
Yeah Barg, almost anything can be a distraction, although these days, I think the use of cell phones is becoming a major one.
As for cars driving themselves, well I’m in no hurry for that day myself.