Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Timely Ideas

In class last night we talked about possible projects. UPR (USU's NPR network) had an interesting discussion today about Rachel's idea to think about texting and driving as a possible topic. I was fascinated to listen about the tragedy that occurred in Vernal when a driver who was texting hit a young man from the Jr. High and killed him. What a horrific accident!  Texting seems to be on the rise, and it's a great problem to address.

NPR had a couple of guests talking about the issue. They had a Dr. Strayer who has been doing research on the quality of thinking as we text, or multitasking, etc. and another guest who can talk about the issues of policing people who are texting.  You can read the story or listen to the entire discussion at:  http://upr.org/programs/access-utah.

Pay attention to the upcoming membership drive. I'll match your contribution to UPR if you have decided that it's a valuable resource to you!

10 comments:

  1. Texting is a great tool, when used properly. However, texting in a vehicle should never happen and people who are willing to take these risks are need to be willing to take harsh punishment for their behavior. I found it interesting that they mentioned that Utah has one of the toughest laws on texting, but are drivers in Utah informed on these laws? Honestly I think that we need to inform drivers on the law, I don't think people really feel that texting and driving is against the law. I agree that we need to take action instead of talking about regulating these laws. Texting and driving is preventable. I like how they pointed out that it is beyond stupid but it is criminal, I agree because it is endangering other peoples lives not only the texting driver. I would like to see what "Tommy's Law" would suggest for penalties. I would hope that the road could be widened and Vernal City would also put in sidewalks to make this road safer. I would also like to see the bus on this road could be resumed to protect other children.

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    1. Unfortunately, I think many people do realize that texting is against the law. However, whether they agree that it should be against the law is the question. I think most people get so caught up in the rest of their daily lives, that driving safely just isn't as much of a priority as it should be. I know a few people that will even be on Facebook while driving (it really is a terrible habit). It would be great if they made the streets safer for pedestrians (like putting in more sidewalks, and making the roads wider). Great thoughts Heather!

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  2. I'm glad that you put this on here, Dr. Talley. That discussion was eye-opening.
    I think something that drives me crazy is when people feel like it's okay to text when they're waiting at a stop light. First, it's annoying because they may not realize that the light has changed, but secondly, it means that they're not aware of what's happened since they looked down when they first stopped. In those few seconds, the environment can change in such a way that the driver is now at a great disadvantage and may do something stupid. In my opinion, drivers need to be totally focused on driving for a long as they're on the road, period. If they want to pull over in a parking lot to text, read messages, or call someone, that's fine, but if someone's driving a car and it's about ready to move, that driver need to be watching everything that's going on around that car.
    It's devastating that's it's taken the loss of Tommy Clark for people to get fired up about this, but maybe with this tragedy in mind, things might change for the better.

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    1. I also thought this made for a great discussion and was not only as Rachel said "eye-opening," but also "memory triggering." Laws are put into place for our benefit and many times we "bend" or "break" the laws for our own benefit - things like speeding if we are late to an appointment, driving when we are tired, or talking on our cellphones or texting on our cellphones. I agree with Rachel that drivers need to be completely focused on their driving. Easier said than done if you already are in the habit of using your cellphones, etc., while driving. It is a learned behavior and if we are doing it we need to stop and if our children are doing it we need to do our best to remind them, teach them, and encourage them to NOT be a DISTRACTED driver. A distracted driver can be anyone who is angry when driving, being tired when driving, or just letting our minds wonder while driving - the end result can be the same. Because of what happened to Tommy Clark, I foresee a ripple effect starting with the Clark family going outward. This ripple effect will empower the need for additional education as well as the need to strengthen the laws regarding cellphone use/texting.

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    2. You're right we do bend or break laws for our own benefits. I also agree that we need to be 100% focused on our driving when we are behind the wheel of a vehicle.
      I like what you said about even if a person is angry while they’re driving, that they are distracted. This reminds me of something I seen last week. A mother had two kids in the back seat of her car. These kids were obviously fighting. The mother became angry, and started disciplining her children. At one point she even reached back to break up the fighting. While doing so she inadvertently ran a red light. She was very lucky that it wasn't a busy intersection and that they weren't hit.
      I know that I am guilty of letting my mind wander while driving. I feel like I'm constantly thinking about everything that I need to do, that sometimes I don't remember the drive. I know I need to work on concentrating on just that one task of getting where I need to go safely.

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  3. I have been thinking about this topic over the weekend, especially ideas on how to enforce the law or to let the public be aware that texting is against the law. One idea I had was to have cell phone companies explain the no texting law and have each customer sign a written form that states they understand the law, on this they could inform each cell phone customer the knowledge and penalties if they break the law. However, this may help to decrease some, however it is just like speeding people know it is the law but still continue to speed. I believe that many people don't know or understand why texting is against the law. I think more of the general public need to be informed. I think the more informed people are the better chance we have to prevent texting while driving accidents and deaths. I would also like to see some type of law be put into place that people who text and drive who danger others would loose their right to have a cell phone, I think if they can't be responsible enough to not text and drive then they shouldn't be allowed to have a cell phone.

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    1. As I listened to the program, the thought also came to put some of the responsibility on the cell phone companies. Then tripping over this thought was another thought that why would the cell phone companies agree to this in that it might impact sells - cost of implementing such a program as part of the buying process or the chance itself of reducing profits, etc. I also thought of how Heather brought up how "speeding people know it is the law, but still continue to speed." In the program this was brought up in that cellphone users and those that text while driving agree with and support the laws insomuch as it pertains to the other drivers and not to themselves. We do things in our comfort zones and do not think it will ever happen to us - it is always the other drivers that might cause the accident and not ourselves. In the program it talked as if it was somewhat of a generational thing - I know of people 60 and under who talk on cellphones and even text while driving - though I have to say that it is mostly the younger generation who do this and it is important that this younger generation are well informed so that as time passes they are the ones who can teach the generations coming up. It is not that I do not think the older generation needs the information (that is a given), but it is just like the seat belt laws - I think it is a learned behavior and the best place to start is when you are young, especially with the new drivers and even new cellphone users.

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    2. Heather I love the idea of a person who is caught texting or driving to have their cell phone privileges suspended! I wish that more police officers would implement the no texting while driving law, and pull people over who they notice are doing it. However, I see cops in Tooele all the time on their cell phones, while driving. What kind of example are they setting, especially for teenagers who are just getting their drivers’ license? It's difficult to take a law seriously when it seems like the people who are supposed to be enforcing it don't even support it.

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    3. I like your idea about taking away the cell phone, but I'm not sure how that would work in the long run. Many parents believe that they need phones to keep in contact with their kids, employees may feel like they need phones for work, etc. I'm not sure if the law could limit phones or not; however, the law can take away someone's license for repeated offenses of drinking and driving, so I think I'd like to see the same kinds of penalties put in for texting and driving, since it's just as dangerous.

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  4. This kind of tragedy makes we wish there were a place in a car where phones had to be locked up or there cars would not start! In order for the car to continue its destination, the phone would have to be in a place in the car. I know this is unrealistic, but there has to be a way for cell phone laws to be intact. I like the idea of signing a waiver when you purchase a cell phone that you are breaking the law when you use your cell phone while driving. I don't want to be a involved in a tragedy like this, something has to be done in to protect the public in this cell phone interactive society. I think awareness and education on the topic is very important, I have noticed so many commercials on T.V. lately about texting and driving. I will certainly admit it has made me think twice about cell phones and driving.

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