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Yes, a part of me can forgive those dog owners.

For all group members: Happy Thanksgiving

Thanks Bentley

You too.

Vince

Hope it was a good one Vince.

Cell Phone Calls and Text Messaging are a big problem with teen drivers and even some adults.

Driver sent or got 11 texts in 11 min before crash

WASHINGTON (AP) � A 19-year-old pickup truck driver involved in a deadly highway pileup in Missouri last year sent or received 11 texts in the 11 minutes immediately before the accident, federal investigators said Tuesday.

The driver sent six texts and received five texts, with the last text just before his pickup traveling at 55 mph crashed into the back of a tractor truck, beginning a chain collision. The pickup was rear-ended by a school bus, which in turn was rammed by a second school bus.

The pickup driver and a 15-year-old student on one of the school buses were killed. Thirty-eight other people were injured in the Aug. 5, 2010, accident near Gray Summit, Mo.

Nearly 50 students, mostly members of a high school band from St. James, Mo., were on the buses heading to the Six Flags St. Louis amusement park.

The accident is a "big red flag for all drivers," NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman said at a meeting to determine the cause of the accident and make safety recommendations.

It's not possible to know from cell phone records if the driver was typing, reaching for the phone or reading a text at the time of the crash, but it's clear he was manually, cognitively and visually distracted, she said.

"Driving was not his only priority," Hersman said. "No call, no text, no update is worth a human life."

Remainder of article:





FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2010 file photo, a rescue worker is seen at the scene of an accident involving two school buses, a tractor-trailer and another passenger vehicle, near Gray Summit, Mo. Federal safety investigators say a 19-year-old driver was texting at the time his pickup truck, two school buses and other vehicles collided in a deadly pileup on an interstate highway in Missouri last year. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the information Monday. The board is scheduled to meet Tuesday to hear the results of an investigation into the accident near Gray Summit, Mo., and to make safety recommendations. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Bentley wrote: "Cell Phone Calls and Text Messaging are a big problem with teen drivers and even some adults..."

It is insane. THe UK has considered acting on teenage drivers because the number of accidents (often deadly) caused by @#$% texting has increased dramatically...

Not only did the young man sacrifice his own life which is so sad; what is even sadder and even more upsetting is that he injured 38 others and killed a young 15 year old girl. Just horrendous.

And the results are...recommend a ban for cell phone and texting for drivers. You wonder what the states will do??? I can understand the text, but drivers (including police) are going to have a hard time with this. It will be a hard sell IMHO.

Some states already have this law on the books and it is not enforced. Actually the article that you posted Bryan said 30 which surprised me that it was that much. I see some policemen driving with cell phones in their ear and since they are communicated with using other means (their dash, etc) - they were not talking to the dispatcher (smile). It is just people; they all believe that they are not impaired in the least. Look at people and how they are sitting even in a restaurant on in line at starbucks, they cannot stop texting, stop staring at the cell phone screen and making calls - I think it is an addiction which we start with our own children by giving them cell phones and texting privileges. They are never off - always on. I have a friend that when you are talking with him; he is never looking at you but at his three phones or one of his two mac airs; and he does not believe that he is not giving his full attention to his family, his colleagues or anybody else for that matter. He says that he knows what they said (lol).

Bentley wrote: "Some states already have this law on the books and it is not enforced."

I was wondering about that...I see cops talking on the cell phones going 70 mph quite a bit.

One of my friends was a teacher to the student who died on the bus. However, the texting couldn't be the only cause of the accident since one bus rear-ended the other.

So sorry to hear that Emily. Do you think alcohol could have been involved?

Emily, if you read the first post that I made it states in the article that it was a chain collision, the 19 year old caused the whole thing. He abruptly crashed into the tractor truck which caused other folks to crash into the crash, they had no where to go and could not stop abruptly like that.

I am so sorry for their loss and the loss of the life of that poor student (needlessly I fear). The parents must be absolutely devastated.

Bryan wrote: "So sorry to hear that Emily. Do you think alcohol could have been involved?"


No, the buses were too close together. Bus drivers try to stay together when traveling long distances; many times they drive too close to one another. As a result, when something happens they don't have time to stop safely. I'm pretty sure that is why the second bus rammed the first one.

I am reading what the article stated and I truly believe that if that pickup driver did not cause the first collision; the buses and their passengers would be OK.

Driving too close - it did not mention that and maybe you have some other information aside from the article. But one thing is clear - if the pickup driver had not had his accident with a tractor trailer no less - there probably is a 95% chance that the students would have gotten home safely that day aside from any bus drivers driving too close (which they might have been doing). Of course, their brakes could have been faulty too; but in an abrupt accident like that with folks going 55 miles an hour - it takes more than 250 feet to stop when you are going that fast which is the speed limit. Two hundred fifty feet!!!!

Bentley wrote: "I am reading what the article stated and I truly believe that if that pickup driver did not cause the first collision; the buses and their passengers would be OK.

Driving too close - it did not ..."

These are the original news article. The buses were about to enter a construction zone and all the drivers should have been alert.

These were their words:

Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Wilson said there was construction on I-44 near the Gray Summit exit. The semi driver slowed down almost to a stop. As that happened, the pick-up truck driver ran into the semi, which was not pulling a trailer. The 75-year-old bus driver could not stop and hit the pick-up. The second bus driver, a 38-year-old woman, crashed into the first bus.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the 75-year-old bus driver was inattentive and the 38-year-old bus driver was following too closely.'

The semi slowed down because he had too; the pickup driver was texting and was distracted and went into the back of the semi; the buses and anybody else needed 250 feet to stop and couldn't and the rest is history. Really same story but I do feel bad for the bus drivers - in that article they were getting more bad press (especially the 75 year old - probably because of their age which is not right) than the pickup driver who they discovered a year later (probably because of court cases) was texting!!!! That is the culprit. The other folks could have been following closely etc. but that was not the primary cause of the accident.

And Emily once again I am very sorry for the loss of that poor young girl. But nobody should be texting and driving and I think you would agree with that or do you? That was the only point I was making with the article and what they discovered about the 19 year old a year later.

Bryan, I agree with you - like I have said - so have I (I have seen them on the cell phones)

Emily, Bryan asked awhile back if there was any alcohol involved in post 112 - I would be interested in knowing if that was also the case.

The point is if the two bus drivers were alert and not tailgating, the buses would NOT have been involved in the accident. The drivers would have stopped in time. The girl killed on the bus was killed when the second bus rammed the first.

Yes, the pickup truck driver would have been killed anyway, but the others on the buses were needlessly injured and/or killed because the drivers were inattentive and careless. The second link makes that clear.

I think texting and talking on cell phones while driving is dangerous and the laws on the books should be enforced and not ignored. However, not every accident involving texting is 100% the texter's fault. There is plenty of blame to go around in this accident.

Anybody texting while driving a car is not just acting irresponsibly, it's stupid beyond belief.
The entire phoning, texting and whatever else people do with those phones (including staring at goodreads - smile) should be banned while driving.

I haven't heard whether there was any alcohol involved in the accident. If there was, I'm sure that will be revealed also.

Let us agree to disagree Emily. It would have taken a car or a bus traveling 55 miles an hour - 250 feet to stop. That is a mathematical fact. The first bus driver who just happened to be 75 years old could not have stopped in time - no matter what (unless she or he was more than 250 feet - which is a very long way by the way - behind the pickup truck).

The second bus driver would not have been able to stop on time either unless she or he was another 250 feet behind the first bus driver, etc.

I am glad that we have one point of agreement which really is the only reason I added the post - that texting and talking on the cell phones is dangerous and the laws on the books should be enforced and not ignored.

And not knowing the bus drivers and the bus company there could have been a lot of extenuating circumstances but stopping in time probably was not one of them especially for the first bus driver. That first article was very kind to the pickup driver and doesn't seem to fault him at all; it wasn't until the court cases probably started up and a year later they discovered that he was texting and just not once either. The article insinuates with a useless fact that it was almost as if because the semi was not pulling a trailer, the poor pickup driver did not realize the truck had slowed down. That article was extremely kind to him overall. And I do feel bad that he lost his young life - a shame.

I think though the situation wanted a scapegoat and the bus drivers were handy; the pick up driver was dead. Some blame maybe should also go to how the construction site was set up and whether there was any warning that vehicles were going to have to slow down - many times I have found the highway departments remiss.

But at the end of the day what a shame.

Andre, I am laughing at your comment about staring at goodreads from the cell phones.

We obviously will continue to disagree. Insurance companies access blame in accidents and, in this case, the pickup truck driver would not be blamed 100%. Each driver has the responsibility to drive defensively and safely. IF the bus driver was driving the speed you state, then it is the driver's responsibility to leave enough space to stop safely. Obviously, if someone cuts you off, there is an exception. In almost every state in the US, the driver who rear ends another vehicle, is considered at fault to some degree. I wish that wasn't the case since I drive in NJ, where people cut me off at least once every mile I drive. (Smile)

I think you are right (smiling in a good natured and pleasant way).

I think we must be driving on the same roads (another point of agreement - (smiling and nodding).

When I was in Massachusetts recently and they are also not known for their best driving skills, I was amazed how many folks stopped and allowed me to make turns or enter a line of traffic - it was really refreshing. You would not find that in New York or New Jersey - here it is "put the petal to the medal" and keep going or you will be rear ended.

Because the numbers were getting so dramatic a British School together with the local Police made this famous video/film.
If it doesn't help the @#$%s from texting while driving I don't know what will...

To get the mood back up: a very funny Dutch commercial featuring Eve and .... Adam (don't worry, as everybody knows they spoke English in Paradise):

Let me put it this way; this would stop most people. I read one of the comments that this was banned in America - I think this would save many lives.

´¡²Ô»å°ùé wrote: "To get the mood back up: a very funny Dutch commercial featuring Eve and .... Adam (don't worry, as everybody knows they spoke English in Paradise):

..."

Oh dear - the apple I guess looked like the best option.

Bentley wrote: "the apple I guess looked like the best option..."

It's an insurance company...

Tol chime in rather late on driving and cell phones - if police woudl enforce the currently often found "hands free only" you might create more awareness and incdrease safety. I agree that it is unsafe but think that incoming calls with hands free might be OK - when I drive (especially for work) I allow 30 - 40 minutes for every two hours for stopping and calling and e-mailing etc. - mostly I follow that rule.
But if it was totally banned I would not be unhappy.

Yes, Vince I understand what you are saying and couldn't agree with you more. Texting however should be verboten while driving and it should be common sense but does not seem to be.

To all group members who celebrate Christmas:

For others who celebrate Hanukkah:

What would Christmas - and life, for that matter - be without a good piece of Belgian chocolate?



Merry Christmas to all! (you'll find my latest Christmas card by clicking on "more photos" on my profile)

Belgian Chocolate - very good.

And your Christmas cards would not pass muster with Fox and Palin (smile). But neat just the same.

And who is unmasked? Merry Christmas to you and yours. Are you visiting family?

Bentley wrote: "Belgian Chocolate - very good.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Are you visiting family?..."

Thanks, Bentley! Merry Christmas to you! I bought myself a Christmas tree. Love the decorating and candles. Friends are coming over for dinner. It'll be nice.
And you?

It is always a big family day and everyone is of course over here.

Have fun all.

I hope that the spirit of Christmas and the lighting of the Menorah candles brings happiness and joy to one and all,today and for the coming year.

Thanks to all and to all Happy Holidays

Hope the holidays have been great for all.

Thanks, Bentley.
I got a severe case of stomach flu/ache before it really started so I was on a forced diet. But I'm not complaining. Reading makes one forget a lot - and then there is of course always the Christmas tree, which I'm looking at right now, candles aglow, as I write.
And you?

Thanks everyone and I hope everyone had a nice holiday.

Hope you are feeling better, Andre.

Jill wrote: "Hope you are feeling better, Andre."

Thanks, Jill, nice of you to ask. Yes, it's getting better but I still feel like @#$%.
Back to watching the candles and listening to Berry and Vincent Liben and reading nice books... so, life isn't bad.
The good thing is I couldn't eat any of my beloved Neuhaus chocolates so they're still all there sitting and waiting, instead of the box being half empty...
How did Santa treat you?

Very well. I hate to say it to someone who has the stomach flu but I ate like it was my last meal. My brother-in-law is Hungarian and he always fixes various types of sea food for Christmas Eve supper.......whiting, octopus, oysters,squid and then threw in some frog legs for good measure. Quite a feast!!!! I hope I haven't made you sicker with these comments.

Don't worry - since I love to cook myself I enjoy watching people preparing the dishes.
Hmmm - although as a vegetarian I prefer not to look at them chopping off the fishies' heads or pulling apart the other animals. And what I really can't stand is how they treat the lobsters...
Oh, Jill, now you got me going - ever been to a Chinese market? Doggies, cats, snakes, worms, rats hmmm, what shall we add....
A friend of mine has started a program she calls Doctor Dog, where she and other members of her team take dogs and other pets into the hospitals to the sick so people can get a feel for what an animal can do and be except stuffed in a cage and pot.

Oh dear.......I am a great animal lover and now I am feeling somewhat guilty about pigging out on fish.....I am not a red meat eater but love fish.
We have a program here where we take dogs to nursing and retirement homes to visit the residents. The joy that these animals bring to some of the people is wonderful to see. Animals offer unconditional love, don't they?

´¡²Ô»å°ùé wrote: "Thanks, Bentley.
I got a severe case of stomach flu/ache before it really started so I was on a forced diet. But I'm not complaining. Reading makes one forget a lot - and then there is of course a..."

Goodness Andre, I was sick too and had too much company to recuperate. Also migrating my software and docs to new computers which made me feel slightly better (smile). Sounds like we had the same thing. Went to the docs to get an antibiotic - not sure if it is doing much of anything. I had the flu shot too so go figure.

Jill, I think the frog legs did it for me.

Love animals so that is a great program from the sounds of it.

But Andre being born in Maine still makes me love a good lobster when I can get it and occasionally I love a good burger and/or filet.

Vegetables do not always do it for me although I try to get my greens and juice.

Speaking of animals, the beloved chimp, Cheetah, from the Tarzan movies dies at age 80....amazing.

Oh poor Cheetah.

Bentley wrote: "Goodness ´¡²Ô»å°ùé, I was sick too ..."

Bentley, and I thought all we had in common was the constant nodding...smile.

Hope you'll feel better soon!