Danielle Scherer demonstrates how she texts while driving without getting caught. Click for video by Mike Anderson.
Video: We hit the streets to find out what Los Gatans really thought about text messaging while driving. One woman said her method allows for “some vision of the road,” while another man said he stopped texting after nearly crashing on Highway 17. Text messaging while driving makes you 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident, according to research released last week from Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute.
Comments (8)
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Concerned for for our lives Wed, Aug 05, 2009 - 2:17 pm
Watch out Los Gatos. With irresponsible idiots like Danielle Scherer on the road none of us are safe.
Bob Mon, Aug 10, 2009 - 7:29 am
I think new car manufacturers should install devices that would block all cell phone signals as soon as the car is started.
Confused Tue, Sep 22, 2009 - 9:51 pm
If such a device was made into cars, What would happen if you crashed your car and were severely injured, but your key was still in the on position? Or the engine was somehow still running? Also, should nobody in the car be allowed to use their phones at all or just the driver? No, I think a better solution is what’s happening now. Every day another person has a close call like the man mentioned in the article and won’t use their phone while driving again. I’m sure all of these people tell their friends not to use their phones while driving using this personal anecdote and the not using of cell phones spreads like a virus. the steep fine for getting caught has the same effect, I’m sure.
Bob Thu, Sep 24, 2009 - 10:51 am
Confused…..
You say word of mouth and steep fines will control cell phone usage while driving. Take a look at drunk driving. Has the threat of jail time, suspension of the drivers license, huge fines, increases in insurance rates or loss of insurance, serious if not fatal accidents curbed the problem of drunken driving? Not that I can see. People have been drinking a lot longer than they have been using cell phones. Read the Los Gatos Weekly section under police reports and hardly a week goes by where some alcohol related incident isn’t reported. So, tell me, why do you think people will police themselves regarding the use of cell phones,which I believe is a lot less serious than drunk driving. It will not happen. Human nature. Pick any street corner and spend an hour or two observing drivers. Do this for a week. Then come back and tell me people are willing to put their cell phones away while driving because someone told them it is dangerous to use one while driving and they could possibly face a large fine.
ed Wed, Aug 12, 2009 - 2:39 pm
she should be targeted by the police for specific letter of the law enforcement
Bob Thu, Aug 27, 2009 - 1:59 pm
I absolutely do not understand some people. Yesterday I watched as two cars consecutively ran the stop sign at Englewood and Kennedy. This morning a driver blabbing on her cell phone shot through the light at Daves ave. and Winchester at a speed of around 40 miles per hour. This afternoon a driver blew through the red light at LG Blvd. and Blossom Hill. Too many people too intent on their personal agenda to be considerate of other drivers.
Andy Mon, Dec 28, 2009 - 12:15 am
right… rapidshare search
Gerardo Guarneri Tue, Jan 19, 2010 - 5:13 pm
We’ve taken the first step - texting (and I include talking as well, even if the phone is held in front of your face like a PDA).
What needs to happen next is for insurance companies to look at DWTT the same way as they see DWI.
There seems to be an air of resignation about enforcing this law since officers can’t see the device below the window line, even if the offenders intent gaze in the direction of their crotch is clear tipoff that DWT is in progress. Law enforcement needs to implement specific methods for detecting DWT - unmarked vehicles (I suggest vans for their elevated vantage point to see the phone in the lap) with someone riding shotgun to spot offenders so the CHiP driving can pay attention to the road.
It seems a given that DWT is as dangerous as DWI - when will all stakeholders (including law enforcement and insurers) get with it?