Date:         Mon, 20 May 2002 10:54:44 -1000
Reply-To:     Imua Camper Company <res0jfr1@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Imua Camper Company <res0jfr1@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Bumper Stickers
In-Reply-To:  <002b01c2003e$21c312c0$3651530c@pavilion>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>My wife complained to me a few weeks ago, "Whenever you talk on the cell
>phone, you slow down and leave too much space in front of you."
>
>I'm still scratching my head over that one.
>
>No doubt cell phones are a distraction, but as Bill pointed out, so are many
>other things.  The trick is to maintain driving as the top priority.  I have
>many times done the " 'Hang on a sec.' and drop the phone" routine, just
>because I don't like what traffic is doing ahead of me.
>
>Karl Wolz
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Bill N" <freeholder@STARBAND.NET>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 8:56 AM
>Subject: Re: Bumper Stickers
>
>
>>  I use a phone while driving quite a bit, due to the nature of my business.
>I live in a rural
>>  area, and I might think again about it if I drove in congested urban
>areas.  However, ANY
>>  activity while driving has the potential to distract the driver.  I will
>pay more attention to
>>  the anti-phone crowd when they also want laws passed banning smoking,
>eating, radio adjusting,
>>  cd changing, girl watching, or any other potentially distracting
>activities.  Let's not forget
>>  that driving with both hands on the wheel is safer, so any of you that
>sometimes drive with one
>>  hand better shape up.
>>
>>  My Vanagon is an automatic, and that also helps since I don't need three
>hands to hold phone,
>>  steer, and shift.  Many insurance companies give non-smokers a discount
>because there is clear
>>  evidence that non-smokers have fewer accidents.  The evidence regarding
>phone use and accidents
>>  is conflicted, with reports coming down on both sides.  At least that
>makes it easy for anyone
>>  to find a study supporting their position.
>>
>>  Bill
>>
>>  > My vote is:
>>  >
>>  > "Hang up and Drive !"
>>  > one for the rear and one reversed on top, center of front windshield.
>  > >
>  > > JB - has phone and knows how/when to use it, rather, not to use it.
>  >

        The most dangerous thing I've tried while driving is carrying
2-1/2 year old twin boys.  The demands and distractions are constant
impossible to ignore.... sure, you could pull over to get that sippy
cup he keeps throwing down, but it's just RIGHT THERE, your fingers
can just touch it, just a little more...  the van is swerving, you've
slowed down to 35 on the highway,  but you get it!...  just in time
to here the other guy say he's lost his pillow.....and you know
*that* is a 'must have'...
        I do a lot of unbuckling at stop lights to jump to the back
and restore order before the light turns green again, but really, if
they are going to place restrictions on anything that causes
distractions in a vehicle, it should be driving with children... cell
phones are nothing compared to that stress....

Shawn
--
Volkswagen camper rentals in Hawai`i

  Imua Camper Company
http://www.imua-tour.com
45 Shipman Street, Hilo HI 96720
  Reservations:  reservations@imua-tour.com  -or-  1(877)773-4682
Hilo office (phone/fax)  1(808)935-6241