What a jackass!  He didn't even acknowledge the fact that he caused damage to your car.  He probably got his uncoordinated ass back on the phone after he drove off.  Ugh!

If people are going to take calls on their cell phones in cars, at the very least they should have either a wireless blue tooth or ear plug so that their hands are free.  I also agree that your attention is not 100% when on the phone.  

 

We had a 16 year old hit another car last year.  The woman driving the other car was 8 months pregnant.  The accident killed her and her baby.   The boy had just gotten his license.  He was reaching down in the seat to pick up a ringing cell phone.   What a horrible lesson for him and for the family who lost their loved ones.  

 

I can't believe anyone can text message and drive at the same time.  However, I do see women putting on makeup, polishng their nails.   I remember one person telling me they actually saw a man shaving in his car.  Crazy times!!!!

We had a friend of my daughter who also lost his life while talking on his phone and driving.  He ran right into the back of a huge truck!  Nothing can be that important, ya know? 

Here in the UK you cannot drive with a cellphone it's illegal, you can only use one if you have a handsfree set up otherwise it's a $60 fine and 1/4 of the points you are allowed on your licence

I think it's supposed to be illegal here, too, but everyone does it anyway!  You'd think communication was a big part of everyone's life!

I'll be honest communication IS my life, without it I wouldn't have friends etc.  However there is a time and place for everything and endangering people's lives is not a time or a place to be dealing with such things as communication 

I understand ... It's just that talking and communication are two different things! 

And lets face it most if not all of it is talk

Yes, exazctly!  And for centuries, humankind existed without the convenience of carry-along communication devices.  Along with most of the rest of the Western world, I have a cell, but I do not answer it when I'm driving.  My kids know this and my friends and employer know this.  They've been instructed to leave a message and I respond as soon as I can ... which is sooner than I would if I didn't have a cell.  I see so much, though when I'm driving ... so many people not paying attention and they don't even realize it! 

Thanks for calling that to our attention. I ride a bike an am constantly on the alert foridiots like that. I have wondered if people even realize how bad the drive while they are on the phone.

 

Stay off the phone while you are driving, the biker you save may be me!!!

exactly! 

I'm pleased you've brought this up.  If it make anyone think twice about it ...good!  Interestingly, I was talking with a deputy prosecutor this week on a different matter, and this subject came up.  She estimated that (depending on a person's attention span)... but that up to 90% of attention was focused on the conversation.... leaving 10 % to driving.  This is unacceptable.  I think even with the 'hands free' - there is focus on the conversation that takes away from driving ... and reaction time.IT DOESN'T MATTER... whether it is in your ear/hands free or with the phone to the ear!  The focus problem is - - your focus is on the conversation, the call.
Look, I've done it myself.  Talked on a cell while driving.  When hanging up once, I shuddered... thinking how did I get from point A to point B?   I was so focused on communicating a point.   I am not a control freak, nor do I want the government meddling... but we need TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.  We are capable of KILLING someone by not paying attention.  By not focusing on the road.. because we just had to have that conversation... 
Is it worth it?
I don't think so!

I am sorry you had to deal with a side swipe and an irresponsible person not willing to stop and apologize and take responsibility for his actions.  He could be any one of us that chooses to believe that we are 'different' that we can focus 100 percent on BOTH driving and phone conversation.

Yes indeed!  It's not the "hand holding" part that is particularly dangerous.  It is the fact that we can only focus our attention on one activity at a time.  I have seen people whose attention is on their conversation ...and it's scarey!  I have also seen plenty of people whose attention is NOT on their conversation but on their driving ... which is OK, but then ... why bother?  Why not simply say ... "I'll call you back."  or something along that line.  We have made ourselves slaves to our phones ... not a wise thing!