Travel Now, Talk or Text Later

How a lot of you bear in mind “Car Talk”, the wildly widespread NPR present with Tom and Ray Magliozzi, often known as “Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers”? Not solely have been they brothers, however each graduated from MIT. They have been strolling encyclopedias of automotive knowledge. And frequent sense.

To them, automotive security meant extra than simply mechanics. It meant drivers needs to be sensible about their motoring. Their widespread bumper sticker learn “Drive Now, Talk Later”.

They meant speaking on cellphones, after all. But to replace their mantra you possibly can add “Text Later.”

That’s truly the regulation in Connecticut: All drivers should use hands-free gadgets for telephone calls, and it’s unlawful to textual content or use any hand-held cellular gadget whereas working a motorcar. If you’re beneath age 18 you’re not allowed to make use of any cellular phone, hands-free or in any other case, whereas driving.

Last yr’s “Put the phone away or pay” marketing campaign in East Hartford and Manchester noticed 365 tickets issued in a single month whereas State Police tallied virtually 600 citations in the identical interval. And we’re speaking a $200 to $625 high quality.

But I see it each day … individuals can’t put down their telephones. I’m behind a man at a pink mild. It adjustments to inexperienced and he doesn’t transfer, clearly checking his telephone. A slight faucet on the horn (after a really affected person 10 seconds) and he lastly takes off.

Are all of us so addicted? I actually marvel what dad and mom with an SUV full of children are pondering once they drive down busy streets juggling a latte in a single hand and a cellphone within the different.

Once, when caught in crawling site visitors on I-95, I truly noticed a man studying a guide. I’ve seen different drivers shaving or placing on make-up. Give me a break!

But I’d carry that message of attentive commuting to different journey environments as nicely, particularly on the practice.

Several years in the past, whereas serving on the CT Rail Commuter Council, I attempted to influence Metro-North to ascertain “Quiet Cars” on their trains … cellphone free environments the place riders in search of peace wouldn’t want to listen to some self-centered hedge-fund seller yelling at his buying and selling desk in a voice that carries by means of all the automotive.

“Hey. It’s me.” Who cares? “I’m on the train”. Yeah, I do know. “Just thought I’d check in on that last trade.” I want I might try.

Years after Amtrak and different commuter rail techniques adopted “Quiet Cars,” Metro-North lastly agreed to provide it a attempt in 2011. But they by no means enforced the principles and dropped the plan, utilizing COVID because the excuse.

If we used to have smoking and non-smoking automobiles, why can’t we’ve “Quiet Cars” as nicely? The issues of annoying chatter persist. A ticket on the practice buys you transportation, not the proper to harass your fellow passengers with a recitation of your woes.

A buddy on Metro-North says she was seated subsequent to a girl on the telephone complaining to a buddy about her day and a splitting headache. When she hung up my buddy requested if she wanted a Tylenol. Cell-lady gave her a “Hrumph” and accused her of eavesdropping.

What’s the correct etiquette for cellphone use on the practice?

Try to make the decision quick and at a low talking quantity, and cup your hand across the mouthpiece. If an extended name is critical, get out of your seat and speak within the vestibule. And to ensure that incoming calls don’t trouble anybody, depart your telephone on vibrate.

It’s only a matter of consideration of your fellow riders.