Underage Driving In The Catskills

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  • #590296

    this really should have been written prior to the summer but unfortunately we had to learn our lesson in a bad way. In the Catskills where there are twisty and windy roads no one under the age of 21 should be driving a car. It is a sacanos nefoshos. This summer a 19 year old was driving in the Catskills and got into an accident somehow and R”L was niftar.

    Even those over 21 should drive with much caution and especially at night.

    #686246
    Be Happy
    Participant

    When my husband turned over in his car our Rebbe made him promise that he would always keep to the speed limit and to the laws of the land (E.G no talking on phone while driving)While driving with due care and caution accidents are a llot more rare. Hashem Yishmo

    #686247

    yup. The problem in todays day is TEXTING

    #686248

    not only is texting a problem it’s a sickness. people are addicted to it. Everysecond they are texting. EVEN DURING DAVENING

    #686249
    noitallmr
    Participant

    Sorry about my ignorance- but how can you text whilst driving, I mean practically how is it possible?

    #686250

    let me explain you: you pick up your blackberry while you are driving down route 52 and you start pressing letters and you pick up your head to look at the road every other second. but sometimes you forget!!!and R”L…

    #686251

    and you know good and well what i’m referring to

    #686252
    mepal
    Member

    Come on, noitall. They dont do that in the holy UK?

    #686254
    jphone
    Member

    I do quite a lot of driving to and from and in the Catskills. I dont see too many “underage” drivers. I do see way to many underage hitchikers.

    It is the “above age” drivers that are often driving well above the speed limit, disregarding the local traffic laws and generally creating hazardous driving conditions (more hazardous that a dark twisting, hilly road already is.

    #686255
    noitallmr
    Participant

    mepal- it’s very possible they do it just never entered my mind that people are so crazy. I can’t say I never speak whilst driving but to text??? The first and most basic rule of driving is- KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD! But if there’s a lot of it happening why ban calling before texting?

    #686256
    jphone
    Member

    My sister tells me that when she took drivers ed in high school (over 25 years ago), the very first thing the instructor told the car full of girls was “rule number 1, always keep you eyes on the road. If I see anyone using the rearview mirror to adjust their hair, they flunk!”.

    Regarding texting. In England they put out a very realistic PSA (public service announcement) about the dangers of texting and driving. I tried to watch this PSA online and was so sickened that I turned it off about 90 seconds into a 4+ minute spot. It seems texting while driving is the latest problem with technology and driving.

    For those adults who dont “text”. Keep in mind that checking your email on your blackberry (and replying) is the exact same thing, even if it isnt called texting.

    #686257
    mepal
    Member

    noitall: yes, it is done, unfortunately. I guess people cant curb the urge to read and then reply to a new text/email/chat etc. I’ve been driven by someone that moved the wheel with his knees while texting and driving. It was sickening. Even speaking on the phone while driving is very distracting. You watch people drive like drunkards (like lagging over to the side of the road and then quickly catching the wheel) while yapping on the phone. Pathetic.

    #686258

    There is more to add.

    Safe tires! Addition to the fact that you can get A ticket of $3-400.

    It was happening already by A curve, it was lying A dead animal in middle of the road (not deer) and A car with A bad tire made A swerve to cross it out and start skidding landing into A ditch, and it was the end of the car.

    Imagine someone walking on side Ch”vsh etc.

    #686260
    bpt
    Participant

    I’m with you all the way on this topic. Teens get behind the wheel with little sleep the night before and are unfamiliar with the winding roads. Its bad enough to speed on the thruway or the 17, But to do so on the back roads?

    The fatal accident last summer in Woodridge was a friend of ours, so this really a sensitive topic.

    #686263
    bpt
    Participant

    Dear Mods –

    Thank you for removing the last 2 posts.

    #686264

    Underage driving is an issue in the catskills.

    Additionally, as one who spends all week in the mountains, and not just on weekends, I have to add that there are other dangers as well.

    1. Drivers picking up hitchhikers at dangerous places in the road. Such as right over the top of a hill, or in middle of the road! Or right around the bend. When one is driving at 55 and there is oncoming traffic there is often no where to swerve to.

    Yes, it’s a great idea to give people a ride especially when it’s hot outside. BUT SAFETY FIRST!!!

    2. The walkers. Askonim should really petition the gedolim to ban this just as they banned underage drivers. I can’t tell you how many times I came around a curve only to find three women with little children and strollers walking halfway across the lane. Unfortunately, ‘chayecha kodmim’ and if there is no where safe to pass, these people may be responsible for their lives. This is a really serious issue.

    3. Lastly, drivers of all ages (and particularly women) who are not accustomed to driving on any highways, and certainly not on curvy roads, (as they do not exist in brooklyn) are suddenly driving these roads in an unfamiliar environment. They are not used to driving at speeds over 20-30 MPH, and thus misjudge the speed at which oncoming cars approach. This holds true when merging into traffic, turning onto a road with oncoming traffic, and even crossing the street.

    These are serious dangers that we all must be aware of when traveling upstate this summer.

    #686265

    I just wanted to add to what was said about walkers. If 3 women are dangerously walking, how about when there is a whole camp walking somewhere and the counselors can’t always see all the kids-even more dangerous and camps should not walk places.

    #686266

    Right!!! People should at least walk like Sheep- one behind the other.

    Taken from A magazine for summer days.

    #686267
    ZachKessin
    Member

    The problem is not texting, it that people don’t pay attention when driving. When driving a car your first and only responsibility is to DRIVE THE CAR and do so in a safe way. If you need to text, daven, set your GPS etc find a safe spot and pull over.

    This does not need Gadolim, it needs everyone to act with basic sanity. Put on your seat belt, slow down and keep your eyes on the road!

    #686268

    I once saw, Stating that if cars would have been in

    the S’NAHADRI’NS time, They would A’SE’R to drive A Car- since so many Casualties has happened. So A Rav concluded We doesn’t have the power to A’SE’R it, Then we must obey all the laws of safety like if obaying the A’SERE’S H’DIBRO’S.

    #686269
    Health
    Participant

    Nowadays no one under 25 should drive around mountainous areas, unless there is another >25 driver in the car. <25 doesn’t have enough experience driving in all sorts of conditions. Sorry to rain on your parade, but better safe than sorry. I know I will get a lot of flack for this, but that is because we have very little responsibility in our generation.

    #686270

    There was A study (I’m not technical) that Pilots who have ate “High (saturated) Fat” made less mistakes of others who ate Low Fat.

    Look it up- yourself.

    #686271
    Health
    Participant

    Sam -I believe the study without looking it up. Fat gives more energy than any other food. But unfortunately, a lot of High Fat is dangerous!

    #686273

    It’s not! I will discuss it in the other Thread.

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