Car crash kills Calif. man believed to be using laptop while driving

Iria · Feb 27, 2007, 04:43 AM

Source: Breitbart.com
__________
YUBA CITY, Calif. (AP) - A man who authorities say appeared to be driving while using his laptop computer died Monday when his vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Hummer.

After the crash, California Highway Patrol officers found the victim's computer still running and plugged into the cigarette lighter of his 1991 Honda Accord.

SFOSOK · Feb 27, 2007, 05:36 AM

At least the computer is alright.

CDsDontBurn · Feb 27, 2007, 05:47 AM

so, what's the difference between a civilian using their laptop and a cop using their computer laptop?

drivehard454 · Feb 27, 2007, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

so, what's the difference between a civilian using their laptop and a cop using their computer laptop?

Good Point.

Tril · Feb 27, 2007, 06:30 AM

He could have been using a pc based GPS system but the news would have talked about it.

SFOSOK · Feb 27, 2007, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

so, what's the difference between a civilian using their laptop and a cop using their computer laptop?

Cops are trained to drive and type at the same time (professional training, not training urself) and civilians are not only untrained but not allowed to.

Police officers are exempt from traffic laws while in a squad car.

Al_Vampyre · Feb 27, 2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFOSOK

Police officers are exempt from traffic laws while in a squad car.

Are they? I don't think they are in the UK, they have to obey all traffic laws here unless they are responding to an emergency and have the 'nee-naws' and lights on.

Anyway, using a laptop whilst driving is just plain stupid, but maybe he was just charging it up, we won't know because the driver is dead...

Iria · Feb 27, 2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al_Vampyre

Are they? I don't think they are in the UK, they have to obey all traffic laws here unless they are responding to an emergency and have the 'nee-naws' and lights on.

Anyway, using a laptop whilst driving is just plain stupid, but maybe he was just charging it up, we won't know because the driver is dead...

I find that charging a laptop ... unless you're using it ... works better if the laptop is off

... while the screen was smashed, the laptop was still on, according to the article anyway.

Nuke209 · Feb 27, 2007, 04:12 PM

I do use my notebook, (not using it while driving but) have it turned on and running while driving because I run a logging software to log my car. For tuning purposes

Feb 27, 2007, 04:43 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Car crash kills Calif. man believed to be using laptop while driving Source: Breitbart.com __________ YUBA CITY, Calif. (AP) - A man who authorities say appeared to be driving while using his laptop computer died Monday when his vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Hummer. After the crash, California Highway Patrol officers found the victim's computer still running and plugged into the cigarette lighter of his 1991 Honda Accord.

Feb 27, 2007, 05:36 AM	#2
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	At least the computer is alright. __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Feb 27, 2007, 05:47 AM	#3
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,779 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	so, what's the difference between a civilian using their laptop and a cop using their computer laptop? __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Feb 27, 2007, 04:12 PM	#9
Nuke209 DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. Paul Posts: 568 Rep Power: 0	I do use my notebook, (not using it while driving but) have it turned on and running while driving because I run a logging software to log my car. For tuning purposes __________________ 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX

Feb 27, 2007, 06:30 AM	#5
Tril S-3D enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,676 Rep Power: 64 System Specs	He could have been using a pc based GPS system but the news would have talked about it.