I'm sorry to hear that, but I don't think that was quite what Laura meant...
If you're talking about distractions, then we should also consider cell phones, fast food, conversation and ICE/GPS as potential killers too.

Actually a friend of mine has such a phobia of any small and multi-legged - spiders, ants, centipedes, you name it, that she vacuums her car daily to try and avoid accidents, as her reaction to seeing a creepy crawlie is to let go of the steering wheel and duck. She's still had 2 ant-related accidents in the past 5 years though, and I'm trying to persuade her to see a phobia specialist so that she can at least gain enough composure to stop the car safely..

I don't think that was quite what Laura meant...

I know, but I'm still a silly rabbit.

OK...
7 years.

I doubt it, but it's worth a shot. (actually, if my g/f didn't ALSO smoke it would be esier.)

And probably. The odd thing is that there's no real pain for me. I just WANT one. Actually, it was easier to quit when I was on my ritalin. One of the effects of ADD is cumpulsive/addictive behaviour. I had quit for a year or so and then went through a rough period and jumped back on the wagon, so to speak.

Oh, as she quickly reminded me with a swat to the backside of the head, she is no longer my g/f, but my fiancee.

You mean you're not?

I *knew* I could depend on someone to ask!

Oh.....Not telling!

A part of me would say yes and a part of me would say no.

Laura, thanks for answering. When I find that dad-gumm magic wand (It's always flying off!) I'll be in touch.

(actually, if my g/f [FIANCE! FIANCE!}didn't ALSO smoke it would be esier.)

Yeah, for a person who decided that they do want to to quit, this is one of the biggest classic obstacles....

on somewhat of a similar note, my girlfriends brother, who has been smoking for about 10 years or so (he's 27) was just diagnosed with Emphysema. He of course had to quit the day his doctor told him about it. His fiancee quit smoking the same day.

The sad part about the whole thing is that his father who has been smoking for over 30 years and is a very loving, compassionate guy, cannot quit. His whole family has pleaded with him for years to stop smoking and he can't bring himself to do it.

It is a real shame that a thing as simple as a cigarette can bring a strong man to such a pathetic state as to not be able to stop smoking for the love of his son.

[judgemental statement]
People (especially those with families) who understand that smoking kills both themselves and people around them and still continue to do nothing to try and stop are among the most selfish people I know.
[/judgemental statement]

I had quit for a year or so and then went through a rough period and jumped back on the wagon, so to speak

[seinfeld reference]Isn't it "jumped off the wagon"?[/seinfeld reference]

[judgemental statement]
People (especially those with families) who understand that smoking kills both themselves and people around them and still continue to do nothing to try and stop are among the most selfish people I know.
[/judgemental statement]

How about this. My friend's girlfriend (who smokes and drinks) recently found out she was pregnant. When she found out she was pregnant, I believe she was already 5 months! She had been smoking and drinking all that time. Even worse, she hasn't stopped. That is a shame, and very sad. I must agree with your statement, and in this case, at least for the sake of the baby, expectant moms must be responsible.

Unfortunately, outside of the strong urging, coercing, etc that myself and all my friends have done, she won't/can't quit.

Just goes to show that just because you can get pregnant doesn't mean you should ever be a parent.

If you're talking about distractions, then we should also consider cell phones, fast food, conversation and ICE/GPS as potential killers too.

You bet. I'd be more than happy if drivers were banned from using a cell phone. I was nearly plastered by a woman yakking on the phone. I was saved by the fact that it takes longer to rollerblade across 2 lanes of a 4 lane street than it did for her to run the red light. She stopped in the middle of the intersection and shrugged at me. Then there was the time a guy rolled through a stop sign and into the middle of the crosswalk that I was currently in (missing me by about a foot). He was on the phone, too. You should have seen him jump when I slammed the shoes I was carrying on his trunk -- he followed me for 10 minutes, until I cut through the University of Toronto campus, where he couldn't follow in his car with a dented trunk.

I'd be more than happy if drivers were banned from using a cell phone

In Belgium it's been forbidden (since last year) to use a cell phone while driving. I you really want to phone you need to use a car kit. The fines are also pretty high.

Most people still do it though...

I'd be more than happy if drivers were banned from using a cell phone.

Some states in the US are working on passing this legislation. I think some already have.

Of course, if they do that, I think they also should ban drivers from eating, applying makeup, reading, and making empeg EQ adjustments.

Bumper sticker seen: "Maybe you'd drive better with that cell phone up your ass."

Metro NY(the five boroughs of New York City proper) has a ban on cell use without a hands-free headset. New Hampshire recently passed a 'Driving while distracted' law that gives police pretty broad discretion in what behavior constitutes 'distracted'. It could be anything from yelling at kids to reading a book while driving (yes, I have seen this!).

-Zeke

Here in Louisiana, distracted driving laws have been on the books for quite some time. It is, however, very rarely enforced. Usually when it is the cause of an accident, and another fine is issued.