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Texting and Driving...

11/28/2014

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This is a companion entry to "Cellphone Addiction and Distraction" that can be found by scrolling down three posts.
It continues to amaze me that despite the clear and present danger of texting and using cell phones, even hands-free, many drivers consider the risk worth the price of getting into an accident. It seems to be the prevalent attitude that “it will not happen to me”, of course until it does happen. It is similar to the use of seat belts and the total disregard for the data from the last 50 years that proves that seat belts save lives. Unfortunately, we see in news programs that many people die and are injured because of distracted driving and the lack of seat belt use.

At any given time during daylight hours, 700,000 drivers in the United States use cell phones. Whether it is texting, taking a phone call, or sending emails, cell phone use is associated with higher rates of dangerous or fatal car crashes. Accidents involving drivers using their cell phones are avoidable but many people put everyone’s safety at risk by ignoring laws against distracted driving.

  • Texting while driving makes a driver 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident. Drivers talking on a cell phone are 4 times more likely to have a car accident.
  • Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver's reaction time decrease by a significant factor.
  • Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. That is enough time to travel the length of a football field when travelling at 55 MPH.
  • Studies have found that texting while driving causes a 400 % increase in time spent with eyes off the road.
  • 94% of drivers support bans on texting while driving.
  • 74% of drivers support bans on hand-held cell phone use.
And yet, with all of the numbers collected by the agencies responsible for telling is how dangerous it is, we persist.  The trend? We cannot put the genie back in the bottle so people will continue to believe that they are invincible.  I live in a state where the motto is “Live Free or Die” so I understand the value of personal freedom. But, when you send a text you are putting my life at risk! So, please put the damn phone down. The call or text is really not that important…


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Gift Cards: Some Thoughts...

11/7/2014

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It is that time of the year when we may be thinking about, or actually, buying gifts. And, according to the National Retail Federation, gift cards will make up about $25 billion of those gifts. Sometimes they are simply stocking stuffers, but cards are available with very high dollar amounts are not uncommon. Frequently gift cards are considered a “no thought gift” in that they are simply a way of giving money as a gift. But, in some instances they represent a lot of thought and have a specific item in mind to provide choice to the recipient. But, in all honesty, they are frequently picked up from a display stand in a store as a last minute purchase. But these cards can also be part of a scam that is currently being used. I will provide a link to the most common scams at the end of this post.
However, with all card there are some things to consider in order not to waste your precious dollars. First, is there an expiration date? Some Visa and Master Card gift cards do have a one or two year expiration and some even charge a monthly service fee. (Check Bankrate.com for current prices). Second, consider the wasted balance possibilities. If you use most of the money on the card but leave some behind it will be lost. Or, the recipient may have to add money to buy more than they intended. If there is money left behind or the person does not use the card the value will be gone. This is a windfall for the card seller and is called “breakage”. This is free money for the card originator. Third, some companies charge for gift cards. Sometimes it is a direct charge or simply shipping if bought online. Fourth, what happens if the issuing company goes out of business or goes into bankruptcy? Fifth, consider giving what I call a practical gift card for groceries or gas. If friends are struggling financially, these can help and are worth the good will and effort.
The trend here is not necessarily the increase in gift card sales but the possibilities for more scams. Check out the article on Scambusters.org here for the latest and greatest.



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