First Drive to CP

^ - wouldn't really matter. The distraction is in focusing on the conversation, not holding the inanimate object to your head.

Of course, we haven't outlawed passengers, radios or kids from cars yet, so why cell phones get a bad rap, I don't know.

Ensign Smith said:
And don't gawk too much at the Point skyline as you drive over the causeway. That's a good way to run over a goose.

Thanks to you, my Arbys sandwich is all over my monitor. But in truth, that will forever have made my day. :)

It's only the people who pay more attention to their cell phone than the road that cause problems. Responsible drivers shouldn't be penalized for other peoples' irresponsible decisions. I think talking to passengers in the car is more distracting than the phone, as most people tend to look away from the road to look at the person they are talking to. If someone can't focus their attention on the road while talking on their phone, it's up to that individual to make the smart and responsible decision to know they aren't capable of driving and talking at the same time. Of course, people taking responsibility for their own actions is something that never seems to happen much these days.

Anyway, back on topic. The drive home from CP can be a tough one regardless of what direction you are heading. When I was younger, my parents always insisted I should take the turnpike because it was "safer" then Rt. 2. However, on the turnpike every mile of road looks exactly like the mile before it, and I found that made me really tired really fast. So now I take Rt. 2 because I find the changing scenery and curves in the road help keep me more alert. It's really about finding what works for you. For a first trip for a young driver, I'd suggest trying to leave the park at a time when you can make it home before or around dark just to see how you do in the daylight before you try it at night.

My key to driving home after a full day somewhere, is caffine, peppy music (I make playlists for different trips) and if for some reason that doesnt work, I pull off at a rest area, lock the car, recline my seat and take a nap. 1/2hr later, Im good to go.

What, you all can't drive, talk on the phone, talk on the radio, listen to a scanner, IM on your laptop, read a weather radar, watch a GPS map, and change the radio station all while eating mcdonalds?

You guys disgust me.

Never drove to CP but will come June. I did however drive to SFGAdv in June 2006. From Alabama to New Jersey, eighteen hours. Alone.

I'm getting my license in April, but I doubt my parents will let me drive 700 miles to Cedar Point....

I would be able to get my license around April, but my mom said we may go up early to get our passes redeemed. She told me I would have to write turn by turn directions.

I agree with Ralph. The changing scenery and layout of RT.2 is a good way to stay awake after an hour or two of straight road. I've been taking 2 the past 3 years of driving to the point and I've never felt a true sense of danger from driving it.
In fact, most of the danger, for me, is on 75 on my way home. On multiple occasions, I've been forced into other lanes by reckless drivers and (even more dangerously) reckless semi truck drivers. That on top of the never ending straight road and a 12:00-1:00am timeframe can be quite a dangerous combination. Many times I've fallen to fatigue and spacing out. Heck, at one point I'll be crossing the Ohio/Michigan border, the next I'm at my house.....trying to recall the past 45 minutes.:)
Since then, if I feel that I might succumb to any kind of serious fatigue on the way home, I will grab an energy drink or caffeinated drink to get me threw it, which it usually does. And (this goes to any new driver) if there ever comes a point when you start to dose off, pull over so you can recover yourself, it'll help more than you know.

As for cell phone conversations, I'll admit I'm guilty of talking while driving.....but I do not make it a top priority and try to keep the conversations quick and to the point. And on the way home, I usually give a quick call home to notify of my return....then the phone goes off. That's the best way to keep you from talking while driving.;)

I've never had a problem driving home. To be honest, the only time I've ever dosed off for a second was actually on my way to CP one morning (daylight however). Thank goodness for the rumble strips. I've always taken the Turnpike home, but maybe this season I'll give Rt. 2 a try. It's obviously helpful if my friends stay awake for conversation, but if they sleep I put on some good music and just enjoy the drive. I can remember the best drive home ever was a warm summer night in either July or August. My friends were sleeping. I put my window down, opened the moonroof and cranked Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The warm summer air was so refreshing. It was the best drive ever.

I LUV having the window down on a nice summer night, it's my favorite time to drive. My music selection is different however.:) (long story)

I fell asleep in 03 on Closing day. I don't ever drive that tired anymore unless I absolutely have to.

I may drive with 10,000 electronics in my truck distracted to high heaven, but I don't like driving tired.

I have to agree that I am more apt to start falling asleep on the way to CP then the way home. We have to leave here by 6am and there is just something about I-71N in the early morning with no traffic. Especially when the sun doesnt rise till later. One morning this past October my hubby actually caught me falling asleep. He said "you ok?" and I looked up and I had started drifting into the other lane. Whoops!

Ever get so tired that you actually think "ya know, the car is going straight, I can just rest my eyes for a minute"
That's when you know you're too tired to drive! :)

As for cell phones-I have seen FAR too many people doing stupid things while talking and driving. The younger drivers are bad (She denies it but I know my youngest text's when she drives! Yikes!) but the soccer Moms in their mini vans are the WORST! Yacking more important then driving apparently.
I don't talk and drive unless I have to and it is never when I am pulling my horse trailer, loaded or not!

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 1229 :)

^ - the best is the "soccer moms" in their 4x4 SUV's who will tip-toe around pot-holes and dirt and mud.

When buying a 4x4 you should have to sign a legally binding agreement that you will get it dirty at least once a week and take it off-roading at least once a year. Jeeps I know run better when this regiment is followed.

During college, I put my '01 Cherokee in a hood-deep 'puddle', where it stayed for almost 2 hours while my friends and I walked nearly 2 miles to the nearest piece of civilization - a small bar. As it turns out, someone there knew a guy with a tow truck (not surprising for the U.P., really), who was more than happy to winch me out.

After waiting for the water to drain from the vehicle, I checked the oil for any water, and found none. It fired right up, and ran like a champ for as long as I owned it, even making a round trip to California the following summer.

Jeeps rule. :)

Yeah, if you're going to do serious off-roading (and that involves being near hood-deep puddles), you need to have a winch on the jeep. Preferably 2, one front, one back.

I miss my Jeep. :(

As much as I miss my Cherokee, I miss my Liberty even more. Despite popular (read: uninformed) opinion, it was superior to the Cherokee, despite (or, more accurately, due to) having IFS.

JuggaLotus said:
When buying a 4x4 you should have to sign a legally binding agreement that you will get it dirty at least once a week and take it off-roading at least once a year. Jeeps I know run better when this regiment is followed.

So does my 4x4 Tacoma! I have a BLAST when I go off roading with it! I love doing that! I got it so muddy one time last spring that physical security where I work contacted me and asked me to go wash it because employees were complaining about all the mud my truck was "dropping" in the parking lot. Classic! :)

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 1229 :)