Re: frugal "emergency" cell phone

On 3 Dec 2003 12:22:17 -0800, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Larisa) wrote:

>It's not a question of being far out in the boonies; it's a question
>of sliding off the road, late at night when there's no one around.  I
>lived in Minnesota for 8 years; even in a relatively populated area,
>with cell phone coverage, it is possible to encounter a completely (or
>nearly) empty highway.  And when the weather is -50F and the car is
>stalled, you might not get very far if you decide to walk for help. 
>Of course, they tell you to keep warm blankets and such things in the
>car, for such an eventuality, but I'm not sure sleeping in a car in
>-50F weather has a good effect on your health.

As I said: "But personal safety is the one legitimate use of devices
such as cell phones that I heartily endorse... if only they were only
used for that purpose."

>And for that matter, even if the area is populated, how do you know
>people will stop to help?  I've been stalled on a busy highway in the
>Bay Area and no one stopped to help me.  Fortunately, I had a cell
>phone so I didn't have to walk along the side of the road looking for
>a callbox.

Well, you know how those California drivers are...

>As for no cell phone coverage in the area where you live; if you don't
>have coverage, you don't get a cell phone; simple as that.  

Don't have one. Don't need one. But coverage? Yep, too much.

>We're talking about an area that has cell phone coverage, by definition.

For the record metro Phoenix has 3 million inhabitants, and hundreds
of cell phone repeaters. That's why we have such a driving danger,
from people using them in ways other than that which you describe.
Most people do use them improperly, you know, as in while driving? 

But if you only use yours only for actual emergencies from the side of
the road, I salute you. That IS the only way you use your cell phone,
right Larisa?  

Yours for safer roads,


Caveat