Support NeoGAF

[caramac]

NY Times

A bus driver in Rome who was caught using two cellphones and steering with his elbows while driving has been suspended, according to a local official.

Video of the driver talking on one phone and trying to configure his e-mail on another while taking passengers to Rome’s Ciampino Airport was posted online by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica on Wednesday.

Using even one cellphone while driving is against the law in Italy.

The Italian news agency ANSA has posted a photograph of the driver’s two phones — one of which sports a large antenna — in the hands of a police officer, online.

On Thursday, La Repubblica reported that a regional transport commissioner, Francesco Lollobrigida, said that the driver had been “suspended pending disciplinary proceedings.” Mr. Lollobrigida added that the action was “necessary to protect passengers and also the image of the many public transport workers who have impeccable behavior and who are the majority in this region.”

While opposition politicians called for the driver to be fired, the bus company that operates service along the route said in a statement that the driver was employed by a subcontractor “with its own management and board,” so it was unclear whether he had, in fact, done enough to be fired.

If the driver does lose his job, he might consider a move to Nevada in the near future. As my colleague John Markoff reported this week, Google, a pioneer of self-driving cars, “is quietly lobbying for legislation that would make Nevada the first state where they could be legally operated on public roads. And yes, the proposed legislation would include an exemption from the ban on distracted driving to allow occupants to send text messages while sitting behind the wheel.”

Madness

 

[joeyjoejoeshabadoo]

Before I watched the video, I thought he walks talking into both phones; this is worse.

 

[AlexMogil]

One of which sports a large antenna? Scandal!

 

[Stinkles]

And he is still the best and safest driver in all of Italy.

 

[SimleuqiR]

A former female friend of mine used to drive with her knees (She had gorgeous legs too), while applying make up. :-/

Those were the scariest 20 minutes of my life while in a car!!!

Never accepted rides from her ever again (in a car I mean).

 

[Hari Seldon]

A former female friend of mine used to drive with her knees (She had gorgeous legs too), while applying make up. :-/

Those were the scariest 20 minutes of my life while in a car!!!

Never accepted rides from her ever again (in a car I mean).

My old g/f did that also, then I started doing it and it is a pretty good skill to have. You can't do like 90 degree turns but for just keeping straight on a highway it is fine.

 

[Meadows]

Pfft, people are just jelly because he's got two lovers to keep in contact with.

 

[joelseph]

A former female friend of mine used to drive with her knees (She had gorgeous legs too), while applying make up. :-/

Those were the scariest 20 minutes of my life while in a car!!!

Never accepted rides from her ever again (in a car I mean).

This is not common?

 

[Rapstah]

My old g/f did that also, then I started doing it and it is a pretty good skill to have. You can't do like 90 degree turns but for just keeping straight on a highway it is fine.

Are you putting on makeup too or what are you doing with your hands?

 

[aceface]

I always see school bus drivers talking on phones while they drive by. That's pretty illegal isin't it?

 

[SimleuqiR]

This is not common?

Fuck no! I mean, I hope not. I have not encounter another female that does this...at least not when I'm in the car.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Fuck no! I mean, I hope not. I have not encounter another female that does this...at least not when I'm in the car.

It's more common than you think. I also have seen girls do similar things, with either applying makeup or working on their hair as they drive with their knees.

 

[Mudkips]

The bus driver was also the one making the video.
With a third cell phone.

shamylantwist.jpg

 

[kehs]

I always see school bus drivers talking on phones while they drive by. That's pretty illegal isin't it?

Who's gonna stop them, the cops who are also talking on a phone while using a laptop with a suspect in the back?

 

[The Faceless Master]

my uncle used to drive with his knees just because he could.

 

[Nelo Ice]

It's more common than you think. I also have seen girls do similar things, with either applying makeup or working on their hair as they drive with their knees.

my cousin and my sisters bf drive with their knees just cuz theyre lazy or say its tiring driving with ur hands lol

 

[Hari Seldon]

Are you putting on makeup too or what are you doing with your hands?

Most likely fucking with my ipod or messing with a drink or something lol.

 

[Hazanko]

WTF is wrong with you people! Driving with your knees!? WTF? That's dangerous as hell. What happens if you need to brake fast!?

 

[NotebookJ2]

I was going to suggest that the guy get some sort of bluetooth accessory or something but after seeing the video, I'm guessing that wouldn't have helped.

 

[tino]

I used to use my knees to control the wheel with my Honda Civic. I had to take a call with my right hand and hold my cigerette with my left hand. When I need to change gear I had to reach my left hand all the way to the right side to shift the stick. Good times.

Don't try it at home kids.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Two cellphones? Amateur. [/Whatchyamacallit]

 

[ChocolateCupcakes]

Despite that being illegal thats really impressive.

 

[Lord Error]

How would you ever steer with knees (plural) since you have to keep one foot on the gas/brake? Steering with just one knee?