Police: Richboro Man Arrested At Newtown 7-11 After Flashing Gun
Newtown Township Police arrested Peter Frank Palestina Jr., 28, after receiving a report that at 8:15 p.m. Monday he flashed a handgun at another motorist who was attempting to exit the parking lot.
A Richboro man has been charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime after an incident that occurred Monday at 7-11 on Sycamore Street in Newtown Township.
Newtown Township Police arrested Peter Frank Palestina Jr., 28, of Lynford Road, Richboro after receiving a report that at 8:15 p.m. Monday he flashed a handgun at another motorist who was attempting to exit the parking lot onto Richboro Road, police said.
Palestina began to turn into the parking lot, blocking the victims’ exit. The male victim who was driving told police that Palestina was growing visibly angry because he was unable to drive into the lot. The victim told police he asked Palestina to "wait." Palestina responded with an angry retort before he pulled his vehicle slightly forward and showed the victims a small dark-colored handgun.
The victims then drove out of the lot and called police via 911, providing a description of the vehicle and driver, police said. The victims followed the vehicle Palestina was driving while still on the phone with 911, providing his direction of travel and location.
Police located the vehicle in Village of Newtown Shopping Center and confronted Palestina. Police said they detained Palestina and then performed a search, recovering a .32cal gun from the front of his waistband.
The victims identified Palestina as the person who threatened them. Palestina was transported to police headquarters before he was taken before Judge Finello who sent to Bucks County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Palestina could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Joe Olson
5:15 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
That parking lot is a mess. 7-11 is a high volume transaction business. People exiting often make left turns onto Richboro Rd. and there is not enough room to do that. The township needs to take a long hard look at this entire intersection especially if the proposed bank gets approved across the street. This does not condone the nut case with the gun.
Mar
5:23 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
That is only one of many parking lots that are too small and get too crowded. It's one of the many little annoyances of life. The problem here was the idiot flashing a gun. Hope they throw the book at him. Jerk!
Eric S
11:35 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Forget the book, pelt him with a few handguns. Geez, driving a Bimmer and carrying a lousy .32. I'm figuring he's in his second year at Exact Change Lane Tolltaker School.
Eric S
5:25 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Yeah, this guy needs to be locked up for a while. I'm pro gun and have been carrying for 32 years now. Flashing your gun because your angry and wanting to intimidate others is plain old stupid, reckless and obviously illegal. I'm just wondering, did the guy have a license to carry a firearm? I'm guessing not. Most carriers are responsible enough to know such actions as these are a very bad idea.
Hank
5:26 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
That 7-11 is a magnet for dirtbags. Try sitting in your car in the parking lot for 15-20 minutes sometime and just watch who comes through there. Who are these people and what are they doing in Newtown?
Eric S
11:30 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
These people are your fellow citizens and they have every right to be in Newtown if that is where they choose to be. Funny, I'm there several times a week and I hardly ever see your dirtbags. Until they do something to breach the peace, cause a disturbance or act like complete fools they can come to Newtown as they please. One the otherhand I have seen a few uptight snobs wandering around thinking they have the right to be free of the unwashed masses. On occasion I can hear them speaking..and it's in your language.
Mar
1:55 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Whoa buddy!!! I go in and out of the Newtown 7-11 often and I can assure you, I am no dirtbag. Just a respectable, friendly long time resident who wants coffee and a newspaper from time to time. However, I never sat in the parking lot for 15 - 20 minutes to watch who else goes there. Why do you?
Tracy
5:43 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Those so called dirtbags are probably residents and its people with that mentality that give Newtown a snobby rep. I've gone there tons of times and although crowded it's not like a huge city intersection. 10 cars is hardly called traffic. Get a grip! as for this guy, I am glad he was caught and I am glad the victim had the courage to follow an obviously unstable armed man. Kudos to them!
JusticeForAll
7:08 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Clearly this is one side of the story.The flashing of a gun is very different from pointing a gun at someone. Clearly there was something else going on between these people that would escalate to a gun flashing. Just goes to show you how the media distorts one side of a story. And definitely not unstable, get the facts straight before you throw your opinions around. Innocent until proven guilty!
Eric S
11:25 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
We're not in court and let me wave a gun around at you and tell me it doesn't have an impact on your pulse. No kidding something was "clearly" going on between these people. One of them appears to have been an arrogant moron, the other just trying to get out of a parking lot. So Seer Of All....do tell us what was left out of the story, you seem to have some first hand knowledge and I think you should share it. So no, I'm not going to stop throwing my opinion around until you tell us what we are missing.
Tracy
12:28 am on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I don't care where I am and if I have a permit. Waving a gun is an unacceptable answer to any situation. If he was in that much of a dangerous situation, maybe he should have called the police. That's not "self defense," it's just plain stupid. This article sounds like what the police report probably states. Don't knock them for reporting it.
Mar
1:57 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Please Ali, fill us on in the reasonable explanation for flashing a gun at someone in a public place? I would LOVE to hear the "other side" of the story.
MM
8:33 am on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Isn't Peter Palestina's Father on the Northampton Township Board Of Supervisors. Maybe daddy can get him out of trouble.
Eric S
8:48 am on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Former supervisior. But I think we really should leave that out of things for now. The defendant is a grown man. We'll see if any sort of political connections affect the situation but at present it's a non-issue. And should stay that way.
JusticeForAll
11:27 am on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Read the other paper. The so called "victim" threatened the guy in the BMW saying he would shoot him in the face. The "victim" started the argument and the BMW driver merely defended himself. So since you don't have all the facts, because this was not the full police report! Read the couriers to get the other side of the story!
Mar
1:59 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
So the gun-waver "defended himself" against someone mouthing off by flashing a gun? And this makes it all right HOW?
Eric S
2:50 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I already know about that part of the story. And I don't believe it. This is the story being posed by Mr. Palestina for why he waved a gun. And even if such a threat was made, escalating the event by introducing a firearm into it is the best way for the threat to become a reality. Anyone with a lick of sense would retreat from such a threat....then call police, not flash a gun at someone. If you understood firearm laws and proper carry methods and uses you'd know he was wrong to the point of comitting a crime.
JusticeForAll
11:37 am on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
In any case, they will not reveal all details. There's plenty not being said for legal reasons, but most likely you will see the real story after the case. And the father is known to be a very honorable man that doesn't use any "pull" he may or may not have to favor anyone even family members.
Eric S
2:54 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
On that point I will agree. Not all the facts are known. But I know who was arrested and why. And the action he engaged in was flat out wrong. I do not know his father personally and wouldn't conjecture as to whether he'd attempt to sway the outcome here by anything other than legal means. I will go with the assumption that he is acting honorably and within the law.
Kara Seymour
12:10 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Hi Alli- The police report did not include that information.
Kara Seymour
12:12 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
And I should add that Palestina didn't return calls for comment by Northampton Patch reporter Jenna Eckdahl.
Eric S
2:56 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
And for legal reasons he shouldn't. We can place blame here all we want but the final word is a courtroom and until that time a defendent is insane to talk to either the police or the media. That is what a lawyer is for.
JusticeForAll
2:04 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Read the courier.. Gives more information as to the other side of the story. Obviously someone who has a carrying permit for 7 years knows the rules and wouldn't flash a weapon unless threatened serious bodily harm.
Eric S
3:07 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
No that is not obvious. Far from it. What training has he had? Has he ever attended classes for the legal aspects of carrying, tactical training, safety training? If he has then he forgot most of the lessons. Simply put...you do not deploy a weapon unless you intend to use it. Now often that deployment is enough to back a threat away, but showing your gun to another driver isn't deploying because of an immediate threat, it's a form of intimidation and a threat in and of itself. In an event such as this one the worst thing you can do is pull a gun. Given that the other car had two occupants who alledgedly made a threat of violence, if that threat were real then your a dead man if you display a firearm. You have esculated and challenged an expressed threat. That is just stupid. Any self-defense class will instruct you your best chance of survival is to escape from the scene and call police immediately.
lori
2:11 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Maybe they should have done a drug test on him. Maybe he was high. Known pot heads normally react to things with this type of behavior right Ali?
Mar
2:57 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I did read the courier. Still don't see any justification for flashing a gun. Also don't see how flashing a gun is an appropriate response to verbal threats WHEN YOU ARE SAFELY IN YOUR CAR. Listen, I don't know the guy who did this - he may be a great guy - but he clearly used an appalling lack of judgement and let his anger get the best of him. NOT the type of person who should be carrying a gun in the first place. Sorry, but he effed up big time and will have to face the consequences.
Eric S
3:22 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
That can't be done unless the police had reasonable articulatable suspicion of intoxication. Of course they can ask but he has the right to refuse such a test. The 4th Amendment to the Consititution gives that protection(unreasonable search and seizure), as does the 5th(self-incrimination).
Eric S
4:16 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sorry Ali but your friend, I'm assuming he's your friend, is in the wrong. If the charges stick he'll become a prohibited person disabled form the right to keep and bear arms. If those charges are reduced, dropped or dismissed come back on here and find me. Your friend is in need of some training and directions to proper use and carry of a firearm. I can help him out with that, free of charge. If he's going to carry he needs to learn a few things. We'll start out with why you don't wave guns around but I'm thinking he'll have that lesson under his belt by then. Owning a gun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a piano makes you a musician....there is a lot more to it than holding it.
Mar
4:28 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Well said, Eric.
JusticeForAll
5:44 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Yes all of that was mentioned in the police report. How would you know what pot heads do? Firsthand experience? Road rage was initiated because the "victim"was having a hard time getting out of the lot. All charges will be dropped. It's too bad he didn't have someone with him to corroborate his account. For those of you attacking his character, it is a crime to carry a loaded weapon in a vehicle in the manner he was without having a current PA LTCF. (license to carry firearms) PA doesn't issue permits. If he didn't have one, the story would have listed that charge as well.
In order to get his license he went to the bucks county court house in person, filled out the application, provided two character references, was subjected to a thorough background check; after-which he was issued his licence to carry.
Licenses are good for 5 years and you can carry starting at 21, which tells me he has been carrying responsibly for several years minimum. He is not a criminal, far from it. There was a clear reason for him to pull his weapon. I would like to see the critics down below go through the LTCF application and see what skeletons are in your closet. Hopefully, it all works out. I believe his account. I could be wrong but I doubt it.
Eric S
6:28 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Yes, if he didn't have a permit he would have been charged under state statute 6106. And yes, there is no such thing as brandishing in PA. Which is why he is being charged with other crimes such as endangering, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. I'd love to hear this reason for pulling out a gun while sitting in a car. That is a very dangerous idea indeed. No room to manuever and trapped inside a tiny area should the other combatant choose to close in. On top of all that with no room to make a decisive move to the target, what was behind that target? People I assume? With the predominance of people, traffic and buildings he would have been in a bad spot to make a clear shot and a round or more would have moved on to an unintended target. This is a poor choice and the man in question was placing himself in a position to do more harm than good. At this point any threat that didn't include a direct threat to him didn't justify the action he took. We're not talking about a screaming match, we're talking about deadly force. You don't employ that action unless your damn sure your life is in danger. Someone yelling from a car window is not that threat.
I have been licensed in PA and/or Florida for 32 years now, so I guess my skeletons are in the open.
JusticeForAll
5:48 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
And not to mention Couple of things here. First off, if the story is accurate as it is written here then Palestina commited no crimne. PA does not have a brandishing restriction and the man does not have a duty to retreat if threatened. The Castle Doctrine is a new law, it seems to me the police officer is enforcing the "old law" that required a duty to retreat, otherwise why ask if he could drive away. Second when one side of the story portrays the assailant (two men in the car) as polite angels you can almost always assume that is BS. What they did do correctly is call the police first and claim they were the victim. Palestina should have done that first. He also should have stayed quiet until his lawyer got there.
HE should walk with no time and no record because he didn't do anything wrong if this story is accurate.
Eric S
6:37 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wrong again. Castle Doctrine is not yet law and won't be till November. Just because it passed doesn'ty mean it's law. So on that point he did have a duty to retreat. Yep, your right, we don't have a law that specifies brandishing...which is why instead he was charged with endangerment, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. Your not seriously posing that waving a gun around is a good idea are you? But on one point I will agree. He certainly should have not spoken to the police and instead let a lawyer do that job. Now, were the others involved "angels"? I have no idea. I can accept they too may have had a role in this, possibly an initiating role. But that still does not justify bringing a gun into the event.
As I said before, if he comes out of this still able to possess a firearm I will gladly get him to a range and help him learn more of what responsibility comes with carrying a weapon. Equally, should the end result of all this prove he is innocent I will apologize face to face, as I hand him a box of his favorite ammo and a few hours of range time. All you have to do is post on this thread and I will respond.
JusticeForAll
5:58 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
So it's not okay to flash a gun I'd you feel you are in danger of bodily harm or death?
Eric S
6:43 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Correct. You either aim and command the aggressor to back down or you fire....you don't wave it around.
Eric S
9:23 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I'm really curious here. What do you believe the objective is when you pull the trigger on someone?
Rich
6:11 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
There is no acceptable reason to flash or point a gun. A gun should not be drawn unless the intent is to use it. And that is a horse of a different color. Your life must be in danger or the life of someone else is. If you are in front of your Newtown mansion and someone is stealing your Beemer you cannot shot him. Life is more valuable than a possession even if you do not live in Newtown. Shoot the robber and he will sue you and win. I own one of those small .32 Baretta's and if I ever pulled it on a decent sized guy I'd be lucky if he didn;t grab it and shove it up my keister. And this would bre after I shot him.
Eric S
9:50 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Hey Rich, maybe it's time to move up to something a tad more effective in stopping a threat? I figure you like the compactness of the Tomcat. Go try out a Ruger LCP in 9mm. Same size, better rounds...and cheaper to practice with.
P
6:16 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
For anyone who is clueless about the new gun law signed into law by the senate in march of this year 2011... The Castle Doctrine. LOOK IT UP!! Which allows law abiding citizens who carry guns legally to act in force if there is a posed threat thus protecting themselves from prosecution. Unfortunately we have a broken system and anyone caught carrying a gun within the eyes of cops and any other liberal idiots are scumbags. So now because of this recently passed law, all law abiding citizens who carry guns do not and should not have to be in fear of prosecution if they choose to defend themselves. The jerk who told Pete he was going to shoot Pete in the face and then called the cops should have consequences for his threat of violence!
Eric S
9:16 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What is a "posed threat"? You have no legal reason to fire until there is a definite threat. Shouting stupid stuff from a car window doesn't fit that criteria. I also disagree that the cops have issues with LTCF holders. I have never been hassled by a LEO(law enforcement officer) for carrying, either concealed or open. Sure, go to Phillly and the landscape changes but we're not in Philly. Your take on Castle is flawed as well. You certainly can be prosecuted for a shoot. Nothing about that has changed. The difference is now you are no longer required to retreat (though it is still a good idea) and if the shoot is deemed justified the family of your target cannot sue you. Now if your version of this pans out then absolutely, the other party(s) should be charged accordingly. They provided false testimony, made threats, breached the peace and engaged in disorderly conduct.
Also, The law is not yet in effect. It is "up to 60 days" before it comes into play, longer if the Attorney General needs the time to figure it out. And, you still have a duty to retreat if no weapon is present. Just because some punk gives you lip you can't just pull a gun and fire away. Can't even wave it at him.
Gifted
6:22 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Read the courier you will get more details as far as what the real story may be, And for Know it all down there, he apparently is heavily trained in firearms procedure, after going to Nevada he was certified to carry in 31 states so says my friend in the system, and has military background , and most likely had damn good reason to do what he did, so I doubt that he needs your help,Being a lawyer myself, he will get off one reason being constitutional statute 2702 hn7 stating the mere act of pointing a gun at another person is not sufficient to support a conviction for aggravated assault, but could constitute simple assault, so with his good lawyer he will since it was most likely self defense. And it happens to be i was told he works other jobs in bad neighborhoods, and after having a bad experience, now legally carries. I know if aNyone threatened to "shoot me in the face" I'd be locked and loaded in seconds before he was and that's coming from a woman with kids., but i would have called the police so thats where he probably messed up. And if this guy was such in fear of his life why would he follow a so-called armed crazy man? If you don't like guns move to newyork , he wAs probably protecting himself. Sorry to say, he will not see jail
Eric S
9:20 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Your not a lawyer...you can barely type and your command of the English language is atrocious. And me, I love guns. Have since I was a kid. I find it unbelievable that a lawyer would claim to "be locked and loaded" knowing that the law won't see things as you do.
Eric S
9:28 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Uh, he's not trained near enough if he thought flashing a firearm was a good idea. That simply is not the way it is done. Except by those who watched Lethal Weapon too many times. And I thought you were on his side. Why are you "sorry to say he will not see jail time"? Lawyer my ass.
Mar
6:28 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Gifted, you say you are a lawyer? From your writing, I'd say you should be suing whatever college and law school gave you a degree!
Gifted
6:49 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tell that to my bank account, I'm not writing legal documents
Eric S
9:55 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A lawyer who does not write documents.....really? Your facade is getting thinner and thinner. Now go look up facade. Gifted....or is it really "special"?
Gifted
6:55 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
And screaming and yelling isn't a threat but I would agree that screaming " I'm going to shoot you in the face" is very much a threat, especially after that psycho just killed all those people in the news last week in bucks. actually if he had called the police first he could have filed charges against the victim so he was dumb for that.how was he supposed to know what that guy had? That's the same reason that police approach a vehicle with their hand on their gun or with weapons drawn.
Eric S
9:36 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Absolutely screaming your going to shoot someone is a threat. But from someone sitting in a car yelling it at someone else sitting in a car there is no direct threat. At that point the only sane thing to do is leave the area and call the police. No gun was displayed, no one got out of the car, there was no need at that time to deploy a weapon. From the sounds of things it was two sets of people aggrivated about a parking lot and not having the brains to wait a second for traffic to clear. Certainly not worthy of a firearm in the mix. Geez people...we're talking about deadly force here! Anything that esculates an event towards that end when there were other options is insane.
Gifted
6:58 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
And Mar I wouldn't say that I have successfully represented some of your own close people maybe or maybe not in your family, you should thank me
Eric S
9:30 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What the hell does that mean?! I guess some legalese that only a lawyer can decode?
Mar
8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
This last comment made even less sense than your earlier postings, "Gifted," so I don't know how to respond other than to wish you and your bank account well. Peace!
Nancy Gracia
9:18 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Thanks for the Law 101 lesson(s). I live very close to 7-11 and yes the parking lot is bustling and should be addressed in a township meeting (not that anything will be done about it). Maybe that new parking garage being proposed by Allan Smith isn't such a bad idea after all?
Eric S
10:16 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
How will a parking garage alleviate parking at the 7-11?
As far as the lessons, oh hell...we're just getting started! And you are quite welcome. There are a lot of laws surrounding firearms and anyone who carries has a responsibility to know as many as they can. A court doesn't give sympathy points because you didn't know what you were doing. Carriers also have a responsibility to know there way around their particular firearm with as much practice as possible. You'll find me at the range several times a week. Then there are carry methods, retention methods, where you can and cannot carry, when you can or cannot shoot....the list goes on and on. A gun is just a tool to help assure your own defense. The real defense is your brain.
JusticeForAll
9:30 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Eric you make very valid points, but flashing a gun is an appropriate response to someone threatening to shoot you in the face?
Eric S
10:06 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
No...flashing a gun is not an appropriate response to someone threatening to shoot you in the face. Let's take a look at this. Ok, some idiot is making this particular threat to you. You see no weapon, he doesn't approach or act as if he is drawing a weapon. But you draw yours. Now what? Either you panic due to lack of proper training and fire on someone who was unarmed or....they react, take your gun because again, you lack proper training, firearm retention capabilities and mindset and/or/maybe the threat is a real nutjob whacked out on meth...and BANG, your dead. Either case you are in a confrontation with an unknow quanity, a stranger with a bad attitude. Do you really want to take it to the next level or back away and let the police do their job? There is no dishonor in going home alive nor dishonor in not being locked up. But there is hell to pay if you screw up something that should never have happened in the first place. The first lines of self-defense are situational awareness and avoidance. Not waving guns at pissed off strangers.
Scenerio two. The threat is made. You decide that this situation has the potential to get worse. So you opt to leave and call police. Now tell me, which of the two cases do YOU want to be in?
Johnny
11:03 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
If someone threatened me saying he would shoot me, being at a distance in another vehicle and most likely not being able to see enough to decide what weapon this person may or may not have down on his or her lap, I would have done the same. That's the same reason the police don't like tinted windows, they need to see in. And especially at the time of evening the incident took place it was probably a little dark so being unsure and threatened that way he probably was just safe guarding his life
Eric S
11:09 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
So even after seeing the outcome of such an action you'd still do it? Some people just have to learn the hard way I suppose. It's one thing to ready your weapon, it's completely something different to flash it at a threat sitting in a car some distance away from you. What do tinted windows have to do with it? Their windows were down otherwise they were yelling unintelligible sounds at each other with neither hearing the other.
JusticeForAll
8:47 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
With tinted windows you cannot see into to the other persons car. Same reason the police don't permit tinted windows of a certain degree.
Eric S
10:28 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Come on man, stay with the program. What do tinted windows have to do with this event?
Your going to need to come to terms with the reality here. Mr. Palestina acted outside the law, and outside of common sense. Maybe it was just a brainfart and in other aspects of his life he gets along fine but showing a gun as a response to being cursed at is a very dangerous idea. He really did take a bad situation to a new level and he's lucky it didn't go further. I'm very glad it didn't go further. This ain't xBox, this is real life. People die for such actions when all it took was leaving, and calling police had a threat been made.
Mar
9:50 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Ali, read the post above your latest one - pay special attention to the last sentence. Do you get it now?
Eric S
10:14 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Mar, you and I need to meet up for a cup of coffee......at the range. Happen to be a member at Langhorne?
Rich
7:07 am on Friday, September 2, 2011
Speaking of those real dark tinted windows. A pet peeve of mine. How come I still see them around if they are illegal ? Because the cops do not enforce the law. Just like the law that says headlights must be on when window wipers are on. Not enforced. I also see plenty of people usinf cell phones where it is illegal.
Eric S
10:49 am on Friday, September 2, 2011
Yeah, there's a few things that seem to go unenforced. I know if I were a cop I'd be concerned about walking up to a vehicle that I couldn't see into. I can't figure out the cellphone problem. It affects me no more than as if I had a passenger with me and we're having a conversation. But texting! Argh....I think I'd rather be on the road with a drunk than a texter. What goes on in the mind of someone who is willing to risk lives because they have to tell someone something that can wait till later when they don't have the responsibility of driving safely. Oh well, if sense were common there'd be more of it.