Multitasking While Driving!!

[If_Only_VZW_had_iPhones]

so you...
dont use the radio?
dont talk to passengers?
dont look at bill boards?
dont read signs?
dont look a stores?
dont look a scenery... mountains.. sky.. trees... sunsets... lakes.. rivers....
dont think about things you need to do??
dont think about work???

now.... how do you think... your great and powerful government plan to remove all these influences.

I have to assume you're being cynical, cause the alternative would mean.....

he's got a point......... Everyone wants new "anti-texting" laws but it's only because it's the trendy push to get behind right now. Truth is, wreckless driving laws already exist and we don't need a

anti-use the radio law
anti-talking to passenger law
anti-billboard laws
anti-enjoy the scenery laws
anti-think about work laws

people are very hypocritical about texting and driving though. It's apparently ok to multi-task, but only with politically correct approved material.
Funny how there was, once upon a time, a debate about windshield wipers being a distraction, and then the radio. I remember when TALKING on a cell phone was a sin against humanity. Funny because now noone cares about those anymore because evil has a new face.... TEXTING

 

[If_Only_VZW_had_iPhones]

btw - I'm deaf... I have to text. I'll make you a deal though, I'll give up messing with the radio while driving, you give up texting while driving.... speaking on a karma level, the universe of distracting things drivers do is equalized.

 

[ashykat]

Seeing someone like that just pisses me off. When you drive, you're not only responsible for your own life, but those around you when you're acting like an asshole and not keeping your eyes on the road. I'm sure there is an abundance of people on this forum who will all tell you how great they are at texting and driving, but I've seen and heard too many horror stories that had to do with phones on the road. Use a speakerphone, don't text, and definitely don't read. This is different then taking a second to change the radio station, turn on your windshield wipers, etc. I really don't see how someone can act as if they are the same.

 

[mikedt]

In the UK there never was this. It's OK to text and email but not to talk on a mobile phone while driving nonsense, which seems to have gripped America.

Law: Road Traffic Offenders Act sect 34 "Failure to have proper control of vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead, or using a hand-held mobile phone while driving." Up to

 

[Member243850]

In the UK there never was this. It's OK to text and email but not to talk on a mobile phone while driving nonsense, which seems to have gripped America.

Law: Road Traffic Offenders Act sect 34 "Failure to have proper control of vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead, or using a hand-held mobile phone while driving." Up to

 

[If_Only_VZW_had_iPhones]

Seeing someone like that just pisses me off. When you drive, you're not only responsible for your own life, but those around you when you're acting like an asshole and not keeping your eyes on the road. I'm sure there is an abundance of people on this forum who will all tell you how great they are at texting and driving, but I've seen and heard too many horror stories that had to do with phones on the road. Use a speakerphone, don't text, and definitely don't read. This is different then taking a second to change the radio station, turn on your windshield wipers, etc. I really don't see how someone can act as if they are the same.

and as soon as a newer and sexier thing comes along for everyone to get behind emerges, texting will be forgotten about, just like the wipers, radio, etc. And yes, both had BIG pushes to get outlawed. They said wipers put drivers into a hypnotic state.

Everyone thinks they know what's best for me. From telling me to use my seatbelt, to this. I let my perfect driving record speak for my abilities. Noone is forcing anyone on here to text if they don't agree with it. Funny, reading through the swerve for animals thread, some people on there think they have everything under control when they hit the shoulder at 60+mph but have an issue with me texting. Very hypocritical IMHO

 

[mikedt]

but have an issue with me texting. Very hypocritical IMHO

Reading this, makes me think of my previously mentioned '70MPH front tyre blowout'. Now I had been texting at the time, I would have been seriously injured or even dead, and could well have injured or killed other innocent people as well.

If sending a text, email, or updating Facebook and Twitter is so important that it can't wait. just pull-over and stop. It's quite simple really.

EDIT:- In most modern cars one can operate other things like wipers, lights, radio, cruise-control, etc., without taking one's hands off the wheel. Also some cars have mobile phone integration(Ford Sync), so one can send texts, emails, etc. using voice, again without letting go of the wheel.

About not wearing seatbelts, This does not really endanger any innocent parties. Well apart from the fool who's not wearing it. Not wearing the belt also makes more mess for the Police, Fire and Ambulance people who have to clear up after the accident. I've seen this happen more than a few times.

 

[mikedt]

+1

No offence to any1 here

But i totally agree with this dude here... i think using any cellular device whilst on the road is asking for trouble sadly...

But now comes the question: Is it fair to say that 1 armed people are not allowed to drive either?

Very interesting topic here...

A very good question. Actually yes, many one armed people can drive. I had a friend who only had the use of one arm, due to a stroke. His car was specially adapted. There was a knob fitted to the steering wheel, so he could keep a firm grip on the wheel. The car also had automatic transmission.

 

[Member243850]

and as soon as a newer and sexier thing comes along for everyone to get behind emerges, texting will be forgotten about, just like the wipers, radio, etc. And yes, both had BIG pushes to get outlawed. They said wipers put drivers into a hypnotic state.

Everyone thinks they know what's best for me. From telling me to use my seatbelt, to this. I let my perfect driving record speak for my abilities. Noone is forcing anyone on here to text if they don't agree with it. Funny, reading through the swerve for animals thread, some people on there think they have everything under control when they hit the shoulder at 60+mph but have an issue with me texting. Very hypocritical IMHO

I am sorry friend but I do not agree with you, please do not be offended here...

The animal being hit by a car is a totally different thread... try not to bring that up here.... and mikedt almost lost his / her life and I totally agree with miketd that if miketd was texting there would have been serious consequences.... but luckily he was responsible enough to keep his / her eyes on the road...that is the true definition of a very responsible person.

So no i do not agree with you friend... you should not be using a cellular device whilst driving at all...and the animal on the road is a whole different subject to to multitasking whilst driving...so i am not too sure why you brought that up...

Keep well

Regards

Stinky

 

[byteware]

he's got a point......... Everyone wants new "anti-texting" laws but it's only because it's the trendy push to get behind right now. Truth is, wreckless driving laws already exist and we don't need a

anti-use the radio law
anti-talking to passenger law
anti-billboard laws
anti-enjoy the scenery laws
anti-think about work laws

people are very hypocritical about texting and driving though. It's apparently ok to multi-task, but only with politically correct approved material.
Funny how there was, once upon a time, a debate about windshield wipers being a distraction, and then the radio. I remember when TALKING on a cell phone was a sin against humanity. Funny because now noone cares about those anymore because evil has a new face.... TEXTING

A recent study actually determined that anti-texting laws cause more accidents and more deaths.

The problem was, people aren't stopping the behavior, they are just putting their phones lower in the car to hide them. This causes them to have their eyes off the road for even longer than they would have otherwise (that's the theory anyways).

So anti-texting laws = more accidents, and more deaths.

 

[ashykat]

So anti-texting laws = more accidents, and more deaths.

I'm sure this is a definite possibility. I remember thinking when talking on the phone without a headset was outlawed (in California) that now people will be texting instead, possibly causing more accidents. I'm not arguing here about the laws. I just think people need to realize when they drive they have a responsibility to the others on the road to pay attention. Was a little girls life who died in a car accident worth answering a text and taking your eyes off the road? People need to think about these things.

 

[byteware]

I'm sure this is a definite possibility. I remember thinking when talking on the phone without a headset was outlawed (in California) that now people will be texting instead, possibly causing more accidents. I'm not arguing here about the laws. I just think people need to realize when they drive they have a responsibility to the others on the road to pay attention. Was a little girls life who died in a car accident worth answering a text and taking your eyes off the road? People need to think about these things.

Instead of trying to legislate behavior...

If someone causes an accident and the police can prove they were texting or on a phone call... make that a crime. (An actual crime). People will stop

 

[IOWA]

Instead of trying to legislate behavior...

If someone causes an accident and the police can prove they were texting or on a phone call... make that a crime. (An actual crime). People will stop

Problem with that would be burden of proof.

 

[conor.in]

Don't the carriers keep logs of what your phone does? IIRC the police have/want access to that anyway, and the "proof" would be in that log.

 

[IOWA]

Don't the carriers keep logs of what your phone does? IIRC the police have/want access to that anyway, and the "proof" would be in that log.

How do you prove they were teh ones using the phone? Pocket dial? Passenger was using the phone? Clocks are off? Time estimations are wrong? Too many variables to consider.

 

[Member243850]

Ja i think it is very dangerous to use a mobile device and this includes any mobile device (tablet, pda etc)... a vehicle is a very heavy and should only be manned / driven by responsible people only...a car can easily cause a serious disaster in just seconds!

Sadly it is very hard to in force the law on people using such devices (cellular etc) whilst driving on the road...even as it stands right now... it's almost impossible to keep track of those that do use cellphones etc...

I actually don't know how to prevent people from doing such a horrible thing... people need to be responsible whilst driving on the road...sadly they don't care.

It could avoid many accidents actually... hmm i dunno maybe...it would also be hard to see who is actually on the phone at that exact time...hmm damn. Not so easy to identify who did what at what time though...hmm...

But most probably the worst killer of all on the roads are those of drunk drivers. I have absolutely zero respect for those kinds of losers. They should have never been given a license in the first place!.... it's very sad actually.

 

[conor.in]

How do you prove they were teh ones using the phone? Pocket dial? Passenger was using the phone? Clocks are off? Time estimations are wrong? Too many variables to consider.

All quality retorts. Hadn't considered those.

 

[byteware]

How do you prove they were teh ones using the phone? Pocket dial? Passenger was using the phone? Clocks are off? Time estimations are wrong? Too many variables to consider.

Pocket dial for a minute, or maybe 3, but not for 15. No answering machine/voice mail in the world allows you to leave a 15 minute long message.

And if there was no passenger?

I don't believe you can claim that Verizon's clocks are off on their servers. This kind of evidence is used in trials ALL the time.

And with text messages, you can have an actual transcript of the conversation, which gives you even more credence. Also, you get a general location, so you can tell that they were moving.

 

[jamor]

A recent study actually determined that anti-texting laws cause more accidents and more deaths.

The problem was, people aren't stopping the behavior, they are just putting their phones lower in the car to hide them. This causes them to have their eyes off the road for even longer than they would have otherwise (that's the theory anyways).

So anti-texting laws = more accidents, and more deaths.

I heard about that too. I saw someone texting on the highway with the phone resting on top of the steering wheel so that he couldn't take his eyes off of the road.

I found it kind of funny.. but it's better than hiding it and completely taking your eyes of of the road even though his concentration is still somewhere else.. so it's still dangerous.

 

[dan330]

I heard about that too. I saw someone texting on the highway with the phone resting on top of the steering wheel so that he couldn't take his eyes off of the road.

I found it kind of funny.. but it's better than hiding it and completely taking your eyes of of the road even though his concentration is still somewhere else.. so it's still dangerous.

i text.. while driving....

use vlingo.... i dont even have to touch the phone! except to turn it on!

 

[jamor]

i text.. while driving....

use vlingo.... i dont even have to touch the phone! except to turn it on!

Right.. It's typing and driving that's the dangerous part.

Voice to text is pretty much the same as talking on the phone.

 

[dan330]

Right.. It's typing and driving that's the dangerous part.

Voice to text is pretty much the same as talking on the phone.

true...
but i was talking about keeping my eyes on the road more..

NO body.... just "drives"... we all!! are doing something.. or many things.. while behind the wheel!

best we can all do.. is keep as much attention as possible on the road.
talking on bluetooth... so both hands can be free
texting with voice commands.. so both hands and eyes are where they need to be....
etc...


tell me... are you... only doing 1 thing behind the wheel? just "driving"?????

 

[jamor]

Umm.. I guess I make phone calls and adjust songs/radio, adjust temperature, and load CDs.. sometimes I have to take one hand off of the wheel to flick someone off..

I think that covers most of my car multitasking.