Texting while driving

mudwrx

I think I'll try to take better numbers next week, but this week alone I counted at least 6 people texting while driving.

Keep in mind, this is really only to and from work and it only takes me less than 15 minutes each way, using back roads no less.

In one case the guy was completely in my lane going to other direction. Luckily I had already driven past him, but I noticed in my mirror the car behind me had to do an all out swerve to avoid getting hit.

When will people realize texting is just as bad as driving drunk, maybe even worse??

I personally do not do it, won't even read a text I may get until I'm parked. I've seen way too many close calls and actual accidents because of this.

The state of Massachusetts recently passed a law against texting while driving, if only it could be strictly enforced somehow.

People need to stop being so self absorbed and realize they are driving multi-ton vehicles that require their full attention.

I'm sure there are many other stories out there?

cristo

When I see this I always think ... hang up the damn phone before your airbag hangs it up for you!
If they were only putting themselves at risk I wouldn't be so annoyed, mad and scared, but they're
endangering you and me as well.

ryanjoachim

I text while driving occasionally, but usually only when I need to get directions or something along those lines.

And when I do, I use this format:

Check the road as far ahead as I can see, plan ahead
Type a few letters
Look at the road again
Type a few letters
Rinse and repeat

I try to only take my eyes off the road for the same amount of time as I would if I was changing the radio station or something like that.

bobman1235

ryanjoachim wrote: »

I text while driving occasionally, but usually only when I need to get directions or something along those lines.

And when I do, I use this format:

Check the road as far ahead as I can see, plan ahead
Type a few letters
Look at the road again
Type a few letters
Rinse and repeat

I try to only take my eyes off the road for the same amount of time as I would if I was changing the radio station or something like that.

Well I'm sure with that method it's perfectly safe! /sarcasm

Knock it off, just pull over if you need directions, it takes ten seconds. The reason you need to pay attention is for UNEXPECTED ****, not things you8 can see literally a mile ahead.

I used to be able to do it before I had an iphone, because I could type without looking. Now I don't even try. The handful of times I've tried to do anything but change songs on my iPhone while driving I realize almost instantly what a bad idea it is, and don't do it anymore.

ryanjoachim

Edited for flame-inducing comments.

Toolfan66

hang up the damn phone before your airbag hangs it up for you!



That would make a great sticker and/or shirt...

Danny Tse

Sounds like another episode of our local news' "People Behaving Badly"....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=ucgNKZlQiQw

Sherardp

I do it all the time and have damn near wrecked a few. I've been in both lanes while doing so at some point. It is very bad, but man I hate talking on the phone all the freaking time. Guess I need to chill out on that.

mudwrx

Sherardp wrote: »

I do it all the time and have damn near wrecked a few. I've been in both lanes while doing so at some point. It is very bad, but man I hate talking on the phone all the freaking time. Guess I need to chill out on that.

Not trying to be confrontational with you here, but how would you feel if you killed some little kid because you were too busy replying to a text about what's for dinner or something?

Man, it is so scary...

Sherardp

mudwrx wrote: »

Not trying to be confrontational with you here, but how would you feel if you killed some little kid because you were too busy replying to a text about what's for dinner or something?

Man, it is so scary...

I would feel like MJ..........


A smooth criminal....



All kidding aside your right though. Guess I do need to chill out on that.

bobman1235

At the very least, get an Android with speech recognition

Cue the old timers saying "if you're going to talk why not just call."

Midnite Mick

texting or even talking on the phone is illegal here. However, I have not heard of anybody getting a ticket that I know so I am not sure it is being enforced.

Polkersince85

We just had a local teenager killed while texting. Run off the road and hit a telephone pole. She had started college this month.

messiah

There is no good reason to text while driving. The more capable our phones become, the more capable we become of hurting or killing ourselves or others. I love my phone, but I will not text or talk while driving.

PhantomOG

A few weeks ago I was stopped at a red light when I looked up in my rear view and saw a woman driving a truck towards me, not slowing down, looking down at something in her hand. I assume she was texting. When I realized she was not going to stop I layed on the horn. Thankfully it got her attention and she screeched to a halt inches from my bumper.

I never use my phone in the car, period. Even if I had only used it while stopped I would have gotten into an accident that day.

madmax

Most people don't realize that if they do not pay attention to driving then they are a bad driver.

BeRad

300 dollar fine for using any handheld electronic device while driving in Ontario. The whole texting thing I get, but I don't really see a problem with talking on the phone. I guess it is too hard to successfully fine for texting alone so they just threw everything into one set offense/fine.
But using a headset is allowed! lol. I guess it's mostly about having 2 hands on the wheel, but most people I see drive with one hand on the wheel anyways.

Texting while driving = closing your eyes for 30 seconds while driving = absolutely STUPID. I would actually rather have a drunk coming towards me since they would have a better chance of keeping in their lane. Both are practiced by the same types of people: IDIOTS!

j allen

I'll use it while stopped at a light. If someone hits me while I'm stationary, so be it. Once I move that shifter into 1st, though, I put my damn phone away. I'm not overly concerned about my own safety, but I don't want someone else on my conscience.

Airplay355

I can't talk on the phone while driving since my car is standard and I'm not willing to have a kink in my neck after.

I used to be able to text and drive when I had an old school phone with real buttons so you could actually feel what letter you were on without having to look. Now that I have a touchscreen phone I can't do it anymore and don't even try. Just not worth it.

Norm Apter

tx_polkhead

I keep an older camera we don't use anymore in the cup holder of the car when I see someone doing this I pull up next to them pretend to be shooting video of them till they ses me. Their reaction is usually along the lines of 'oh my god, what the hell was i doing???' hope it gives them something to think about. I use to just lay in to the horn if I saw someone texting, figured that might trigger an accident so I don't do that anymore.

bigaudiofanatic

cristo wrote: »

When I see this I always think ... hang up the damn phone before your airbag hangs it up for you!
If they were only putting themselves at risk I wouldn't be so annoyed, mad and scared, but they're
endangering you and me as well.

How do you think I feel on a bike.

Do I text while driving? Use to, than I thought what is so important that I ca not do this at a stop light or actually call someone. I do not do it anymore.

The cell phone companies are going to give at first the parents access to lockout kids to text over 10 mph. I just hope they lock down all phones for anything over 10 mph.

Knucklehead

I work for a Co where I drive a Co owned vehicle, If we are seen or caught driving while texting or talking on the phone without a headset device....immediate pink slip, no questions asked.

sucks2beme

Cell/Texting use make dirvers as dangerous as drunks.
That's the statistic. Here in Dallas, both ar as common as
bumper to bumper traffic. Always a good mix.

George Grand

Good luck. People are selfish **** that don't give a damn what you think. This texting or talking on the phone **** while driving will NEVER go away. Get used to it and some of the stories that will accompany it.

mdaudioguy

BeRad wrote: »

The whole texting thing I get, but I don't really see a problem with talking on the phone.

People like to think otherwise, but talking on the phone takes some of your attention away from the road, too. Some say it's no different than having a conversation with a passenger, but my perception is that there's a difference. I can't explain it, but I've definitely observed it - even with myself. However, some do it better than others. Human attention degrades every time it's split.

It's interesting to me that when I see a car on the highway going unusually slow, I'd say that most of the time, the driver is on the phone. I've noticed that drivers on the phone don't often swerve, but lose attention to things like speed and following distance. The irony is that going too slow also makes them a hazard on some roads. I've occasionally missed an exit because of the distraction. I'll be going hands-free this week, since the new MD law goes into effect on October 1. I'm curious as to what differences I'll notice.

mdaudioguy

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I just hope they lock down all phones for anything over 10 mph.

So, none of the passengers in my car would be able to text or use their phones?? I don't think that's gonna fly.

Mike Kozak

Norm, I love the cartoon!! So true, how many people have to die?? or is it natural selection/thinning out the gene pool???

mdaudioguy

DSkip wrote: »

Yep. I've thought about that before, having a speed limiter on the phone. It would never work though for that reason.

Give it another 10 years and every car on the market will probably have some kind of bluetooth embedded in the radio to do handsfree calling.

10 years? I'll bet sooner than that! My car is an '09, and when the 2010s came out, that was one of the few new features... and it's one I would have really liked! :rolleyes:

cristo

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

Quote:
Originally Posted by cristo
When I see this I always think ... hang up the damn phone before your airbag hangs it up for you!
If they were only putting themselves at risk I wouldn't be so annoyed, mad and scared, but they're
endangering you and me as well.


How do you think I feel on a bike?

Just wondering ... how about a show of hands ... how many of you who have bikes or motorcycles text while riding your cycle?
(I'll bet someone is stupid enough to do this ... or was - RIP.)

bobman1235

cristo wrote: »

Just wondering ... how about a show of hands ... how many of you who have bikes or motorcycles text while riding your cycle?
(I'll bet someone is stupid enough to do this ... or was - RIP.)

He meant that when you're on a bike you're much more vulnerable to idiots not paying attention to the road.