Texting while driving

cristo

bobman1235 wrote: »

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

I know. It just made me think of the question that I posted anyway.

BlueFox

Two weeks ago, I saw a moron on a POS Harley pull out his cell phone to answer a call while going down the freeway. Being a typical jerk, his bike was so loud I'm sure he couldn't hear anything. Of course, since he is a complete and utter fool, he was only wearing a beanie helmet so his ears were open. Unfortunately, while natural selection is weeding these jerks out of the population, others spring up faster than evolution can handle.

cokewithvanilla

it doesn't matter to me what you're doing as long as you can handle your vehicle

I've been hit 4 times by old women who are just too old to think in real time.... when it comes down to it, anything that distracts you enough so that you cannot handle your vehicle is dangerous. People with annoying kids in the back seat, eating, changing the radio, ect are all dangerous.

I text and drive, not very often since I got my iphone... but with my old phone I could text without even looking at it. Hell, I know someone who can text with one hand, without looking (until reading is involved, of course) at the phone while holding a conversation (on the phone or in person) and driving .... some people have the metal capability to do it... some don't

BlueFox

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

I text and drive, not very often since I got my iphone... but with my old phone I could text without even looking at it. Hell, I know someone who can text with one hand, without looking (until reading is involved, of course) at the phone while holding a conversation (on the phone or in person) and driving .... some people have the metal capability to do it... some don't

Congratulations. A soon to be dead statistic. Hopefully, you only take yourself with you.

"Armed with alarming statistics from a new study, the Governors Highway Safety Association will consider endorsing a complete ban on cell phone use while driving -- hands-free or not -- at its annual meeting today."

"The study by the American Journal of Public Health, released Thursday, found that distracted driving fatalities caused by cell phone use and texting soared 28 percent, from 4,572 in 2005 to 5,870 in 2008. The same report showed that texting has caused more than 16,000 deaths in car crashes from 2001 to 2007."

"Of greatest concern is a surge in texting. A Transportation Department study showed that motorists who send and receive text messages take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds while texting. At 55 mph, they can travel the length of a football field without looking at the road.

The same report said a driver's chances of being in a crash double if that person looks away from the road for just two seconds."

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16167847?nclick_check=1

cokewithvanilla

BlueFox wrote: »

Congratulations. A soon to be dead statistic. Hopefully, you only take yourself with you.

ugh. you might find it surprising, but just because some people don't pay attention while texting, doesn't mean that others can't. ( you can actually do this in the same manner as minding your speed with your speedometer, as long as you can type without looking)

sure, there may be many more who don't/can't but there are still those that can. and also, someones 100% attention could be another persons 30% attention... every person is different. Those old women who hit me were probably giving that steering wheel the death grip and mindfully keeping their speed at half of the speed limit, but damn if they didn't hit me.

But hey, I'm not gonna say you're wrong, many people can't do both. I just think blanket statements like "a soon to be a dead statistic" are foolish. Look up a book called "How to Lie With Statistics", you might find it interesting.

mdaudioguy

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

it doesn't matter to me what you're doing as long as you can handle your vehicle
[...]
I text and drive, not very often since I got my iphone... but with my old phone I could text without even looking at it. Hell, I know someone who can text with one hand, without looking (until reading is involved, of course) at the phone while holding a conversation (on the phone or in person) and driving .... some people have the metal capability to do it... some don't

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

ugh. you might find it surprising, but just because some people don't pay attention while texting, doesn't mean that others can't. ( you can actually do this in the same manner as minding your speed with your speedometer, as long as you can type without looking)[...]

You're fooling yourself.

cokewithvanilla

mdaudioguy wrote: »

You're fooling yourself.

Not really. I know that I can drive better while I am not texting. Do you believe that certain people are better drivers than others? That certain people require their full attention, while others do not?

If so, good. If not, well, I know people who have to drive with the radio off so they don't get distracted. Would you find the radio to be too much for you while you're driving?

basically, I would argue that some people, not necessarily me, are better drivers while texting than others who are paying full attention.

If you don't think so.. ok... but keep in mind all the individuals who are licensed to drive.

edit: they've had distracted driver laws everywhere i've lived. So, while one person is eating a big mac and driving perfectly normal, and the driver next to him is doing the same is all over the road, only the one who can't seem to eat and drive at the same time gets pulled over. A law like this makes sense, don't ban the big mac, punish the driver.

Same thing goes for texting and driving, talking on the cell phone and driving, changing the radio station and driving, yelling at your kids, stopping your dog from jumping out the window, holding on to that new mattress... and on and on.

Ultimately, it is not the item that is causing the distraction, but the driver who gets distracted that is the problem. You cannot ban, or get mad at everything that can distract a driver. That train of thought leads to banning/getting angry at everything from street signs to buildings in bright colors. You can only punish the driver in hopes that they will stop being distracted while driving.

mdaudioguy

It's not chewing gum and walking at the same time. It's operating a car. More often than you think we're faced with situations where there's little room for error. When one of these moments occurs while you're texting... never mind. You're right. Some people could probably pass a driving test while intoxicated, while others could not.

But, that doesn't make it a good idea.

cokewithvanilla

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Some people could probably pass a driving test while intoxicated, while others could not.

But, that doesn't make it a good idea.

well said!

I agree, it's not a great idea. I just can't see myself getting mad at people for everything that could possibly be distracting them.

Like I said, if they can operate their vehicle properly, and that includes at that moment when **** happens, then I'm cool with it.

Whether or not they can or you believe they can is whatever, I'll choose to believe it's possible.

cristo

You're fooling yourself. (Not an original thought, but it needed to be said again).

messiah

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

Not really. I know that I can drive better while I am not texting. Do you believe that certain people are better drivers than others? That certain people require their full attention, while others do not?

If so, good. If not, well, I know people who have to drive with the radio off so they don't get distracted. Would you find the radio to be too much for you while you're driving?

basically, I would argue that some people, not necessarily me, are better drivers while texting than others who are paying full attention.

If you don't think so.. ok... but keep in mind all the individuals who are licensed to drive.

edit: they've had distracted driver laws everywhere i've lived. So, while one person is eating a big mac and driving perfectly normal, and the driver next to him is doing the same is all over the road, only the one who can't seem to eat and drive at the same time gets pulled over. A law like this makes sense, don't ban the big mac, punish the driver.

Same thing goes for texting and driving, talking on the cell phone and driving, changing the radio station and driving, yelling at your kids, stopping your dog from jumping out the window, holding on to that new mattress... and on and on.

Hell, don't punish the booze either then. If you're drunk, but driving ok, it's fine, right?

quadzilla

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

well said!

I agree, it's not a great idea. I just can't see myself getting mad at people for everything that could possibly be distracting them.

Like I said, if they can operate their vehicle properly, and that includes at that moment when **** happens, then I'm cool with it.

Whether or not they can or you believe they can is whatever, I'll choose to believe it's possible.

I can drive with my eyes closed, no hands, drunk, texting, talking on the phone and having sex. Want to drive near me? Or do you think it possible that if something really unexpected happens I won't be able to react properly?

cokewithvanilla

quadzilla wrote: »

I can drive with my eyes closed, no hands, drunk, texting, talking on the phone and having sex. Want to drive near me? Or do you think it possible that if something really unexpected happens I won't be able to react properly?

hey man, sounds like you can handle yourself pretty well, I'm cool with it. Now, if you are driving all crazy, then no. It's not about what you are doing, it is about the effect is has on your driving.

Like people who "cut you off"... they can be 2 inches from my bumper as long as I don't have to slow down for them.

messiah wrote: »

Hell, don't punish the booze either then. If you're drunk, but driving ok, it's fine, right?

ah, why not.. we're accepting everything else tonight

when I say we, I mean me :P

let me say that drunk driving laws stem from an established fact that alcohol slows reaction time...chemically. Not like texting that is just a distraction. Do I agree that everyone is drunk and unfit to drive at .08? Hell no. Do I think that the law has a little bit of sense... sure.

bobman1235

over / under on the invincible Superman cokewithvanilla's age? I'll set it at 20, and take the under.

Some day you'll realize you're not perfect, tough guy. Enjoy being wrapped around a tree.

cokewithvanilla

bobman1235 wrote: »

over / under on the invincible Superman cokewithvanilla's age? I'll set it at 20, and take the under.

Some day you'll realize you're not perfect, tough guy. Enjoy being wrapped around a tree.

...what? I said I text occasionally when I am driving and now I am some tough guy? Tough guy standards must have gone down a lot... it's gonna be a sad day when kids are all on the street corners like "yo, bro I gots to respond, I ain't even care if I'm makin' a turn'" trying to boost their street cred.

I don't think it's fair to bash one distraction while holding well with others. I also think it's the driver, not the object of distraction that is the problem... seems pretty sensible.

mdaudioguy

This discussion is pointless.

bobman1235

You're a "tough guy" because you think you're better and more capable than others based on no actual evidence, just on the fact that old people can't drive.

If you can show me some kind of empirical evidence that your driving and texting at the same time is no less safe than NOT texting while driving, I'll back off. Until then - as long as you're **** around on your phone and not focusing on the two ton piece of steel that you're in control of while it barrels towards other humans, you're dangerous, and an ****.

cokewithvanilla

bobman1235 wrote: »

You're a "tough guy" because you think you're better and more capable than others based on no actual evidence, just on the fact that old people can't drive.

if you read up, you'll see that I said "not necessarily me"

If you can show me some kind of empirical evidence that your driving and texting at the same time is no less safe than NOT texting while driving, I'll back off. Until then - as long as you're **** around on your phone and not focusing on the two ton piece of steel that you're in control of while it barrels towards other humans, you're dangerous, and an ****.

I already said that my texting does affect my driving. However, I have never been pulled over for being distracted while driving. Not that this is evidence.

My track record is pretty darn good, I've been in 5 accidents, all caused by others (4 rear ends one head on). I'm a safer driver than many.

Fine, I'm an ****. Just remember that you're an **** next time you change the radio station, look at your speedometer, take a drink, eat some fries, check your navigation system, or talk to a passenger :rolleyes:.

and yeah, this is pointless. Dunno why no one can have differing opinions these days.

edit: and please don't say those aren't as bad. I am not gonna argue the degrees of distraction, a distraction is a distraction... no matter how brief, as has been stated by many so far.

bigaudiofanatic

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.)

It is funny you mention this. I nearly s*** myself when this happened. My friends car was in the shop for the week so I took him to work on my bike. Day three I notice his hands are not longer on my waist. I look over to find him texting on the back of my fin bike!!!!

pearsall001

To all those texting while driving...may you be alone in the car when you wrap your **** around the tree & break your freaking neck!!! Good riddance, one less moron to pass his/hers gene on.

quadzilla

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

let me say that drunk driving laws stem from an established fact that alcohol slows reaction time...chemically. Not like texting that is just a distraction. Do I agree that everyone is drunk and unfit to drive at .08? Hell no. Do I think that the law has a little bit of sense... sure.

And it's been shown that just talking on a cell phone slows reaction times as much or even more than being at the legal limit for alcohol. Texting is even worse. See http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10272628-94.html or http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=062206-1.

Now tell me again how what you do is "safe". And really, you need to get past this whole "I'm special" thing.

bobman1235

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

My track record is pretty darn good, I've been in 5 accidents, all caused by others (4 rear ends one head on). I'm a safer driver than many.

Wait, seriously, how old are you? Many people go through their lives getting in zero, maybe one accident. You th ink you have a better record than many having been in FIVE?! And you're.... just based on your posts.... maybe 25? Probably less?

Fine, I'm an ****. Just remember that you're an **** next time you change the radio station, look at your speedometer, take a drink, eat some fries, check your navigation system, or talk to a passenger :rolleyes:.

They are different, and equating writing a text or talking on the phone to looking at your speedometer shows just how out of touch with reality you are. And talking to a passenger is different from talking on th e phone because a passenger is with you and is aware of the road so they can give visual cues as to what's going on on the road if your attention wanders.

dunno why no one can have differing opinions these days.

Cuz it's not an opinion! It's science! YOu're trying to pass off your opinion as fact. Studies show you are WRONG. I know you're growing up in an age where no one gets told they're wrong, but you CAN be wrong. And are. Very, very wrong.



They really need to set up a test track that people can go to, that has random unexpected hazards in teh road, and force people to try running the track while texting, vs changing a radio station, so you can see just how different it is.

zombie boy 2000

bobman1235 wrote: »

They really need to set up a test track that people can go to, that has random unexpected hazards in teh road, and force people to try running the track while texting, vs changing a radio station, so you can see just how different it is.

A news station here in Atlanta actually did that. Hilarity ensued.

Toolfan66

I think if one gets pulled over for texting while driving they should revoke your license for a year next offense 5 years..Next 30 days in jail.. There is no need to text while driving period!!!

Nuff Said..

tonyb

What most don't understand is that driving is a privaledge, not a right. Along with that comes the resposibility[ key word ] of controling that car/truck/bike in any given situation, which also includes watching out for other drivers and how they are controlling their cars. Sure,some might be better than others at multi-tasking,but driving is not where you want to prove how good you are at it. Responsibility folks,bottom line.

Toolfan66

tonyb wrote: »

What most don't understand is that driving is a privaledge, not a right. Along with that comes the resposibility[ key word ] of controling that car/truck/bike in any given situation, which also includes watching out for other drivers and how they are controlling their cars. Sure,some might be better than others at multi-tasking,but driving is not where you want to prove how good you are at it. Responsibility folks,bottom line.

The one post that makes sense in this whole mess..

vc69

One of my best friend's wife was killed in an auto accident this past February on her way to work (a route she took every day). She rear-ended a farm trailer being pulled on a state highway by a tractor. The LAST communication he had with his wife was a text. They were doing what they had done most every day since she took the job. She WAS a safe driver. She is dead because she was driving distracted. He has to live with the possibility that she was replying to one of his texts when the accident occurred.


If you text and drive you are an impaired driver and a danger to yourself and everybody you encounter on the road. Anyone that doesn't understand that is an imbecile. CWV et al.

ratster

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

it doesn't matter to me what you're doing as long as you can handle your vehicle

I've been hit 4 times by old women who are just too old to think in real time.... when it comes down to it, anything that distracts you enough so that you cannot handle your vehicle is dangerous. People with annoying kids in the back seat, eating, changing the radio, ect are all dangerous.

I text and drive, not very often since I got my iphone... but with my old phone I could text without even looking at it. Hell, I know someone who can text with one hand, without looking (until reading is involved, of course) at the phone while holding a conversation (on the phone or in person) and driving .... some people have the metal capability to do it... some don't

I won't argue with ya or call you names but do me a favor.When you see big white Peterbilt draggin a tank around put your damn phone down.Gasoline doesn't care who is at fault:(

kevhed72

Something else to remember, if you are texting while driving and get in an accident, any good lawyer is going to have your cell phone info. pulled from your provider to demonstrate you were being unsafe (texting) at the time of the accident. Now, is it really worth it?
As Tonyb pointed out, driving is a privledge, and as a parent of 3 boys, I am all for raising the driving age to 17 or 18.:)

sucks2beme

Gee, I guess I'm done here. Common practice, bad idea.
Damn good thing I home office. You can all go play bumper cars by yourselves.