Texting while driving

[oldballs]

Heck, I can hardly gawk about noticing a field or a tractor at work,..........without swaying on the road. I try to avoid even that curiosity. It seems like, if I look "left" then I steer "left", vice a versa. Maybe it is an age related disorder, yet I've seen younger fellas do the same thing on narrow country roads. That scares the hellz out of me, when I see it coming.

 

[drssg]

Heck, I can hardly gawk about noticing a field or a tractor at work,..........without swaying on the road. I try to avoid even that curiosity. It seems like, if I look "left" then I steer "left", vice a versa. Maybe it is an age related disorder, yet I've seen younger fellas do the same thing on narrow country roads. That scares the hellz out of me, when I see it coming.

I've noticed the same thing. I used to enjoy the scenery while taking a motorcycle ride. Now I need to more actively watch the road. It seems like my multitasking skills have deteriorated with time. If something else catches my attention, I'm more apt to get mentally locked onto that one thing.

 

[turnkey4099]

Until I bought my current F150 with which I can answer calls or make calls without taking my hands off the steering wheel, I just wouldn't use my cell phone at all when driving. Whether it was receiving or making a call, I just got out of traffic and stopped to use the cell phone.

It isn't the holding of the phone that is the problem. Just talking on it takes you attention off the road. There is no such thing as multitasking while driving - you are either driving or paying attention to whatever else you are doing. The brain is wired for sequention, not simultaneous, functions.

I saw one clip of a test in a simulator, red light at eye level on the screen. Subject was text and to touch the brake every time the red light came on.. He missed over half the lights.

Harry K

 

[Bird]

It isn't the holding of the phone that is the problem. Just talking on it takes you attention off the road. There is no such thing as multitasking while driving - you are either driving or paying attention to whatever else you are doing. The brain is wired for sequention, not simultaneous, functions.

I saw one clip of a test in a simulator, red light at eye level on the screen. Subject was text and to touch the brake every time the red light came on.. He missed over half the lights.

Harry K

That's in agreement with the self-styled "experts" and I don't really know of any empirical evidence either way. But how many people drive a motor vehicle with a passenger, or passengers, and never speak to them or listen to them? I don't guess I see the difference between that and using the cell phone in a vehicle like I now have in which you touch one button on the steering wheel then everything is by voice; don't have to look at anything or do anything except talk and/or listen.

However, for me personally, it doesn't make a big difference because I don't use my cell phone in ANY way or anytime more than once every couple of months.:laughing: But I was taken by surprise and actually did receive a call on it while driving once this month, and I answered it . . . . . . wrong number!

 

[Citydude]

Well, I guess I'll have to confess. I had the habit of reading my emails on my blackberry as I was going to work. One early morning I was pulled over for swerving back and forth between the lines. Yep, I was reading my emails. The officer was going to give me a drunk driving test until I explained I was "preoccupied". He gave me a stern warning and I went on my merry way.

About 3 months later, I ran completely off a county road on my way to work, over corrected came back up on the road and slid sideways coming to a stop. Yep, reading my emails. That was my sign. I no longer touch my phone while I'm driving. I've proved to myself that I'm incapable of driving and reading at the same time. And I'm a really good driver......

 

[Howling]

Distracted driving has been around before cell phones and texting. Late '90s I had an hour commute on busy highway. Saw people reading newspaper, books. putting on makeup in the mirror, bowl of cereal, shaving and many other things. Amazing there were not more accidents. Left that contract after about 1-1/2 years.

I have GPS with voice activation and bluetooth for hands free phone. Recently drove to DC and back to visit our daughter. My wife asked about checking each time my phone made a noise. Had to keep reminding her it will keep until we stop. The world has got so wrapped up in faster and faster, and instant response time. I keep saying the two most important features of that device are caller ID and voicemail.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Police seem to be the worst offenders of using a phone while driving, i see them all the time.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Our state outlawed use of devices without hands free... still see lots of people (including cops) on the phones. I do my best to not touch it.

 

[reb]

I agree with turnkey4099. Maybe some other folks are different, but I cannot carry on a serious conversation, either on a phone or with someone else in the car, and pay adequate attention to the road.

 

[turnkey4099]

I agree with turnkey4099. Maybe some other folks are different, but I cannot carry on a serious conversation, either on a phone or with someone else in the car, and pay adequate attention to the road.

I came within a second of rear-ending a semi on the freeway. Busy talking with my sister at the time. I, at 81, still count myself a good driver but have had more "problems" inthe past 10 years than in all the rest of my driving history mostly due to inattentiveness. No accidents...knock wood.