Texting while driving

Garycw · May 17, 2016

I've missed several exits just talking on the phone before.
Another dangerous habit is eating while driving. There used to be billboards about being the most dangerous lunch room.
Another BIG distraction are billboards themselves. The eye sores should be banned!

Ed of all trades · May 17, 2016

I talk on the phone all the time while driving, never had a problem. I will only text while i'm stopped at a light or stopped in a parking lot somewhere. I will not read a text while driving. I remember people talking about CB's and how they should not be allowed in cars or trucks, but that seems to have passed. Ed

Streetcar · May 17, 2016

dieselcrawler said:
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.

Studies have shown it is the discussion that is the distraction, not having a phone in your hand.

kidr · May 17, 2016

Citydude said:
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......

Of course you are

Bird · May 17, 2016

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

During my days in law enforcement, we had no phones; had to stop at a fire station or police station if we needed to use a phone.:laughing: But I've run high speed pursuits in a car with a manual transmission and having to talk on the radio with a hand held mic at the same time.

Bird · May 17, 2016

Streetcar said:
Studies have shown it is the discussion that is the distraction, not having a phone in your hand.

And where would we find those "studies"?

Bird · May 17, 2016

turnkey4099 said:
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.

I guess, compared to you, I'm still a "youngster" at 76. However, I KNOW I'm not the driver I was 30-40 years ago. In fact, I used to be in charge of the department's safety section, got a 20 consecutive year safe driving award, etc. My last accident was about 12 years ago on a slight downslope approaching a stop sign in a light rain. The car ahead of me stopped and I stopped, but the 26 year old young lady behind me didn't.

She knocked me far enough forward that I would have hit the car in front of me, if it hadn't taken off when it did.

Fortunately, she had insurance that paid for the repairs.

Al 2 · May 17, 2016

A few years ago in town a teenager was killed when driving and texting when he tried to cross a railroad crossing and was hit by a freight train. I know I'm not as good a driver I thought I was and pull over now to use a phone.
Al

MF283 · May 17, 2016

My daughter had an annoying habit of texting me when she knows i just got off work & have an hour drive home.
When i get home, she will ask if i stopped at the store to pickup whatever it was for dinner. After a dozen or so times, she finally took the 15 minute drive to get the items when needed, i wear glasses to read & blame sure can't see to drive with them on.
I have ringtones for certain folks that i will answer while driving with the speaker on the phone & keep it short & to the point while driving, at 58, i don't think my driving skills are what they used to be, no accident's though.

Ronnie