Texting while driving... wow.

[V1P3R]

Kinda related... I saw a guy cutting his hair while he was driving today.

 

[V1P3R]

Oh man... will it ever stop? lool

 

[GT Pro]

Oh man... will it ever stop? lool

If I wanted to argue I would say too bad this doesn't happen more often. Teenagers particularly seem to be obsessed with mobile phones, texting whenever they feel like doing so (even at the most inconvenient of times, like this example).

 

[Danoff]

Ok, so... black and white right? So, People that are drunk or buzzed and can still keep it together are ok on the road? I'm honestly asking because I'm sure there are people that do it.

By definition, if you can keep it together on the road, you're ok. However, if you can't, and you knowingly put yourself in a situation where you knew you'd have trouble, it can easily constitute criminal negligence.

I don't see making using a cell phone (for texting or drinking booze out of) illegal. But I can easily see harsher penalties if that person then goes and hits someone or drives recklessly.

 

[Moglet]

Are people still allowed to smoke whilst driving in the UK? Because I see it all the time and it's very dangerous. You're basically moving about a smoking stick that is ON FIRE above your legs whilst driving a large mass travelling at high speed.

But that doesn't matter too much because they'll all be dead from the smoking soon anyway.

 

[TestECull]

When behind the wheel, one should be focused on the sensations being transmitted to you from that automobile you are piloting. You aren't susposed to be texting, talking or even touching the phone. One should be too in touch with the road to text...buuuut, since people are stupid and vehicles don't transmit road feel anymore, people are just too likely to do it. Plus, vehicles are too forgiving. Try texting while driving my old truck, then try it while driving it's 2007 counterpart and you'll see what I mean.


I theorize that if vehicles weren't so forgiving, and so numb, that if they transmitted more road feel and scared the occupants more, the driver would pay more attention to, um, driving, than they would the cell phone.

 

[Car-less]

vehicles are too forgiving. Try texting while driving my old truck, then try it while driving it's 2007 counterpart and you'll see what I mean.

I theorize that if vehicles weren't so forgiving, and so numb, that if they transmitted more road feel and scared the occupants more, the driver would pay more attention to, um, driving, than they would the cell phone.

There is the biggest threat to road safety (in my opinion). The more that you make vehicles safer / easier to drive by adding Anti-lock brakes, Traction Control, Power steering, Side impact bars, Crumple zones, Airbags, even seatbelts - the safer the occupants feel. This, added to the reduction in driver involvement due to all the electronic aids causes people to feel more relaxed behind the wheel. A relaxed attitude coupled with a long drive then leads to boredom, and ultimately finding something else to do whilst driving.

All of these improvements in safety due to technology are effectively negated by a reduction in driver concentration due to the technology supposedly protecting them. It's all a pointless viscious circle where road-safety legislation results in uninspiring cars piloted by idiots not paying attention.

I wonder how many people would dare to pick up their mobile whilst driving an E-type Jag or C2 Corvette in todays traffic.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I saw some woman on the highway using her left hand to hold a cigarette and steer, and the right to hold her cell phone.

 

[stumpydino]

i still see lots on the phone still these days, seems they dont care bout the points and the fine for getting caught a call can wait jeez...as for texting well, id only do it if im stopped tho im not so swift on it id think itd be too hard to concentrate on either if tried.

 

[Azuremen]

There is the biggest threat to road safety (in my opinion). The more that you make vehicles safer / easier to drive by adding Anti-lock brakes, Traction Control, Power steering, Side impact bars, Crumple zones, Airbags, even seatbelts - the safer the occupants feel. This, added to the reduction in driver involvement due to all the electronic aids causes people to feel more relaxed behind the wheel. A relaxed attitude coupled with a long drive then leads to boredom, and ultimately finding something else to do whilst driving.

All of these improvements in safety due to technology are effectively negated by a reduction in driver concentration due to the technology supposedly protecting them. It's all a pointless viscious circle where road-safety legislation results in uninspiring cars piloted by idiots not paying attention.

I wonder how many people would dare to pick up their mobile whilst driving an E-type Jag or C2 Corvette in todays traffic.

I rarely touch my phone when I am in my MR2. Requires a million times more attention than even my cheap Corolla does. And I can see your point.

What we really need though is some driving education that teaches driving as a serious thing, rather than another place to kill time on the phone. Alot of people just don't realize that driving is a privilege, not a right.

 

[Eric.]

I text when its not something super-important and time sensitive. People text me when I'm working or in class. I text people when I know they're in the middle of doing something, and I don't know when they'll be finished.

Seriously, voicemail? Voicemail is the biggest pain in the ass. It's without a doubt the worst part of my phone. It takes FOREVER to use. I'd rather just look at a text message.

I agree with you 100%. I hate voicemail and I'll usually text someone if its early/late/I know they may be busy.

My cousin and I almost watched a wreck happen from a guy driving next to us while texting. It was on the highway and he hit the brakes just in time so that he didn't rear-end the cars at the stoplight ahead. At the time it was funny, seeing his reaction.

I don't have a problem with people talking on the phone. I just don't think you can make it illegal because a conversation can be distracting and having one hand off the wheel. What is the difference between that or having a passenger (or three)? People don't drive with their hands at three and nine after driver's ed.

 

[Keef]

I text while I drive. I got in a wreck one time, and I was paying full attention. The old lady I hit didn't even know it was me when I came to the window to check on her. Now that is paying attention.

Bottom line is that I can still function while talking or texting. I prefer texting, actually, because I don't have to strain to understand what the person is saying over the sound of my car.

 

[V1P3R]

I text while I drive. I got in a wreck one time, and I was paying full attention.

Good, I'm glad you got into a wreck... whether it's their fault or not you should've been able to avoid it especially since you were apparently "paying full attention" and the other driver is an old lady.

 

[Keef]

Good, I'm glad you got into a wreck... whether it's their fault or not you should've been able to avoid it especially since you were apparently "paying full attention" and the other driver is an old lady.

I was paying attention. I know what I was doing, I know my mistake, I know why I made that mistake, I know I tried as I should've to avoid the accident, and I also know that I was beyond the limit of my car, and there was nothing more I could do to avoid a collision.

Apparently the old lady thought I was female, and that I ran.

Let's not get into whether I was paying attention to things I couldn't see around that blind, wet corner. Instead, let's talk about how I could have avoided it. I always thought I could manage to get out of harm's way until that incident. You can't always manage it. And no matter if I push my car occasionally or not, I could just as easily pull out in front of a car while backing from my driveway.

 

[Joey D]

This seemed fitting to place in here....

In-car texting made easy
The mousetrap and mouse are locked in a constant battle for supremacy. The same is true with laws prohibiting texting while driving and the drivers who simply must text behind the wheel. Enter the capitalists: Microsoft and Nuance. Nuance makes voice recognition software and, combined with the Microsoft Sync system available in many Ford models, the driver would be able to dictate a text message to the car, and perhaps eventually do the same with e-mail.

A Nuance spokeswoman said "We are aiming for natural communication between car and driver, which will have benefits for concentration and safety." The way things are going, there are simply so many more things you can do in a car that we wonder how the increased ability to multitask, even if by voice, will ultimately aid concentration on actual driving. But we'll wait to see how it all shakes out before issuing judgment...

 

[Philly]

There is the biggest threat to road safety (in my opinion). The more that you make vehicles safer / easier to drive by adding Anti-lock brakes, Traction Control, Power steering, Side impact bars, Crumple zones, Airbags, even seatbelts - the safer the occupants feel. This, added to the reduction in driver involvement due to all the electronic aids causes people to feel more relaxed behind the wheel. A relaxed attitude coupled with a long drive then leads to boredom, and ultimately finding something else to do whilst driving.

All of these improvements in safety due to technology are effectively negated by a reduction in driver concentration due to the technology supposedly protecting them. It's all a pointless viscious circle where road-safety legislation results in uninspiring cars piloted by idiots not paying attention.

I wonder how many people would dare to pick up their mobile whilst driving an E-type Jag or C2 Corvette in todays traffic.

Agreed. I feel a lot safer when driving fast in my GTI than not. I know it is a safe vehicle, and driving normally I tend to lose a little focus with what is going on around me. But once I punch the throttle, all of a sudden I start looking for anything that could possibly become a hazard and I focus on what is going on near each corner and how I should best take it. And don't get me started on how horrible I drive in that Volvo.

 

[V1P3R]

This seemed fitting to place in here....

Wow... Nuance huh, pretty ironic name there. Too bad they are fueling a Nuance than preventing one.

 

[Azuremen]

I think you meant "nuisance" instead of "nuance." Perhaps?

I have dictated a few text messages to my phone while driving, but again in pretty dead areas. I typically dictate the message, then when I get to where I am going, make quick corrections and send it.

 

[Philly]

If I really have to or I am in the middle of a conversation, I will read texts at stoplights, and sometimes send short ones from lights. I also test sometimes in gridlock. But if I am moving, I always pull over into a parking lot or something.

I try to make sure it doesn't interfere with my driving, but I'm sure there is more I could do. Especially because I really lack the brain power to do more than one task at once.

 

[FoolKiller]

Wait a second. Voice recognition dictation software in cars? So I will have a text that reads:

Don't forget that Joe is on-call this weekend and his cell number is LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GOING YOU STUPID SON OF A----Gorram women drivers. Oh, is this thing still dictating?

 

[Danoff]

Wait a second. Voice recognition dictation software in cars? So I will have a text that reads:

Don't forget that Joe is on-call this weekend and his cell number is LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GOING YOU STUPID SON OF A----Gorram women drivers. Oh, is this thing still dictating?

I hope it doesn't send... aw man!

 

[Azuremen]

Wait a second. Voice recognition dictation software in cars? So I will have a text that reads:

Don't forget that Joe is on-call this weekend and his cell number is LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GOING YOU STUPID SON OF A----Gorram women drivers. Oh, is this thing still dictating?

Well, with the dictation software I have seen for texting on phones, you have to pause between words, so that nice string o profanities would be something like "ludicrious" with the computer being unsure

And hey look, a Firefly fan!

 

[FoolKiller]

Well, with the dictation software I have seen for texting on phones, you have to pause between words, so that nice string o profanities would be something like "ludicrious" with the computer being unsure

I tend to talk fast when I am thinking out loud, so dictating software had better be able to keep up.

And hey look, a Firefly fan!

 

[Thirdeye]

I've tried replying to a text once while I drove, it's a terrible idea. I don't care how good of a driver you are, it's dangerous and is a huge distraction. I'd argue it's much more dangerous than talking while driving, but not condoning that activity either. I don't do it unless I absolutely have to.

 

[Year.Zero]

Having almost been killed by my friend while texting, I'm strongly against it. She appeared to be staring straight ahead while she was doing it, too—giving me the impression of paying attention. Even so, she didn't slow down at all approaching the car in front of us at a stoplight. (Until I yelled at her)

I just saw something like this on Dr. Phil (my mom watches it. . . seriously), and the girl's argument was that she's a good enough texter to keep driving—not a good enough driver!

I couldn't believe it! How could you be so stupid, to assume that your texting skills are what matters while in the control of a vehicle? I was frustrated to hell at that idea.

 

[Philly]

I just saw something like this on Dr. Phil (my mom watches it. . . seriously), and the girl's argument was that she's a good enough texter to keep driving—not a good enough driver!

I couldn't believe it! How could you be so stupid, to assume that your texting skills are what matters while in the control of a vehicle? I was frustrated to hell at that idea.

Actually, texting skills are really quite important while driving. I would expect that anybody who texts while driving will be able to do so without looking at the phone. The friends I have that do it can do this. Really, you should be able to say that you are a good enough driver to text while driving, but the key really is being able to push the buttons without taking your eyes off the road and having one hand on the wheel. That is, if you are going to do it at all, which is frowned on.

 

[Year.Zero]

Actually, texting skills are really quite important while driving. I would expect that anybody who texts while driving will be able to do so without looking at the phone. The friends I have that do it can do this. Really, you should be able to say that you are a good enough driver to text while driving, but the key really is being able to push the buttons without taking your eyes off the road and having one hand on the wheel. That is, if you are going to do it at all, which is frowned on.

Important yes, but the key is being able to focus on the road—the universal factor in fiddling with anything while you're behind the wheel. If you can't do that, then whether it's tuning the radio or texting, you're done.

 

[Gil]

We text a lot as a family.
But I hate to text while driving.
I almost always, call the person that sent me a text.
I got a bluetooth earpiece specifically so I could talk hands-free, with full mobility of my head.

 

[Solid Lifters]

I can never text while driving. My middle fingers are usually busy doing something else.

 

[Alex.]

👍

I cant see the point really, only makes you more stressed up.