As if driving while using a cell-phone wasn't bad enough ...

[Kanastrous]

Sure.

He's not driving.

He's texting the people that are?

Yep.

I'm coming to get you.

*And* your victims.

[FSTargetDrone]

I live in a Southern California college town and have the pleasure of sharing the road with text-messaging teenage girls who drive like intoxicated elderly asians (and whatever other bad driver stereotypes you can think of) on an almost daily basis.

I've seen people blow right through stop signs as they are chatting away on cell phone. And it's usually young people, teens mostly.

[Karrick]

Whenever this topic comes up between my roommates and I one of them will invariably relate the tale of the "Fairport Five". They had just graduated from his high school and got into nasty accident with a tractor trailer. All five died and it was later discovered through phone records that the driver had been texting less than a minute before the 911 call went out.

[Superboy]

It's not quite as bad as it sounds. Although texting while driving is idiotic (much like talking on a cell while driving), it doesn't actually require you to look at your phone the whole time. I used to regularly send text messages with my phone hidden under my desk when I shared an office with my boss. For some people, it doesn't require more than a quick glance, like checking a speedometer.

I'm not defending the behavior in any way, just clarifying that these aren't people who are staring down at their phone while they drive. At least, some of them aren't.

[Kanastrous]

It's not quite as bad as it sounds. Although texting while driving is idiotic (much like talking on a cell while driving), it doesn't actually require you to look at your phone the whole time. I used to regularly send text messages with my phone hidden under my desk when I shared an office with my boss. For some people, it doesn't require more than a quick glance, like checking a speedometer.

I'm not defending the behavior in any way, just clarifying that these aren't people who are staring down at their phone while they drive. At least, some of them aren't.

The fact that they are using their hands for something besides steering, really obviates any comfort I might take in the suggestion that they are looking where they are going.

[Oskuro]

Around here, you can't even use headphones for your cellphone. The only legal option is to install a hands-free speaker system (one of those with vocal dialing and such). Of course, it sometimes happens that you see an asshole using the cellphone while driving, but is pretty rare....

Wich explains how shocked I was last summer around Houston, seeing so fucking many people driving while talking on the cell, and, more importantly, driving those monstruously large cars you guys have over there!

[Metatwaddle]

It's not quite as bad as it sounds. Although texting while driving is idiotic (much like talking on a cell while driving), it doesn't actually require you to look at your phone the whole time. I used to regularly send text messages with my phone hidden under my desk when I shared an office with my boss. For some people, it doesn't require more than a quick glance, like checking a speedometer.

I'm not defending the behavior in any way, just clarifying that these aren't people who are staring down at their phone while they drive. At least, some of them aren't.

The fact that they are using their hands for something besides steering, really obviates any comfort I might take in the suggestion that they are looking where they are going.

You only need one hand to text, and people steer with one hand all the time - while drinking a cup of coffee, for instance.

[Bounty]

It's not quite as bad as it sounds. Although texting while driving is idiotic (much like talking on a cell while driving), it doesn't actually require you to look at your phone the whole time. I used to regularly send text messages with my phone hidden under my desk when I shared an office with my boss. For some people, it doesn't require more than a quick glance, like checking a speedometer.

I'm not defending the behavior in any way, just clarifying that these aren't people who are staring down at their phone while they drive. At least, some of them aren't.

The fact that they are using their hands for something besides steering, really obviates any comfort I might take in the suggestion that they are looking where they are going.

You only need one hand to text, and people steer with one hand all the time - while drinking a cup of coffee, for instance.

Something else they shouldn't be doing while driving. Whatever happened to "being in control of your vehicle" and "paying attention to the road"?

[Jade Falcon]

The most stupid shit I saw was on a TV program about reckless driving, it had nothing to do with cellphones, but basically the guy was lounging back in the drivers seat, arms behind his head and steering with his feet...on a motorway!!!!

[xerex]

pfftt.

dont driving regulations state that you must have BOTH HANDS on the steering wheel at all times ?

[Jade Falcon]

pfftt.

dont driving regulations state that you must have BOTH HANDS on the steering wheel at all times ?

Yes, obviously when changing hears, especially in a manual you get some respite, but driving with your feet or using a cellphone??

[Metatwaddle]

pfftt.

dont driving regulations state that you must have BOTH HANDS on the steering wheel at all times ?

Yeah, that's why it's illegal to drive stick.

Something else they shouldn't be doing while driving. Whatever happened to "being in control of your vehicle" and "paying attention to the road"?

What? I'm not sure how drinking coffee automatically means you lose control of your vehicle. It does make it easier to lose control of the vehicle because your attention to the road is compromised a bit, and it's certainly not the best idea in the world, but I've never lost control of my vehicle while drinking coffee and I doubt most people who drink coffee while driving have.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

It's not quite as bad as it sounds. Although texting while driving is idiotic (much like talking on a cell while driving), it doesn't actually require you to look at your phone the whole time. I used to regularly send text messages with my phone hidden under my desk when I shared an office with my boss. For some people, it doesn't require more than a quick glance, like checking a speedometer.

I'm not defending the behavior in any way, just clarifying that these aren't people who are staring down at their phone while they drive. At least, some of them aren't.

The fact that they are using their hands for something besides steering, really obviates any comfort I might take in the suggestion that they are looking where they are going.

You only need one hand to text, and people steer with one hand all the time - while drinking a cup of coffee, for instance.

One hand, and a huge quantity of mental horsepower. The brain has the worst multitasking scheme ever devised, and will cheerfully assign top priority to socializing, over that thing you're doing with your other hand and your foot that doesn't obviously involve running from a man-eating lion, and is thus, not a threat to your survival.

This is especially true with texting, where you must take extra care to convey your thoughts in the most efficient way possible. Sort of like conveying complex concepts to an especially slow, stupid child. And you're doing it in an entirely different language comprised of combinations of finger gestures, so the brain must devote even more resources to translating between thought/spoken English and texting . . . which is an inherently clumsy way of conveying thought.

As an example, this: 3666 668 833998 944 444 55533 37774448884446641111 translates into "Dont text while driving!"

Anything one does while driving that involves using their hands, that isn't directly related to the task of driving, is a bad idea. Driving is among the most dangerous activities humans have ever devised, because it puts the brain into a situation which it only superficially comprehends. After all, for 99% of human history, the only way to go faster than 25 MPH was to fall off a cliff.

[Vympel]

I've seen idiots doing it on the road several times in the past few months. You can always tell, because their car is all over the fucking road. I even shouted at one idiot once to put the fucking phone down.

[Kanastrous]

I'm not sure how drinking coffee automatically means you lose control of your vehicle. It does make it easier to lose control of the vehicle because your attention to the road is compromised a bit, and it's certainly not the best idea in the world, but I've never lost control of my vehicle while drinking coffee and I doubt most people who drink coffee while driving have.

And, since the price (if paid) for that compromised attention is measured in lives and lost limbs, that increased ease with which you might lose control of your vehicle is justifiable...how?

[Metatwaddle]

I'm not sure how drinking coffee automatically means you lose control of your vehicle. It does make it easier to lose control of the vehicle because your attention to the road is compromised a bit, and it's certainly not the best idea in the world, but I've never lost control of my vehicle while drinking coffee and I doubt most people who drink coffee while driving have.

And, since the price (if paid) for that compromised attention is measured in lives and lost limbs, that increased ease with which you might lose control of your vehicle is justifiable...how?

I'm not sure it is justified, but I also don't think it's in the same category as texting just because it involves having one hand off the wheel. Not all distractions are created equal.

[Kanastrous]

Not all distractions are created equal.

That's true. Although they are all to one degree or another undesirable.

[FSTargetDrone]

You can raise a cup to your mouth from its holder and take a drink, all without looking away from the road. I do it all the time with a travel mug (of course, not when the road is busy, etc.). I know where the cup is (between the front seats) and have it situated such that the opening is positioned properly so I can drink without turning the cup around to reach the small opening. I really only drink at stoplights.

Glancing away even for a moment at a cell phone can be disastrous.

[Kanastrous]

Of course, having to make an unexpected emergency maneuver while holding a hot cup of whatever over your lap is probably something we'd all like to avoid.

I've seen the tops come off travel cups at inopportune moments. Still unfair to expect people around you to accept the risk of your behavior (generalized "you," no one specific).

[FSTargetDrone]

Of course, having to make an unexpected emergency maneuver while holding a hot cup of whatever over your lap is probably something we'd all like to avoid.

I've seen the tops come off travel cups at inopportune moments. Still unfair to expect people around you to accept the risk of your behavior (generalized "you," no one specific).

All I drink in the car is ice water. And like I said, not while actually driving.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

I eat and drink in the car all the time, but I usually tell the people I'm driving with to shut up if I'm doing so, since I know I can't handle both conversation and food consumption responsibility. For that matter, in city driving and when it's very congested I'll usually ask passengers to do the same--as this study proved it's far easier (four times easier) to be distracted by conversation with passengers than eaten; cellphone usage ought rightfully banned in all respects, and hands-free devices should also be banned.

[Jade Falcon]

I generally like to keep a cool drink in the car, especially considering the climate control on my Passat doesn't keep me cool on hot weather, but I prefer a smaller sealed bottle of something like Coke or Lucozade, something I can take a swig from quickly. Even then, I'll only do it when there's traffic backed up at busy junctions and it's barely crawl speed. My opinion is, that you don't just watch your own driving, but watch out for all the idiots that have absolutely no traffic awareness.

[Phantasee]

My opinion is, that you don't just watch your own driving, but watch out for all the idiots that have absolutely no traffic awareness.

Your opinion is shared by the majority of professional drivers, and defensive driving schools. It's nice to be able to say, "I had the right of way!" but it's not going to help you if you're 6 feet deep.

[salm]

In one of my jobs i work as a driver. The car has one of these phones with speakers installed and to be honest i think it´s safer to talk normally on the phone than with this speaker thing. At least with the one the company has put into the car. That is because the quality of the sound from the speakers is really bad and you have to listen very carefully if you want to understand anything.
If i´d simply speak on the cell phone i´d have one less hand but at least i wouldn´t have to waste increased concentration on the phone call.

[Kanastrous]

In one of my jobs i work as a driver. The car has one of these phones with speakers installed and to be honest i think it´s safer to talk normally on the phone than with this speaker thing. At least with the one the company has put into the car. That is because the quality of the sound from the speakers is really bad and you have to listen very carefully if you want to understand anything.
If i´d simply speak on the cell phone i´d have one less hand but at least i wouldn´t have to waste increased concentration on the phone call.

What's wrong with showing respect for your own life - and more important, the lives of those around you - by not distracting yourself with either an in-hand phone, or a hands-free phone?