Texting While Driving

[JonMA1]

Everyone knows its stupid, yet so many people do it. It's almost as though technology will be the only way to reduce it. There are just so many things that can happen at 60mph even when you are concentrating on the road.

[nevets88]

I totally see why people do it, not that I'm condoning it. The urge to communicate is primal. Add to that the utter boredom that is driving. And the cluelessness of people. Even w/the cornucopia of media to entertain oneself available in one's little smartphone, tons of music, audiobooks, podcasts, etc...

[phillyk]

Im not gonna lie, I do it.  But I've memorized for the most part where every letter and period is on my phone so I don't even need to look at my phone until I send.  I do, however, limit my texting only in non-busy areas.  If Im in traffic, I try not to text or be on my phone at all.  No, the text really isn't that important, I just respond anyway because I can.  Sometimes the text is for directions or to see where my wife is or if she wants food, so it can be important sometimes.

[tristanhilton85]

I'm far more amazed that we need to go to these great lengths to convince people to stop doing it!

No matter how many times you tell somebody something or show them something, some people are just stupid.

[Dave2512]

I see so much of it from my street level office with a huge window facing the street I lose count. Literally hundreds of drivers each day staring at phones.

[MrFlipper]

Im not gonna lie, I do it.  But I've memorized for the most part where every letter and period is on my phone so I don't even need to look at my phone until I send.  I do, however, limit my texting only in non-busy areas.  If Im in traffic, I try not to text or be on my phone at all.  No, the text really isn't that important, I just respond anyway because I can.  Sometimes the text is for directions or to see where my wife is or if she wants food, so it can be important sometimes.

Dude, seriously? Read what you wrote, then just stop before you hurt or kill someone. Seriously!

[billchao]

Im not gonna lie, I do it.  But I've memorized for the most part where every letter and period is on my phone so I don't even need to look at my phone until I send.  I do, however, limit my texting only in non-busy areas.  If Im in traffic, I try not to text or be on my phone at all.  No, the text really isn't that important, I just respond anyway because I can.  Sometimes the text is for directions or to see where my wife is or if she wants food, so it can be important sometimes.

Driving safety is not just about control over your own vehicle, but being able to anticipate and react to potential hazards. Taking the time to look away at your phone at a message or to compose one could be just enough time for you to miss the car that ran a red light and is going to crash into you or something. I've always felt two things about driving: people underestimate just how dangerous it is because we are so used to doing it, and people overestimate the control they have over the situation. Accidents can happen even if you are in full control of your vehicle. I've been in two accidents. Once a guy ran a red light and I drove right into his passenger door, and the other time a utility truck changed lanes right into my car. Both times, I was in full control of my car and it didn't matter because somebody else wasn't paying attention.

[phillyk]

Driving safety is not just about control over your own vehicle, but being able to anticipate and react to potential hazards. Taking the time to look away at your phone at a message or to compose one could be just enough time for you to miss the car that ran a red light and is going to crash into you or something.

I've always felt two things about driving: people underestimate just how dangerous it is because we are so used to doing it, and people overestimate the control they have over the situation. Accidents can happen even if you are in full control of your vehicle.

I've been in two accidents. Once a guy ran a red light and I drove right into his passenger door, and the other time a utility truck changed lanes right into my car. Both times, I was in full control of my car and it didn't matter because somebody else wasn't paying attention.

That is just it though, I only do it when no cars are around.  The only thing I can hurt is myself or the squirrel that just ran across the road.  If there are cars around, I'll wait 'til I hit the red light.

[Mr. Desmond]

I will dictate a text in light traffic or at a traffic stop. Try not to do it ... depends on whether a message is urgent.

[phillyk]

I will dictate a text in light traffic or at a traffic stop. Try not to do it ... depends on whether a message is urgent.

Oh yeah, I forgot I can do the talk texting thing...

[isukgolf]

Well I tool the Oprah challenge years ago ... so I don't text and drive :-) Call me old fashion, but I will not even answer the phone, and texting is just totally out of the question while in my car/truck. Plus I ride a motorcycle a lot work, and I believe that loud pipes saves lives, so its not an issue for me. (and yes I even wear a helmet) I am amazed at how much texting goes on at stop lights. I see it all the time.

[Lihu]

[QUOTE name="Lihu" url="/t/84524/texting-while-driving#post_1201601"]   I'm far more amazed that we need to go to these great lengths to convince people to stop doing it! [/QUOTE] No matter how many times you tell somebody something or show them something, some people are just stupid.

Or it could also be the "I'm more skilled at driving and have better judgement than everyone, so I can drive while texting." syndrome. They should redo the UK ad video to show a professional who makes perfectly sensible decisions. Then show him/her texting to respond to an emergency at work or home and an unreasonable situation where if they were not texting they could have barely prevented the accident. Show two endings. One with the same disaster while texting, and the other where he/she ignores the text and ends up crashing into a sign post but everyone survives. Or the like. It's funny that everyone thinks they are perfect drivers.

[Golfingdad]

Or it could also be the "I'm more skilled at driving and have better judgement than everyone, so I can drive while texting." syndrome. They should redo the UK ad video to show a professional who makes perfectly sensible decisions. Then show him/her texting to respond to an emergency at work or home and an unreasonable situation where if they were not texting they could have barely prevented the accident. Show two endings. One with the same disaster while texting, and the other where he/she ignores the text and ends up crashing into a sign post but everyone survives. Or the like. It's funny that everyone thinks they are perfect drivers.

Bingo. I think you are 100% correct.

[Hardspoon]

I will text while using irons, and maybe a hybrid, but never while driving.

[Kenny Lee]

I will text while using irons, and maybe a hybrid, but never while driving.

Post of the year! Nice.

[stealthhwk]

I totally see why people do it, not that I'm condoning it. The urge to communicate is primal. Add to that the utter boredom that is driving. And the cluelessness of people. Even w/the cornucopia of media to entertain oneself available in one's little smartphone, tons of music, audiobooks, podcasts, etc...

If driving is boring, i suggest u look into a mazda! Zoom zoom

[Pretzel]

My phone allows me to listen and reply to any messages I receive without touching the phone, so I leave it on the console in case I am contacted. The level of distraction is less than if I had a passenger in the car and was holding a conversation, due to the lack of social pressure to create eye contact.

[Lihu]

My phone allows me to listen and reply to any messages I receive without touching the phone, so I leave it on the console in case I am contacted. The level of distraction is less than if I had a passenger in the car and was holding a conversation, due to the lack of social pressure to create eye contact.

A car I rented has a Bluetooth link that allows all that as well, but texting takes away some of your concentration as well. It's both a visual and concentration distraction. Also, a blood alcohol level of 0.08 is barely something you can feel, but it reduces your reaction time enough to cause noticeably more accidents. Even a short distraction. Accident potential situations come up any time.