Driving and Texting

[Rick Lee]

I wish using a cell while driving were treated the same as a DUI. But I'm sure it will never change. I've given up on society. Every single day, as I pull into the company parking lot, I see countless zombies staring at their cell phones as they walk in front of moving cars. If aliens are watching us from outer space, they must wonder what's so fascinating about cell phones to command our undivided attention. I really wonder what's missing from my life because I don't feel compelled to stare at my phone every single waking second. I even leave my cell phone on my desk when I go to lunch, which makes me a real nutjob.

[wdfifteen]

If you get nailed for a seat belt violation they don't have to inspect the seat belt. They see you driving while not wearing it you get a ticket. I don't see the difference.

[oldE]

Trying to get people to acknowledge their actions may have consequences for others is indeed an uphill struggle.
I have mentioned it on other threads, but there is a reason why cellular telephone usage is dangerous when combined with operating a motor vehicle. The two activities seem to utilize the same part of the brain.

About twenty years ago, researchers at the University of Toronto, did some brain scan studies in which subjects were tasked with carrying on a conversation with someone who was not present and other scans in which subjects were engaged in a 'driving activity'. The scans showed the part of the brain which looks for non-verbal clues to back up the spoken message is the same part of the brain which is engaged in "defensive driving". Speaking to a person not present engages that part of the brain, so if something happens which requires a decision, the brain must dis-engage from one task before addressing the other. That is what causes the response time equivalent to an impared driver.

This engagement is not as bad when the person with whom you are having the conversation is physically present, as the non-verbal clues are present and registered to some degree.

I suspect texting is even more dangerous, as there is the added complexity of converting thought to written word (and vice-versa) as well as the motor skills required to manipulate the keys.

People have mentioned having cel phones rendered inoperable when moving at more than 5mph. Not so useful if a passenger wants to use the phone.

I think it is going to have to come down to a change in social norms. In the same way smoking in public places is now frowned upon and drinking while operating motor vehicles is not accepted as it used to be, so must we as a society frown upon the self imparement which occurs when the driver takes or makes the call.

Will we see MADD2 (Mothers Against Distracted Drivers)?
Best
Les

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by oldE

Trying to get people to acknowledge their actions may have consequences for others is indeed an uphill struggle.
I have mentioned it on other threads, but there is a reason why cellular telephone usage is dangerous when combined with operating a motor vehicle. The two activities seem to utilize the same part of the brain.

About twenty years ago, researchers at the University of Toronto, did some brain scan studies in which subjects were tasked with carrying on a conversation with someone who was not present and other scans in which subjects were engaged in a 'driving activity'. The scans showed the part of the brain which looks for non-verbal clues to back up the spoken message is the same part of the brain which is engaged in "defensive driving". Speaking to a person not present engages that part of the brain, so if something happens which requires a decision, the brain must dis-engage from one task before addressing the other. That is what causes the response time equivalent to an impared driver.

This engagement is not as bad when the person with whom you are having the conversation is physically present, as the non-verbal clues are present and registered to some degree.

I suspect texting is even more dangerous, as there is the added complexity of converting thought to written word (and vice-versa) as well as the motor skills required to manipulate the keys.

People have mentioned having cel phones rendered inoperable when moving at more than 5mph. Not so useful if a passenger wants to use the phone.

I think it is going to have to come down to a change in social norms. In the same way smoking in public places is now frowned upon and drinking while operating motor vehicles is not accepted as it used to be, so must we as a society frown upon the self imparement which occurs when the driver takes or makes the call.

Will we see MADD2 (Mothers Against Distracted Drivers)?
Best
Les

I hope we can change the cell phone use for drivers. The other day I pulled up to a 4 way stop. I was the last one of 4 cars to stop and watched as the other drivers moved on. Every single one of them had a phone to their head. Since all three left before me I watched as the cars behind them pulled up and all of them were yaking on the phone.

I really think is it much like a smoker. I know one former smoker that said he was pretty sure his car would not run if he did not light up. He admitted it was 100% routine to start the car, light up and drive off. Cell phone addicts must be the same way.

[Andy911sc]

Glen,

My favorite is the person with the phone to their ear with their shoulder, phone in one hand and a cigarette in the other while trying to drive. I see that everyday from this woman that leaves work at the same time from the business next door to me. I think she just has a routine to see if she is lucky enough to make it home without causing an accident. It cracks me up at when they try to look left then right before pulling out. Head tilted and whole body has to move back and forth.

[island911]

Well it's good to see that years go by and I still agree with myself.

Originally Posted by island911

complicated laws are bad laws.

How 'bout; "you were swerving severely." -no smell of booze- "here's a ticket for distracted driving." (?)

[island911]

Stop ... Police...




We really need to start ticketing police for using radios. ...and cell phones.

What I'm saying is, making laws about seatbelts, or radio(cell)talking or texting are silly. --those laws assume everyone is the worst idiot who can't manage to walk and chew gum. The ticket-judgment should be based on how well the driver is handling the car. (or motorcycle)

[look 171]

I just can't understand what the hell is there to talk about on that phone? People are on it all the time. Once I was stuck in traffic next to this woman in her Range Rover. We were side by side for about 45 minutes and she was yapping the entire time. What is there to talk about for 45 minutes.

Addiction is about right but I think they don't want to be alone so they communicate electronically just so they do not feel left out. The minute they have a chance to sit down, without looking at what else is happening first, out comes the phone. Is there that much of a need to tell the whole world what you are doing at that moment on Facebook or check on how others are doing?

[gordner]

Calgary Police force has been pretty public about their dissaproval of the new distracted driving law. Laws like this one are put out there to make the public feel good, I do not know of anyplace in North America where driving distracted has not always been illegal, they just used to sensibly issue a reckelss charge or a without due care charge. this is a political move to "look" proactive when every police force knows it is LESS of a deterent. A reckless endagerment or dangerous driving ticket (the appropriate ticket for the offense) runs 300 to 600 dollars here and carries a significant points penalty as well. Now that is a suitable deterent. $50 bucks and no points? Who cares, that is just a road tax, not going to discourage anyone at all. Purely image, and potential revenue generation and most any one should be able to figure that out.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I wish using a cell while driving were treated the same as a DUI. But I'm sure it will never change. I've given up on society. Every single day, as I pull into the company parking lot, I see countless zombies staring at their cell phones as they walk in front of moving cars. If aliens are watching us from outer space, they must wonder what's so fascinating about cell phones to command our undivided attention. I really wonder what's missing from my life because I don't feel compelled to stare at my phone every single waking second. I even leave my cell phone on my desk when I go to lunch, which makes me a real nutjob.

I work in a secure facility, so we're not allowed to have our cell phones with us. So, I spend 8+ hours a day without the cell. Therefore, when I get off work, I really don't care if I have it on me or not. There are many times when I'm off work, I'll purposely leave my phone at home (or in the car) when I'm doing other things, simply because I don't want to be bothered by texts or calls.

[gordner]

It is crazy these days, like you have some sort of obligation to be in contact. I rarely carry my cell outside of work and when i do I turn the ringer off. It is not like I often face a life or death time critical decision.
It is too easy these days to lose yourself in the technology and forget to look up once in awhile at the real world.
The cell phone is the largest invasion of privacy of modern times. When I was in charge of a commuter airline I used to plan my vacations based on the voids in the Roger's cell coverage map. There is one house I can rent at the edge of the Shuswaps that is a black hole for cell use, and it is a loevly spot but the real driver was that I could tell the compay owners that it was out of my hands I would be 100% out of contact for the coming period. Seems insane that I had to do that, but they could never accept that I would just turn off my phone.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by gordner

It is crazy these days, like you have some sort of obligation to be in contact. I rarely carry my cell outside of work and when i do I turn the ringer off. It is not like I often face a life or death time critical decision.
It is too easy these days to lose yourself in the technology and forget to look up once in awhile at the real world.
The cell phone is the largest invasion of privacy of modern times. .....

they could never accept that I would just turn off my phone.

I'm witcha on that! After a "corporate life" where I was on call 24/7/365 my whole career, I'm now at the point where: "If you need to reach me...I'll call you" . Misplaced my cell phone a few years back...didn't care even after it hadn't shown up for almost a week. Finally a neighbor around the corner called me...he'd found it in his car. He just couldn't comprehend that I hadn't given a crap and tried to locate it

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by look 171

I just can't understand what the hell is there to talk about on that phone? People are on it all the time.

I get to work at about 7:15am each day and all the zombies in the parking lot are on the phone. Who the hell are they calling at that hour? I've never made a personal call at that hour unless it was to the east coast or overseas. I see people bump into each other every day while rounding corners, staring at their phones. If I were only king.....

[oldE]

I worked for a number of years in customer service and management and was required to 'be in reach', so the phone might go off any time from 4 AM to Midnight.
I have been in situations where I was on the highway for an hour and a half and was in conversations with customers and other reps the whole time.
I had two close calls while on the cel phone while driving.
After that I changed the way I worked.

When I was through with the dairy, my wife said it was almost 6 weeks before I stopped flinching when the telephone rang.

I do not currently own a cel phone.

When I present training sessions, one of the house rules is,"Personal devices off or on vibrate. If you have to take a call, leave the room."

I dispare for these folks who think their every thought is so almighty important.
Les

[JD159]

Won't self driving cars solve this problem when they are the norm?

Also, I was once distracted by a lovely looking woman. I too argue that any sort of impairment while driving, should be deemed illegal, she should be charged like a DUI for distracting me. Or should I for looking?

When that 918 drove by I couldn't take my eyes off of it as well! Should of had my eyes on the road. Thats ticket-able, or jail-able too.

How bout billboards? Ads that require you to read? Like the bus stop ones.

Some of these comments here, are really pretty crazy. It's sad how extreme many of the views are. No wonder I couldn't even bring a nerf ball to my elementary school at recess, god forbid somebody gets hit in the eye with it, could blind them.

[KFC911]

Local 32 year old female killed on I-85 yesterday...Her friends report she posted to Facebook seconds before she crashed head on into a large truck...at least she didn't take the trucker with her. I'm not sure what the answer is...if you're a good driver and can multi-task (some are better than others...and WE'VE all talked on the phone, etc), but it's like drinking used to be decades ago. I know plenty of folks who REALLY aren't impaired at .08 either (some are), but we as a society don't allow that any more either. Just too many doing it, and it's just a numbers game until society decides "enough is enough" imo.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by JD159

Won't self driving cars solve this problem when they are the norm?

Also, I was once distracted by a lovely looking woman. I too argue that any sort of impairment while driving, should be deemed illegal, she should be charged like a DUI for distracting me. Or should I for looking?

When that 918 drove by I couldn't take my eyes off of it as well! Should of had my eyes on the road. Thats ticket-able, or jail-able too.

How bout billboards? Ads that require you to read? Like the bus stop ones.

Some of these comments here, are really pretty crazy. It's sad how extreme many of the views are. No wonder I couldn't even bring a nerf ball to my elementary school at recess, god forbid somebody gets hit in the eye with it, could blind them.

Well, wait until someone hits you head on at a 5 mph off ramp doing about 50 with your kid inside then you can talk. If I inched up another 3-4 feet, it would have been my driver door at 50mph. My kids would have to grow up without their father. Would you like your kid to grow up without a father due to some nut fcuk who can't wait to see if their friends posting on facebook because they are buying a dress in a store. In the mean time, keep looking at the pretty girl or the bill boards.

[GothingNC]

Scary statistics.

Texting while driving is a growing trend, it's a national epidemic, and quickly becoming the number one killer on public highways.

The Shocking Statistics
•4383 accidents per day caused by texting and driving – National Safety Council
•904 injuries per day caused by texting and driving – Harvard Center for Risk Analysis Study
•11 teen deaths EVERY DAY caused by texting and driving – Ins. Institute for Hwy Safety Fatality Facts
•Accounts for 25% of ALL car accidents caused by texting and driving - National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin
•Texting is 6 times more likely to cause an accident than a drunk driver - textinganddrivingsafety.com
•2 out of 3 drivers admit to texting and driving - National Analysis
•Average time spent driving blind by drivers that text is 20% - National Analysis
•People who text and drive are 23 times more likely to be in a crash – National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin
•Law enforcement can obtain all mobile device records if you are involved in a crash resulting in injury or death, including text times, locations and speed.

[Baz]

I didn't see this posted so thought I would mention it.

There are 2 reasons that people use their cell phones while driving.

1) A business-related call - such as a contractor notifying you he is on his way to the job site....so you can meet him there.

2) A personal call - such as a friend calling to say "Hi - how are you?".


The biggest reason for calls in the #2 category is insecurity.

People who are insecure need to know they can talk to another person - and that they are important enough to have someone else who will talk to them right back.

That's what those calls are all about for the most part. There are a few exceptions.

So next time you see those drivers who get on that phone.....as soon as possible.....they are trying to bolster their ego.

In other words...they are insecure.

That's what is going on....for those who keep questioning why so many do this.

Regards,
Dr. Bazza - chief head shrinker of PPOT

[dheinz]