Everyone is texting whilst driving!

[Mr2Mike]

WaferThinHam said:

Using a phone whilst driving in its self isn't dangerous, it depends on the skill of the driver behind the wheel,

Bingo. I was waiting for some donkey to post how superior driving skills can justify texting whilst driving. Congratulations

NDNDNDND said:

I think this post neatly summarises the difference between people who do and don't use their phone whilst driving.

People who use their phone while driving are too thick to realise how dangerous it is.

You've absolutely nailed it.

[manracer]

Yesterday along i observed the following:

A cyclist with headphones on texting on his phone whilst cycling down deansgate in Manchester, then take out his electronic cigarette and puff on it repeatedly, he swerved violently and almost fell onto my bonnet.

I also observed 2 cyclists peddle straight through a red light into my path.

Finally I observed 3 cyclists in matching Lycra pull out onto the main road at speed so that I had to serve to avoid knocking all 3 off.

I told all 3 what I thought of them, all 3 did not like being spoken to by a motorist.

Cyclists can be much worse in my opinion, as they can get away with a lot more due to no license plate etc.

[e21Mark]

It does seem that there are people who simply refuse to believe that using a phone whilst driving will impact on their ability to drive. I guess they rank alongside people who think a pint or two, or a spliff, won't effect them either?

I do think it's odd how transfixed people get with their phones. I usually stick my phone in the glovebox or put it on silent and forget about the thing till I get where I'm going. No-one has died as a result.

[Disastrous]

Timbola said:

Disastrous said:

You're right. I genuinely do not feel a difference between talking to someone on a phone and someone next to me.

There is an actual difference in brain physiology between engaging with a person who is physically present, and concentrating on the content of speech delivered at a remove.

The former is a far easier thing for one to undertake, primarily as it involves the visual cues received from body language, but also because mobile technology is not yet of the fidelity which allows all the nuances, timbre and tone of language to be conveyed to anything like the level as delivered in person.

The latter, therefore, requires a far greater level of concentration. The brain does this by reducing concentration on other areas so it can apply more resource to it's aural centres in order to make out what is being said.

This results in two things.
One, it reduces your visual input. This is known as staring into the middle distance - the eyes don't focus on anything as that will distract the brain from concentrating on listening. This is the natural reaction all people have when talking on the phone or listening to music.
Two, your ability to make the subtle judgments required of driving a car is reduced. Your reactions are slowed, and your ability to think ahead is diminished.

So whilst using a mobile device for social media purposes is dangerous as one's sight and concentration is off the road entirely, talking hands-free does carry its own inherent risk.

Edited by Timbola on Sunday 24th July 08:56

Interesting post.

I definitely accept and agree with the first part - I've not done any research into the subject so I believe that brain physiology is different if you say so. Certainly sounds plausible when you throw in the lack of nuance and body language.

I'm not sure I agree with the latter part though. Neither seem to reduce me to staring into the middle distance. I don't mean to sound arrogant but I really don't find it that difficult. I would say the level of attention I give the road is fluid, and I tail off mid-conversation if something on the road requires more focus. I would say that I prioritise driving, mentally, and the conversation part will ebb and flow given how much the driving requires my input.

In all honesty, on a motorway at a quiet time, how can driving take any more than for example 10% or 20% of your mental capacity?

[loskie]

not sure why this has plummeted into a cyclist v's car driver argument.

I agree with the OP. People are constantly on their phones, how on earth did we ever manage without them?

Fine is the answer.

As said in my previous post on this thread they are just engaging in constant banal drivel. Unfortunately so many people nowadays seem to have the need of everything they do to be validated by all their moronic friends.

[donkmeister]

I had lorry airhorns on my last car (under the bonnet, not ON the car).

I did occasionally use them to scare the crap out of veering facebooking drivers on the motorway. Only in low speed traffic, mind - didn't want to be a contributor to an accident! It was hilarious how quickly their head would go up and they'd yank the wheel back into their lane, then look around for the lorry...

... but then go right back to their phone. Idiots.

[Big Al.]

Turn7 said:

Ph never used to be this way.

Its a real shame its reached this level.

Agree.