People Wearing Earphones While Driving

[stoocake]

I've noticed a lot of people lately, say one in every 5 cars where the driver is wearing earphones while driving. Surprised at the sheer number of them. Anyone else noticed?

[donaircooleone]

Increasingly more often :/

[mikefacel]

Are these proper earphones (ie. one in each ear for music) or ear pieces (one ear) for talking on a mobile phone? If the latter, I'd say fine as at least they're hands-free. Anyone doing the former is bonkers.

[Daston]

Don't see why wearing headphones is "bonkers" a lot of bike riders use MP3 players and the like and lets be honest I would rather scanky chav play his dub step at 9000000db directly into his head than down the highstreet like some st carnival float.

[stoocake]

mikefacel said:

Are these proper earphones (ie. one in each ear for music) or ear pieces (one ear) for talking on a mobile phone? If the latter, I'd say fine as at least they're hands-free. Anyone doing the former is bonkers.

I can never really tell as I can only see one side when I pass/get passed but they do look like proper earphones for music.

Seems odd with the sheer number of people I see do it. Surely they're not all lacking the ability to play music through their car stereos?

[Tribal Chestnut]

mikefacel said:

Are these proper earphones (ie. one in each ear for music) or ear pieces (one ear) for talking on a mobile phone? If the latter, I'd say fine as at least they're hands-free. Anyone doing the former is bonkers.

If I'm in the Eunos for a long journey, I might use headphones to listen to music. Relieves the tedium on the motorway.

[V6Paul]

The rise of iPods et al and the lack of radios with suitable connections must be the cause of this. It's pretty worrying really, sound is a very key sense when driving and having that completely blocked out can't be good.

[HustleRussell]

I've been doing it lately for motorway journeys since my stereo is out of action at the moment.

[Baz Tench]

I've noticed it too. It's the same as the cyclists who insist on wearing them.

Personally, I like to be as alert to my surroundings as possible, which these people cannot be really.

[toppstuff]

I was following a bloke on the M4 in an old Astra who was wearing full sized DJ stylee cans on his head.

I did find myself wondering if it was very sensible. It certainly looked absurd..

[Fubar1977]

Tribal Chestnut said:

If I'm in the Eunos for a long journey, I might use headphones to listen to music. Relieves the tedium on the motorway.

Being fully aware of your surroundings is not a priority for you then?
Using headphones (both ears) for the purpose of listening to music in a motor vehicle or motorbike is:
a) Illegal
b) Stupid

Sorry if that sounds harsh but it`s an accident waiting to happen and is far more isolating and distracting than listening to the car stereo, even at higher volumes.

[pobox205]

On a bike or motorbikeyou are still exposed to a great deal of noise which to an extent is louder than headphones.
In a car I imagine noise from the outside world is quite as loud to compete with headphones. So it's less wise to use them.

What about people with hoods in cars? Surely these are more dangerous as it restricts their field of vision.

[Krikkit]

I think a reasonable number are chatting away on their phone using the supplied hands-free kit.

[WhereamI]

Fubar1977 said:

Being fully aware of your surroundings is not a priority for you then?
Using headphones (both ears) for the purpose of listening to music in a motor vehicle or motorbike is:
a) Illegal
b) Stupid

Sorry if that sounds harsh but it`s an accident waiting to happen and is far more isolating and distracting than listening to the car stereo, even at higher volumes.

Illegal? Really? What law is being broken?

There is a bit in the Highway Code about avoiding distractions but, whilst I would agree that it is probably stupid, it's not actually illegal.

[Fire99]

Fubar1977 said:

Using headphones (both ears) for the purpose of listening to music in a motor vehicle or motorbike is:
a) Illegal

Technically no it isn't (according to Gwent Police on Confused.com), though you could be deemed not in full control of your motor vehicle, but that appears at the discretion of the officer.

[FourWheelDrift]

What about driving without due care and attention?

[HustleRussell]

WhereamI said:

Illegal? Really? What law is being broken?

There is a bit in the Highway Code about avoiding distractions but, whilst I would agree that it is probably stupid, it's not actually illegal.

Hand-held electronic devices perhaps?

[Fubar1977]

WhereamI said:

Fubar1977 said:

Being fully aware of your surroundings is not a priority for you then?
Using headphones (both ears) for the purpose of listening to music in a motor vehicle or motorbike is:
a) Illegal
b) Stupid

Sorry if that sounds harsh but it`s an accident waiting to happen and is far more isolating and distracting than listening to the car stereo, even at higher volumes.

Illegal? Really? What law is being broken?

Driving without due care and attention.
No specific law is in place or required for this to be an offence as DWDC&A covers it and you would be prosecuted if caught.
The consequences of having an accident whilst wearing headphones would be quite severe if it was proved you were wearing them.

There is a bit in the Highway Code about avoiding distractions but, whilst I would agree that it is probably stupid, it's not actually illegal.

[NightRunner]

Fubar1977 said:

Being fully aware of your surroundings is not a priority for you then?
Using headphones (both ears) for the purpose of listening to music in a motor vehicle or motorbike is:
a) Illegal
b) Stupid

Sorry if that sounds harsh but it`s an accident waiting to happen and is far more isolating and distracting than listening to the car stereo, even at higher volumes.

Fail.

[Fubar1977]

FourWheelDrift said:

What about driving without due care and attention?