audiobooks whilst driving?

[Pixelpeep 135]

Firstly, my understanding is that anything which might distract your attention or focus from driving is a bad thing.

However, i can't see much difference between listening to LBC and an audiobook / podcast whilst driving.

Other half spends 3 hours a day commuting in the car and wanted to do something productive with the time stuck behind the wheel, but i'm not sure it would be 'safe'

What are peoples thoughts? Listening to an audio book /educational pod cast whilst driving?

[MikeGTi]

I used to do it all the time when I used to commute. No different to listening to the radio IMHO.

[joropug]

I'm listening to podcasts or audiobooks, if not music - I don't find it distracting at all but everyone is different.

You can get a few freebies from audible if you sign up, get a book, cancel the free trial, say it's too expensive, they give you one more book, then cancel it completely.

I do find as an aside, some audiobooks are difficult to follow - The ones with lots of stupid (read sci fi) character names I struggled with

[Limpet]

I stopped smoking with an audiobook (Allen Carr) played during my daily 'walking pace punctuated by 5 minute stops' trundle along the M3 over a period of several years. It's the only productive outcome I can think of to come from the collective days I wasted doing that commute.

I don't do so many miles now, but love a good podcast or an audiobook to while away a boring motorway journey. The radio 4 afternoon play is usually decent as well.

[911hope]

Much better than music, as it keeps you engaged and alert.

Same goes Spoken voice radio, like BBC world service.

[Hoofy]

I listen to audiobooks (and get my phone to read normal books) all the time. If the road conditions require more concentration I find I'm ignoring what's being said, and I notice I'm generally still watching out for dangers and planning my road positioning all the time. I drive regularly through London traffic.

[Scrump]

I find that audiobooks, plays and podcasts make long journeys go much quicker.

[QJumper]

joropug said:

I'm listening to podcasts or audiobooks, if not music - I don't find it distracting at all but everyone is different.

You can get a few freebies from audible if you sign up, get a book, cancel the free trial, say it's too expensive, they give you one more book, then cancel it completely.

I do find as an aside, some audiobooks are difficult to follow - The ones with lots of stupid (read sci fi) character names I struggled with

I like to listen to audiobooks while driving, but ditched audible because of cost.

There's an app called Libby, which just requires a free library account to be linked to it, which then gives access to free audiobooks from the library. In addition you can also access books and magazines free, to read on a tablet/ipad.

[The spinner of plates]

Nope, have tried on long euro trips, but can't do it.

Tend to find that if something happens whilst driving, even a truck pulling out in the distance, it get's my full focus.
Then I miss what was said and keep needing to rewind. Music / radio chatter is light enough that you can phase it in and out.
Even if I come to a junction / section of road I'm not familiar with, I'll instinctively turn the radio down so that I can concentrate.

I think this confirms
a) she's right, I can't multitask
b) I have very little brain processing power - thanks DNA!