Have a drink before you drive, but ffs, don't use the radio

[Dominicc01]

After previous research indicated that it's safer to drive drunk than talking on the 'phone (which we were all doing perfectly safely before it was banned), new research finds that drink driving is safer than listening to the radio.

Here



Still think driving after a couple of drinks is so dangerous?

[Bill]

Dominicc01 said:

new research finds that drink driving is safer than listening to the radio.

No it doesn't. It finds that if you're the sort of mouth-breathing idiot who gets worked up over other people playing a game you'll get distracted during tense moments.

[kambites]

I don't find that result particularly surprising, but I'm sure there are also plenty of other studies "proving" the opposite. All these studies really ever prove is that studies don't prove anything much.

[Devil2575]

Bill said:

Dominicc01 said:

new research finds that drink driving is safer than listening to the radio.

No it doesn't. It finds that if you're the sort of mouth-breathing idiot who gets worked up over other people playing a game you'll get distracted during tense moments.

Exactly.

[CrisW]

Isn't it time we banned radios from cars. Will someone please think of the children.

[Mr. Potato Head]

kambites said:

I don't find that result particularly surprising, but I'm sure there are also plenty of other studies "proving" the opposite. All these studies really ever prove is that studies don't prove anything much.

All these studies [funded by an organisation looking for a result and contradictory to a study funded by a contradictory organisation] really ever prove is that studies don't prove anything much.

Edited by Mr. Potato Head on Friday 2nd July 12:19

[Munter]

So what it really says is "If you don't pay attention to your driving, while driving, it can be dangerous". No st. How long did that take to work out.

[RobM77]

The study seems fair to me, but bear in mind it is referring to sport radio. I wouldn't expect to be able to drive safely whilst listening to live action from a sporting event that I was passionately interested in. Having music on or a chat show on Radio 4 is an entirely different matter.

[Devil2575]

RobM77 said:

or a chat show on Radio 4 is an entirely different matter.

I don't know about that. Melvyn Bragg does put me to sleep...

[RobM77]

Devil2575 said:

RobM77 said:

or a chat show on Radio 4 is an entirely different matter.

I don't know about that. Melvyn Bragg does put me to sleep...

I really like "In our Time" That highlights a good point to be honest - you can't just say "listening to the radio is distracting" - it depends entirely on what you've got on. The report focused on what is probably the most distracting of all radio - Sport Radio (just ask the Greek ferry passengers from a few years ago...). Listening to your favourite football team playing is very different from "I'm sorry I haven't got a clue" or Radio 1!

[WhoseGeneration]

RobM77 said:

Devil2575 said:

RobM77 said:

or a chat show on Radio 4 is an entirely different matter.

I don't know about that. Melvyn Bragg does put me to sleep...

I really like "In our Time" That highlights a good point to be honest - you can't just say "listening to the radio is distracting" - it depends entirely on what you've got on. The report focused on what is probably the most distracting of all radio - Sport Radio (just ask the Greek ferry passengers from a few years ago...). Listening to your favourite football team playing is very different from "I'm sorry I haven't got a clue" or Radio 1!

Oh, could be that trying to keep track of a particularly challenging philosophical debate on Radio 4 is potentially as bad?
Like many things, probably different for each of us, that which distracts from the primary purpose.

Edit, spelling.

Edited by WhoseGeneration on Friday 2nd July 14:09

[Dick_Phallus]

I also know that my motor skills also become impaired after listening to the radio for a bit as well, so this study seems sound to me.

[otolith]

Devil2575 said:

RobM77 said:

or a chat show on Radio 4 is an entirely different matter.

I don't know about that. Melvyn Bragg does put me to sleep...

And Womens Hour makes me throw things. It's a good job I don't like Red Bull.

[durbster]

Bill said:

Dominicc01 said:

new research finds that drink driving is safer than listening to the radio.

No it doesn't. It finds that if you're the sort of mouth-breathing idiot who gets worked up over other people playing a game you'll get distracted during tense moments.

You're suggesting that people who follow sport are idiots? What an odd statement.

Anyway, I think it would be quite easy to prove that doing anything in a car, other than driving, can be dangerous. In the same way they could prove that if you lose concentration while walking, swimming, fishing, eating, dancing, shagging etc. you could put yourself in danger.

[Steameh]

Dominicc01 said:

After previous research indicated that it's safer to drive drunk than talking on the 'phone (which we were all doing perfectly safely before it was banned), new research finds that drink driving is safer than listening to the radio.

Here



Still think driving after a couple of drinks is so dangerous?

Not really a surprise that people can lose concentration when engrossed in a sports event is it?

Still, I would rather someone drive whilst listening to sport, than drive whilst 4 times over the limit.

Edited by Steameh on Friday 2nd July 15:01

[RobM77]

Steameh said:

Still, I would rather someone drive whilst listening to sport, than drive whilst 4 times over the limit.

I suppose the difference being that even if both drivers are equally as likely to get into a sticky situation, at least the one who was listening to sport will be able to ignore the sport for a second of so, respond to the situation and rescue it if he has a chance, whereas the drunk driver will always be drunk - he can't turn his mind away from it.

I expect the test just looked at the initial causes of an accident, rather than the ability to think quickly and make a decision. The former is the most desirable, but the latter can save your life and shouldn't be discounted.

[ShiggyBiggs]

a guy crashed his car recently near here maybe 3 or 4 times over the limit, while writing a text message. Unfortunatly it was fatal.

[Schermerhorn]

Reseach funded by Carlsberg?

Edited by Schermerhorn on Friday 2nd July 15:35

[hairykrishna]

Dominicc01 said:

new research finds that drink driving is safer than listening to the radio.

No it didn't.

[ashes]

Note the sample size.

18

That will be accurate then