Distracted Driving

[Alfador]

Looks like the DOT is doing something to combat it.

Sadly, I doubt it will help, as the overwhelming stupidity of people willing to screw around or talk on their phones is, well, overwhelming.

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/11/faces-o ... stics.html

[PEZi]

i've never understood the need to be on the phone etc.... if i'm driving i'm driving..... i don't like multitasking when it comes to anything ESPECIALLY driving

[breadbox]

yeah I don't enjoy using a phone when in my car, although I do sometimes.

[Red coupe]

i've never understood the need to be on the phone etc.... if i'm driving i'm driving..... i don't like multitasking when it comes to anything ESPECIALLY driving

You don't even acknowledge passengers?

[PEZi]

You don't even acknowledge passengers?

no passenger seat....

no but i do have conversations when i drive other people's cars... my eyes are always on the road tho

[Dattebayo]

You don't drive nearly as much daily as we do tho, I drive at least 30 miles a day... much of it in traffic of some sort.

[PEZi]

true statement.... i do a lot of walking....

most of my driving is track based... not a lot of street... maybe its just the mindset i've put myself in

[Dattebayo]

Imagine, now, that I've been busing and taking trains to cover that distance most days before they found my car again.

Then, life almost REQUIRES distractions! I don't know what I would have done without my DS and my internet phone... I just wish they'd come up with better ways to screen out idiot drivers other then make the good ones pay for the idiot's behavior.

[King Ranzo]

All I've ever done is texted at red lights. I don't understand the need to talk on the phone either. It's stupid. Get a f*cking bluetooth if you so desperately need to speak to someone while driving.

[ADDirishboy]

I talk all the time while driving. Ask Tito, I call that sumbish all the time while I'm off driving to Utah or Texas or something. I need it to stay awake on long road trips.

Texting, I do occasionally while driving, but only if there is no one around and no turns. Again, driving 1500 miles, you need something to do. And when there isn't another car around for a mile radius, there is no danger to anyone besides myself. And again, it helps keep me awake.

Multitasking while driving isn't bad. Not knowing how to drive in the first place is what causes these accidents.

[Dattebayo]

Multitasking while driving isn't bad.

Yes, it is. It already has been proven without a doubt.

[PEZi]

agreed... ty are you saying that you actually KNOW HOW TO DRIVE when you're staring at a phone rather than the road?

[ADDirishboy]

Nope. My Droid has a "Talk to Text" app that works rather well, actually.

Yes, it is. It already has been proven without a doubt.

Talking on the phone takes a very miniscule amount of attention away from driving. Reading a text is no worse than pulling up google maps on my phone to see just how far away the next exit is.

[PEZi]

Reading a text is no worse than pulling up google maps on my phone to see just how far away the next exit is.

which is why you should already know what exits you are taking and a general idea where they are... i'd never bring up a map while i was trying to drive

[ADDirishboy]

What's wrong with double checking to make sure you haven't already passed the exit or that you didn't forget which one you're supposed to take? Believe me, double checking exits has saved my a** a few times. Go drive for 40 hours straight and tell me how coherent you are.

[AppleBonker]

Great. 40 hours of driving and looking at the phone instead of the road. Thanks for trying to kill us, Tyler.

Edit: just keep your driving in Arizona/Texas/Utah/etc

[PEZi]

What's wrong with double checking to make sure you haven't already passed the exit or that you didn't forget which one you're supposed to take? Believe me, double checking exits has saved my a** a few times. Go drive for 40 hours straight and tell me how coherent you are.

i can't say i've driven for 40 hours... but i drove from denver to vegas which is roughly 12 and i simply knew what turns i needed to take before hand... never had any need to double check anything....

i realize some trips are longer and more complicated than others... but maybe have your route written down.... bringing up anything on your phone is just taking you away from the road and is completely stupid.... in my opinion its worse than drunk driving cause at least drunk driver is still keeping his eyes on the road....

[Dattebayo]

Talking on the phone takes a very miniscule amount of attention away from driving. Reading a text is no worse than pulling up google maps on my phone to see just how far away the next exit is.

Wrong and wrong. Again, proven without a doubt.

[ADDirishboy]

Cause I text the entire time? Jesus, I'm texting on the 89 in Utah at 3am. How many people do you think I pass? Last time I went, I passed a total of 9 cars in a 12 hour time span. Wasn't texting when I passed or was within at LEAST a mile of any vehicle. I'm ok with putting myself in danger, since I trust myself with my own life. But in the off chance I do drift lane's while texting, I don't do it around other vehicles. Seriously, come up with a different method of staying awake for 40 hours straight while driving. I'm listening.

[PEZi]

Seriously, come up with a different method of staying awake for 40 hours straight while driving. I'm listening.

cocaine..... ecstacy... speed.... GoFast!

[ADDirishboy]

Ok, LEGAL way of staying awake for 40+ hours...

[PEZi]

GoFast!

but to be fair... you said you didn't care about your health... and those will definitely keep you awake

[AppleBonker]

Any distraction takes away from your driving ability. Talking on the phone, listening to the radio, talking to passengers, texting, eating, etc. They all detract from the task at hand. Just saying...

[ADDirishboy]

I said I'm willing to RISK my own health and safety, not that I didn't care about it.

And I don't do energy drinks. They don't keep me awake, at all. Talking to people on the phone is about the only thing that helps.

And just to set the record here, last time I was driving cross-country, I sent a grand total of 20 texts. So let's not blow this all out of proportion guys.

[ADDirishboy]

Any distraction takes away from your driving ability. Talking on the phone, listening to the radio, talking to passengers, texting, eating, etc. They all detract from the task at hand. Just saying...

Well, I'm willing to bet every single person on this forum drives while listening to music if they have a stereo, and talks to passengers while driving as well. So I talk on the phone and text to keep myself awake in those times when I can't keep my eyes open. BFD.

[Dattebayo]

Ok, LEGAL way of staying awake for 40+ hours...

It is extremely illegal for any company to make you drive that much in one shot. You must be some big kind of fool to drive 40 hours straight...

[PEZi]

ty i'll agree that talking on the phone is really no big deal.... but texting and looking at google maps is what i'm saying is bad... that s*** takes all your focus off the road and if you try to debate that... you're an idiot

[ADDirishboy]

It is extremely illegal for any company to make you drive that much in one shot. You must be some big kind of fool to drive 40 hours straight...

My dad is my boss. And yes, he is the one who makes me do it. And since I'm not driving on a CDL license or anything like that, yes, he can make me do it. Or so he says.

[ADDirishboy]

ty i'll agree that talking on the phone is really no big deal.... but texting and looking at google maps is what i'm saying is bad... that s*** takes all your focus off the road and if you try to debate that... you're an idiot

Again, it's not like I have my nose in my phone the entire drive. I send a few texts and check Google Maps for all of 4 seconds. I think I'm good.

[Dattebayo]

BS. He can't.

And this whole "I'm special" thing isn't very cute, BTW. You are just as susceptible to driving distraction problems as everyone else.