Do you text and drive?

MadsL

I just completed US Driver's School - (the court offers you 2.5 hrs of training instead of points at a $50 discount) Hands up on my 42 in a 30 mph. Guilty.

As always, talking to traffic cops is fascinating, and scary - just as we sat down he explained how he was listening on the radio to a report of an 8 year old who just got hit whilst riding his dirt bike along a dirt road.

Naturally we talked about drunk driving and how it is a problem. He said, sure drunk driving is a problem, but at least the drunk is trying to drive well. What hit me hard was the fact that he then said "Drunk driving is a problem, but texting whilst driving is an epidemic, and none of you doing that are even looking at the road!"

He then showed this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0LCmStIw9E

In the US, in 2009, more than 5,400 people died in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver and about 448,000 people were injured.

He asked us, please, put the phone in the trunk and leave it there.

So please, put the phone where you can't reach it, and stop texting/surfing before you kill someone. Many of you wouldn't dream of drinking or driving, but everyday do something just as dangerous.

Please. Stop.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I don't text and drive, I'm usually too drunk and send some awful 'ol sh*t.

DrumSteve

I do, but I can do it cos Im a great driver.

FatherLen

cant work the buttons with motorbike gloves on.

CianRyan

I text when I'm stopped at the lights if it's urgent but the second the car goes into gear I throw the phone on the passenger seat where it stays 'till I'm not moving again.
I don't hold up traffic, keep an eye on the lights to make sure they don't change.

davet82

sex and drive, much better fun btw

ScumLord

I chase the citylink bus and send the texts on the website for free.

CreepingDeath

MadsL wrote: »

Do you text and drive?

Nah, I'm usually playing Angry Birds when driving.

Bad Santa

FatherLen wrote: »

cant work the buttons with motorbike gloves on.

Merry Christmas:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056861884

BobBobBobBob

I do!

El Guapo!

I can drive while simultaneously writing a note and attaching it to a carrier pigeon.

Frank Black

I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed to continue an AH argument just because I happen to be driving.
That's discrimination.

starlit

I never text and drive. The car be stopped/parked if I need to text in the car. I usually have it out of my way so don't go near it when driving. I can't multi-task so I don't text and drive. I am one of these people who can't focus or do well and give the right amount of attention to more than one thing at a time. I need my full concentration on one thing at a time. I'm rubbish at multi-tasking. Used to do ok with multi-tasking but not any more.

Reoil

It can be done properly. Stupid people can't do it properly.

whiskeyman

I'd never do it.
I don't even use handsfree talking anymore. I realised my mind wasn't fully focused on driving so just stopped.
I've had a few close calls due to other drivers idiotic manuevers and I know if I wasn't 100% focused on my driving it could have ended up as a bad incident.

MadsL

Reoil wrote: »

It can be done properly. Stupid people can't do it properly.

Describe how taking your eyes of the road for between 1 and 2 seconds per touch is driving "properly" when at 30 mph you are travelling 44 feet per second.

80s Child

Do it constantly when I'm driving..it doesn't really distract me but it's the clean up that's the problem.......Sorry, texting? Ya, sometimes..Only when I'm drunk enough to drive with my knees though

DAZP93

Always..

Wicklowrider

http://goo.gl/xoQqA

And before some dipstick replies with a "witty comment" - They were real people with real families.

debabyjesus

I don't text at all. Its a archaic way of communicating. I do watch tv while I drive though, damn skygo is eating all my data.

MadsL

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/crime/police-driver-was-texting-before-crash

Speeding, texting with a 3 year old and 4 year old in the back seat: Kills a guy on a bike.

Bad Santa

Text and drive? Hell, I'm driving right n

seamus

Texting while driving seems to be a major issue in the US, not quite so much over here or in the UK.

Maybe that's down to enforcement, or maybe it's down to the lower driving age and much larger amount of younger drivers in the US.

Where To

Is there a programme you could put on your phone that automatically texts someone straight back when they text you.

A message like

'The next ****ing time you text me instead of ****ing ringing me when I'm driving I'm coming round to your ****ing house and ramming your ****ing phone down your ****ing throat!!'

I'd pay good money for that.:)

DAZP93

AH..not the place for a thread like this, Been said time and time again..:rolleyes:

Mr Benevolent

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Nah, I'm usually playing Angry Birds when driving.

Bad Piggies is way better.

Shenshen

Some people must be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more important than me. I've never been in a situation where I was expecting a text or had to text someone that was anywhere near urgent enough that it couldn't wait for me to pull over somewhere safe, stop the car and then take the phone out.

MadsL

Where To wrote: »

Is there a programme you could put on your phone that automatically texts someone straight back when they text you.

A message like

'The next ****ing time you text me instead of ****ing ringing me when I'm driving I'm coming round to your ****ing house and ramming your ****ing phone down your ****ing throat!!'

I'd pay good money for that.:)

You know the cop, who had been teaching that class for 6 years said "Would you pay $5 for an app for your child's life? That locked down their phone once their speed exceeded 5mph and texted back "I'm driving, will call you later" to any callers/texters- wouldn't you pay $5 for that? Wouldn't you pay $40 for that? Why doesn't it exist?


He also said "Why would you call or text someone you know is driving? Why would you even do that?"

Ush1

MadsL wrote: »

As always, talking to traffic cops is fascinating

Is it?

Bad Santa

DAZP93 wrote: »

AH..not the place for a thread like this, Been said time and time again..:rolleyes:

There's a lot of posts up there. Any one in particular you are looking at?

_Kaiser_

No, cause touch screen phones are a pain! Seriously though, no I don't.

I do use the bluetooth kit though. Even though I can be chatting away I'll still be focused on the road and will often drift of

---

f

--- mid conversation if something happens on the road around me until I've dealt with it. I don't even realise it until the other person starts asking if I'm still there!

imitation

seamus wrote: »

Texting while driving seems to be a major issue in the US, not quite so much over here or in the UK.

Maybe that's down to enforcement, or maybe it's down to the lower driving age and much larger amount of younger drivers in the US.

Probaby because our fine twisty irish roads reward 2 seconds of inattention with a tractor in the face.

MadsL

Ush1 wrote: »

Is it?

Why do you even bother to post that?

One example he gave struck home...

Cop goes to house to inform next of kin, Mrs X so sorry your husband has been killed in RTA etc...

X minutes of hysterical crying, screaming. Oh Robert! she cries.

Cop says Robert? The victim was a Steve.

Wrong address on Driver's licence. Woman misheard Mrs X and all she heard was "husband & killed"

Moral, update your current address when you move - not 3 months after. I never thought of it like that.

Gee Bag

Texting and driving is soooo last year, using a lap top while driving is where its at.........

http://www.amazon.com/Wheelmate-Laptop-Steering-Wheel-Desk/dp/B000IZGIA8

Ush1

MadsL wrote: »

Why do you even bother to post that?

Because I've never spoke to any traffic cop who had anything interesting to say. In fact, any I've spoke to usually comment on how bored they do be and wish they were doing something else.

MadsL

Ush1 wrote: »

Because I've never spoke to any traffic cop who had anything interesting to say. In fact, any I've spoke to usually comment on how bored they do be and wish they were doing something else.

Travelled much?

seamus

Indeed, with the exception of the bike cops who get enjoy driving a bike all day, most Traffic Corps seem to resent the position, which is somewhat reflected by the low regard the rest of the force hold them in.

Traffic to a certain extent is regarded as a dead end by a lot of Gardai.

"Fncking geebags" is the description one member mentioned to me.

Which is a pity because I personally think they've got one of the most irritating jobs in the force, pulling over cars means that you're dealing with self-righteous morons all day with an entitlement complex.

ScumLord

Gee Bag wrote: »

Texting and driving is soooo last year, using a lap top while driving is where its at.........

http://www.amazon.com/Wheelmate-Laptop-Steering-Wheel-Desk/dp/B000IZGIA8

That only works in America where they don't have corners. You'd never get anything to stay on that yolk over here. The product photos are hilarious though.

AnonoBoy

Driving is for saps.

GingerFire

That app idea is really good.. But don't think ppl would pay for it..
Sure the ppl that are texting n driving don't care..

Ush1

MadsL wrote: »

Travelled much?

Travelled where? Is this boards.ie or what?

MadsL

seamus wrote: »

Indeed, with the exception of the bike cops who get enjoy driving a bike all day, most Traffic Corps seem to resent the position, which is somewhat reflected by the low regard the rest of the force hold them in.

Traffic to a certain extent is regarded as a dead end by a lot of Gardai.

"Fncking geebags" is the description one member mentioned to me.

Oddly enough, the guy teaching this course went back to Traffic one year after making Detective. Said he couldn't stand it.

Traffic cops are not seen as making a difference, probably due to crap levels of enforcement. The truth is that we pay cops to stop us speeding and doing other stupid stuff that kills us and others. We should thank them for it. I think the US is slowly waking up to that fact and some people are now making a point of saying thank you when they see a cop. I think in a country where a "routine" (no such thing) traffic stop can cost a cop his life there is more respect.

MadsL

Ush1 wrote: »

Travelled where? Is this boards.ie or what?

Why don't you go find a thread that actually interests you, I'm sure there are plenty there....

nocoverart

Yes I do! but not at the same time

Ush1

MadsL wrote: »

Why don't you go find a thread that actually interests you, I'm sure there are plenty there....

Not are fault you're fascinated by traffic cops.:)

Reoil

MadsL wrote: »

Describe how taking your eyes of the road for between 1 and 2 seconds per touch is driving "properly" when at 30 mph you are travelling 44 feet per second.

Say, hypothetically, I text when driving.

I would generally only find the need to do it in 30 mph zones. I would slow down, I would wait until I'm on a straight bit of road. I would leave a 3/4 second gap between me and the car in front. I would make sure there are no pedestrians. I would hold the top of the phone near the top of the steering wheel, where, should something need my urgent attention, I would easily be able to see it beyond the phone. Bear in mind that I would only look at the phone when I would absolutely need to - otherwise - my attention would be focussed on the road. 90% of texting is done by periphery vision.

What am I going to do? Swerve dramatically onto incoming traffic? I don't think so. Again, it can be done if done right. I have "hypothetically" been doing it for 7 years and have never even come close to any kind of incident.

To be honest, in my opinion, it would be more dangerous for me to listen to the radio, e.g. Radio 5 Live, than text. Sometimes I just drift into autopilot when listening to it!

cruiser178

I never text and drive, any idiot can see it can lead to disastrous consequences. A friend of mine is always at it, tbh iv'e never said anything to him until one day recently we were making a short journey on a motorway. The only reason i took so much notice this time, is because i was sitting in the back seat and could see clearly what was going on. His phone beeped and he started to read and then reply, i was absolutely shocked and amazed at the distance he covered from the time his eyes went from the road to his phone and back to the road again at 75/85 mph. You're an idiot if you text and drive.

ScumLord

Reoil wrote: »

I would generally only find the need to do it in 30 mph zones.

That's probably the most dangerous time to do it due to congestion and pedestrian traffic. At least on a main road any mishaps will more than likely only affect yourself.

99% of the time you will text without a problem, you might make it through your entire life without having a problem but the thing is you've greatly increased the risk of having an accident. It will be pure luck if you make it through your entire life without getting into trouble simply because you've increased the risk.

MadsL

Reoil wrote: »

Say, hypothetically, I text when driving.

I would generally only find the need to do it in 30 mph zones. I would slow down, I would wait until I'm on a straight bit of road. I would leave a 3/4 second gap between me and the car in front. I would make sure there are no pedestrians.

1. At 30 mph you are travelling 44 feet per second. Taking your eyes off the road for 1.5 seconds means the child who runs out in the street 66 feet ahead of you will be hit before you can even hit the brakes. There were no pedestrians when you last looked, right?

I would hold the top of the phone near the top of the steering wheel, where, should something need my urgent attention, I would easily be able to see it beyond the phone.

And if you need to take action - you are holding a phone. Genius.

Bear in mind that I would only look at the phone when I would absolutely need to - otherwise - my attention would be focussed on the road. 90% of texting is done by periphery vision.

You don't need to look at your phone, you want to.
Texting takes an average of 5 secs at a time, so periphery vision, sorry but thats horseshit http://www.ibtimes.com/texting-drivers-take-eyes-road-5-seconds-average-study-699189

What am I going to do? Swerve dramatically onto incoming traffic? I don't think so.

Think about the consequences of just clipping another car at a impact speed of 60mph (30+30)

Again, it can be done if done right. I have "hypothetically" been doing it for 7 years and have never even come close to any kind of incident.

Statistically, drivers have a crash once every 7 years. You are due.

To be honest, in my opinion, it would be more dangerous for me to listen to the radio, e.g. Radio 5 Live, than text. Sometimes I just drift into autopilot when listening to it!

Studies put the risk 23 times higher.

Oh, and by the way Careless Driving = 5 penalty points on a licence. Drivers may also be fined up to a maximum of €1,500, or given a prison sentence up to a maximum of 3 months. (You should note the courts also have discretion to impose both the €1,500 fine and the 3 month prison sentence together).

El Horseboxo

I'm in law enforcement in the US and i have 3 devices that my superiors regularly contact me on when they know i'd be driving. Once highway patrol see the Government tags they roll on by while i'd be using a cell or laptop while driving. I try pull in because it's something i won't do off duty as i can at times even feel the wheel veer while going slow on straight road. So i know it's dangerous. But it can be difficult when on a freeway and i'm contacted. I think they'd want to start at enforcing mobile phone safety while driving at police level first. I see cops on them all the time.

Wicklowrider

Reoil wrote: »

Say, hypothetically, I text when driving.

I would generally only find the need to do it in 30 mph zones. I would slow down, I would wait until I'm on a straight bit of road. I would leave a 3/4 second gap between me and the car in front. I would make sure there are no pedestrians. I would hold the top of the phone near the top of the steering wheel, where, should something need my urgent attention, I would easily be able to see it beyond the phone. Bear in mind that I would only look at the phone when I would absolutely need to - otherwise - my attention would be focussed on the road. 90% of texting is done by periphery vision.

What am I going to do? Swerve dramatically onto incoming traffic? I don't think so. Again, it can be done if done right. I have "hypothetically" been doing it for 7 years and have never even come close to any kind of incident.

To be honest, in my opinion, it would be more dangerous for me to listen to the radio, e.g. Radio 5 Live, than text. Sometimes I just drift into autopilot when listening to it!

And that is likely what all the killers linked earlier would have posted before they took innocent lives....

I'm driving over thirty years. My experience includes Fire Service and Close Protection Chaffeuring ( including all the training courses this driving demands) There is NO way I can manage to SAFELY text while driving. So I have to wonder what experience, skills and training you have that I do not?