DANGER - Using digital devices (esp. phones) while driving

[rudymsmith]

I noticed some interesting and disturbing responses on a different thread that was morphing so I am starting this thread to address these issues straight up.

I feel and lots and lots of behavioral research agrees that:

People who fiddle with their phones and other gadgets while operating a vehicle are three things:

1) self absorbed

2) selfish and thinking only of themselves

3) dangerous to other people and themselves

As people whose lifes often cling to a fraction of a second we can ill afford to support (in any way) people who drive while distracted, especially with devices which take significant visual resources and shift them away from the primary task of operating a vehicle.

9 years ago I was hit by a car doing 50 mph from the year - she was texting. The damage as you might imagine was significant and life altering.

I am also a neuro-muscular therapist who works with accident victims everyday; and everyday these patients who have been seriously harmed tell me their tales of woe about being hurt by a distracted driver - primarily phone use / texting etc.. but fiddling with GPS devices or anything else that requires split focus of hand eye coordination is also part of the mix.

My daughter who was told "NO - texting while driving" did not heed my warning and slammed into the back of a car that pulled up short to avoid a blow that occurred in front of her, creatied a chain reaction that not only destroyed her right foot but several other people lives. for the last 7 years she has limped around pathetically and in pain - a horrible reminder that she could have easily prevented her pain and the pain she caused others by doing one of two things:

1) wait till you are off the road - meaning - pull over if it is that important, and it never is.
or
2) wait till you get home.

Science has shown over and over again that people who are fiddling with their digital devices while driving are every bit and sometimes more dangerous than drunk drivers - they used race car drivers in these tests to prove their point.

I realize that you can't change people who have these impulsive character flaws; the best we can do is make them aware of how dangerous they are behaving. Yes it is a behavior guided by a poor choice.

RANT:
If you are one of those people (WHO THINKS) you can operate a vehicle of any kind safely while playing with digital devices that require your eyes and hands - you are for warned that you are only fooling yourself mentally while putting yourself and others physically in harms way. It not if, rather just when.

It can wait - if it can't pull off the road.

Peace out

[sandy]

100% agree. Sorry your daughter didn't listen to Dad.

[MarkT]

Understandable rant.  By one who has suffered personal tragedy on the subject as well as professional related work.

However.  It is still possible for responsible drivers to use such devices in a limited and needed manner without being painted by your broad brush.  There are other distractions throughout the motorcycle and car/truck controls that can be equally distracting but are not painted by your brush. Most of the controls on the dashboard, especially those related to the radio. Running out of gas and switching to reserve - especially if you have a Pingel, doesn't switch easy, hard to find the lever. Not to mention smoking, adjusting the mirrors, seat, etc. (I am reminded of the scene in The Big Lebowski when The Dude dropped the cigarette cherry on his crotch and ran into the dumpster in his ghetto sled.) Worse distractions still not illegal, like eating, drinking coffee. And what some consider distractions of normal driving.  e.g. - looking over your shoulder to change lanes. I NEVER do that - I set my mirrors correctly and use them. Like a truck driver.  Even so - I am looking away from the road momentarily, as truck drivers do.  On Jade, I have an electric trailer brake control, which needs periodic adjustment.  That's a distraction that HAS to be done while driving. But would be included by your broad brush as an electronic device. Then there's the custom lighting and fuel system controls - not on your bike no doubt but on mine generally need to be used while riding.  Adjusting the windshield position on high-end touring bikes when running into a shower. (my Gold Wing, some Beemer tourers)  Adjusting seat position or mirrors - some may or may not stop to do that.

Not to mention distractions with other occupants of the car.  Do you have young kids?  what about conversations that are mind-engrossing.  How about just thinking on some serious subject - your boss just chewed you out, just got laid off how are you going to pay the mortgage, you have an important business decision, just had a big fight with your spouse.  Lots of issues that are life we all deal with but no one can deny they distract from the needed attention to driving tasks.  I have been cut off by people who clearly saw me but acted like I was invisible - they were not thinking on what they were doing.

Studies have proven it's not controlling the phone on a phone call that's so distracting, it's the conversation itself pulling the driver's mind off her primary task.  There is little difference statistically in accidents while on a call between hands-free phones and those without. Proving the "hands free" exemption on laws against calls while driving has little or no merit.  Yet reportedly conversations with another passenger in the car apparently do not distract like those on the phone.

As I said - I use my devices to assist navigating and weather radar - both driving functions.  Never to comm with others unless I pull off the road.  I believe your broad brush is over-enthusiastic on the issue - yet I get why. And I (hypocritically maybe) yell at drivers who are obviously (to my POV but I might be wrong) texting or dialing the phone. Which is a distraction in itself.

[Alberta Patriot]

Understandable rant.  By one who has suffered personal tragedy on the subject as well as professional related work.

However.  It is still possible for responsible drivers to use such devices in a limited and needed manner without being painted by your broad brush.  There are other distractions throughout the motorcycle and car/truck controls that can be equally distracting but are not painted by your brush. Most of the controls on the dashboard, especially those related to the radio. Not to mention smoking, adjusting the mirrors, seat, etc. Worse distractions still not illegal, like eating, drinking coffee. And what some consider distractions of normal driving.  e.g. - looking over your shoulder to change lanes. I NEVER do that - I set my mirrors correctly and use them. Like a truck driver.  Even so - I am looking away from the road momentarily, as truck drivers do.  On Jade, I have an electric brake control, which needs periodic adjustment.  That's a distraction that HAS to be done while driving. But would be included by your broad brush as an electronic device. Then there's the custom lighting and fuel system controls - not on your bike no doubt but on mine generally need to be used while riding.  Adjusting the windshield position on high-end touring bikes when running into a shower. (my Gold Wing, some Beemer tourers)  Adjusting seat position or mirrors - some may or may not stop to do that.

As I said - I use my devices to assist navigating and weather radar - both driving functions.  Never to comm with others unless I pull off the road.  I believe your broad brush is over-enthusiastic on the issue - yet I get why. And I (hypocritically maybe) yell at drivers who are obviously (to my POV but I might be wrong) texting or dialing the phone. Which is a distraction in itself.

Your comment is the very definition of the slippery slope that got us here to begin with.
Using electronic devices(radio/phone/GPS) while driving is unacceptable...period.
To even mention shoulder checking for lane changes as distracting is beyond ridiculous.
I firmly believe that being caught texting with your phone for example,  should be considered impaired driving with similar penalties as a DUI.
The untold thousands of victims of device distracted drivers can never turn the clock back.  There are NO acceptable levels of distraction while your vehicle is in motion.
And...yes...I understand how difficult it would be to convict that texting driver of serious penalties in the event of one of those many tragedies that occur every day, but to not try is just allowing the stupidity to carry on.
BTW...if your pet lap poodle is running around loose in your vehicle, that includes you.

[Serk]

Using electronic devices(radio/phone/GPS) while driving is unacceptable...period.

Speaking of slippery slope... You're saying someone should have to pull over and come to a complete stop to change the station on the radio? To adjust the volume? To roll a window down or up?

Banning any usage of any electronic devices while operating a vehicle would make it very difficult to set or adjust cruise control too.

[MarkT]

Your comment is the very definition of the slippery slope that got us here to begin with.
Using electronic devices(radio/phone/GPS) while driving is unacceptable...period.
To even mention shoulder checking for lane changes as distracting is beyond ridiculous.
I firmly believe that being caught texting with your phone for example,  should be considered impaired driving with similar penalties as a DUI.
The untold thousands of victims of device distracted drivers can never turn the clock back.  There are NO acceptable levels of distraction while your vehicle is in motion.
And...yes...I understand how difficult it would be to convict that texting driver of serious penalties in the event of one of those many tragedies that occur every day, but to not try is just allowing the stupidity to carry on.

Narrow minded and ridiculous argument.  It does happen that people run into others with their head turned.  I'm sure you are NEVER distracted. By anything.  What a crock.

I am not justifying needless distractions. Like texting and most phone calls. But many are not needless.  And can be done if done with discretion. You understand what "discretion" is in this context? Not allowing distractions when they could cause consequences - e.g. not in heavy traffic, not when looking away for a moment when the car in front of you could stop and you hit them. Navigating and avoiding rainstorms are part of driving. This is not a black and white world.  There are shades of gray.  However I get many drivers don't understand or use discretion - which makes any discretion exceptions to laws proscribing cell phone use impossible to implement. Such exceptions could possibly be implemented with technology.  But I'm not in favor of that for many reasons, complexity among them.

[Alberta Patriot]

I am guilty as well...I freely admit that... but here in Alberta you can be pulled over and tagged for eating your 'drive through window' burger and fries.
Quite often I see transport truckers wandering out of lane while they are obviousy looking down at a device...should they be given a pass as pro's who do there business in those 80,000 pound missiles?
Bottom line...fiddeling with any device that takes your eyes off the road for a "few" seconds gets people killed...and is probably why autonomous vehicles are going to drag us out of the drivers seat by law....eventually....

[RDKLL]

If people cant walk and text what makes them think they can drive and text...I know a guy where I work who said he could facebook at highway speeds and all I could say was "when you get in your accident, I can only hope that it is a single vehicle accident and only you are killed"
I see it all the time especially when on the bike because it sits taller. I cant wait until I get my camera system mounted and maybe forward videos of Mesa PD weaving all over the roads while they are operating their computer.
A french PSA so read the subtitles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbjSWDwJILs

[rudymsmith]

Understandable rant.  By one who has suffered personal tragedy on the subject as well as professional related work.

However.  It is still possible for responsible drivers to use such devices in a limited and needed manner without being painted by your broad brush.  There are other distractions throughout the motorcycle and car/truck controls that can be equally distracting but are not painted by your brush. Most of the controls on the dashboard, especially those related to the radio. Not to mention smoking, adjusting the mirrors, seat, etc. Worse distractions still not illegal, like eating, drinking coffee. And what some consider distractions of normal driving.  e.g. - looking over your shoulder to change lanes. I NEVER do that - I set my mirrors correctly and use them. Like a truck driver.  Even so - I am looking away from the road momentarily, as truck drivers do.  On Jade, I have an electric brake control, which needs periodic adjustment.  That's a distraction that HAS to be done while driving. But would be included by your broad brush as an electronic device. Then there's the custom lighting and fuel system controls - not on your bike no doubt but on mine generally need to be used while riding.  Adjusting the windshield position on high-end touring bikes when running into a shower. (my Gold Wing, some Beemer tourers)  Adjusting seat position or mirrors - some may or may not stop to do that.

As I said - I use my devices to assist navigating and weather radar - both driving functions.  Never to comm with others unless I pull off the road.  I believe your broad brush is over-enthusiastic on the issue - yet I get why. And I (hypocritically maybe) yell at drivers who are obviously (to my POV but I might be wrong) texting or dialing the phone. Which is a distraction in itself.

Your comment is the very definition of the slippery slope that got us here to begin with.
Using electronic devices(radio/phone/GPS) while driving is unacceptable...period.
To even mention shoulder checking for lane changes as distracting is beyond ridiculous.
I firmly believe that being caught texting with your phone for example,  should be considered impaired driving with similar penalties as a DUI.
The untold thousands of victims of device distracted drivers can never turn the clock back.  There are NO acceptable levels of distraction while your vehicle is in motion.
And...yes...I understand how difficult it would be to convict that texting driver of serious penalties in the event of one of those many tragedies that occur every day, but to not try is just allowing the stupidity to carry on.
BTW...if your pet lap poodle is running around loose in your vehicle, that includes you.

enjoy the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8crvXJJNxbQ

[MarkT]

Good video.

I don't get how cops can think they can use their laptops while driving so distractions & such laws don't apply to them.  I'm pretty sure typing on a laptop is every bit as distracting as texting is. But then some/many also think traffic laws have blanket exceptions for them as well.

[RDKLL]

In Texas, looks like they maybe trying to limit LEO and their distracted driving issues.
http://www.nbcdfw.com/investigations/series/driven-to-distraction/Distractions-Lead-to-Frequent-Police-Crashes-in-Texas-164342516.html

[specialdose]

 

      This is the biggest issue that has slowed down using my bike for commuting in the burbs with my grandson on board. He is 13 and I am tying my best to educate. Driving back of some one on the phone. Crossing white line, crossing yellow line, speeding up, slowing down, applying brakes for no reason, etc,etc. Driving in the southern burbs of Atlanta it gets worse by the day. you have to maintain your defensive
driving skills at all times....... NEVER, NEVER trust any one at an intersection to do what they are suppose to. Never presume you have the right of way, even when you do.

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ride safe, ride aware.....

[Robert]

I noticed some interesting and disturbing responses on a different thread that was morphing so I am starting this thread to address these issues straight up.

I totally agree and am sorry your daughter had to learn the hard way.

Apple is making the new phones that can stop calls and texting while driving, now how many use it will be another story.

But,

Until the punishment is increased there will be no worries about doing it.

[scooperhsd]

Cell phones / distracted driving bothers me more than just about anything (except impaired driving) - especially on a bike.

I won't even touch alcohol while riding. Bikes and booze do  not go together.

I generally have my electronics set before I get moving, with the exception of the volume control. I'll occaisionally TAKE calls, but rarely MAKE calls while driving. Again, I'll TAKE a call on the bike, but making is strictly for pulling over and stopping.

[Ramie]

Maybe I'm just old but every time I drive the wifes Toyota I no longer have knobs to control the radio or A/C.  It seems I have to push 5 different buttons to get everything to work and I find I need my reading glasses on so I can see what I'm pushing, talk about distracted driving.

[Wizzard]

My Lincoln MKZ has voice control for everything, including the phone. Works for me. I hate texting drivers. I think that the software in the phone should use the accelerometer to sense any movement over 10 mph and disable texting period. If we just start with that it would eliminate a lot of deaths each year.