Why Do We Do It ?!

[rocket23]

Why? Is it lack of self control? envy?Do we really need to know what is being written while driving? Think about it, the written word isn't going anywhere. But our driving is a rapidly ever changing world where we are the pilots and the secretaries if one decides to text and drive. I saw this one clown texting away, car weaving all over the place.....stopped at a light, eyes going up and down like he was convulsing. Pretty sad to look at ; Worse to imagine what in gods green earth compels people to repeatedly do this brainless activity. I seen some people half my age ripping out texts like it was nothing, I mean they were really quick. Better than most in fact. To me, just as dumb......I take my phone and the key fob throw 'em both in the consol, why? Because I'm driving. I also ride a bike, so my hatred when seeing this first hand might just result in a broken side view mirror. Hey two wrongs don't make a right , but three lefts will. I applaud under cover tactics by law enforcement to catch these imbeciles red handed. I think a train horn will be my next mod.....scare the daylights out of morons that have taken over the streets . sad part is, it's not gonna change til someone dies......but only with the people involved.

 

[eljay]

I agree! My last car was rolled back into by the guy in a stick shift beater in front of me at a red light on a street with a slight incline. He hopped out, phone in hand, obviously mid-text (or maybe candy crush), and had the nerve to say I'd rolled into him, when I'd been honking at him throughout the entire slow motion fiasco. He ended up flooring it out of the parking lot I'd convinced him to pull into when he saw me try to record the number from his bent plate. I only had chipped paint, but still!

But this kind of distraction is nothing new, and doesn't require sophisticated tech. In the old days, it was generally women on the freeway during rush hour applying eye make-up or nail polish (once on TOES!), student-looking sorts with class notes propped against the windshield, and, at least once, a guy reading a hardcover book propped on the steering wheel. All of this on L.A. freeways. Some people will always find ways to be stupid and dangerous, given half a chance.

 

[OliverNuther]

Spooky! As I’m reading this thread a segment has just come on the news saying the Queensland Government is considering rolling out cameras mounted on bridges and overpasses specifically designed to catch motorists engaging in this sort of behaviour.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

They are already doing it here in NSW.

 

[OliverNuther]

Yes. Segment said they were waiting on results of a review into the NSW experience. Personally I think “results of review” means “how much money can we raise from fines”. I’m totally in favour of idiots being fined for texting, reading etc whilst driving. So long as they don’t incorporate speed cameras into all these extra cameras.

 

[eflyguy]

The people who think it doesn't distract them are proven to be the worst - my guess is their lack of awareness is directly related to their ignorance.

Many people don't realize how much even talking on a phone - on speaker or a headset - distracts them. I've been in a car with people and their driving is just downright dangerous when they are talking on the phone, but just fine otherwise. When I tell them, they don't believe me.

I often say - some people can't walk and chew gum. Unfortunately they don't *realize* they can't do both.

 

[rocket23]

A car,for the most part , is the 2nd highest expense people will pay in their lives....1st being housing. Why would anyone destroy it by not paying attention?! A lot of blame goes to the automaker, that's right the automaker....when was the last time you actually felt the road through the steering wheel? for those that 20 even 30 something , my guess is never. Cars usually came with zero power steering......trucks? forget it!! That's all you felt was the road,lol. but now, driving is like sitting on the couch at home....nice comfy, until someone screws up and then all you see is WHITE!!! BAM , thanks air bag.

 

[NYLAWBIZ]

I use Android Auto to send texts while driving using its voice commands. Also reads texts I receive. I have come quite fond of Google Assistant - she is very helpful and full of surprises. Getting smarter all the time.

 

[sym]

I have some comments here but I'm driving right now, I'll post them later.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I saw a mom texting and driving with kids in the car. She was wandering over the lane lines and her speed was varying between 25 and 40 MPH. I was incensed. Getting in front of her I slowed way down, watching her face in the rearview mirror. Her eyes darted up then back down, then up in anger as she hit the brakes to keep from running into me. Almost immediately after that she did a left turn into a McDonald's parking lot; from which, it is to be hoped, she finished her phone business in a stationary attitude.

Then there is the woman a few months ago from around here who slammed her two year-old Tesla into the back end of a fire truck at an intersection at 60 MPH. She was using her phone to get route options, if you can believe it, while letting her "autopilot" car drive itself, if you can believe it. Phones are the bane of existence for the rest of us.

My Stinger is a rolling cell phone, as are all of yours. Bluetooth has turned me into a voice command phone user. I haven't noticed that it has had any effect on my driving. But, that is the issue isn't it? I haven't NOTICED.

 

[rocket23]

At the very least I'll use bluetooth......it's the people that actually Have Bluetooth and can't/won't use it?! that befuddles me to no end......as for texting...voice commands, My hands on the steering wheel, that's all that matters,oh and shirter paddle, oh the rear view mirror,too bright! the sun visor, woo it's cold crank the heated seats.....now it's to hot a/c damn it!! tunes need TUNES!!!
yup simple driving for me....where we going anyways?!

 

[Alagos]

As i am not driving a stinger for now, i can say - nothing .. can bring me to watch on my phone while driving. Nothing has such a high Priority that i Need to read or Reply when driving.

Today in the Morning i had a woman in Front me too .. or a Bit Time Ago a Girl - i Drove Next to her ... setting Speed on her Speed But she didn’t recognised me .. Sometimes i want to do something to make them stop Texting or Phoning .. But all they do is getting mad ..

 

[rocket23]

penalties in Germany should be a bit more stringent....that's one country that doesn't play!!