Community Chat

[QueenDanceALot]

On 11/6/2014 sylviahomeatlast said:

It's illegal here

It's illegal here, too, but people still do it.

A LOT of them.

[QueenDanceALot]

On 11/7/2014 reese2 said:

On 11/7/2014 minkbunny said:

Studies have repeatedly shown that talking at all is just as distracting as using a handheld device.

Having lost two immediate family members in accidents where the driver was "distracted", I am vehement that I will not be in a vehicle with a driver using any distractions - be it talking, texting, eating, putting on make-up, anything!

There is nothing on Earth so important for a driver to do that is worth taking another's life.

^This

I have my phone with me for emergencies if I break down, but there is nothing anyone needs to tell me while I'm driving that can't wait. I lived almost my entire life without a cell phone and did just fine. I think it's arrogant to think oneself so important that you have to risk anyone's life to talk or text while driving.

Minky

to you both!!!

[QueenDanceALot]

So you might be ""thinking"" while you're driving and that might be a distraction as well.

Does that mean that we should allow every kind of possible distraction in a car?

Of course not.

[PamelaSue72]

I do use my Bluetooth, not often, but I use it. I don't hold my phone; it's usually in my bag.

I have a manual transmission in my car and there's no way I could handle the steering wheel and the gearshift and my phone. I'm just not that coordinated.

Bluetooth, I can do that. And I see no problem with it.

[RedTop]

I think this bad habit is extremely dangerous, and I do not talk, or text while driving. My phone is in my purse; I don't even use the Bluetooth connection in my car. My family knows to leave a voicemail, and I will get back to them when I am in a parking lot. Police are cracking down on local offenders, and have written over 1000 tickets for cell phone offenses; some people have been caught multiple times!

[reese2]

That's what I do, RedTop. If I'm not going to be back home anytime soon, I check my phone as soon as I'm parked. I'm not willing to take the risk of doing it any other way.

[dooBdoo]

Distracted driving is deadly. My iPhone goes into my purse and stays there when I'm driving, and I refuse to use any other hands-free bait that's being dangled by the car manufacturers. The studies don't lie, they repeatedly find that our brain doesn't multitask in the way we might like to claim it does. As others have said, being faced with the death or horrible injury of a loved one as a result of an auto accident caused by a selfish, careless person who thinks they must be in touch with the world every minute of every day ... perhaps that's what it takes to make some people pay attention. But, of course, then it's too late.

[AnikaBrodie]

On 11/6/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:

Cars should start featuring a jamming capability that once the car is in drive, you cannot make or receive texts or calls. Many bars and restaurants in my area have this. They have something that jams calls and you cannot use your phone unless you walk outside.

I think this would be a great idea for car makers to do.

I like this idea for both vehicles and restaurants. If you need to talk or text just pull over and park until the conversation is over. In fact, I've been seeing people doing this more often. All too often people in restaurants are making and receiving long and loud cell phone calls. It's distracting to nearby customers. Yeah, jam the phones.

On occasion I will use my cell phone as a passenger. I have never done it as the driver.

[MaRina]

I can aleays pick out the drivers texting they act like their drunk. Swerving, driving to slow, not going on a green light. I get so angry. Unfortunately I see it everyday maybe the fines need to be extremely high!!

[LizAnne_1]

Some years ago a friend of mine was adjusting the volume of her car radio when she ran head on into another car. The other driver was killed and my friend was paralyzed as a result. Distractions come in many forms.