Texting and driving

[george formby]

Someone, Edbear IIRC, posted a new initiative by the police to control phone use in cars. Cheers Ed. Made me think of this.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HbjSWDwJILs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Moi]

That's a great ad.

So the Belgiums not only make great beer but also have a sense of humour. In Europe at present and surprised at the number who do text/call while driving/riding - whether a bicycle or a PTW...

[caspernz]

Good clip. Jafas seem to learn the same by rear ending the car in front when they're dawdling along the motorway carpark...:eek5:

[Edbear]

Too true! I'm sure I am seeing increasing numbers of rear-endings when travelling into and out of Auckland these days.

Plus a greater number of those openly holding their mobile phone to their ears, along with those who are looking down at their laps. :brick:

I do *555 from time to time and the Police call center receptionists are always grateful. The Police are exasperated by the stupidity of them.

Now before anyone argues the point, notice the increasing number of accidents the cops have to deal with when they would rather be dealing to more serious matters. They have to attend avoidable accidents instead which uses a lot of time and money.

Maybe the idiots causing the accidents should be billed for their time?

[bogan]

Too true! I'm sure I am seeing increasing numbers of rear-endings when travelling into and out of Auckland these days.

That's just summer approaching, we're seeing an increasing amount of tidy rear ends around these parts too.

[jellywrestler]

That's just summer approaching, we're seeing an increasing amount of tidy rear ends around these parts too.

was in palmy on monday, over three sets of lights, in a row i counted nine vehicles going through red lights, middle of the arvo, no rush hour traffic, never seen anything like it before, what's the story?

[bogan]

was in palmy on monday, over three sets of lights, in a row i counted nine vehicles going through red lights, middle of the arvo, no rush hour traffic, never seen anything like it before, what's the story?

You came through on a good day...

[Edbear]

was in palmy on monday, over three sets of lights, in a row i counted nine vehicles going through red lights, middle of the arvo, no rush hour traffic, never seen anything like it before, what's the story?

People are becoming increasingly selfish and impatient. The heavy traffic is getting to them.

People in general are becoming more reactionary and less tolerant.

[Scuba_Steve]

was in palmy on monday, over three sets of lights, in a row i counted nine vehicles going through red lights, middle of the arvo, no rush hour traffic, never seen anything like it before, what's the story?

You mean the Palmy that is rated worst drivers in NZ.
Also I know there's at-least 1 set of lights they decided to let a monkey control & it allows 1 car through legally, maybee 2 if they're both onto it & accelerate with decent force

[Shaun Harris]

[QUOTE=Edbear;1130901625]People are becoming increasingly selfish and impatient


That is the whole problem with the entire New Zealand culture up bringing now. Me me me me me me only

Text and driving NO I say, talking on a phone and driving, is no more distracting than changing the channel on your radio, or talking to your children, and please do not say you must have 2 hands on the wheel at all times bahahahaha or even listening to your radio. How many times have you cracked up whilst driving due to some thing you herd on the radio, STRUTH, where TF do we stop in the soft arse country.

[Shaun Harris]

You mean the Palmy that is rated worst drivers in NZ.
Also I know there's at-least 1 set of lights they decided to let a monkey control & it allows 1 car through legally, maybee 2 if they're both onto it & accelerate with decent force



Ch Ch had that a few years back for this reason, down there is dam lethal

[Scuba_Steve]

Ch Ch had that a few years back for this reason, down there is dam lethal

ChurChur still has lights that under the retard giveway rule are impossible to make a right hand turn on without running a red

[Shaun Harris]

ChurChur still has lights that under the retard giveway rule are impossible to make a right hand turn on without running a red


Yea, that one blew me away last time there a few months ago also. Ya would think they would change that, but guess the focus is on diff things still, a little more important than drivers being happy chappies

[Maha]

Too true! I'm sure I am seeing increasing numbers of rear-endings when travelling into and out of Auckland these days.

Plus a greater number of those openly holding their mobile phone to their ears, along with those who are looking down at their laps. :brick:

I do *555 from time to time and the Police call center receptionists are always grateful. The Police are exasperated by the stupidity of them.

Now before anyone argues the point, notice the increasing number of accidents the cops have to deal with when they would rather be dealing to more serious matters. They have to attend avoidable accidents instead which uses a lot of time and money.

Maybe the idiots causing the accidents should be billed for their time?

We used it (*555) last weekend, following a car drifting over the center line, and at times double yellows, the worst was almost half the car over on a left hand bend. I let the waiting cop in just before we got into Masterton and he pulled the driver over.

[caspernz]

The campaign (coming up) to catch folks driving distracted is only just ahead of vigilante type action I'm guessing. After all if kiwi folk get upset by tourist driving habits, the multimedia obsession of a portion of our local drivers makes their driving far worse...:facepalm::innocent:

[Shaun Harris]

We used it (*555) last weekend, following a car drifting over the center line, and at times double yellows, the worst was almost half the car over on a left hand bend. I let the waiting cop in just before we got into Masterton and he pulled the driver over.



I too have used it for similar reasons only, as that to me is extremelly dangerous. I am not a police man, but this person was a potentuall family killer

[Shaun Harris]

The campaign (coming up) to catch folks driving distracted is only just ahead of vigilante type action I'm guessing. After all if kiwi folk get upset by tourist driving habits, the multimedia obsession of a portion of our local drivers makes their driving far worse...:facepalm::innocent:



The media side of it is only about sales, they do not give a flying F in reallity, just sensationalism that makes them $

[R650R]

The media side of it is only about sales, they do not give a flying F in reallity, just sensationalism that makes them $

I love the hypocracy of them posting crash photos and other images sent in by viewers clearly in the driving seat of moving car taken with phone camera.

The reality is we have ALL texted and called on our phones while driving at some stage as its taken ages for it to become illegal. During that time (of cellular freedom) the road toll has plummeted dramatically so theres not even any concrete cause and effect data. The simple fact is fools and the easily distracted are crashing like they always have done, just sometimes they have a phone in their hand so that gets the blame.
Just like drunk driving crashes (drunk driving is bad and you shouldn't do it), surely a portion of those crashes would have probably happened even if they were sober such is the crap driving of some.
The law should be that you can receive and make a call on phone at any time if you feel you are in full control of your vehicle but texting not allowed on touch screen phones as that's impossible without looking.
Now before the super self righteous flame me, I don't use my phone while driving, not because its alledgedly dangerous but because I value a clean license so I will play their game to keep zero demerits.
Before the law change like ALL other drivers I used my phone when needed, I NEVER had a near miss because of it. I DID have near misses while looking at a bit of skirt, being angry judging others bad driving or just plain fatigue....

[Virago]

Some reckon they're so good at txting, they don't need to look at the phone when txt-driving.

Whereas I am such a good driver I don't need to look at the road when txt-driving.

[swarfie]

Not quite sure why the TA would want to announce that they are going to clamp down on Txt-ing/phone use while driving...JUST BLOODY IT !! They'd catch far more of the idiots if it was unannounced.

[Tazz]

Some reckon they're so good at txting, they don't need to look at the phone when txt-driving.

I could do that piece of piss a few years ago with a 'button' phone. No chance with touch screen. Gettin old!

I still pull the phone out when stopped in traffic unless I'm at the front of the queue. Will probably get pinged for that one day. No worse than eating behind the wheel mind.

The 'hands free' stuff that is coming factory in cars these days will see an end to a lot of that. Calls are getting cheaper too. Easier to to just use a couple of buttons on the steering wheel and give someone a bell than text.

[Tazz]

Not quite sure why the TA would want to announce that they are going to clamp down on Txt-ing/phone use while driving...JUST BLOODY IT !! They'd catch far more of the idiots if it was unannounced.

It's all about being seen to be doing and making noise about 'something'.

Policing = Poltics.

[scumdog]

I could do that piece of piss a few years ago with a 'button' phone. No chance with touch screen. Gettin old!


All very well texting using a 'button' phone - but at some stage you have to read the incoming texts.

And you can't do THAT by running your fingers over the buttons!

[caspernz]

Not quite sure why the TA would want to announce that they are going to clamp down on Txt-ing/phone use while driving...JUST BLOODY IT !! They'd catch far more of the idiots if it was unannounced.

If it creates a bit of a social stigma akin to drink driving, no harm in publicity prior to the event.

Heck, the place where I work we've got it as a policy not to have the phone on whilst we're trucking along. Yet some dispatchers still get annoyed when I only check messages whilst stationary or at a drop point. Just a shame some of our drivers feel compelled to break the firms' own rules, as well as law of the land...:facepalm:

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but my phone goes off or on silent when I hop behind the wheel. Oh hang on, it's called being anti-social innit? :laugh::violin::woohoo:

[Shaun Harris]

It's all about being seen to be doing and making noise about 'something'.

Policing = Poltics.


Agreed, as well as trying to actually get less people doing it, in fare of the penalties. There is a time and place for every thing, open road with no congestion is fine as I am concerned, ( Not intown and on motorways) but I have been driving illegaly and legally for 43 years now. I use to drive a 6 cyl PB vox and a commer milk truck when I was 8 years old, haha I had a cool father who was a petrol head big time. The man passed away when I was 9, and life seriously turned to shit in our family, a member was raped in front of me by 3 men, and that was the start of the piece of SCUM I have recently been called via a pm on here, by some one who does not even know me, but know;s people I went to school with at St Pats town in wellington years back, whilst I was living in social welfare after being taken way from my remaining family, and living in a house where the people smoked POT every day of the week. Struth, out of the pan and into the fire. I reckon they were using me as a way of making them look like good people in the community, as well as they were being paid to have me there.

Sorry for the rant, just needed to get that out of my system, in hope the person who sent the nasty PM reads this, and maybe, just maybe, he is preaped to think before he sends nasty viscious stuff to people in the future, I did not bother to try and explain this to him, as at the time, it fealt like I would just be crying about my miss spent poor hard done by youth. I was extre,elly well taken care of my my family/Mother, I just went wild, and she could not controll me.

[Virago]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1593202305/cool-story-bro-500x499.jpg

[willytheekid]

Sadly...most "Txters" don't see the problem <_<

http://www.myronsmopeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Texting-Cartoon.png

[Tazz]

All very well texting using a 'button' phone - but at some stage you have to read the incoming texts.

And you can't do THAT by running your fingers over the buttons!

No braille function on your phone either huh? Maybe one day :D
I would usually do that when stopped at the lights, and very occasionally when on the open road hold it at the top of the steering wheel and quickly flick through it while on a straight. Big no no these days, sweet as back then.

People can lecture all they want but everyone is different and I had a harder time (less focused on the road) doing something that is still completely legal, which is eating while driving, than I did texting with those older phones.
Others might, but I personally couldn't do it on the move without being quite distracted with the one (touch screen) I have now.

This is all in a car. On the bike texts and calls just get read out into my headphones and I pull over and sort them out if I want to. Much bettera system, although those that can't have anything other than wind noise cry foul.

[Virago]

No braille function on your phone either huh? Maybe one day :D
I would usually do that when stopped at the lights, and very occasionally when on the open road hold it at the top of the steering wheel and quickly flick through it while on a straight. Big no no these days, sweet as back then...

An interesting point. People used to hold their phones up in the driving line of vision. Now the hard-core txters hold their phones surreptitiously in their laps, to avoid being sprung.

[caspernz]

An interesting point. People used to hold their phones up in the driving line of vision. Now the hard-core txters hold their phones surreptitiously in their laps, to avoid being sprung.

Saw something the other day about State Troopers in some US states using 18 wheelers to nab the lap texters...

Hell, just fit a couple of correctly aimed cameras to a few of our trucks and you'd net loads of D'Orklanders who think they possess superhuman skills...:facepalm:

[Tazz]

An interesting point. People used to hold their phones up in the driving line of vision. Now the hard-core txters hold their phones surreptitiously in their laps, to avoid being sprung.

Yep. One of the by-products of using law enforcement to fix 'problems' in place of better education on the matter/s.
People still do it and often in a more dangerous fashion than before. Apart from truckies. Cabs are too high to see into so they don't give a fark :laugh:

[Shaun Harris]

Quoted Embedded Media Removed



I just blocked him after his rant, Maybe one day he will be a man and come see me to talk about it, ( I said Talk, not fisty cuffs) to get to know the current real Shaun Harris, instead of the fucked up child teenager that his mates refer too

[Maha]

I too have used it for similar reasons only, as that to me is extremelly dangerous. I am not a police man, but this person was a potentuall family killer

2nd time we have used *555 last time we covered close to 60 kms before the cops caught up to us. Saturday it was about 5 kms when we saw him waiting.

[Shaun Harris]

2nd time we have used *555 last time we covered close to 60 kms before the cops caught up to us. Saturday it was about 5 kms when we saw him waiting.



Doing it out of safety for others is cool, ie HSE Identify, isolate, eliminate! but people that do it just to be like a police man, really are quite sad imo

[BMWST?]

the point is that texting and talking on a phone is distracting.And yes changing radio stations,gps s and even talking to a passenger is also distracting.But talking on a phone,esp if it is a complex topic is MORE distracting imho.If you think that you are not distracted whilst doing so you are wrong.
Pay attention to actually driving your car and you will have fewer accidents.Too many people are "passengers" who "guide" their car from one place to the next with absolutely no real involvent in DRIVING

[swbarnett]

Some reckon they're so good at txting, they don't need to look at the phone when txt-driving.
I wonder, do their incoming texts come in braille?

[Tazz]

the point is that texting and talking on a phone is distracting.And yes changing radio stations,gps s and even talking to a passenger is also distracting.But talking on a phone,esp if it is a complex topic is MORE distracting imho.If you think that you are not distracted whilst doing so you are wrong.
Pay attention to actually driving your car and you will have fewer accidents.Too many people are "passengers" who "guide" their car from one place to the next with absolutely no real involvent in DRIVING

So texting and talking are two completely different things, and everyone has different abilities in managing tasks at hand, however if you look at some of the studies holding your hand up to your ear and yakking away is AS BAD as hands free kits are because the actual distraction is the conversation with someone outside of the vehicle, not the driving one handed aspect which people assume is the problem because that's what they target.
Pretty sure this shit is all on here somewhere already. Usually the fact that CB and PRS equipment that requires physically input to operate yet are used legally by road users and law enforcement comes up as a contradiction to the fact it is for your safety that they are outlawed. Nabbing phone users is easy policing.

Eating is also the same level distraction as the conversation with someone out of the vehicle jazz.

This is why instead of tickets for Africa that mean and do diddly squat, people need to know their own level of ability. imo.

[scumdog]

This is why instead of tickets for Africa that mean and do diddly squat, people need to know their own level of ability. imo.

And if a lot DID 'know their own level of ability' they would also know they shouldn't bloody drive - ever:oi-grr:

[BMWST?]

So texting and talking are two completely different things, and everyone has different abilities in managing tasks at hand, however if you look at some of the studies holding your hand up to your ear and yakking away is AS BAD as hands free kits are because the actual distraction is the conversation with someone outside of the vehicle, not the driving one handed aspect which people assume is the problem because that's what they target.
Pretty sure this shit is all on here somewhere already. Usually the fact that CB and PRS equipment that requires physically input to operate yet are used legally by road users and law enforcement comes up as a contradiction to the fact it is for your safety that they are outlawed. Nabbing phone users is easy policing.

Eating is also the same level distraction as the conversation with someone out of the vehicle jazz.

This is why instead of tickets for Africa that mean and do diddly squat, people need to know their own level of ability. imo.
agree its the distraction aspect that they should be concentrationg on phone /text/radio/heater...PAY ATTENTION TO THE DANGEROUS TASK AT HAND

[Gremlin]

Too true! I'm sure I am seeing increasing numbers of rear-endings when travelling into and out of Auckland these days.
They're failing at basic stuff. Inattentive, poor following distance, not looking far enough ahead and surveying the environment (like a car next to me today speeding up, almost passing me, while failing to see their lane was completely stopped less than 100m ahead... so on hard with the brakes.

Then there is the Auckland classic... lane diving - and here's why you shouldn't:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6-0E2Nxtm6o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Tazz]

And if a lot DID 'know their own level of ability' they would also know they shouldn't bloody drive - ever:oi-grr:

How do they have a license then? If people that thick are getting through, there is a problem with the system.
I mean there is probably all sorts of problems with them too, but the system would seem like an easier fix? :laugh:

On the flip side some people have very different levels and speeds of comprehension and absorb data very differently. Society still doesn't know how to handle dyslexic and dyspraxic peeps.

[caspernz]

Maybe a bit of reverse psychology is in order?

Some time ago I made the comment at work that the action doesn't start until I get there, so don't get all uppety about me leaving my cellphone off while I'm trucking along (like company policy tells me to) as I'm doing something more important (driving) than yakking to someone in an office...and someone made the inference that I thought I was too important to have my phone on whilst driving...:bleh::laugh:

Remember when only important folks had a cellphone, whereas now if you're important enough you don't? Your assistant answers it for you...:eek:

[george formby]

Maybe a bit of reverse psychology is in order?

Some time ago I made the comment at work that the action doesn't start until I get there, so don't get all uppety about me leaving my cellphone off while I'm trucking along (like company policy tells me to) as I'm doing something more important (driving) than yakking to someone in an office...and someone made the inference that I thought I was too important to have my phone on whilst driving...:bleh::laugh:

Remember when only important folks had a cellphone, whereas now if you're important enough you don't? Your assistant answers it for you...:eek:

I find it bizarre that as vehicles get safer they are becoming more distracting. I like bikes because they are involving, totally, no reason to take my eyes off the road. I could turn my van into a living room, legally, and be totally un-involved.
I like the ad because it shows young drivers, trying hard for there tests, very capable txter's, getting a feeling for how quick it goes wrong when you don't pay attention. A great lesson.
We live in strange times.

Oh, I quoted because I totally agree. I can't think of any conversations that is more important than being safe on the road.

[Shaun Harris]

So texting and talking are two completely different things, and everyone has different abilities in managing tasks at hand, however if you look at some of the studies holding your hand up to your ear and yakking away is AS BAD as hands free kits are because the actual distraction is the conversation with someone outside of the vehicle, not the driving one handed aspect which people assume is the problem because that's what they target.
Pretty sure this shit is all on here somewhere already. Usually the fact that CB and PRS equipment that requires physically input to operate yet are used legally by road users and law enforcement comes up as a contradiction to the fact it is for your safety that they are outlawed. Nabbing phone users is easy policing.

Eating is also the same level distraction as the conversation with someone out of the vehicle jazz.

This is why instead of tickets for Africa that mean and do diddly squat, people need to know their own level of ability. imo.




I tooted at a cop last week here for eating whilst he was driving, he looked at me very strangely at first, Until I put my cell phone up to my ear, he smiled and nodded. Point made.

[Maha]

We do a lot of driving and see too many drivers attending to their phone while driving, truck drivers included.
Sitting in Subway Taihape yesterday I saw a stock truck driver using his phone, must be difficult for them to stop and answer/send a text I guess?

[caspernz]

Oh, I quoted because I totally agree. I can't think of any conversations that is more important than being safe on the road.

Shame some folks gotta learn this by accident, pun intended.


We do a lot of driving and see too many drivers attending to their phone while driving, truck drivers included.
Sitting in Subway Taihape yesterday I saw a stock truck driver using his phone, must be difficult for them to stop and answer/send a text I guess?

Absolutely, as a truck driver myself I find it annoying to see fellow truckers (steering wheel attendants really) doing the talking and driving thing. Most companies have done away with RTs nowadays so the cell phone becomes the sole means of comms. Some industries now just expect you to be at the beck and call of office bods/despatchers etc damn near 24/7, never mind the fact that driving is the prime occupation of the person they're trying to talk to.

You can't win either way it seems, for we now also have the symptom of folks trying to stop in the most ungainly places to answer the phone, as though it's some damn emergency...:brick:

[Maha]

Absolutely, as a truck driver myself I find it annoying to see fellow truckers (steering wheel attendants really) doing the talking and driving thing. Most companies have done away with RTs nowadays so the cell phone becomes the sole means of comms. Some industries now just expect you to be at the beck and call of office bods/despatchers etc damn near 24/7, never mind the fact that driving is the prime occupation of the person they're trying to talk to.

You can't win either way it seems, for we now also have the symptom of folks trying to stop in the most ungainly places to answer the phone, as though it's some damn emergency...:brick:

'' Some industries now just expect you to be at the beck and call of office bods/dispatchers etc damn near 24/7''

An employer is required by law to supply a hands free kit, an OSH requirement under the Health and Safety act.

[Big Dog]

Come on now, you can't expect companies that have policies that dictate talking on the phone is serious misconduct to provide a hands free kit can you?
Especially when the same company keeps breaking is own policy in order to tall to the driver?

Sent via tapatalk.

[Edbear]

They're failing at basic stuff. Inattentive, poor following distance, not looking far enough ahead and surveying the environment (like a car next to me today speeding up, almost passing me, while failing to see their lane was completely stopped less than 100m ahead... so on hard with the brakes.

Then there is the Auckland classic... lane diving - and here's why you shouldn't:
>

Bang on, so to speak... :rolleyes: I'm convinced that most drivers don't see much further than their bonnet!


How do they have a license then? If people that thick are getting through, there is a problem with the system.
I mean there is probably all sorts of problems with them too, but the system would seem like an easier fix? :laugh:

On the flip side some people have very different levels and speeds of comprehension and absorb data very differently. Society still doesn't know how to handle dyslexic and dyspraxic peeps.

I note most youngsters doing their tests and learning seem very conscious of what they are doing, and it's rare to see a newly licensed person involved in incidents. It's the 20 - 40+ who are driving like twats - them and the stupid boy racers, of course.




Remember when only important folks had a cellphone, whereas now if you're important enough you don't? Your assistant answers it for you...:eek:

Heyup! Hands-free kits are cheap as ships these days too. I've got two spare, now that we have then in the cars.

[Katman]

<img src="http://www.explosion.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ironic-pics-13.jpg"/>

[Swoop]

How do they have a license then? If people that thick are getting through, there is a problem with the system.

The driving licence testing process has become tougher in recent years. Certain "youths" have been overheard complaining about this, coupled with "how unfair" it is now.
[sarcasm mode]Terrible shame really.[/sarcasm mode]

[scumdog]

The driving licence testing process has become tougher in recent years. Certain "youths" have been overheard complaining about this, coupled with "how unfair" it is now.
[sarcasm mode]Terrible shame really.[/sarcasm mode]


What he said.

The little cherubs are in the first stage of finding out life is neither fair nor easy as they would have liked - unlike most of their existence up to then.

[swbarnett]

doing the talking and driving thing.
In actual fact these two are not mutually exclusive as some would have us believe.

[Hawkeye]

90% of smart phones can be put into 'car' mode. This allows full voice activation including receiving and sending texts, answering calls, controlling music and navigation.

First thing I do when I get in the cage is put the phone into car mode. Makes life easier and safer.

Most people don't even know there is that feature on their phones. You know, 'that do everything' including making a cup of coffee phone with every feature imaginable.

[BMWST?]

Come on now, you can't expect companies that have policies that dictate talking on the phone is serious misconduct to provide a hands free kit can you?
Especially when the same company keeps breaking is own policy in order to tall to the driver?

Sent via tapatalk.
The point is though,that tslkong on a phone,esp if the conversation is involved or complex,is very distracting,hands free or not!

90% of smart phones can be put into 'car' mode. This allows full voice activation including receiving and sending texts, answering calls, controlling music and navigation.

First thing I do when I get in the cage is put the phone into car mode. Makes life easier and safer.

Most people don't even know there is that feature on their phones. You know, 'that do everything' including making a cup of coffee phone with every feature imaginable.

[Tazz]

In actual fact these two are not mutually exclusive as some would have us believe.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/talking-on-a-hands-free-cellphone-is-as-bad-as-driving-drunk-2013-8

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16884056


CONCLUSION:

When driving conditions and time on task were controlled for, the impairments associated with using a cell phone while driving can be as profound as those associated with driving while drunk.

:whistle:

Knowing and accepting this I will still yak away when I'm happy to, and pull over to yak when I'm not because as there are different levels of intoxication there are different levels of conversation(/distraction), which I haven't delved into but I don't see mentioned on the surface of those types of studies (conversation anyway. Intoxication level will be fo sho).

You can argue that any level of either of those (or texting) is a distraction, but fuck it, everything is or has a risk element, and considering most accidents happen at home not out on road realistically that is where you should be worrying about if you want to be pedantic (where's the fuzz when I need someone to steady a ladder if the name of the game is all safety :lol:), or if you want to combine the two it's within so many KM's of your home on the road you need to be the most mindful of, apparently ;)

[caspernz]

Heyup! Hands-free kits are cheap as ships these days too. I've got two spare, now that we have then in the cars.

I don't care, hands free or not, I ain't yapping on the phone while I'm driving.



The point is though,that talking on a phone,esp if the conversation is involved or complex,is very distracting,hands free or not!

Absolutely right. The mental distraction from the driving task is the problem, not much to do with whether you're holding the gizmo to the side of your noggin or not.

That said, plenty of other things inside a car can be just a distracting as yapping on a cell phone :mad:

[Shaun Harris]

next we will be saying you cannot take children in the car, as they are distracting. if you cannot talk and drive at the same time, you should not be any where near the dam rode. Your eyes work 100% still. Talk to create text FINE Talk to talk FINE TEXT- NO WAY

[swbarnett]

next we will be saying you cannot take children in the car, as they are distracting. if you cannot talk and drive at the same time, you should not be any where near the dam rode. Your eyes work 100% still. Talk to create text FINE Talk to talk FINE TEXT- NO WAY
Exactly.

The "average" driver that the studies mentioned a post or two above are talking about can't talk and drive simply because they don't hold driving as the priority at all times.

As long as you've got your priorities right nothing is a distraction unless it might also be life-threatening.

The problem is that this attitude is not drummed into novice drivers right from the start.

[BMWST?]

its more complex than just talkin...when you are talking to someone right next to each other there are other senses and signals that make the conversation understandable,pauses etc are tolerated as you negotiate a rounda bout etc...on a phone its different, its harder to make sense of what the other one is saying,because part of the information is missing.

[Shaun Harris]

its more complex than just talkin...when you are talking to someone right next to each other there are other senses and signals that make the conversation understandable,pauses etc are tolerated as you negotiate a rounda bout etc...on a phone its different, its harder to make sense of what the other one is saying,because part of the information is missing.



What you have just described to me, is a business/work talk discussion, for it to be that demanding and concentration taxing, so in this case pull over, simple. we started talking at what age in life, how much dam concentration does it take. manual cars, req 1 hand to change gear, police use phones, fire people use phones, ambulance use bla bla bla, and what makes any of those drivers safer than us, NOTHING. In fact, they are putting them selves and others at risk even more by doing so, as they will be concentrating on driving, talking, and the case they may be attending.If ou cannot drive and talk safely, do not drive or talk.

Hand held Texting, once again NO.

[scumdog]

If ou cannot drive and talk safely, do not drive or talk.

Hand held Texting, once again NO.


Too many out there can barely safely drive and breathe at the same time when driving - let alone text too..

[swbarnett]

its more complex than just talkin...when you are talking to someone right next to each other there are other senses and signals that make the conversation understandable,pauses etc are tolerated as you negotiate a rounda bout etc...on a phone its different, its harder to make sense of what the other one is saying,because part of the information is missing.
Even if all this were true (I'll concede that it is to some degree) as long as driving is the first priority there is no danger. I've left more than one person hanging because of this.

[swbarnett]

What you have just described to me, is a business/work talk discussion, ...
I agree wholeheartedly with all you said.

I would add that it matters not the type of conversation as long as it always takes second place.

[Shaun Harris]

I agree wholeheartedly with all you said.

I would add that it matters not the type of conversation as long as it always takes second place.


I am assuming of course, but I would guess a lot of the full on NO posts in this thread, have had a bad experience from another party doing this, so do understand where they are coming from though. As well as some of them, just have not thought it through honestly, and let there fingers do the talking first. yes, men can Multi task hahahahahaha Fuk wits are just that, and crap will always go down in life. Identify, minimise, isolate. be mature enough to make your own safety decision out there on the roads please folks.

[Shaun Harris]

Out of curiosity, how many in this thread eat food whilst driving?

[Scuba_Steve]

Out of curiosity, how many in this thread eat food whilst driving?

I eats feed, talks on phone, drinks drink & texts whiles driving (I have old skool & couldn't/wouldn't do with smarty)... however all these get thrown at passengers or across the seat if I think I need more than 1 hand & they all take third priority to driving.
Only time I've had a near incident of my own doing was back as a teen & that was cause I was playing with the [still allowed] radio trying to find a station that would play tolerable music... Radio's still remain 1 of the most dangerous distractions in cars, luckily I learn 1st time & fucking pull over to play with that now

[Tazz]

Even if all this were true (I'll concede that it is to some degree) as long as driving is the first priority there is no danger. I've left more than one person hanging because of this.

A distraction is a distraction though. It can be more or less of a distraction. The only time where the your complete attention to prioritising your driving over talking on the phone will occur....is if you're not talking on the phone at all :laugh:
In three or four seconds you might spend accessing your long term memory for something you're yakking about with dear old dad, a lot can happen on the road.

However, the exact same thing can be said for the 3-4-5 seconds you might spend checking your rear vision mirror :laugh:

There is also the fact the a lot of what you see, you're not seeing because your brain is showing you what it EXPECTS to see. It has been a long time since I've read anything about this so I'm pretty rusty but here's a quick link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1079232/

It is yet another layer to get through before you can react to a situation, and there is other stuff about it on here already I think.

There is no way you can NOT be distracted by a phone call, hands free or not, and it is a fact that a phone call IS more distracting than a conversation with someone in the vehicle.
These are scientific facts, not government propaganda, the propaganda when they try and draw a line through the middle of fact and enforce laws relating to it.

Just to be clear again, I'm not some Nazi that thinks no one should talk on the phone in the car ever, I just like to be able to make my own educated risk decisions about what I do (when I can be arsed) rather than rely on half baked laws, rules and regulations to dictate my life, but the fact is there that it is a distraction regardless of the law for only handhelds (once again showing how fucking useless a lot of laws/rules/lawmakers are).


Out of curiosity, how many in this thread eat food whilst driving?

Almost every time I'm in a car I have some shapes or scroggin to nibble on next to the gear lever, especially when driving late at night. Not exactly as distracting as trying to wolf down a bowl of soup or bag of pistachios but still a 'risk'. If I die while scoffing some cheese and bacon shapes at least I'll die happy.

[caspernz]

I am assuming of course, but I would guess a lot of the full on NO posts in this thread, have had a bad experience from another party doing this, so do understand where they are coming from though. As well as some of them, just have not thought it through honestly, and let there fingers do the talking first. yes, men can Multi task hahahahahaha Fuk wits are just that, and crap will always go down in life. Identify, minimise, isolate. be mature enough to make your own safety decision out there on the roads please folks.

Into my third decade of trucking, on three continents. Any comms device can become a distraction. If I had a dollar for every near miss or prang I've seen as a result of someone who thought he/she was better than the next person...

Heck, some folks can't even walk and talk on the phone...

https://youtu.be/FtFKRYgtamk

[Big Dog]

Slightly different tack. Who here has never told a passenger the conversation has to wait?
I do all the time.
If it is distracting me I nip out in the bud.
Same with the hands free. If it requires more than a yes, no or maybe I tell them I will call back or pull over.

Sent via tapatalk.

[Maha]

Out of curiosity, how many in this thread eat food whilst driving?

That's not illegal, but to answer your question, it's difficult enough eating food off plate while watching tv in ones leather recliner let alone adding a steering wheel into the mix. We have never allowed eating in the car. We don't even have sounds on to be honest, we know how to talk to each other.

[swbarnett]

Out of curiosity, how many in this thread eat food whilst driving?
Depends on what. The messier the less likely I am to eat it while driving.

[swbarnett]

A distraction is a distraction though.
Agreed. What I'm saying is that a conversation does not have to be a distraction at all.


The only time where the your complete attention to prioritising your driving over talking on the phone will occur....is if you're not talking on the phone at all :laugh:
I take it you don't use your sub-conscious mind to drive? I always give complete priority to driving over anything else. That doesn't mean that my whole mind is required to drive.


In three or four seconds you might spend accessing your long term memory for something you're yakking about with dear old dad, a lot can happen on the road.
Can't say that I've ever had that problem. My memory is quicker than that (I either remember it or I don't).


However, the exact same thing can be said for the 3-4-5 seconds you might spend checking your rear vision mirror :laugh:
No driver should ever need more than a quick glance in the mirror.


There is no way you can NOT be distracted by a phone call, hands free or not,
As long as you keep your priorities straight it doesn't need to be distracting. Just ask a sniper.


and it is a fact that a phone call IS more distracting than a conversation with someone in the vehicle.
Maybe for some but certainly not for all.


These are scientific facts,
Until some new study says otherwise. Science is not that precise on most things.

[Shaun Harris]

whilst I see the point behind these laws, I still say there is a time and place for every thing. the main problem is people not seeing that and acting to that policy. Typical kiwi these days again, it is all just me me me me me and F you all, I HAVE THE WRITE TO. We all have the responsobillity to reccognize we are operating a potentual KILLING machine, and it is actually a privilledge, not a write to be on the roads!

[Moi]

That's not illegal, but to answer your question, it's difficult enough eating food off plate while watching tv in ones leather recliner let alone adding a steering wheel into the mix. We have never allowed eating in the car. We don't even have sounds on to be honest, we know how to talk to each other.

I always thought that was the reason we had picnics... and for us oldies Thermettes...

... latest picnics we have had were beside the old moat near the Menenpoorte in Iepers and at the Lochnagar Crater near La Boisselle in the Somme.

[Voltaire]

Out of curiosity, how many in this thread eat food whilst driving?

If they banned that would the Police park outside Drive Thrus like they used to do at pubs?

[nzspokes]

Even if all this were true (I'll concede that it is to some degree) as long as driving is the first priority there is no danger. I've left more than one person hanging because of this.

And here we have why people die on the roads. :facepalm:

Those that think they have higher ability's than others. I have been ht by a driver on a phone. Had no idea I was there until I was sitting on her bonnet. :shit:

And they wonder why people are trying to get driverless cars sorted.....

[Maha]

I always thought that was the reason we had picnics... and for us oldies Thermettes...

... latest picnics we have had were beside the old moat near the Menenpoorte in Iepers and at the Lochnagar Crater near La Boisselle in the Somme.

That must have been 'Somme' time ago?

[Scuba_Steve]

No driver should ever need more than a quick glance in the mirror.


Never reversed a truck then ay :bleh::innocent:

[Moi]

That must have been 'Somme' time ago?

Nope... just the other week... in Berlin at present...

[Moi]

No driver should ever need more than a quick glance in the mirror.

Perhaps that's half the problem with many drivers... they "glance" rather than "look for and see"...

[Grubber]

Agreed. What I'm saying is that a conversation does not have to be a distraction at all.


I take it you don't use your sub-conscious mind to drive? I always give complete priority to driving over anything else. That doesn't mean that my whole mind is required to drive.


Can't say that I've ever had that problem. My memory is quicker than that (I either remember it or I don't).


No driver should ever need more than a quick glance in the mirror.


As long as you keep your priorities straight it doesn't need to be distracting. Just ask a sniper.


Maybe for some but certainly not for all.


Until some new study says otherwise. Science is not that precise on most things.

Some would say that they would rather be on the road with an 8 year old than you!
You appear to be one of those that seems to think he can overcome all that the testing that proves you can't give full attention to driving if distracted by a phone.
Glance in the mirror is not going to be full proof ever. If i did only that each day in one of my trucks there would be many dead people around by now.
You need to get in the "here and now" and stop trying to be the only person that is remotely capable of driving whilst distracted, cause you can't!

[Tazz]

Agreed. What I'm saying is that a conversation does not have to be a distraction at all.

But unless someone is having the conversation for you or you have a separate 'conversation only brain' in your foot, it can't not be a distraction on some level because you're using your brain for a multiple tasks. It very may well be that the level of distraction is not a problem for you (or just not a problem until something happens and you react too slow because of it), I said earlier everyone is different, but it is still a distraction, on some level...
If you think that nothing like that can distract you ever, you're possibly setting yourself up for the universe to prove you very wrong :laugh:

And yes, science can be dis-proven and adjusted as time/advances occur, but unless you have an actual counter or reasons (hopefully with actual evidence) to disprove or at least put something in serious doubt it's a bit of a cop out to use that old chestnut, especially against multiple studies on a topic. Science is not always perfect as politics still fark things up, but we've come a long way from alchemy days.
If there was only one paper on the adverse effects of piloting a ship while talking to another ship on an acoustic megaphone from 1843 you'd have a strong case for sure.

As for the mirror, 3-4 seconds was generous, but your eyes still have to focus and I'd hope you're doing more than just a .3 second glance before pulling out to overtake and the like unless you don't believe in blind spots either.

[Shaun Harris]

This thread has been good for me, as I decided months ago after a mistake, that texting and driving was going to be the thing that killed me. i am now a 100% non texter whilst driving! I think very fast so act very fast, so out comes the text machine normally, until now! Game over on that one, thanks for drumming it in all involved.

[swbarnett]

Never reversed a truck then ay :bleh::innocent:
:niceone: You know I meant while driving forward.

[swbarnett]

And here we have why people die on the roads. :facepalm:

Those that think they have higher ability's than others.
I think you would probably agree that the statement above needs to be qualified by saying that it only applies to those that are wrong.


I have been ht by a driver on a phone. Had no idea I was there until I was sitting on her bonnet. :shit:

And they wonder why people are trying to get driverless cars sorted.....
I have no doubt that some drivers allow themselves to be distracted by their phone. That was their choice - whether they knew they made it or not. Someone that allows a phone to distract them will find something else to take it's place if the phone is removed.

[swbarnett]

Perhaps that's half the problem with many drivers... they "glance" rather than "look for and see"...
Indeed. Glancing is no good if you don't take in the scene at the same time. I will sometimes glance several times in quick succession if the first glance left me unsure of what I saw. I've recently started doing two head-checks when changing lanes etc. just to be doubly sure.

[swbarnett]

You appear to be one of those that seems to think he can overcome all that the testing that proves you can't give full attention to driving if distracted by a phone.
Who said anything about full "attention". Certainly not I. The word I used was "priority". You don't need your full attention to be aware of what's going on around you, your sub-conscious mind takes care of that.


Glance in the mirror is not going to be full proof ever.
That's why, as I said above, I will often back it up with a second glance (or more) and/or a head check. I definitely don't fully trust mirrors. They are just one tool.


You need to get in the "here and now" and stop trying to be the only person that is remotely capable of driving whilst distracted, cause you can't!
I can't drive while fully distracted. No-one can. The trick is to not let anything distract you for more than a millisecond. It's all about attitude and keeping your priorities straight.

[swbarnett]

But unless someone is having the conversation for you or you have a separate 'conversation only brain' in your foot, it can't not be a distraction on some level because you're using your brain for a multiple tasks. It very may well be that the level of distraction is not a problem for you (or just not a problem until something happens and you react too slow because of it), I said earlier everyone is different, but it is still a distraction, on some level...
I don't use my full mind to drive (unless I'm out for a blast). I don't need it. That which is left is quite capable of doing other things at the same time.


If you think that nothing like that can distract you ever, you're possibly setting yourself up for the universe to prove you very wrong :laugh:
I have had situations where my full attention was elsewhere (the one time I can remember when I was really too tired to drive). My sub-conscious dragged my attention back in time to avoid even a near miss.


As for the mirror, 3-4 seconds was generous, but your eyes still have to focus and I'd hope you're doing more than just a .3 second glance before pulling out to overtake and the like unless you don't believe in blind spots either.
Agreed. I should have said no more than a glance each time you look in the mirror. This should be done more than once before pulling out and preferably backed up by a head check (something I do in a car as well on the bike).

[Voltaire]

I drive, I don't answer the phone or feel the need to text, not interrupting the guitar solo in Freebird for anyone :woohoo:

[Grubber]

Who said anything about full "attention". Certainly not I. The word I used was "priority". You don't need your full attention to be aware of what's going on around you, your sub-conscious mind takes care of that.


That's why, as I said above, I will often back it up with a second glance (or more) and/or a head check. I definitely don't fully trust mirrors. They are just one tool.


I can't drive while fully distracted. No-one can. The trick is to not let anything distract you for more than a millisecond. It's all about attitude and keeping your priorities straight.

Full attention is exactly what is required. There lye's the problem to be fair.

That millisecond is what get ya! Driving isn't about attitude at all. It's about competency, concentration, diligence, full attention and on the list goes. Attitude only effects how achieve all these things..

[Grubber]

I think you would probably agree that the statement above needs to be qualified by saying that it only applies to those that are wrong.


I have no doubt that some drivers allow themselves to be distracted by their phone. That was their choice - whether they knew they made it or not. Someone that allows a phone to distract them will find something else to take it's place if the phone is removed.

I really wish you had done the surveys they conducted regarding distractions with phones. Maybe then you may realise that YOU are no different to anyone else when it comes to being distracted.
My worry has always been that there are people that think they are much better than the figures state. That attitude comes off rather egotistical and plenty dangerous to go with it.

[nzspokes]

I don't use my full mind to drive (unless I'm out for a blast).

And again here is the cause of our road toll. :facepalm:

[FJRider]

I don't use my full mind to drive

I guess if you half a mind to ... that's all you need.

I'll just avoid wherever YOU are ...


I have had situations where my full attention was elsewhere (the one time I can remember when I was really too tired to drive). My sub-conscious dragged my attention back in time to avoid even a near miss.

Good luck ... next time. I hope somebody survives to talk about it.


Might not be YOU though ..


Agreed. I should have said no more than a glance each time you look in the mirror. This should be done more than once before pulling out and preferably backed up by a head check (something I do in a car as well on the bike).

Might work ... if your attention isn't elsewhere ..

[swbarnett]

Full attention is exactly what is required.
Driving just isn't that mentally taxing. If this were true then it would be the height of stupidity to have anyone but the driver in the vehicle.

The sub-conscious can do most of the work and does it far better (and much, much quicker) than the conscious.


Driving isn't about attitude at all.
Life is about attitude. Driving is no different.


YOU are no different to anyone else when it comes to being distracted.
How would you know?


My worry has always been that there are people that think they are much better than the figures state.
The figures are statistically based. This means that there are outliers. Not everyone lies on the statistical norm.


And again here is the cause of our road toll. :facepalm:
I can guarantee that you don't use your full mind to drive either. As I said above, driving is just not that mentally taxing.

[Shaun Harris]

OK, now I want all horny women to be banned from walking on the side walk:bash: And those very dangerous 100 kph all removed, extremely distracting

[awa355]

OK, now I want all horny women to be banned from walking on the side walk:bash: And those very dangerous 100 kph all removed, extremely distracting

Is singing to yourself while riding, a distraction? ;)

[Moi]

Is singing to yourself while riding, a distraction? ;)

Only if you need the score...

or it's Wagnerian...

[Grubber]

Driving just isn't that mentally taxing. If this were true then it would be the height of stupidity to have anyone but the driver in the vehicle.

The sub-conscious can do most of the work and does it far better (and much, much quicker) than the conscious.


Life is about attitude. Driving is no different.


How would you know?


The figures are statistically based. This means that there are outliers. Not everyone lies on the statistical norm.


I can guarantee that you don't use your full mind to drive either. As I said above, driving is just not that mentally taxing.

The sub concious doesn't driver bugger all. Jeez if we all went with that theory we'd all be dead. Please be well awake when you hop in your car fella.

You should study the figures from these trials. The one i read and watched (on tele) was across the board from all walks of life, Lewis Hamilton was included and not one wasn't distracted by the phone to the point of actual impairment. So if you think your better than him you should be driving F1

[nzspokes]

The sub concious doesn't driver bugger all. Jeez if we all went with that theory we'd all be dead. Please be well awake when you hop in your car fella.

You should study the figures from these trials. The one i read and watched (on tele) was across the board from all walks of life, Lewis Hamilton was included and not one wasn't distracted by the phone to the point of actual impairment. So if you think your better than him you should be driving F1

Sadly people with these habits just don't get it.

[Tazz]

I don't use my full mind to drive (unless I'm out for a blast). I don't need it. That which is left is quite capable of doing other things at the same time.

I see where you're coming from but it is still another layer for your mind to cut through 'when/if' it is needed quickly. When nothing is going wrong it will be sweet as.

If a shark jumps out of a bush and starts firing it's laser beam at you. Would you rather have been not on your phone at all or have been chatting away to the Pope when this occurs? I suspect you're going to say it wouldn't matter to you, but again, unless you're using a different brain there is no way it can't have an impact.

Either way, happy motoring. I'm still going to chat on my phone while driving in some situations too (almost all open road these days) if I feel like it, but I'm under no illusion that it doesn't carry some potential form of risk (through distraction) even on a dead straight road at 5kph. Shuffling my body in my seat does too, and sneezing, and lifting my leg to share a good fart with the passenger compartment, checking mirrors, picking my nose etc etc.
What will they ticket next?

[Tazz]

Sadly people with these habits just don't get it.

That looks a bit propaganda-ish. I doubt the difference between handheld and hands free is that great. Will have a nose at it some time, could be wrong.

[Scuba_Steve]

What will they ticket next?

Apparently having a fag in the car with kids or so I'm told

[Tazz]

Apparently having a fag in the car with kids or so I'm told

Not surprised. Yet another thing that should be educated out of existence rather lazily 'policed' out.

[nodrog]

Apparently having a fag in the car with kids or so I'm told

of course that should banned (http://www.manhuntdaily.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/alpha/j/Jess-and-Brent-Sean-Cody-bareback-raw-gay-porn-fucking-3.jpg)

[TheDemonLord]

of course that should banned (http://www.manhuntdaily.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/alpha/j/Jess-and-Brent-Sean-Cody-bareback-raw-gay-porn-fucking-3.jpg)

I'm so glad I hovered over that link before deciding not to click on it.

[swbarnett]

The sub concious doesn't driver bugger all. Jeez if we all went with that theory we'd all be dead.
And yet without it most of what we do would be impossible. The conscious mind is just too slow.


You should study the figures from these trials. The one i read and watched (on tele) was across the board from all walks of life, Lewis Hamilton was included and not one wasn't distracted by the phone to the point of actual impairment. So if you think your better than him you should be driving F1
Being good at F1 doesn't mean you're a good driver. Just that you can control a car.

[swbarnett]

I see where you're coming from but it is still another layer for your mind to cut through 'when/if' it is needed quickly.
It's not so much that your conscious mind kicks in when needed. More that the sub-conscious mind does what's needed before you're aware of it.

[Tazz]

It's not so much that your conscious mind kicks in when needed. More that the sub-conscious mind does what's needed before you're aware of it.

Like I linked earlier, it's also your subconscious that plays tricks and fills in parts of what is happening around you with what it assumes should be happening there, not necessarily what is, so really you just hope that it kicks in correctly when and if it does.

At the end of the day driver training would lessen the risk more so than a ticket.

[swbarnett]

Like I linked earlier, it's also your subconscious that plays tricks and fills in parts of what is happening around you with what it assumes should be happening there, not necessarily what is, so really you just hope that it kicks in correctly when and if it does.

At the end of the day driver training would lessen the risk more so than a ticket.
Totally agree. The subconscious becomes more useful the more skilled (i.e. more training and experience) the driver becomes. It's of little use to the complete novice.

[FJRider]

Totally agree. The subconscious becomes more useful the more skilled (i.e. more training and experience) the driver becomes. It's of little use to the complete novice.

And what % of the "Driving" population would you say being sufficiently "Skilled" ... ??? 10 % .. 15 % ... 20 % .. ???


In NZ ... the Legislation and policy seems to be based on the lowest common denominator (read idiot) driving on the roads ...


Perhaps instead of fines ... compulsory driver training courses (ACC funded) might have a better (end) result .. ???

[swbarnett]

And what % of the "Driving" population would you say being sufficiently "Skilled" ... ??? 10 % .. 15 % ... 20 % .. ???
Actual percentage I have no idea. However, all drivers will drive to some extent in the sub-conscious. It's just a matter of degree.


In NZ ... the Legislation and policy seems to be based on the lowest common denominator (read idiot) driving on the roads ...


Perhaps instead of fines ... compulsory driver training courses (ACC funded) might have a better (end) result .. ???
Agreed. This is where the rule of law falls down miserably. It has absolutely no way to enforce a code of behaviour that allows those with the skills to do something that those without them should not be allowed to.

[Stylo]

Nearly got side-lined by some wanker coming straight for me today with his phone on top of the steering wheel, obviously multi-tasking.

I sounded my twin horns and he nearly shit himself then moved back onto his side of the road.

These phone texter's are worse than the bloody cyclists doing the three abreast thing, they're in another world oblivious to what's going on ...

[Grubber]

Like I linked earlier, it's also your subconscious that plays tricks and fills in parts of what is happening around you with what it assumes should be happening there, not necessarily what is, so really you just hope that it kicks in correctly when and if it does.

At the end of the day driver training would lessen the risk more so than a ticket.

Mr StopWinning Barnet may have missed the meaning behind this one.

[Gremlin]

Had a pearler this evening... no texting or distracting (well, I fucken hope not).

From Whatawhata to Ngaruawahia an SUV felt that staying within their lane was simply a suggestion. Fully (as in left wheels over the centre line) in the oncoming lane when entering left handers, cutting right handers, had to get back on their side of the road for one oncoming car. Generally all over the road. I didn't speed, stayed within my lane and stayed behind them (no fucken way was I thinking about passing).

Unfortunately the Sena had run out of puff hours previously, so I reported at Ngaruawahia...

Actually, it's the fucken Waikato. I was on a back road earlier in the arvo, and an oncoming car simply took half my lane (when I'm there) probably coz it was a bit tight and they'd have to slow down to stay in their lane... argh :mad:

[eldog]

seen all of this type of stuff, and its getting worse - all too often lately.

I use a handsfree only when i know its a short message/call.
I txt/call before or after I travel. If an incoming call is someone important I find a safe place to pull over or just ignore it till I get were I am going.

txting seems to affect people far worse than talking on the phone.
its a reflection of todays 'instant fulfillment society'

[eldog]

And what % of the "Driving" population would you say being sufficiently "Skilled" ... ??? 10 % .. 15 % ... 20 % .. ???


In NZ ... the Legislation and policy seems to be based on the lowest common denominator (read idiot) driving on the roads ...


Perhaps instead of fines ... compulsory driver training courses (ACC funded) might have a better (end) result .. ???
less than 10 % more like less than 5%, say 2%

NZ policy it to 'protect' everyone from themselves - some (most) turn into idiots on the road, and they become invincible and it wont happen to me syndrome.

fines vs training, most people will never learn, no matter what, its their 'right' to drive/text etc.
i have made mistakes in the past, usually my conscious berates/punishes me so i dont do it twice.

i ride very conservatory most of the time, and assume other users and the road are out to get me, saved me a few times lately. but i noticed that further away from the big smokes the drivers are generally more laid back, forgiving and appreciate when a slower road user pulls over to let them pass.

[JMemonic]

They're failing at basic stuff. Inattentive, poor following distance, not looking far enough ahead and surveying the environment (like a car next to me today speeding up, almost passing me, while failing to see their lane was completely stopped less than 100m ahead... so on hard with the brakes.

Then there is the Auckland classic... lane diving - and here's why you shouldn't:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6-0E2Nxtm6o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hate to say it but that ain't just Auckland, that trick is through out NZ

[Swoop]

Perhaps that's half the problem with many drivers... they "glance" rather than "look for and see"...

A "glance" will still see nothing, IF the person does not "observe".
Timespan is immaterial.

[Berries]

A "glance" will still see nothing, IF the person does not "observe".
Timespan is immaterial.
Underlined. Capital letters. Inverted commas. Short sentences.



Has FJ got a new login?