Using cell phone same as drunk driving [Archive]

SpankMe

3rd February 2005, 08:51

"A University of Utah study claims that drivers who use a cell phone will be 'more impaired than drunken drivers (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=463588) with blood alcohol levels exceeding 0.08.' The study also says that use will turn a driver who is age 20 into age 70. Hands-free systems apparently don't help much either as they still require a driver to 'actively be part of a conversation.'

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dhunt

3rd February 2005, 09:24

Its a wonder we don't have more accidents

Cellphone Drivers Drive Like Drunks
Communications
Science
Posted by timothy on Wednesday February 02, @01:21PM
from the cut-me-off-right-there-in-the-left-lane dept.
TDavid writes "A University of Utah study claims that drivers who use a cell phone will be 'more impaired than drunken drivers with blood alcohol levels exceeding 0.08.' The study also says that use will turn a driver who is age 20 into age 70. Hands-free systems apparently don't help much either as they still require a driver to 'actively be part of a conversation.' What about in vehicle systems like OnStar?"

Taken from http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/02/02/1811240&from=rss

Waylander

3rd February 2005, 09:27

It's a Utah thing, but yea drivers on cell phones do drive like arseholes.

Krayy

3rd February 2005, 09:28

There are of course some idiots who will claim that using a cellphone in an automatic rather than a manual makes a difference.

By the same token, I did know a guy who died up on Upper Harbour Drive above Greenhithe while looking for a tape in the glove-box. And now some cars are coming out with video screens and DVD players. Go figure.

scroter

3rd February 2005, 11:02

that'd make me 78. i will admit im a bad boy and talk on the phone while driving. it dosent bother me but you gotta wonder it must take some of your concentration away from driving.

scroter

3rd February 2005, 11:03

you ever tryed texting while driving man thats dangerous

scroter

3rd February 2005, 11:09

i confess i talk on the phone while driving. texting is pretty difficult tho cant do that. not gonna make any excuses.

**R1**

3rd February 2005, 11:13

Cell phones piss me off :angry2:
b4 xmas my bike was in the shed waiting for a clutch so i was in a real bad mood, so im stuck in the cage at a set of lights(xmas time driving sucks) and this dumb arse in fron of me missd the light completly coz he's busy talking on his fone, so by this time i have snapd, lost the plot, i jump out walk over grab ths cocks fone tell the peson he's talking to he will call back, hang up on them and give this guy what for.....i think he shat his pants :yeah: then i walk back to the car reverse do a uturn and fuck off home.......anyone want to buy a sony ericson?? :doh:

Waylander

3rd February 2005, 11:17

Deja-vue..... I seem to remember reading this somehwere before.:thud:

Biff

3rd February 2005, 11:19

you ever tryed texting while driving man thats dangerous

texting? hah!! childs play, you try origami when riding, now that's bloody hard.

DrDee

3rd February 2005, 11:25

I agree, I was warned when I moved to Auckland to watch for Asian drivers (no offence meant) but in my experience of riding from St. Heliers to Albany and back every day for the last 18 months is: middle-aged european wannabies in bmw/audi/lexus with cell phones pressed against an ear and totally oblivious to everyone else on the road are the main problem I see on the roads!! On top of the fact that these european cars don't seem to be fitted with any indicators!!

I am amazed that with all the statistics published etc. that the official conclusion in New Zealand was that 'we just need to get used to driving while talking on a cell phone'??!?

I was almost collected by a car drifting from the fast lane into mine the other day (at 110 kph), I looked over and saw the driver pop up from looking down into the passengers area to find and answer his phone, he looked up and paniced and almost crashed his car overcorrecting to get back in his lane, I tooted and flipped him the bird, but he was oblivious to my presence. If I was in a car and not paying full attention the dick-head would have collected me.....

MrMelon

3rd February 2005, 11:27

Some wank u-turned in front of me without looking while on the cellphone in Hataitai the other morning.

mikey

3rd February 2005, 11:30

i learnt my lesson i took my left glove off whilest riding deser road on sunday night an got fone out of pocket anstarted texting a mate whilst doing 130, few kms down the road a truck flipped a stone up an i got big chiip in face plate of my fone... lucky its a shitter otherwise i would be pissed at myself...

Hitcher

3rd February 2005, 11:31

Snort!! Don't get me started about cellphones and stupid old bints in Jags...

Biff

3rd February 2005, 11:58

Snort!! Don't get me started about cellphones and stupid old bints in Jags...

Down Hitcher, down boy, relax. Here's a cognac. You've had a troubled couple of weeks. There, there.

Guys n gals, please, we need to whisper about mobile phones and cage drivers around Hitcher. He's "sensitive" to this subject.

madboy

3rd February 2005, 12:38

sh**, guess i should stop talking on the phone while riding too then...

seriously, I think the problem is the concentration thing - doesn't matter whether it's a phone/shaver/breakfast/lipstick/blowjob/DVD/newspaper. Some people are better at multi-tasking than others, and that in effect is what it is.

If you are competent enough to drive at a "safe" level while only requiring 30% of your available concentration, and it only takes you 50% concentration to have a meaningless conversation then you can probably do okay-ish. (Gotta be careful here, I talk and drive too)

But if you're so f****** incompetent at driving (or driving like a nutter anyway) then you might require 80% concentration just to drive the friggin car in the first place. So if it takes 50% of your concentration to talk on the phone - oh dear, 130%?? Umm, clear the roads fellas!!

And then there are those people that just require 130% concentration to drive safely anyway... a whole nother thread I think!!

Draco

4th February 2005, 08:34

seriously, I think the problem is the concentration thing - doesn't matter whether it's a phone/shaver/breakfast/lipstick/blowjob/DVD/newspaper. Some people are better at multi-tasking than others, and that in effect is what it is.

Ambo's (cops, fireman etc) manage to drive at speed, negotiate every tosspot on the road in the way, operate a radio, cpac unit, lights/siren buttons.........and still arrive safely at destination. If you ask me it comes down to driver skill, and the average driver in nz hasn't got the skills required anymore.

I'm amazed at how the average driver doesn't even know the length and width of their own vehicle, they can't even park, let alone drive! When i learnt to drive, i wasn't even allowed to drive on the main road until i could pull my car out of a slide on a metal road. Metal road u say, i know i'm old and i'm from hicksville. But jeez pa, least we's could drive back in dem days and still load dat shotgun!

toads

4th February 2005, 08:41

you ever tryed texting while driving man thats dangerous

to my shame I admit I have, but you are right it's bloody dangerous and very stupid too, I now pull over and use my phone at the side of the road, a lot better, and I now don't answer calls that ring while I'm driving either, unless I have a passenger who can answer the phone for me and wait for me to pull over so I can answer it properly.

toads

4th February 2005, 08:50

seriously, I think the problem is the concentration thing - doesn't matter whether it's a phone/shaver/breakfast/lipstick/blowjob/DVD/newspaper. Some people are better at multi-tasking than others, and that in effect is what it is.
!!

splutter, if you say so MB, I guess it comes down to being distracted at the end of the day, it only takes a split second to not see something because your attention has wandered and it could cost someone their life.
I have been guilty of doing most of the above mentioned things while driving, ( most not all btw) and consider myself to be very capable of multitasking, I don't think however that anything that impairs concentration while driving is a good idea, no matter what a person's capabilities, noone is superhuman, and unless our cars are equipped with sensors to drive for us to negotiate hazards for us while driving, then I will have to excercise self discipline and consideration for others by restraining from anything other than driving while driving I feel.

Biff

4th February 2005, 08:51

Ambo's (cops, fireman etc) manage to drive at speed, negotiate every tosspot on the road in the way, operate a radio, cpac unit, lights/siren buttons.........

Correct me if I'm wrong - but in fire engines dont the front seat passengers use the radio as oppossed to the driver, the same for ambos, and don't the police use remote Push To Talk buttons (PTT's) on their gear sticks, steering wheels?

I genuinly don't know the answer, (here it comes....) but back in the UK this was the normal operational procedure for 95% of the emergency services.

Drunken Monkey

4th February 2005, 09:34

Correct me if I'm wrong - but in fire engines dont the front seat passengers use the radio as oppossed to the driver, the same for ambos, and don't the police use remote Push To Talk buttons (PTT's) on their gear sticks, steering wheels?

I genuinly don't know the answer, (here it comes....) but back in the UK this was the normal operational procedure for 95% of the emergency services.

There are some minor variations around the world, but that's generally the case. I did read somewhere that NZ highway patrol vehicles also use a text-based alert system, but I'm not familiar with the details.
Studies tend to focus the problem on the concentration factor, hence the 'hands free kits make little difference' statement. While it's easy to focus your anger at 'people who talk on cellphones while driving', technically they are no different to people who eat dodgy kebabs while driving, people who eat double whoppers while driving, people who change CDs while driving, people who shave while driving, people who use their PDAs while driving, etc, yet there would be little compliance with a law that banned all "distracting" actions while driving.

Hitcher

4th February 2005, 09:45

People who text while driving. [Mutter, seethe, fume...]

Biff

4th February 2005, 09:53

but that's generally the case. I did read somewhere that NZ highway patrol vehicles also use a text-based alert system, but I'm not familiar with the details.

The radios that the HP use have a Status Message capability. From the front panel of their radios they have the capability to send pre-defined , I.E "Arrived on scene", "On route" and such like. Whether this is enabled at a local level is a local decision. But the vehicle radios that they use are definatley capable of doing this.

There is a mix of handportable radios in use by the kiwi police such as older Motorola gear and some technical superior Tait radios. The Tait radios, (depending on the model) can also suport text but the Motorola's can't.

scroter

4th February 2005, 10:04

There are some minor variations around the world, but that's generally the case. I did read somewhere that NZ highway patrol vehicles also use a text-based alert system, but I'm not familiar with the details.
Studies tend to focus the problem on the concentration factor, hence the 'hands free kits make little difference' statement. While it's easy to focus your anger at 'people who talk on cellphones while driving', technically they are no different to people who eat dodgy kebabs while driving, people who eat double whoppers while driving, people who change CDs while driving, people who shave while driving, people who use their PDAs while driving, etc, yet there would be little compliance with a law that banned all "distracting" actions while driving.

and if you have a crash cause your operating/eating anyone of those thatll be at least one charge of careless driving if your real unlucky carless causing death.

Lou Girardin

4th February 2005, 12:14

It's just another dent in LTNZ's credibility. A short drive in any major city will show the dangers of cellphone use while driving. Yet they claim few accidents are caused by it.
As if anyone involved in an accident will admit to using a phone at the time.
If we did the right thing when we are cut up by these morons, public demand will then create much smaller, smoother phones. (Aids insertion)

spudchucka

4th February 2005, 12:34

Correct me if I'm wrong - but in fire engines dont the front seat passengers use the radio as oppossed to the driver, the same for ambos, and don't the police use remote Push To Talk buttons (PTT's) on their gear sticks, steering wheels?

I genuinly don't know the answer, (here it comes....) but back in the UK this was the normal operational procedure for 95% of the emergency services.
No police vehicles have a transmit button on the steering wheel, that I am aware of. In a two up vehicle the passenger always does the comms, leaving the driver to drive. When you are one up you do the comms as well as drive. The difference between this and the average driver yapping on a cell phone is that the cop car responding to a job has lights and sirens going and the driver is in a very high state of awareness. The cell phone yapper is just driving along in a day dream, not really aware of his / her surroundings.

spudchucka

4th February 2005, 12:36

The radios that the HP use have a Status Message capability. From the front panel of their radios they have the capability to send pre-defined , I.E "Arrived on scene", "On route" and such like. Whether this is enabled at a local level is a local decision. But the vehicle radios that they use are definatley capable of doing this.

There is a mix of handportable radios in use by the kiwi police such as older Motorola gear and some technical superior Tait radios. The Tait radios, (depending on the model) can also suport text but the Motorola's can't.
The Motorola radios are better if you have to whack someone though. :thud:

Biff

4th February 2005, 12:40

No police vehicles have a transmit button on the steering wheel, that I am aware of. In a two up vehicle the passenger always does the comms, leaving the driver to drive. When you are one up you do the comms as well as drive. The difference between this and the average driver yapping on a cell phone is that the cop car responding to a job has lights and sirens going and the driver is in a very high state of awareness. The cell phone yapper is just driving along in a day dream, not really aware of his / her surroundings.

Thanks for the clarification Spud - A question for you - when you're solo in your vehicle, do you use the vehicle mobile or your handportable?

Drunken Monkey

4th February 2005, 13:14

and if you have a crash cause your operating/eating anyone of those thatll be at least one charge of careless driving if your real unlucky carless causing death.

and your point is...?

Are you saying careless doesn't apply if I'm talking on my phone?

Talk sense, boy.

WINJA

5th February 2005, 19:10

Jamezo

5th February 2005, 20:48

seriously, I think the problem is the concentration thing - doesn't matter whether it's a phone/shaver/breakfast/lipstick/blowjob/DVD/newspaper. Some people are better at multi-tasking than others, and that in effect is what it is.
!!

I have been guilty of doing most of the above mentioned things while driving, ( most not all btw)

so you have been exonerated of applying lipstick, watching DVDs, reading the paper, and eating breakfast then?
:banana:

justsomeguy

5th February 2005, 21:24

I ALSO HEARD THAT A DRUNK DRIVER ON A CELL PHONE WHOS BEEN UP ALL NIGHT IS STILL A BETTER DRIVER THAN AN ASIAN DRIVER WHOS SOBER NOT ON THERE PHONE AND HAS JUST HAD 8 HOURS SLEEP

I just heard that any driver, rider, pilot, captain, walker, crawler alive, dead or yet to be born is better than WINJA. :wari:

WINJA

5th February 2005, 21:30

I just heard that any driver, rider, pilot, captain, walker, crawler alive, dead or yet to be born is better than WINJA. :wari:
WOW IS THAT IT?LUCKY IVE GOT YOUR MUM TO KEEP ME ENTERTAINED TONIGHT

spudchucka

5th February 2005, 21:31

Thanks for the clarification Spud - A question for you - when you're solo in your vehicle, do you use the vehicle mobile or your handportable?
I use the hand set connected to the car radio.

spudchucka

5th February 2005, 21:33

WOW IS THAT IT?LUCKY IVE GOT YOUR MUM TO KEEP ME ENTERTAINED TONIGHT
You're a real mummies boy aint ya WINJA. Do you still suckle off the breast or has she weened you onto formula now?

justsomeguy

5th February 2005, 21:39

You're a real mummies boy aint ya WINJA. Do you still suckle off the breast or has she weened you onto formula now?

Sorry Spud but you have real high expectations.

He is still attached by umbilical cord. Since he always has him mum so close to him. He thinks that every one is the same.

At least they have taught him how to wash his own nappies.

gav

5th February 2005, 21:43

The study also says that use will turn a driver who is age 20 into age 70. Hands-free systems apparently don't help much either as they still require a driver to 'actively be part of a conversation.'
So what if a 70 year old is using a cell phone while driving?

spudchucka

5th February 2005, 21:44

Sorry Spud but you have real high expectations.

He is still attached by umbilical cord. Since he always has him mum so close to him. He thinks that every one is the same.

At least they have taught him how to wash his own nappies.
Pitty we can't find the six fingered banjo player that fathered him and castrate the wanker. Thats one very shallow gene pool.

Jackrat

5th February 2005, 21:50

So what if a 70 year old is using a cell phone while driving?

Yeah,I was kind'a wondering that myself.
If this is right it would mean I have the driving skill of a 150 year old everytime I use the hands free "every day"
But that's ok,it's a bloody big truck :yeah: :rolleyes:

justsomeguy

5th February 2005, 21:53

Pitty we can't find the six fingered banjo player that fathered him and castrate the wanker. Thats one very shallow gene pool.

Yes, it's so sad.
But don't worry. WINJA is impotent. So his seed isn't spreading. :wari:

Waylander

5th February 2005, 21:56

Yes, it's so sad.
But don't worry. WINJA is impotent. So his seed isn't spreading. :wari:
Thank the gods for small favors aye.:wari:

XTC

5th February 2005, 22:42

Yeah,I was kind'a wondering that myself.
If this is right it would mean I have the driving skill of a 150 year old everytime I use the hands free "every day"
But that's ok,it's a bloody big truck :yeah: :rolleyes:
That would be a good thing. You'd have 150 years driving experience and would be a bloody expert!! :) I doubt then that there would not be anything you couldn't do while driving by the age of 150..... except breathe maybe :banana:

WINJA

6th February 2005, 07:48

Yes, it's so sad.
But don't worry. WINJA is impotent. So his seed isn't spreading. :wari:
YOUR MUM DOESNT THINK IM IMPOTENT, SHE'S A DIRTY SLAPPER WHO CANT GET ENOUGH. DIDNT YOU NOTICE HER WALKING FUNNY THIS MORNING?

WINJA

6th February 2005, 07:52

Pitty we can't find the six fingered banjo player that fathered him and castrate the wanker. Thats one very shallow gene pool.
6 FINGERED BANJO PLAYER AND ALL ,ID RATHER BE ME THAN YOU , YOUR A FUCKIN PIG FOR CHRIST SAKE YOUR MUM TELLS HER FRIENDS YOUR ON THE DOLE TO SAVE HERSELF FROM EMBARESSMENT. HOWS THE SHOWERS AT THE STATION BTW,MY UNCLE SAID YOUD BE THE GUY WHO DROPS THE SOAP ON PURPOSE YOUR SUCH A BIG HOMO

Sniper

6th February 2005, 08:46

6 FINGERED BANJO PLAYER AND ALL ,ID RATHER BE ME THAN YOU , YOUR A FUCKIN PIG FOR CHRIST SAKE YOUR MUM TELLS HER FRIENDS YOUR ON THE DOLE TO SAVE HERSELF FROM EMBARESSMENT. HOWS THE SHOWERS AT THE STATION BTW,MY UNCLE SAID YOUD BE THE GUY WHO DROPS THE SOAP ON PURPOSE YOUR SUCH A BIG HOMO

Winja, I missed you and all your lame excuses of being a human being. Maybe your parents didnt love you enough?

Anyway, I was just thinking, how come you always type in Caps with the excuse that you cant see right, yet you can read all other posts and be fine??

Retard :shake:

spudchucka

6th February 2005, 12:06