Mobile use in cars - test

[Mystic13]

Whenever I'm behind a car that is completely unaware of anyone around them it's usually someone texting. And to a lesser degree talking.

So here's the deal. It's a driving test where you need to listen to a conversation on a mobile and press the space bar everytime you hear a question and at the same time count the number of pedestrians.

Most fail to either press the spacebar when there is a question or count. And they're not even driving the car.

I failed on both counts. So lets see if you have the ability to multi task listen and count. Of course you're not driving so that makes things pretty easy.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/

[CookMySock]

Thats called a "Tapper Test."

It's actually quite a scientific way to measure "brain power remaining" when doing some task.

I use the tapper test when training absolute noobs on bikes. I ask them to go beep-beep on the horn at various points around the course so I can gauge how heavily their brain is loaded. Suffice to say, the beep-beep comes out more like b-beeeeeeep until they are starting to get the hang of it. When they can do an accurate quick-smart beepity-beep-beep-beep on the horn while doing a tricky manoever then we move onto the next task.

edit: I got the exact number of points and the unusual thing, but missed 7 questions. Which is about fair I would say - I prioritize what is relevant and discard the rest. Thank fuck I wasn't actually driving the car and doing the adding up at the same time though.

Steve

[tomobedlam]

This shows you if Steven Joyce is serious about safety, then all cellphone use should be banned including handsfree

[BMWST?]

any one who thinks thir driving is NOT impaired when using a cell phone is mistaken.The use of a cell phone means the driver is distracted for long periods of time as opposed to a radio station change or similar.A hands free kit wont always change the situation much either.You are driving along and you may have to be making mental calculations.recall conversations etce tc...you will still be distracted,the only plus is you have both hands free

[Hoon]

I'm in two minds. How is this any different to talking to someone in the passenger seat?? If we ban cellphone use then do we also need to ban conversation with passengers while driving?

[ManDownUnder]

I'm in two minds. How is this any different to talking to someone in the passenger seat?? If we ban cellphone use then do we also need to ban conversation with passengers while driving?

My view is the person you're talking to is able to shut up when they know you need to concentrate if they are there in the car... but not if they are on the phone.

Chat chat chat *kids runs onto road in front of car*

Phone user... keeps on chatting
Passenger shuts up straight away

[yachtie10]

Yes and what about lighting a cigarette
changing the station on the radio
or my favourite a parent looking in the back seat at what their children are doing (partly because they cant be in the front seat)

yes cellphones are bad, but hands free is no worse that many other common things

luckily most of these things are uncommon on motorcycles

[Gwinch]

I passed the test, can see how others would fail miserably though as it did take a certain amount of concentration and unfortunately not all humans are equally blessed with that particular function.

So while I'm of two minds about cellphones, a lot of accidents I've heard of are attributed to where the driver has to take their eyes off the road. Applying nail polish, TXTing and reading a newspaper all fall under this category.

[PirateJafa]

Chat chat chat *kids runs onto road in front of car*

Phone user... keeps on chatting
Passenger shuts up straight away

Ah, I know what I'm doing wrong then. Because my passengers usually shout out "Ramming SPEED! dumdum dumdum!"

And come to think of it, most of my passengers are KBers as well...

[MarkH]

I have driven a car while using a cell phone hand held and while using a hands free headset. I am certain that there is a bigger difference than just having both hands free. With the hands free I am able to do a head check much more easily, I find myself moving my head more and looking up to my rear view more. Holding a phone means it is less easy to move your head around and also gives you one less hand for controlling the car.

I tried taking phone calls while riding, but the other party had problems with the noise level (I could hear them pretty well) so I removed the mic from my helmet. I still have the speakers so I can plug in music or my GPS - why does the GPS keep saying "you are over the speed limit".

[slofox]

Passenger shuts up straight away

My passenger (partner) wouldn't shut up....she'd scream "LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!!" and frighten seven kinds of shit out of me and more likely cause me to run off the road...and mow down ten pedestrians on the footpath...

[dipshit]

This is one advantage in riding a bike. Less bullshit around to distract you.

[Danae]

Didn't answer one question and didn't count all the peds. But I think I would be disturbed if I actually managed to pass the test as I'm against using cellphones in the car. If I'm passenger I'll txt/answer the call for them instead.

@Jafa: Lol that is too true

[Dave Lobster]

Yes it's bad. But banning it wont make any difference.

People will use them anyway.. same as everywhere else they've banned them.

The police can't be arsed to enforce simple (existing) laws now - keep fucking left, fog lights off, tailgating, bus lane riding, etc. - so what difference will one more make?

Waste of public money on another reactionary law.

[Slyer]

Bollocks.
When do you ever when driving have to count things and add up points?
I'm not trying to drive and do a sudoku...