Texting and driving

**Grubber** · 17th September 2015, 17:29

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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** · 17th September 2015, 17:35

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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** · 17th September 2015, 19:17

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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.

**FJRider** · 17th September 2015, 19:32

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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 ...

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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 ..

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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** · 17th September 2015, 19:50

Originally Posted by Grubber

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.

Originally Posted by Grubber

Driving isn't about attitude at all.

Life is about attitude. Driving is no different.

Originally Posted by Grubber

YOU are no different to anyone else when it comes to being distracted.

How would you know?

Originally Posted by Grubber

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.

Originally Posted by nzspokes

And again here is the cause of our road toll.

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** · 17th September 2015, 23:56

OK, now I want all horny women to be banned from walking on the side walk

And those very dangerous 100 kph all removed, extremely distracting

**awa355** · 18th September 2015, 03:13

Originally Posted by Moto-Dynamix

OK, now I want all horny women to be banned from walking on the side walk

And those very dangerous 100 kph all removed, extremely distracting

Is singing to yourself while riding, a distraction?

**Moi** · 18th September 2015, 06:33

Originally Posted by awa355

Is singing to yourself while riding, a distraction?

Only if you need the score...

or it's Wagnerian...

**Grubber** · 18th September 2015, 07:18

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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** · 18th September 2015, 07:50

Originally Posted by Grubber

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** · 18th September 2015, 12:57

Originally Posted by swbarnett

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** · 18th September 2015, 13:00

Originally Posted by nzspokes

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.