Talking and Texting While Driving - Is It Safe? No!
Posted: Thursday, February 17, 2011
by Lorrie Davids
In our Information Age of instant gratification, we let nothing stand in the way of receiving our next phone call, text, video, news report or (fill in the blank) tidbit sent to our smart phones. When we have a signal, we respond - even when driving? Cell phone use while driving is a dangerous practice.
That people text on their cell phones while driving is a fact. We see it every day. Chances are great that someone you know and love has been driving and texting; maybe you do it. A cell phone holder that attaches to the top of your vehicle's steering wheel can be purchased online for less than 30 USD. I find that scary.
Cell phones have changed the way we communicate for the good and the bad. The good being we can access people and information anytime. The bad, that we can access people and information anytime. I can no longer imagine day to day life without my cell phone (unless it is locked away in the safe during a cruise!) and like most of you, I love my Internet access.
The problem lies in our inability to multitask at the level which we believe we are competent. One may be able to listen to music, watch TV, text and cook a meal all at the same time, but how well does one complete any of these tasks? To that thought, add this: when driving, the person behind the wheel is operating a vehicle (or deadly weapon) weighing in at over 3,000 pounds.
No doubt you have heard the dangers of cell phones and driving many times. My question is why are people still doing it? I know we all tend to harbor feelings of immortality, but everyone over 16 with driver's licenses need to exhibit maturity resulting in restraint and common sense. I realize it is not just the kids doing this. What parent in their right mind would buy the afore mentioned cell phone accessory for their teen? My generation is doing it too.
Do you think you are capable of using your cell phone and performing other tasks safely and simultaneously? Hopefully, you are sitting in a comfy chair with your favorite beverage while reading this. If you are driving, please pull over and then take a look at these Youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyXqUYFbrys&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOV7Z-3Vin8&feature=related
Am I the only one who sees something wrong with our priorities if a conversation cannot wait for a few minutes? I'd love to read your thoughts.
That people text on their cell phones while driving is a fact. We see it every day. Chances are great that someone you know and love has been driving and texting; maybe you do it. A cell phone holder that attaches to the top of your vehicle's steering wheel can be purchased online for less than 30 USD. I find that scary.
The problem lies in our inability to multitask at the level which we believe we are competent. One may be able to listen to music, watch TV, text and cook a meal all at the same time, but how well does one complete any of these tasks? To that thought, add this: when driving, the person behind the wheel is operating a vehicle (or deadly weapon) weighing in at over 3,000 pounds.
No doubt you have heard the dangers of cell phones and driving many times. My question is why are people still doing it? I know we all tend to harbor feelings of immortality, but everyone over 16 with driver's licenses need to exhibit maturity resulting in restraint and common sense. I realize it is not just the kids doing this. What parent in their right mind would buy the afore mentioned cell phone accessory for their teen? My generation is doing it too.
Do you think you are capable of using your cell phone and performing other tasks safely and simultaneously? Hopefully, you are sitting in a comfy chair with your favorite beverage while reading this. If you are driving, please pull over and then take a look at these Youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyXqUYFbrys&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOV7Z-3Vin8&feature=related
Am I the only one who sees something wrong with our priorities if a conversation cannot wait for a few minutes? I'd love to read your thoughts.
This Article has been viewed 1,460 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentsGreat article Lorrie, and so desperately needed for the younger people to read. I won't even answer my cell phone unless I can pull off the road, for two reasons, I don't want to kill anyone and I don't want to kill myself. Often, when I'm stopped at a traffic light, here comes a youngster from my right, turning left with a phone glued to her ear and sometimes comes so close to my left front fender, another coat of paint would have been taken off. It gives me indigestion for the rest of the day.Thanks, Joel, for reading and commenting. I know what you mean. I am amazed at the driving errors people make and as they continue on, you see they have a cell glued to their hand and ear.
Cell phone have gone from an additional reason to communicate to just an other excuse to ignore the person in front of you.Matteo, I believe you are correct. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
Good for you, Lorrie, and I'm with you on this. I can't drive well and talk at the same time. I think people have got addicted to cell phones and so blase about driving, they don't take this issue seriously, they think the accident is never going to happen to them.Jennifer, I think we drive on autopilot often anyway...we think about the next errand, etc. Add to that a phone conversation, maybe the radio, others in the car. Hmm. I am scaring myself here. It would be funny if it wasn't a tragedy waiting to happen. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I'm not capable of using my cell phone, period, driving or not. It usually sits in the drawer and is used only on roadtrips for emergency purposes. Frankly, unless you're in the business of savings lives, or solving the problems of the world, I don't see why everyone is constantly texting and phoning and feels the need to be available at all times. I also think though, that we do many other things while driving that are just as dangerous, eating, drinking, applying makeup etc. Hard laws to enforce. We have a ban against using the cell phone while driving and there is now a hefty fine, but I still see lots of people doing it. Good article Lorrie.Thanks, Brianna. You are right - we often just don't pay attention. Your comment reminds me of when my kids first started driving. I made them select their radio station before they left the driveway and it couldn't be so loud they wouldn't hear an emergency vehicle. Also, I only let them have one other person in the car with them at a time and the friend's parent had to know a minor was driving. I'm sure they changed the radio station and blasted their music, anyway, but I hoped to instill the responsibility of driving a vehicle. I probably just taught them that their mom was neurotic. I do like my cell, and keep it on me when not at home, but my views on driving while talking have done a 180 turn. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
To that thought, add this: when driving, the person behind the wheel is operating a vehicle (or deadly weapon) weighing in at over 3,000 pounds.
That alone scares me! Not only is it 3,000 pounds, the speed at which a vehicle is traveling can easily add the feeling of another few hundred pounds to the impact on a collision course.
It is seriously not a good idea to do this at all! Period!
Tony, I hear ya loud and clear! 3000 pounds is the weight of a small vehicle. Now, many have SUVs! It is definitely not a good idea to use the phone and drive. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Very nice article
Hi Lorrie.I know for a fact that I shouldn't talk on the cell phone and drive at the same time. Shoot, I tend to drive toward anything I'm looking at for too long. That's why I keep my eyes on the traffic in front of me and my head out of the clouds.Great article. I wish everyone would read it and take it to heart.Hugs, Dianne
The additional problem is that some people not only talk and text, but they also drink coffee, eat, play with their GPS etc. This is also very worrying!I agree with you 100%, Raymond. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I'm sorry I am so late in responding.
Good question, why are they still doing it? It is certainly a danger to themselves and others around them. I play a sort of game now - if I see someone driving distractedly like weaving or speeding up or going extra slowly, I invariably see them on the phone or drinking something or engaging in conversation with a passenger, whatever. Their attention is certainly not on the driving. So even just being slightly distracted results in lack of focus. I do know from myself that I simply am not as able as I once was to multitask. Nor am I as quick as I once was - dialing in a number takes eyes off the road too long at times. At least I've stopped it. Talking is also distracting. But now texting. That's even more dangerous. Hopefully more people learn the hazards. Thanks.
I don't know, Heidi. All I can figure is we think we are immortal. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate it!
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