Comments on: Mobile Phones & Driving

By: PatM

PatM — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:54:00 +0000

The type of converstions between a driver and a passanger and a driver and someone on the phone can be quite different. I’ve seen people trying to have a business meeting by phone while driving – making decisions, setting dates and prices. This is very different to light chat with a passanger. It has also been pointed out that a passanger is still another pair of eyes on the road.

By: John Smith

John Smith — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 22:50:45 +0000

Don’t believe me? here it is:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmafp/is_200501/ai_n13262463

By: John Smith

John Smith — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 22:48:42 +0000

I think the ban on mobile phones is only right.
You don’t have all your hands and you are distracted.
Therefore I use a headset. I look like a dork, but I’ve got my hands free.
My problem is when it comes to the fact that a 2 way conversation is distracting.
I’m not debating the fact that, yes, it can be. But I’m arguing the fact that you would have to ban conversations with your passengers as well. Or all talking inside the vehicle when in motion.
That includes breaking up rows with your kids and telling them that for every “are we there yet” you have to pull over to answer.
If we ban talking on a phone, even with a handsfree kit or headset, we must ban all conversation with the driver in the car as well.
We also must ban operating the radio, heat and fan controls, scratching ourselves, sneezing (you could be with your eyes closed for up to 50 meters depending on your speed, unacceptable!), eating, drinking, smoking, yawning, farting sideways, getting distracted by your genitals (or someone else’s) and we must also strictly monitor the drivers mind to make sure his thoughts don’t wander (brainpolice)
Before long we’ll be strapped into our seats with a camera pointing at our face that’s linked to Guarda HQ where your own, dedicated Sergeant will monitor your every move. your hands will be tied to the wheel and your genitals wired up and you will receive frequent shocks to make sure you’re alert.
I agree that people should not drive while balancing a phone on their shoulder while shaving and having a bowl of muesli, but we must be careful not to go overboard.
Britain being a good example where thousands where spent to catch a woman -wait for it- EATING AN APPLE! The fiend! i hope she rots in jail!
The thousands spent on ground surveillance units and helicopters where surely wisely spent.

By: primalsneeze

primalsneeze — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:17:08 +0000

Fek ya, Niallok! I’ll run you off the road the next … hold on – can’t say that here.

Anyway it’s true. Using a handset while diving is likely to distract your attention from the air gauge and sharks.

By: Niall O'K

Niall O'K — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:57:30 +0000

primalsneeze said: Using a handset while diving is dangerous.
Yes, of course, the water would could destroy the handset.
Ok, I know it was a mis-spelling... I couldn't resist!)

By: Primal Sneeze

Primal Sneeze — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 19:59:12 +0000

I can’t find the particular reference I wanted but there is some good material available if you search “inattention blindness cell phone” or “cell phone versus passenger conversation” on scholar.google.com. All very academic, but you will get the gist by reading the first section (the abstract) of each.

By: ray

ray — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:41:41 +0000

Very interesting point. Also, have you noticed how most people using hands-free kits tend to keep looking down to where their phone is, as if they were looking at the person they are talking to ? They are constantly taking their eyes off the road & are certainly not giving 100% concentration to what they are doing. The same applies to lighting up a cigarette, changing a CD etc., It only takes a second for an accident to happen.

By: primalsneeze

primalsneeze — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:07:37 +0000

Using a handset while diving is dangerous. That is obvious – you are without the use of one hand and you are concentration is divided between the conversation and driving. It is also illegal.

What many of do not appreciate is that using a hands-free set is equally distracting. Yes, you have both hands free but you are distracted by a two way conversation.

This is not like listening to a radio which is a passive activity. A one way conversation if you will.

Holding a conversation with a front seat passenger is active and therefore a distraction. However, it is less dangerous in that in the passenger tends to see the same things as the driver. If they see a potentially dangerous situation arising they will either stop speaking abruptly or shout a warning. This interruption will not happen during a hands free phone call.

There is quite a lot of research to prove this. I will try dig out the scientific references and cite them when I get time.

Most of equate a hand free conversation with one with a passenger. They are dangerously different.

By: georgev

georgev — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:16:52 +0000

On the subject of moble phones I would like to put this point out for discussiion. The ban on using mobile phones while driving was introduced as a safety measure and rightly so. My problem with the law as it stands is that Gardai and emergency personnel are not covered by this law. I was recently on the N11 on the Arklow by-pass section when I spotted a car speeing up behind me. I was doing 100km and this guy passed me doing approx 130-140km. As he passed me I noted that it was an marked Garda car, with the driver (about 24 or 25)on his mobile, with one hand on the wheel.
What makes a young Garda, with 4 or 5 years driving experience, a safer driver than me or anyone else while on the phone?. The Government has enough cash to fit hands free kits to all Garda cars.
How would anyone feel if their child or loved one was knocked down by a Garda car while the driver was on his phone? If the rules are to make our roads safer they should apply to everyone. A Garda in persuit of lawbreakers while on the phone, is just as dangerous as anyone else who drives if talking on a mobile. I raisd this issue with the Dept of Transport when the law on mobiles was introduced, but got no reply – surprise, surprise.

By: NIall O'K

NIall O'K — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:37:06 +0000

I have to agree - people using mobile phones while driving really gets my goat too and has caused more than a few problems in my experience (one in particular being documented on this site).

I must also re-iterate that this site does not condone the use of a mobile phone, whether for making/taking calls or for taking pictures while driving.