Constantly On Your Cell Phone In Public?

[Fangs]

I have a friend who texts almost 24/7, even while driving. I won't ride in a car he's driving anymore, just not worth it. He's an inattentive, reckless driver anyway, saved so far by the fact that his car's low to the ground, lightweight, and not powerful enough lose traction when he stomps the gas like he does.

I don't think talking on the phone is that big of a deal for people who can walk and chew bubble gum at the same time.

EDIT: Added why it's not worth it.

[Texas Size 11]

Since living in the DFW Metroplex for the last 12 years, I have seen some weird things being done while driving, especially in slow stop & go traffic. Not counting cell phones and texting/surfing, eating, radio, looking for stuff that dropped in the floor, and makeup or changing clothes, reading is a common sight. Have seen a woman knitting, a man playing trumpet, and even a guy shaving his head with an electric razor.

I stopped looking. I ride a motorcycle and seeing this stuff scares me to death - to the point where I second guess riding one around on some days.

[karder]

The biggest danger behind the wheel is daydreaming. I dare say the safest drivers are the guys sneaking in a cell phone call while watching out for the cell phone ticketing cops. Those guys are paying attention!

There has been an occasion or two during my driving career, when I had to slam my brakes hard as I failed to notice traffic had slowed or stopped in front of me. In all occasions I was not doing anything except driving...and daydreaming. This seems to happen more often with younger drivers, and often times there may be a cellphone or cheeseburger or lipstick dispenser involved, but the root of the problem is that they were not paying attention, and even if they had not been using the offending object, they likely would not have been paying attention anyway. It seems that most of us have to acquire a few gray hairs before we learn to slow down, watch the road, and keep our minds on business. If we are paying attention to the road, we can safely use a phone or do a variety of other tasks at the same time. If we are not of the mindset to pay attention, we will successfully find a way to get distracted and lost in our thoughts while plowing along at 60mph.

[74novaman]

So I guess you also never change radio stations or cds, adjust your seat, or any other distracting things while driving either?

I travel a lot for work, and sorry, some of us need to do some calling as we get from place to place.

Although I do like the quote "If you don't like the way I drive, get off the sidewalk!"

[Oldgringo]

Charles L. Cotton wrote:

As a pilot, I have to control the aircraft, scan instruments, watch for traffic, read a map/GPS, write, talk on the radio, read written check lists, and I know I'm leaving something out.

I'm not a pilot but As a rule, airplanes don't have kids, dogs, bicycles, other planes, etc. pull out in front, or stopping in front, of them nor are they traveling three abreast, mere feet apart, in the same and opposing directions at the same elevation, do they?

[Rex B]

What is really "uptown" is to hold a cigarette in one hand and the cell phone in another while driving all over the road. Only the most cool and important people do that as they rush to their high level appointments.

...with a chihuahua in her lap

[glbedd53]

Driving and texting is the reason I don't ride motorcycles anymore. I agree with Charles on one thing though. If you can't handle driving while "talking" on a cell phone, you probably can't really handle the car without the phone either. I'm not a person that likes outlawing everything but texting while driving needs to stop.

[Fangs]

A lot of people my age facebook from their phone on I-35.

[Rex B]

Like all the others drivers, I consider myself well above average skills
I tend to drive at a brisk pace, and I tend to pass more than I get passed. I've held a road racing license the past 15 years or so. I believe in situational awareness.
But I am not a phone person. I'd rather send an email or a text than make a phone call. Maybe it's because a phone call takes too much of my available bandwidth, plus I can't time-shift. At any rate, I try hard to stay off the phone when I'm driving. I have a good hands-free system in one car, but I often pull over even to use that. It just takes too much of my attention away from the primary task.
I realize there are people like Cotton who manage it quite well and safely. I've ridden with some of them, without concern.
But most can't, and I admit to being in the latter group.

[seniorshooteress]

When I am driving I want my WHOLE attention to be on that task. I put my dogs in crates or tether them in the back, I don't mess with any controls (maybe windshield wipers) while driving. I had to listen to Led Zeplin from Texas City to Dickinson when my hubs first got his truck cause I didn't know where the controls were for the CD/radio. I found the off button when I reached my destination and was stopped. Needless to say I won't talk on a cell phone or do any of that other crazy stuff while I am operating my lethal weapon: aka: vehicle. I won't try to eat or drink while driving either. I save all that stuff for when I am NOT driving. I am one of those people who can't chew gun & walk at the same time. I too, know my limitations. I have a cell phone for emergency situations not for having lengthy conversations, reading email and all the other stuff that cell phones do these days. Texting?

[terryg]

Well, I'm posting this while driving home, so ...

Just kidding.

But on many days I do talk (with a bluetooth headset) for much of my 35-50 minute drive both to and from work. I get quite a bit of communication done this way. I talk to subordinate, superiors, peers, vendors, wife, kids, doctors offices - you name it. If anything, I drive less aggressively when I am on the phone - not changing lanes much, etc. So I might be safer on the phone than off ...

[JJVP]

As a pilot, I have to control the aircraft, scan instruments, watch for traffic, read a map/GPS, write, talk on the radio, read written check lists, and I know I'm leaving something out. Driving and talking on a cell phone simply isn't hard.

How about listening for YOUR instructions from an ATC who is talking at blazing speed to 10 other aircraft, writing down your instructions and then repeating them back to the ATC all while trying to keep the airplane right side up and not crash into any other airplane in the area.

[Tamie]

Twice this week, I've been almost hit by someone blathering away on their cell phone. Once when on my bicycle and once in my vehicle. In both instances my defensive outlook kept me from being injured from these public menaces.

Did you call the cops and report their reckless driving?

[E.Marquez]

Talking on a cell phone while driving is just yet another distraction that must be managed while driving.
Chas has listed many others, a cell phone is no more or less a distraction then anything else that...wait for it........ you let distract you.
How important are the calls I take on my cell,,,, some very, some are time saving, some are about efficiently using my time, some are about taking care of very short suspenses, some are about,,, I just want to use 10 other wise free minutes to talk to my niece, wife, dog..

So some will eat a jelly donut on the way to work, some light, smoke, then throw the cigarette out the window, some change Cd's, Me, I'll push a button on my cell without looking away from the road, say the name of who I want to call, and have a conversation, that at any point I can stop if needed to get evasively escape the driver who is distracted chasing a rug rat loose from a car seat, or what ever.... Do me a favor,, crash into someone else.... .

[terryg]

Or worse, while driving?

Are you who do this really the "Center of the Universe?

Twice this week, I've been almost hit by someone blathering away on their cell phone. Once when on my bicycle and once in my vehicle. In both instances my defensive outlook kept me from being injured from these public menaces.

On both occasions these cretins were inattentive due to their gibbering on a cell phone.

If you're one of these, ahem, individuals - please STOP!

Not only are you a public nuisance, i.e., anywhere in public you force others to listen to your inane prattle (another very recent experience comes to mind - the man who mindlessly and loudly blathered on his cell phone ("WHILE IN THE ELEVATOR" with me) - you're a constant menace to others when driving.

Use your cell phone all you want - when in a safe, private place!

No one wants to be killed because of your selfishness - or tortured by your non-stop cackling!

...or am I the only one to experience this zombie-like phenomenon?

Back to the original post, while I do talk a the cell phone quite a bit - I make an effort to do so as safely and respectfully as I can. The car angle has been discussed.

In other places, I am not the "Center of the Universe". But I do hold a job where carrying a cell phone is a job requirement. The trade off for that burden is that my job is extremely flexible allowing me to work out of the house some and shift my schedule as needed to accommodate both professional and personal requirements. But I do get fairly frequent phone calls while in public places.

However, unlike those you describe; if I am in a public place - like a restaurant - and I can't resolve the call in like 15 seconds, I will go outside or somewhere private. I can't stand being in a situation where others can, and are forced to, hear my call. Even if it is something mundane like helping a co-worker fix some problem - it just bugs me. So I talk quietly while searching for somewhere with some privacy.

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