Headphones while driving a car?? Why oh why??

[vkurup]

Why do (mostly the young) folks drive around town with a pair of headphones stuck in their ears. They cant hear anything around them and like living in a bubble. First learn to drive, then aim to look pretty/cool in the car. Saw a near wipe out by someone who thought they own the road and that listening to music via headphones while driving is very cool.
I am sure some are on phone calls but having a singalong with your headphones on does not help....

--Grumpy middle age man..

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Maybe they are on the hands free phone or their stereo is broke

No different that having the radio on

 

[Paul77]

They are secretly listeing to One Direction and don't want everyone else to hear it through the car speakers - Does my nut in too.

 

[chrisd]

Maybe they are on the hands free phone or their stereo is broke

No different that having the radio on

I think that the hearing of road noise is likely to be seriously impaired if their listening to music through headphones compared to having a radio on

 

[guest100718]

Maybe they are on the hands free phone or their stereo is broke

No different that having the radio on

its very different, my headphones are completely noise isolating and you'd be fool to wear them while driving.

 

[Dan2501]

Maybe they are on the hands free phone or their stereo is broke

No different that having the radio on

Pretty sure the majority are doing it for this reason.

 

[Paul77]

I think that the hearing of road noise is likely to be seriously impaired if their listening to music through headphones compared to having a radio on

Yes, most modern headphones are designed to cancel out ambient noise. I hardly have music on in the car these days. I like to drive silent. Gives me a sense of normal operation of the car. That way if anything goes wrong it'll sound different.

 

[MegaSteve]

May I add cyclists are getting real bad for this trait...

You need full use of your faculties when you are a road user...

 

[Twire]

Maybe they are on the hands free phone or their stereo is broke

No different that having the radio on

It's completely different than just listening to the radio, it blocks out so much more exterior noise, and I would go so far as saying it reduces your awareness of all that's going on around you.

 

[pbrown7582]

Maybe they are on the hands free phone or their stereo is broke

No different that having the radio on

My take on it too.

 

[Rooter]

my wife does, her car does not have bluetooth. I agree wearing noise cancelling headphones with music on, would be dangerous.

 

[Khamelion]

Maybe stick one headphone, earbud on so you have one ear free to listen what's going on around you, emergency services sirens etc... but wearing two so that all you hear is your music is dangerous, and suicidal if your were doing it while cycling.

 

[vkurup]

May I add cyclists are getting real bad for this trait...

You need full use of your faculties when you are a road user...

Agree.. the number of times you cyclist with ear buds on... but I guess it is ok with cyclist as they generally own the road and the footpath and it is upto the motorist and Pedestrians to give them right of way..

 

[Jimaroid]

So deaf people shouldn't be allowed to drive?

Jog on, folks. This is a non-issue.

 

[guest100718]

So deaf people shouldn't be allowed to drive?

Jog on, folks. This is a non-issue.

Its not so much the wearing of headphones but the fiddling with device that's one the other end, which is probably an iphone or similar.

 

[Smiffy]

I used to ride motorbikes. Powerful ones.
Did plenty of touring with bike to bike comms and Sat Navs fitted, with earphones fitted inside my helmet.
Also used to listen to music.
I thought it would distract me initially but it didn't

 

[Deleted member 18121]

So deaf people shouldn't be allowed to drive?

Jog on, folks. This is a non-issue.

IMO there is a massive difference between someone listening to music/being on the phone with headphones in (ie being distracted) to someone driving deaf..... I'd bet on a deaf driver being extremely skilful and aware of their surroundings.

A Numpty with noise cancelling earphones listening to their favourites tunes however.....not so much.

 

[Twire]

So deaf people shouldn't be allowed to drive?

Jog on, folks. This is a non-issue.

So you're comparing someone who can't hear and probably has heightened senses because of it, to someone blasting music into their ears. I'm not sure I'm the one that needs to jog on.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

How do you know there was any sound coming out of the headphones, If I'm expecting a call whilst driving I will have my headphones on (don't have handsfree), I assume you mean the earbud type and not the big "can type"

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Why is there an assumption that someone listening to music is distracted ?

I listen to music or use hands free and can still concentrate on driving.

People are more than capable to do two things at once