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

[Deleted member 15344]

It's a fixed penalty notice and 3 points, good luck trying to prove that at the side of the road.

You can of course go to court with your phone records of course but they still won't prove you weren't using social media, the internet etc.

My point being, I wouldn't be taking that chance with all of the associated hassle if stopped for the sake of listening to a few tunes while driving.

Umm you can use your phone to listen to music without the need to touch the phone too much if at all.

No one has suggested using the phone for social media or internet etc

 

[Pin-seeker]

Although wearing headphones while driving is not explicitly illegal, the practice is dangerous and could result in prosecution if deemed to be the cause of an accident.

A distraction, including wearing headphones emitting loud music while driving, could come under NSW Road Rule 297(1). This section of the Road Rules is a catch all provision that covers any distraction that causes a driver not to have proper control of a vehicle and, for example, have an accident.

In some circumstances it may also be possible that the sound coming from the headphones causes a significant enough distraction for the driver not to have proper control of a vehicle, that a police officer issues an infringement notice even where there isn’t an accident (for example where there is a near miss situation).

It’s also worth noting that loud music being emitted from vehicles causing an ‘offensive noise’ comes under Sections 16 & 17 of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008 - see legislation also below. However, this would likely be difficult to prosecute and would not be an issue with headphones.

Drivers should always be alert to what is happening around them. By using headphones, the driver is likely to be less aware of the surrounding traffic conditions. If you wear headphones that dull or block out other sounds, you may not hear sirens or horns, which could get you and other drivers into big trouble. It’s simple, your hearing is an essential tool in your overall driving skills package.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You are being silly now. stereos don't emit music one inch from your eardrum blocking most other vibrations from entering the ear.

Its a silly practice. One I wouldn't dream of doing. You might play soft low music but some other numpty will see you doing it and he might not be so careful.

I have been driving many times to see cars next to me with their music blaring out - you can easily have the music loud enough in cars to block out any noise beyond the car.

Said it plenty of times now but I have no issue hearing other noises when I'm using my headphones. Simple as that.

 

[Old Skier]

This isn't about sirens, very few of the emergency services use them much of the time now anyway (why is that). It's about distraction. It is a proven scientific fact that even music on the radio and hands free phones are a distraction, so having music coming through headphones affecting even more of the senses has got to be some affect.

I presume we are not talking about fast jet pilots with Lady GaGa bouncing around in the background.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

I have been driving many times to see cars next to me with their music blaring out - you can easily have the music loud enough in cars to block out any noise beyond the car.

Said it plenty of times now but I have no issue hearing other noises when I'm using my headphones. Simple as that.

Is your hearing as good when the headphones are in, as when they aren't?

The "loud music in other cars" isn't related to this. As pin seeker points out, that's against the rules, so isn't a defense for headphones

 

[Pin-seeker]

I have been driving many times to see cars next to me with their music blaring out - you can easily have the music loud enough in cars to block out any noise beyond the car.

Said it plenty of times now but I have no issue hearing other noises when I'm using my headphones. Simple as that.

People under the influence of Alcohol & drugs probably have the same attitude.

I'm not for one minute saying it's the same btw.

 

[c1973]

Although wearing headphones while driving is not explicitly illegal, the practice is dangerous and could result in prosecution if deemed to be the cause of an accident.

A distraction, including wearing headphones emitting loud music while driving, could come under NSW Road Rule 297(1). This section of the Road Rules is a catch all provision that covers any distraction that causes a driver not to have proper control of a vehicle and, for example, have an accident.

In some circumstances it may also be possible that the sound coming from the headphones causes a significant enough distraction for the driver not to have proper control of a vehicle, that a police officer issues an infringement notice even where there isn’t an accident (for example where there is a near miss situation).

It’s also worth noting that loud music being emitted from vehicles causing an ‘offensive noise’ comes under Sections 16 & 17 of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008 - see legislation also below. However, this would likely be difficult to prosecute and would not be an issue with headphones.

Drivers should always be alert to what is happening around them. By using headphones, the driver is likely to be less aware of the surrounding traffic conditions. If you wear headphones that dull or block out other sounds, you may not hear sirens or horns, which could get you and other drivers into big trouble. It’s simple, your hearing is an essential tool in your overall driving skills package.

Interesting.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Interesting.

I did copy & paste it.
:-/

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Is your hearing as good when the headphones are in, as when they aren't?

The "loud music in other cars" isn't related to this. As pin seeker points out, that's against the rules, so isn't a defense for headphones

I have no issue at all with my hearing and I listen to my music in the car at a level that allows me to ensure i am not distracted and able to concentrate on my driving. It's background music that is at a low level.

I don't have AC/DC or Avicii blaring into my ears so that I can't hear anything else

 

[c1973]

I did copy & paste it.
:-/

I kinda figured that.

 

[ger147]

Umm you can use your phone to listen to music without the need to touch the phone too much if at all.

No one has suggested using the phone for social media or internet etc

If you do touch it all while driving and the Police see you and decide to stop you, you could have a problem.

Deffo not for me.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

I have no issue at all with my hearing and I listen to my music in the car at a level that allows me to ensure i am not distracted and able to concentrate on my driving. It's background music that is at a low level.

I don't have AC/DC or Avicii blaring into my ears so that I can't hear anything else

You've done a doon and avoided the question! Is your hearing in any small way at all hampered? If someone with identical hearing waa sat next to you, would they hear things before you?

 

[garyinderry]

I wouldn't use anything like headphones that can dull my senses but a nice wee dab of speed fairly heightens my concentration levels for the journey ahead. :rofl:

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You've done a doon and avoided the question! Is your hearing in any small way at all hampered? If someone with identical hearing waa sat next to you, would they hear things before you?

I have no idea - never put it to the test to clarify either way

I believe my hearing would be the same as someone listening to a stereo in the car at the level of volume I have it at.

 

[Pin-seeker]

I kinda figured that.

Are you saying that I'm not capable if writing such a post?

 

[Imurg]

This isn't about sirens, very few of the emergency services use them much of the time now anyway (why is that).

Ambulances won't use their siren when the patient is on board as its incredibly loud and potentially distressing

 

[Old Skier]

Ambulances won't use their siren when the patient is on board as its incredibly loud and potentially distressing

Down this way it's the same with the boys in blue and emergency response wagons. I just seem to notice it a bit more these days that they don't use the siren often.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

Serious question as not a Biker,
Doesn't a helmet, padded, squashed against your ears or the ones with ear buds hinder your hearing while riding?

A helmet doesn't no, road noise is seriously loud when you ride.

I think those that drive/ride with earphones in are a liability and should be prosecuted for not driving in a safe way.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

A helmet doesn't no, road noise is seriously loud when you ride.

I think those that drive/ride with earphones in are a liability and should be prosecuted for not driving in a safe way.

Surely to prosecute someone the person has to be driving in a way that causes danger to other users of the road - you can't just prosecute someone for wearing headphones.

 

[vkurup]

Personally I'd ban it.
You're putting others life in danger IMO.
Is it really worth it just to listen to Shania Twain or Scatman John?

That is just showing your age Havent heard Scatman John in about 15 year - used to love him - but still would not put him on my headphones