Texting thread

[richart]

Trying to justify my actions or just explaining to you why I do it, what does it matter. I do it and I will continue to do it. I appreciate you don't and you don't like that fact I (and thousands of others) do, but c'est la vie

Strange to come on a forum, and say that you have broken the law, and will continue to do so. Not sure you will get a lot of sympathy.

Do a search on people killed whilst texting and driving. Every death would have been avoided, but for the selfish act of an individual. Just because you think other actions in a car are just as distracting, you seem to think it makes your actions defensible. They are not, end of.

 

[Ethan]

Unwrapping a Werther's Original while driving is dangerous and also illegal (driving without due care and attention) but because no ones tracking the accident rate caused by unwrapping boiled sweets it doesn't get a specific mention like phones do but instead is lumped in with the rest like, looking at the pretty girl on the pavement or changing music etc and because we've become fairly skilled at it its only the really unfortunate accidents we hear about

But these distractions still happen thousands of times a day

Yes ideally we should all drive with supreme focus and attention to detail. Phones are one of the things that stop us doing that as well as we can... but it is one of dozens and until they are all treated with the same distaste that phones are its tough to see why some would single one out for special condemnation... while sucking on their caramel sweetie!

Look, do you think this thread really needs all this common sense?

 

[guest100718]

.....and that's exactly the reason speed limits are there. But it's ok to break them when it's "safe" to do so (many, perhaps most, people would say). Is that not exactly the same scenario? ie it's against the law but I'm making a judgement that, in these circumstances, I'm happy with the risk and I'm going to do it anyway? Nobody on here has said it's ok to just be driving along in busy traffic using their phone so why are most of the answers phrased as though that was the argument? Talk about missing the point.

There is no point to me made. its illegal to use a mobile while driving. As is speeding.

 

[woody69]

Strange to come on a forum, and say that you have broken the law, and will continue to do so. Not sure you will get a lot of sympathy.

Do a search on people killed whilst texting and driving. Every death would have been avoided, but for the selfish act of an individual. Just because you think other actions in a car are just as distracting, you seem to think it makes your actions defensible. They are not, end of.

At what point did I say I was looking for sympathy? Someone asked the question and I answer it truthfully and explained why I do it. I know that some people (or even the majority) would not agree with my actions and condemn them, as is their right to do so.

Regarding your last point, pretty much every single death on the road could be avoided but for the selfish act of an individual, be it them not paying attention whilst pulling out or distracted completing some other task. I'm not trying to defend what I do just merely trying to state I could give up sending a text today and tomorrow get in my car, take a swig of a drink and cause a death.

 

[woody69]

For those that use their devices whilst behind the wheel... If you have been 'tugged' a couple of times and paid your penalty accepted your points what would you then do? I only ask as I heard through the grapevine [yesterday evening] that a mate of mine has now been pulled for the third time!!! Potential loss of licence I believe... Apparently the law is an ass and the its all a conspiracy etc etc... I'll be avoiding them for a bit as I don't really need an earache about something avoidable...

No idea tbh. I suspect I would do it less, but who knows.

 

[woody69]

I would suggest that a "glance" in the rear view mirror takes a fraction of a second and the road remains in ones peripheral vision whereas a "glance" at a text probably takes up far in excess of a second, you've travelled an awful long way in even a couple of seconds at motorway speeds!

I respectfully disagree. As someone who does "occassionally" text whilst driving, drawing on my experience of doing it it takes no more than a glance and is similar to looking in my rear view mirror. Others who do it may look for longer or course, but I am only going on my own experiences.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

To be fair D4S the first thread was closed due to the direction it was going with sniping and name calling. You then questioned us for being over zealous.




This thread has been civil with decent debate, but now you think it's run it's course you want it closed.

No I didn't actually ask for it to be closed, I said I thought it had run it's course because it has reached the point of the same arguments going round in circles with no give or take on either side.

What I said was I'm HAPPY for it to be closed if other people feel the same.

 

[chris661]

You really need to show some level of consistency in your moderation

:rofl: it has nothing to do with moderation.

In your first post you were moaning about the previous thread being closed on a whim now you want this one closed on a whim.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

:rofl: it has nothing to do with moderation.

In your first post you were moaning about the previous thread being closed on a whim now you want this one closed on a whim.

Can I direct you to the post immediately above yours? cheers :thup:

 

[Deleted member 18588]

And that, drinking and driving, is equally reprehensible.

There are no scales of irresponsibility and just because someone else commits a different dangerous act whilst driving does not make your texting any less dangerous.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I go back to my first follow-up post to my OP (post #6) - where I opined

...but in such things you can find folk who think it's OK - because we don't make illegal something else that they claim to be equally distracting (like having children - young or old - in the back seats).

As so it is.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

At what point did I say I was looking for sympathy? Someone asked the question and I answer it truthfully and explained why I do it. I know that some people (or even the majority) would not agree with my actions and condemn them, as is their right to do so.

Regarding your last point, pretty much every single death on the road could be avoided but for the selfish act of an individual, be it them not paying attention whilst pulling out or distracted completing some other task. I'm not trying to defend what I do just merely trying to state I could give up sending a text today and tomorrow get in my car, take a swig of a drink and cause a death.

Or you could give up texting whilst driving ( regardless of what you believe you will not be in full control of the car whilst texting ) and also not take a swig of a drink and then drive.

You are in charge of a lethal weapon - the very least you can do is ensure you minimise any risk whilst driving that lethal weapon and ensure that the driving part has your full concentration and focus. What text is worth taking the risk ? Is there any text that is that important that you must send it whilst driving ? And if it is that important why not pull over to send it.

 

[woody69]

And that, drinking and driving, is equally reprehensible.

There are no scales of irresponsibility and just because someone else commits a different dangerous act whilst driving does not make your texting any less dangerous.

I was talking about a sip of a non-alcoholic drink whilst actually driving, not drinking and driving. And in response to your final sentence, I never said it did. Likewise it doesn't make it any more dangerous.

 

[woody69]

Or you could give up texting whilst driving ( regardless of what you believe you will not be in full control of the car whilst texting ) and also not take a swig of a drink and then drive.

You are in charge of a lethal weapon - the very least you can do is ensure you minimise any risk whilst driving that lethal weapon and ensure that the driving part has your full concentration and focus. What text is worth taking the risk ? Is there any text that is that important that you must send it whilst driving ? And if it is that important why not pull over to send it.

Indeed I could give it up and focus on the road 100% of the time with no other distractions (which I do occasionally do you know). And as I have said before, nope there is no text that is so important that I HAVE to send it whilst driving, but on occasion and if I believe I can do so safely, I will take the risk and send the text, the same way I will very occasionally take the risk and have a SOFT drink or something to eat, or lean over and attach the MP3 cable to my phone or blah blah blah... I could do all those things by pulling over, but pulling over could create a whole heap of other problems depending on where I do it, but let's not go down that rabbit hole.

Sometimes I drive with full focus and attention on the road for either most or all of the journey. Sometimes I am distracted by things beyond my control such as a child misbehaving and sometimes I take risks and do things I don't necessarily need to do like send a text, but I do it based on my own risk assessment at the time. It really is that simple.

Right I'm off to drive home after work. I have some texts to send...

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I think it appears that the only way that you will stop texting whilst driving or understand how big a risk it is - is if you either get caught and have to deal with the fine and points and possibly more or and I hope this never happens - the risk you believe you are in control of actually turns out to be false control and you hurt someone or yourself. I really really hope it's not the second one and someone doesnt suffer at the hands of your safe risk ?!

Before that read some stories about people that have died at the hands of someone who has taken the risk to text whilst driving - it might make you think twice.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Woody, do you text when you have children in your car?

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Woody, do you text children when you're in your car?

 

[Rooter]

bit late to these threads, so texting is bad? am i ok to tweet?

 

[Rooter]

Woody, do you text children when you're in your car?

pmsl!! now u calling him a peado??

 

[guest100718]

bit late to these threads, so texting is bad? am i ok to tweet?

Tweetings fine, as are snapchat and whatsap