Texting when driving?

[Deleted Member 1156]

People have braked sharply whilst I have been on the motorway texting, but as I have previously mentioned my eyes are not off the road for more than it takes to complete a number of other activities that make me take my eyes off the road, so I am able to react. Would I react quicker if my eyes had been 100% focused on the road ahead, of course, but that isn't the point I am trying to make.

Doing anything other than focusing 100% on the road ahead whilst driving could be considered stupid, careless and dangerous. Again, I'm not arguing against that. It is a risk, of course it is.

As for the article it's fairly meaningless. Texting causes more teen deaths than drink drivers? I'd imagine the key bit of information there considering it is talking about the US is there are a much higher number of teenagers who have a phone and text versus those who drink. If a million people text and 3000 are involved in accidents, versus 100k drinking and 2500 involved in drink driving related deaths, you could suggest texting whilst driving is much more safer than driving drunk. It's a fairly pointless comparison. I'm not disputing texting may be the cause of an accident if done in a reckless way, i.e. texting looking at the phone for an extended period of time, not looking up. The kid who died in that article texting had drifted into a different lane. I have never even come close to drifting because I don't look at the screen of my phone for long enough.

Finally, I don't make decisions based solely on if I can live with the consequences. If that was the case I wouldn't even get in a car. I make a personal assessment based on what I believe the overall risk of something happening against the possible consequences.

I'm sure all those people that have caused fatal accidents due to using their phones made those same informed decisions as you

 

[Slab]

It wouldn't include texting whilst driving or downloading e mails or using my mobile at all whilst driving or any deliberate actions that mean I take my eyes of the road

Yes I know you've made that clear, that's why I asked what would it include!

Ok of course you don't really have to answer truthfully but just think to yourself that perhaps you're not as holy as your posted judgement portrays

 

[bladeplayer]

People have braked sharply whilst I have been on the motorway texting, but as I have previously mentioned my eyes are not off the road for more than it takes to complete a number of other activities that make me take my eyes off the road, so I am able to react. Would I react quicker if my eyes had been 100% focused on the road ahead, of course, but that isn't the point I am trying to make.

Doing anything other than focusing 100% on the road ahead whilst driving could be considered stupid, careless and dangerous. Again, I'm not arguing against that. It is a risk, of course it is.

As for the article it's fairly meaningless. Texting causes more teen deaths than drink drivers? I'd imagine the key bit of information there considering it is talking about the US is there are a much higher number of teenagers who have a phone and text versus those who drink. If a million people text and 3000 are involved in accidents, versus 100k drinking and 2500 involved in drink driving related deaths, you could suggest texting whilst driving is much more safer than driving drunk. It's a fairly pointless comparison. I'm not disputing texting may be the cause of an accident if done in a reckless way, i.e. texting looking at the phone for an extended period of time, not looking up. The kid who died in that article texting had drifted into a different lane. I have never even come close to drifting because I don't look at the screen of my phone for long enough.

Finally, I don't make decisions based solely on if I can live with the consequences. If that was the case I wouldn't even get in a car. I make a personal assessment based on what I believe the overall risk of something happening against the possible consequences.

Not for a second saying its the right thing to do but you will notice that saying the RIGHT thing rather than the TRUTH can make the day quieter ..

 

[Deleted member 15344]

People have braked sharply whilst I have been on the motorway texting, but as I have previously mentioned my eyes are not off the road for more than it takes to complete a number of other activities that make me take my eyes off the road, so I am able to react. Would I react quicker if my eyes had been 100% focused on the road ahead, of course, but that isn't the point I am trying to make.

Doing anything other than focusing 100% on the road ahead whilst driving could be considered stupid, careless and dangerous. Again, I'm not arguing against that. It is a risk, of course it is.

As for the article it's fairly meaningless. Texting causes more teen deaths than drink drivers? I'd imagine the key bit of information there considering it is talking about the US is there are a much higher number of teenagers who have a phone and text versus those who drink. If a million people text and 3000 are involved in accidents, versus 100k drinking and 2500 involved in drink driving related deaths, you could suggest texting whilst driving is much more safer than driving drunk. It's a fairly pointless comparison. I'm not disputing texting may be the cause of an accident if done in a reckless way, i.e. texting looking at the phone for an extended period of time, not looking up. The kid who died in that article texting had drifted into a different lane. I have never even come close to drifting because I don't look at the screen of my phone for long enough.

Finally, I don't make decisions based solely on if I can live with the consequences. If that was the case I wouldn't even get in a car. I make a personal assessment based on what I believe the overall risk of something happening against the possible consequences.

And you are taking risks with other people not just yourself - do you take your eyes of the road when texting - yes - regardless of what other activities can do that or regardless of how long it takes you deliberately take your eyes of the road to do an action that is not needed when driving .

What's worse than you texting whilst driving is justifying texting whilst driving because you appear to believe you are safe whilst doing it - wrong - you are no longer focused purely on driving , you are also focused on sending an unimportant text message. It's great that you are ok with the risks you take - let's hope for your sake that one day your judgement of risk doesn't cause a fatal accident.

There is no point you can make that will ever justify what you are doing by texting whilst driving

There is no text in the world that is that important to mean you can do it whilst driving - if it is that important then stop , park and text

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yes I know you've made that clear, that's why I asked what would it include!

Ok of course you don't really have to answer truthfully but just think to yourself that perhaps you're not as holy as your posted judgement portrays

This thread is about texting whilst driving - I don't text or use my phone at all whilst driving. So yes I will pass judgement on people that do that - I try to be as focused as human possibly whilst driving - simple as that.

 

[woody69]

I'm not claiming to be. However, I used to be a high mileage company car driver and because I had a high insurance group car I was required to do an advanced driving course every 2 years so I probably have a better understanding than most people on here of the dangers on the road. I also used to live 2 doors down from a traffic cop that I knew very well. Some of his stories about crash scenes would leave you puking your guts up.

Please just think about your actions behind the wheel. How would you feel if someone texting knocked one of your kids down?

My Dad was a London Fire Brigade Officer for over 30 years. I have heard plenty of stories about RTAs and I fully appreciate they're not nice but what has that got to do with anything? As for your last sentence..? How would I feel? How do you think I would feel? I would be devasted of course! The same way I would be devasted if my boy was knocked down because the person took their eyes off the road to grab something off the passenger seat, or change the song on the MP3 player, or because they saw something else that took their eyes off the road.

What other people do in life doesn't absolve you of any stupidity you do

What could ever be so important that you feel you can text whilst driving ? If sending a text is that important then why not pull over - why put yours and other drivers lives in danger when it's unnecessary ?

Philip, let us agree to disagree. You believe texting whilst driving is extremely dangerous and so much of a risk that you are unwilling to do it. I prefer to make a judgement at the time and decide if it is a risk I want to take. I appreciate your view, even if I don't share it.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

My Dad was a London Fire Brigade Officer for over 30 years. I have heard plenty of stories about RTAs and I fully appreciate they're not nice but what has that got to do with anything? As for your last sentence..? How would I feel? How do you think I would feel? I would be devasted of course! The same way I would be devasted if my boy was knocked down because the person took their eyes off the road to grab something off the passenger seat, or change the song on the MP3 player, or because they saw something else that took their eyes off the road.


Philip, let us agree to disagree. You believe texting whilst driving is extremely dangerous and so much of a risk that you are unwilling to do it. I prefer to make a judgement at the time and decide if it is a risk I want to take. I appreciate your view, even if I don't share it.

If you don't believe it is a risk then I will refer you to what other people have posted to you on here

But it's a risk you are taking with other people's lives and not just your own. And yes there are consequences from taking that risk.

That's even before the fact it's illegal.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I'm sorry woody but I'm not going to argue this with you anymore. You seem to believe your actions are justified, I just hope you never live to regret them.

 

[Slab]

This thread is about texting whilst driving - I don't text or use my phone at all whilst driving. So yes I will pass judgement on people that do that - I try to be as focused as human possibly whilst driving - simple as that.

No worries Phil
I'm not about to start threads on eating, drinking, stereo's, passengers, rubber necking or dozens of other things
(none of which make texting legal of course)

 

[BubbaP]

I always seem to miss the fairway, messes up my grip.

Okay... fetching my coat.


I will have read and/or sent a text when stuck in a queue, know I should not and agree with it being illegal.

Is holding onto a stick that is burning still okay? Always surprised me that one.

 

[woody69]

And you are taking risks with other people not just yourself - do you take your eyes of the road when texting - yes - regardless of what other activities can do that or regardless of how long it takes you deliberately take your eyes of the road to do an action that is not needed when driving .

What's worse than you texting whilst driving is justifying texting whilst driving because you appear to believe you are safe whilst doing it - wrong - you are no longer focused purely on driving , you are also focused on sending an unimportant text message. It's great that you are ok with the risks you take - let's hope for your sake that one day your judgement of risk doesn't cause a fatal accident.

There is no point you can make that will ever justify what you are doing by texting whilst driving

There is no text in the world that is that important to mean you can do it whilst driving - if it is that important then stop , park and text

You reply too quickly....

I'm not sure I have ever tried to justify what I was doing? I'm merely explaining why I occasionally send a text whilst driving. I never stated it was "safe". I stated I was taking a risk, but it was one I was sometimes willing to take.

And again, banging the same drum about taking your eyes off the road? Texting is one activity that can make a person take their eyes off the road, I never disputed that. As soon as I get in a car I am taking risks with others and not just myself.

 

[woody69]

If you don't believe it is a risk then I will refer you to what other people have posted to you on here

But it's a risk you are taking with other people's lives and not just your own. And yes there are consequences from taking that risk.

That's even before the fact it's illegal.

Say what? Of course it is a risk, I have never said it isn't. It's just one I am willing to take. (if a number of various variables dictate it so)

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You reply too quickly....

I'm not sure I have ever tried to justify what I was doing? I'm merely explaining why I occasionally send a text whilst driving. I never stated it was "safe". I stated I was taking a risk, but it was one I was sometimes willing to take.

And again, banging the same drum about taking your eyes off the road? Texting is one activity that can make a person take their eyes off the road, I never disputed that. As soon as I get in a car I am taking risks with others and not just myself.

That's trying to justify your actions

And it's not just your life you are risking - it's others

Yes there are dangers whilst people drive hence why the need to focus 100% whilst driving to minimise the risks - texting does the opposite - increases it

 

[woody69]

I'm sorry woody but I'm not going to argue this with you anymore. You seem to believe your actions are justified, I just hope you never live to regret them.

Depending on the circumstances, yes I believe they are. It's really not a black and white thing for me. For you it may be, which is fine.

 

[woody69]

That's trying to justify your actions

And it's not just your life you are risking - it's others

Yes there are dangers whilst people drive hence why the need to focus 100% whilst driving to minimise the risks - texting does the opposite - increases it

Nope, it is explaining why I might do it occasionally. Justifying it would be something like, "I don't have time to pull over so I need to do it for my job", but it's not really the point.

As I have said before everytime you get in a car it is risking other people's lives and not just my own.

And as I have also said before, if you are able to focus 100% whilst driving, then well done you.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Depending on the circumstances, yes I believe they are. It's really not a black and white thing for me. For you it may be, which is fine.

So you do believe your actions are justified - then I will refer you to people initial observations about you.

 

[woody69]

So you do believe your actions are justified - then I will refer you to people initial observations about you.

Really Phil? Of all the people on here and the stick you get with some of your views I expected a little better. Still nevermind, we can't all be perfect all of the time I guess.

 

[Imurg]

Comparing taking your eyes off the road to type a text to changing a radio station or looking at an attractive person of the opposite sex is missing one huge point.
Unless your are parked with your engine off, it is illegal to even hold a mobile - you don't even have to be using it.

That's the bottom line.
It is against the law.
Break that law and you are liable to be prosecuted.

Nobody's perfect, we all break the rules from time to time through carelessness or a momentary loss of concentration.
But to try and justify breaking these laws and claiming that you are not only still in control of your car but also able to react to anything else that happens is, quite frankly, ludicrous... Because you're not.
I nearly got taken out an hour ago by some guy, looked like a Rep, who was clearly concentrating on his phone rather than realising that the traffic lights had changed...I had to drive my pupil home as she was very shaken up by it

But it's OK...he was in control........

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Really Phil? Of all the people on here and the stick you get with some of your views I expected a little better. Still nevermind, we can't all be perfect all of the time I guess.

Unless I have missed the part where some of my views or actions have endangered people or taken unnecessary risk with lives then I'm not sure I see the point ?

Yes I have some strong views on things in life and at times I have posted them too strongly and received flak for the way I have posted those views but I don't believe I have ever justified any action that breaks the law and also endangers lives.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Can we cut out the personal jibes please

Although have to ask what people expect when someone admits to this.