Texting/Talking on the Phone While Driving
Last week the issue of texting while driving got a high profile new policy:
Oct. 1 — President Barack Obama banned the nation’s almost 3 million federal employees from texting while driving as part of an effort to fight motorist distractions that may have caused 5,800 deaths last year.
Obama’s executive order tells workers not to text while driving federal vehicles, using government-supplied communications devices or in private vehicles on official business, the administration said in an executive order announced today. (Source: Bloomberg.com)
Since I have good use of only my right hand I cannot drive & text — or even drive and talk on the phone. I have, before, talked on the phone while driving. Currently I pull off the road to talk on the phone. Texting or viewing maps on my phone is limited to when I’m not moving — at stop lights, for example. To be honest, if I had full use of both hands I’d probably drive & talk at the same time. But with both hands I’d still be driving a scooter, not a car. Even on a scooter I’d talk on the phone, either holding the phone with one hand or wedging the phone under the helmet.
To me either talking on the phone or texting is a safety issue because of distraction more so than having a hand busy. I’ve ridden with people who, while talking on the phone, change their driving habits. They were into their conversation a bit too much. Using a hands free device would not eliminate the danger from distraction.
The poll this week (upper right sidebar) asks your thoughts on the dangers of talking & texting while driving.
– Steve Patterson
I don’t agree that talking on the phone while driving is much more dangerous than talking to someone in the car with you, provided that you’re using the hands-free headset. I know some people who get thoroughly involved in their conversation and forget to pay attention, and that’s when they are talking to someone in the car with them! Those people should probably not be talking while driving, period. Others can do so with no more distraction than listening to the radio. It just depends on knowing your own strengths and weaknesses.
Texting while driving, on the other hand, is a big no-no. Keep both hands on the wheel and your face pointed towards the windshield!