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There is so much about talking and texting (and emailing--- not to call you out Miss Stripes! heh) while driving. I don't have a smartphone so emailing is not an issue, but I can admit that I have been guilty of occasionally texting while driving. Generally only when I'm either stopped at a light or on a long straight stretch of road with no cars around, but I know I still shouldn't do it.
What I'm horrible about is talking on the phone. It is such a habit for me! I hate hate hate driving and I also hate talking on the phone, so when I'm driving its the perfect chance for me to get in the requisite call to mom while I'm already bored driving! I have a bluetooth but I never remember to have it charged or with me. (For the record--- texting and calling is not illegal in Ohio, yet). I can kind of see why holding a phone up to your ear is distracting and I am vowing to find/charge/carry my bluetooth with me.
What I really don't get is people who say that even talking on a bluetooth is too dangerous while driving. Unless, of course, you're digging in your purse trying to find it--- how is talking with a bluetooth any different than talking to someone sitting next to you? I have no plans to stop talking while I drive all together.
So girls... what are your text/call while driving habits? If you're anti-making any calls at all... why?
I used to talk and text all the time. Since I've met my husband, who is very anit-talking/texting while driving, I've changed my ways. I never text and drive anymore-if it's super important, I find a place to pull over. Once in awhile, I talk while driving but I really try not to do it. I don't do it simply because it is not safe to. There are enough distractions without adding talking and texting to the list.
I have one of those phones that have the full keyboard, so, unlike my old phone I can't just use one hand to text anymore!!! I am guilty of texting, so what I'll do it hold my phone above my steering wheel while driving & text at the same time! Ahhh so dangerous!!! Haha, I've gotten many scares while driving. I do talk on the phone pretty regularly but I don't really consider that anything dangerous because I'm fully aware with what I'm doing when I'm on the phone, texting is just the issue!
I text every now and then.....usually when it only requires a 2 or 3 word response. I talk all the time...always on my bluetooth. I always have it (and a spare) charged and ready to go. I am one of those drivers that regularly cuss out those who are driving and holding a phone to their ear. Driving all slow on the interstate b/c they are trying to hold onto the phone and switch lanes at the same time.
The crazy thing is we have laws both against texting and driving AND talking on the phone w/o a bluetooth while driving but you can only get ticketed it you have already been stopped for something else....not much of a deterrment if you ask me.
I know I have to do better about even the minimal texting I do....but that holding the phone while driving business really gets my goat.
I never talk or text while driving; it's against the law in California.
I've used my phone while driving maybe three times, NEVER texting. It's too dangerous. Even when you don't think you're distracted, I can tell what people are getting on and off their phones because their speed changes, they drift in their lane, don't use turn signals because their hands are busy, etc.
So no. I make it a point to not use my phone while driving. And I'll leave it at that so I don't hop on the soapbox.
I always try really hard not to text and drive...I do occasionally but only a quick message when I just "can't" wait...but it is awfully hard (and dangerous for myself and others) especially because I have the iPhone!
I talk occasionally, usually only if it is a long/boring drive. I don't like to do it that often though, I prefer to use my car time as my chill/me time and just listen to tunes!
They recently made use of cellphones (except hands-free devices) illegal in Ontario, but I still see people using them all the time! Since I'm a frequent pedestrian and I've almost been hit by several cellphone users, I'm hoping they get fines and learn their lessons.
I don't text/talk when I'm driving. For anyone who thinks they can drive and use their phone... I would venture that about 80% of the time, when some driver cuts me off or nearly runs me over... they are texting or have their phone pulled up to their ear. It makes me livid - no call or text is worth somebody's life.
I used to talk on my cell phone all the time when I was driving. Now I moved to a state where this is illegal, so I have changed my evil ways. I don't own a hands-free device, but maybe I should get one...
The movie Seven Pounds cured me of texting/checking email/surfing while driving!!! Seriously, it scared the bajeeezus out of me. I made the hubs SWEAR that he won't do it either. I do answer the phone and talk when I'm driving, though. Usually on speaker.
Nope, I don't see the need to, unless it was an actual emergency.
I can hardly drive as it is. The phone is OFF when I'm behind the wheel, lol.
I know it's really bad but I text occasionally and talk on my headset quite often.
Talk on my bluetooth, which is via my GPS. I do it far less now that DH is home, though. I frequently use drive time to catch up with my mom.
I only text if it's important and I'm at a stop light. Stopped. 100%. But never WHILE. If i get a text from someone i just call them right there. But honestly now that I'm not driving across state anymore, i only have 20 minute drives so usally my phone's in my purse until i get to my destination.
I never do it with lots of traffic and I do try to keep whatever I'm doing brief. I feel like I'm almost MORE careful though--I am extra sure to look over my shoulder and check lanes because I don't want to be one of "those" people on the roads talking and not paying attention. Shoot, half the time the person i'm on the phone with has to repeat what they're saying. I know that sounds really stupid and irresponsible though.
I used to do it quite often. When my fiance moved in (after a LDR) and noticed my talking/texting habits I quit texting when driving (such a bad habit!). Now in British Columbia, the use of all electronic devices (phone, ipod, GPS) is illegal when driving. I don't need to talk that much that I want the $167 fine! I've started cranking my music and singing my heart out on the drive home. Keeps me from being bored :)
Oprah's episode today was all about texting/talking on the phone while driving. Did anyone else see it? There was a study that they referenced and the doctor said that talking on the phone can actually lower your response time to the same levels that being drunk would. Your response times (like to break lights or a pedistrian) are 4 times longer while talking. Also, texting/emailing actually lowers it even more--your response times are *8* times longer!
I will admit that I talk on the phone fairly often and have texted in the past. It's not illegal here, but I know that there's a bill in our legislature right now to make it so. However, after seeing this Oprah, I'm going to think twice about it.
I rarely talk on the phone while driving, but I am guilty of internet/email/texting.
I text and call... thought I've cut both occurances of both down quite alot since I've started listening to audio books. Even on solo long car trips, I'm more interested in whatever I'm listening to than talking to someone.
hahaha @lees - I do that too (you're so funny!), I had a keyboard so I held it above the steering wheel. But mine has a regular keypad too.
I mostly just talk a lot while driving.
I don't text while driving hardly at all since it's winter time and I'm am soooo scared of driving in the winter...eeesh.
It's became illegal here, we are now "hands free." So im trying to adapt to speakerphone uggg! But i did regularly text, and I would talk on phone if in slow traffic and bored.
Definitely not! After hearing a few stories of people getting killed by a texting driver, I stopped cold turkey - it's not worth it to me. More recently, I moved to NYC so don't do much driving anymore, which makes it less of an issue.
I talk on the phone while driving (PS: studies have show headset/handset make no difference from each other, they both distract you!) but I rarely text. Only once in awhile at a red light, and that just became illegal in Illinois.
In Chicago it's illegal to even talk on the phone while you drive, but most people do it anyway. Our cops are kind of lax about it.
i occasionally speak on the phone handsfree but never ever text. 1, its against the law down here and 2 its a stupid thing to do
Four friends of my sister's died in a horrific car accident due to the fact that the driver was texting while driving. I'll never, ever do it. I do occasionally talk on the phone, though I know I shouldn't.
I always pull over if it is so important that I need to take the call, or let it go to voicemail and return the call. I NEVER text. Sorry ladies, I disagree that one can drive and text safely. It's just not worth it. Please wait until you get to your destination.
I also live in BC, where they recently made it illegal. Two days ago I was nearly hit by a driver who was talking and driving. They didn't even acknowledge they nearly hit me, even after I yelled out at them. They were completely oblivious while talking on the phone.
It's just not worth it.
i never do it because i couldnt live with myself if i hurt somebody else
I take the interstate to work every day, and often I look at the car next to me and see someone texting. Like steering with a knee and holding the phone with both hands, or holding the phone at the top of the steering wheel. It terrifies me.
I used to talk on my phone, but then when we learned in psych class about how talking on the cell while driving is akin to driving drunk I don't. Going handless does not reduce the problem either. I can only imagine how bad texting while driving is.
corgi: The thinking about why its not so dangerous to talk to a passenger but it is while talking on the phone is because we unconciously modify our talking to accomodate our attentional needs while driving. Like I stop talking as much when my fiance is getting on the interstate and I'm also watching the road. Atleast that is the rationale I've heard.
I really try to not use my phone at all when driving. I have a manual and I need both hands in order to drive!
@jessie- i saw that, which is what prompted me to start the thread. I just didn't want to admit to watching oprah on the 'bee twice in one week. :)
@bamboo-- see, that is the thing I just don't get! I can't comprehend how talking to someone on the phone headset is different than talking to someone next to you. Of course, I'm the kind of person who has no trouble whatsoever saying "hold on a sec" whenever I'm doing something challenging like merging, parking, backing up, etc. I would really like to see some concrete studies that compare chatting with a person next to you vs. on the headset.
I was the sole witness to a really bad accident this past summer while I was running an errand on my lunch break. The car was a couple hundred feet in front of me - a man was doing something with his phone and looked away for half a second - just enough to have the wheel slip slightly to the right - all the sudden the car in front of me slammed into a light pole, through a metal barrier, crashed through multiple tree's while air-born, then dropped down a 40 foot enbankment, landing upside down. It was like a scene from a movie but it was real. I swerved into an empty lot to call 911 and ran to the car - the horn was on continuously and the car was filled with smoke - a few guys from nearby had heard the loud crash sound and saw power lines fall over the tree's - so they ran over and pulled him out of the car because of the smoke.
As we waited for the ambulance he laid there bleeding on the ground looking at us in shock and completley helpless. It was so sad - we tried to talk to him but he had no idea what had happened. I promised myself right then that I would never text or look at my phone EVER again while driving (I used to). He was just an average man driving on a summer afternoon. If he had gone to the left instead of the right he would have slammed head-on into another car. Thankfully, I found out from the state police a few days later that he did live. Sorry to be a downer - but I hoped to give another perspective.
@equibee- I'm so sorry you had to see something like that! I'm sure it was really really scary.
I guess I just wish there were better studies on things? I mean texting is obviously way dangerous. But, I kind of feel like there are anticdotes for everything. Someone could just as easily glance at the radio, put in a cd, glance at the temperature control, grab for some lip balm, sneeze, etc and get in an accident as if they clicked their phone to answer a call. Yes, we should all focus 100% on driving but in reality we're doing lots of stuff with the tacit blessing of car companies (drink holders for beverages, cd players, ipod hook-ups, radios, gps, etc). The curious part of me really wants to know if talking hands-free is REALLY more dangerous than any of these other activities.
I'm in California, so it's against the law to text, so I do use my headset regularly. But there have been times when I'm walking to my car and I'm on the phone, and I forget to put the headset on once I'm in the car. As for texting, I'm guilty, but I try to avoid as much as possible and only when I'm at a red light.
@ corgi and jessie: OMG I watched that episode today and it was jaw dropping!! I felt so bad for those families that lost loved ones to cell phone users!! Do you remember that bumper sticker that one lady made...I would feel guilty if I pulled up beside her with my cell to my hear! Or do you remember that train wreck...OMG!!!
I was wondering if this thread was because of Oprah! I heart her and her show!
Corgi, I totally agree with you. I mean, like I said, I don't text and drive, but I don't see how talking on the phone is that different from most of what I see on the interstate - putting on mascara, reading the newspaper, fiddling with a GPS or the radio, eating breakfast, unwrapping straws or food, looking for change or a toll pass, etc. They all distract us, and they're all bad. They all have the potential to cause devastating crashes. Yet you don't often see people railing against them.
I was rear-ended when I was 16 by a guy who had dropped his cigarette, flipped out, and smashed my car while I was at a stop sign. There's an anecdote for many more distractions than just cell phones!
I never talk on the phone or text, but my husband used to do both. I constantly asked him not to, and would tell him how dangerous it is. His reply was that he was "good at it" so it wasn't dangerous for him.
About a year ago, we were driving two vehicles to the same destination. I was behind him, and I could totally tell when he was on his blackberry because of the drfting he would do in his lane and how his speed varied. It scared and angered me, and when we pulled off for gas I ripped him about five new ones. I just couldn't believe that someone who is otherwise intelligent could be that stupid and reckless. He promised that he wouldn't do it anymore, but it bothers me that he made the promise because of my wrath, not because it was he realized it was the smart thing to do.
I wish I had seen that Oprah show, I would have recorded it for him to watch - and for some of our other friends who also text while driving.
Things like reading the newspaper, doing your makeup, changing your child's clothes, etc should all be added to this list.
I see it ALL the time on my 630am drive to work! Newspapers!!!!
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