Poll: Do You Text While You Drive?

MCOflyer · Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:33 pm

As a truck driver, this is a very funny thing to see. I am curious on how people text while they drive and concentrate while driving. My question is: How do you do it and do you do it?

Adios
KH

thegreatRDU · Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:43 pm

I don't...but I'll definitely talk on the phone while I drive...

Ken777 · Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:44 pm

No way.

I'll support making it illegal, with a stiff fine. In tough times like this those fines will probably help local governments a lot, and will also probably save a lot of lives.

greggarious · Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:52 pm

I'll only text if I'm at a red light and the light just turned red so I know I can flip off a quick mensaje. But Ken, with the things phones can do these days, how will you know the difference between texting, checking the GPS, changing songs on the stereo, etc. I don't think it should all be banned, a lot of the distractions on a phone are simply replacing distractions on the dashboard.

BMI727 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:22 am

Quoting MCOflyer (Thread starter):
I am curious on how people text while they drive and concentrate while driving.

They don't.

captaink · Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:33 am

I have done it before, but I don't anymore. I think it is highly irresponsable.

vikkyvik · Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:36 am

Quoting BMI727 (Reply 4):
Quoting MCOflyer (Thread starter):
I am curious on how people text while they drive and concentrate while driving.

They don't.

Question asked and answered.

Hell, I can barely walk while texting!

cptkrell · Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:47 am

Hell, I don't even use the cell phone when I drive.

WTF is text messaging anyways? Maybe it should be text "massaging"

My personal thoughts on what I consider valid text messaging is close to or slightly over 90% bullshit. Don't flame me too much...that's only my personal thoughts from numerous anecdotal observations, not controlled fact. Regrads...jack

LH459 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:52 am

Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 6):
Hell, I can barely walk while texting!

I second that! I wouldn't even consider texting while driving!

Evan767 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:55 am

Many phones have a full QWERTY keypad. When you have this memorized, texting while driving is easier. You rarely have to look down at the phone and when you're on a straightaway holding the wheel isn't necessary (for at least a short period of time). I realize I am in the minority, but yes, I text while I drive. I've been in more dangerous situations where I've been next to a driver reaching for a fry, putting on makeup, or fumbling for something or another.

TransIsland · Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:12 am

Quoting Evan767 (Reply 9):
I've been in more dangerous situations where I've been next to a driver reaching for a fry, putting on makeup, or fumbling for something or another.

You mean like... shaving their pubes while driving?? http://keysnews.com/node/21349

As far as texting goes, no, I don't. Not while driving, not any other time, really, either. I hate texting.

However, I have been guilty for using an iphone for GPS directions while driving, or googling the law on cell-phone-use-while-driving in various US states that I wasn't familiar with. I was, however, stuck in traffic at the time moving at about walking speed.

WildcatYXU · Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:22 am

Since I don't text anyway, why would I start to do it while driving? So the answer is no. Beside that, I don't place calls while driving and I only receive calls using the Bluetooth link built into my radio.

Klaus · Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:22 am

No. That would be totally, inexcusably irresponsible.

steeler83 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:41 am

I don't text AT ALL when I drive. Occasionally I'll talk on the cell, especially while I am at work having to transport residents to/from doctors' appointments. If someone calls me to let me know a resident has to be picked up, I have to know, right? It's usually only for about 2 seconds anyway...

Altho, I do try to stay off the phone as much as I can while driving...

mham001 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:42 am

I've chit chatted on Yahoo Messenger while cruising long straight mostly empty freeways in the west. The Blackberry fits in the steering wheel. Its quite easy and not that dangerous in those conditions. Won't do anything of the sort in traffic though. Yesterday I saw two people doing it in heavy traffic, I looked because they were driving erratically.

JAGflyer · Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:20 am

I've been guilty of doing it before and am not proud to admit that I rear ended someone while texting. I was stopped at red light and let up on the brake a bit too much causing me to bump the guy in front of me. There was not much damage to either car (a small scratch) but I still have done it the odd time.

ajd1992 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:42 am

Nope, it's illegal here, as it talking on the phone.

Not that it matters, even if it was legal I still wouldn't do it.

gatorfan · Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:55 am

Yep. I'm very good at it.

don81603 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:21 am

Yup, I do it day in and day out, BUT, I pick the most opportune time... In city traffic, not a freaking chance. On the open road with no other cars around, you betcha. But not at night, or conditions of reduced visibility. I do have a full qwerty keyboard, and can easily text with one hand while I drive, diverting my eyes for less than 2 seconds at a time (about the same amount of time most people spend looking in their mirrors). Never once, in over 1,000,000 miles (and I CAN verify the mileage) have I even had a close call when texting while driving.

ShyFlyer · Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:25 am

No. But I have done the following while driving:

--Sorted my laundry
--Cooked a rump roast
--Assembled furniture

AirframeAS · Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:32 am

Here in Colorado, it is now illegal to text and drive. It is also a primary offense if caught, an automatic ticket. So no, I don't text and drive. I have texted and drove once upon a time, but not anymore.

WarRI1 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:39 am

Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 20):
Here in Colorado, it is now illegal to text and drive. It is also a primary offense if caught, an automatic ticket. So no, I don't text and drive. I have texted and drove once upon a time, but not anymore.

Smart decision, a good way to keep you and possibly someone else alive.

Fly2HMO · Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:40 am

Quoting MCOflyer (Thread starter):
MCOflyer

HOLY CRAP! I thought you were dead!

I just realized it's been months since you've done anything outside of the airline manager threads

Anyways,

Only when at a stop light and even then I just rather not.

If on a highway I'll take a quick glance and if it's urgent ill pull over and make a call. Otherwise nope, no way.

[Edited 2010-03-10 19:42:24]

[Edited 2010-03-10 19:42:54]

TheRedBaron · Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:44 am

No, 20 years ago communications were not that important, everybody could wait 30 minutes, so why not now?

Mir · Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:53 am

I'll only text if stopped. If the road is straight and empty, I might read a text if it's short, but I won't respond on the move.

I will make phone calls, either via headset (preferable) or via the speakerphone function of my phone. Never will I hold the phone to my ear.

-Mir

Mudboy · Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:06 am

I absolutely loathe texting!! If you want to talk to me, call me!! When I am in the states, I am not one that carries my phone everywhere I go, and people have gotten so rude with them. When you are tryin to talk to someone and they keep looking at their cell phone, it is quite annoying.
As far as textin while driving, I have said it before and I will say it again, in 17 yrs of being in the Medical Field, I have now seen more people killed in MVAs from cell phones than drunk drivers.
As to those of you that say," I only do it when it is safe, and I have never had an accident", how many people do you think wake up and say," I think I will have a wreck today" or "I think I will die in a wreck today or kill someone else" ?

AirframeAS · Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:02 am

Quoting Mudboy (Reply 25):
I absolutely loathe texting!! If you want to talk to me, call me!!

How can I?? I'm deaf! (seriously...)

texan · Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:26 am

Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 20):
Here in Colorado, it is now illegal to text and drive. It is also a primary offense if caught, an automatic ticket.

I was hit from behind by someone who was texting and driving right before that law went into effect. Down near the DTC area. I rarely texted while driving before that. I don't do it at all anymore

But hey, it got me a new bumper and tail light, plus they hammered out a couple of big dents while they were at it. Felt a bit sorry for the other driver, though. Her car was totaled. She bought it the day before. She was heading home to pick up her kid.

Texan

MCOflyer · Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:29 am

Quoting Fly2HMO (Reply 22):

No just out on the road. I am home after training and will be here for family issues.

I do not have texting on my phone thank god.

KH

mandala499 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:41 am

Quoting MCOflyer (Thread starter):
How do you do it and do you do it?

I do it (when/where it is not illegal to do so). But, I don't text just like that. Situational awareness can deteriorate very quickly when texting and driving. So, slow down, increase the distance between me and the car in front. And text only replies, if I need to make a new text (ie: non-replies), I'd just do it at a stop... text by putting the phone right in front off the center... that way, you can see the car braking in front of you... slower reaction time is better than none... but then, after a few close calls, I only do it when it's urgent... I prefer calling than texting while driving... at least my eyes are on the road... (but if there's an argument, I just stop the call and ask to talk later when I'm not driving)

Mandala499

kmh1956 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:41 pm

Not on your life. Texting while driving is possible one o fthe STUPIDEST things a driver can do.

ShyFlyer · Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:53 pm

Quoting texan (Reply 27):
Felt a bit sorry for the other driver, though.

I wouldn't. Chances are she'll continue to text-n-drive with her new car.

LTU932 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:01 pm

Quoting MCOflyer (Thread starter):
Do You Text While You Drive?

Absolutely not! Neither do I talk over the phone when I'm driving.

HAWK21M · Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:06 pm

I don't...........No Multitasking with driving.....

tommy767 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:08 pm

Yup. mainly during traffic jams and red lights. never during constant freeway traffic because you have no idea when some idiot is going to stop short. It's more common than you would think.

bhill · Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:01 pm

I think there ought to be a RF jammer in cars....I was rear ended on Christmas Eve by a pretty young thing texting when she should have been watching my ass....got a new car out of it tho....her dad bought TWO cars that day...

AutothrustBlue · Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:21 pm

I tried it once; I got maybe 3-4 letters down before I gave up and pulled over to finish the message.

I don't do it now, especially after seeing more and more people swerving all over the road in broad daylight. Wow!

RobertNL070 · Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:37 pm

Absolutely not, it is highly irresponsible. Multi-taking is a euphemism for split-tasking, something I cannot and will not undertake behind the wheel of my car.

[Edited 2010-03-11 13:37:36]

WildcatYXU · Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:44 pm

Quoting bhill (Reply 35):
pretty young thing texting when she should have been watching my ass....

Perhaps you're too old for her so she wasn't really interested in your ass

IH8BY · Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:26 pm

Absolutely not. I have my phone in the front of the car, but it's turned over so I'm not even tempted to look at the screen. If people really need to get in touch with me urgently, they can call, and then I will pull over and answer it or call them back. I have used my handsfree kit about twice, but don't even like doing that. Like someone else said, it's distracting enough when I'm walking!

richm · Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:31 pm

No don't. I think it's very irresponsible and it's also illegal here. I also have the same view about those who choose to smoke while driving.

Rich

[Edited 2010-03-11 13:37:14]

lowrider · Thu Mar 11, 2010 10:17 pm

I don't compose texts while I drive, but I have made calls and asked someone on the other end to text me directions to thier location. I think composing a text takes too much attention away from driving, but I don't think checking directions off my phone is much different from getting them off a post it note.

n6238p · Thu Mar 11, 2010 10:22 pm

I'm just going to throw this out here but to quote this Time Magazine article from August 24, 2009...

"Most of us are neither pilots nor astronauts. We are not trained to steer large, hurtling hulks of steel and gasoline while manipulating small computers. So there's something blindingly obvious about the risks of texting while driving. Yet research is beginning to show that driving while simply talking on a cell phone — including using hands-free technology — can prove dangerous, even deadly."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...9171,1916291,00.html#ixzz0huREzCKu

I'm just saying...

ACDC8 · Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:26 pm

Quoting Evan767 (Reply 9):
Many phones have a full QWERTY keypad. When you have this memorized

Real shame that most drivers can't shift the same amount of energy and memorize the rules of the road

Fortunatly, texting while driving is now illegal ($167 fine plus 3 points) but I will admit that I have done it myself in the past and so I know first hand exactly how disctracting it is, but of course there are always those "gifted" individuals out there who have themselves completely convinced that they can text while maintain complete control of their vehicles and environment and I wish I was as "gifted" as they are.

Nope, no texting for me while driving other than a quick reply if fully stopped at a long red light or rail crossing, thats it.

AirPacific747 · Sat Mar 13, 2010 8:56 pm

Yes I do sometimes, even while driving cars with a manual gearbox, but not in any kind of situation. I usually avoid it in stop & go queues where not paying attention for a second can be disastrous. If I'm driving on a highway with little traffic nearby, I text sometimes if very important, but usually I dont text while driving.

TheCol · Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:13 pm

Only and idiot would text and drive.

Quoting cptkrell (Reply 7):
My personal thoughts on what I consider valid text messaging is close to or slightly over 90% bullshit.

I don't see the point behind texting other than for paging purposes.

AirPacific747 · Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:33 pm

Quoting N6238P (Reply 42):
Most of us are neither pilots

However, some of us are

ACDC8 · Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:43 pm

Quoting TheCol (Reply 45):
I don't see the point behind texting other than for paging purposes.

Its to annoy the hell out you by conversing with you even though its quite evident you don't want to converse with the indiviual ...

There are so many times I just want to run into the Rogers store and cancel my text plan ... lol!

greasespot · Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:10 pm

I see someone texting or talking on a cell it is against the law here and I give zero warnings.

One of my pet peeves at work that i finally get to do something about it.

GS

ACDC8 · Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:13 pm

Quoting greasespot (Reply 48):

I see someone texting or talking on a cell it is against the law here and I give zero warnings.

Are you exempt from the law like the RCMP in BC is?

Edit: I should note that I mean in reference to using a mobile, not just texting.

[Edited 2010-03-13 15:15:59]

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