distracted driving stats

[brainhulk]

http://jalopnik.com/ridiculous-distracted-driving-stats-make-the-case-for-a-1705630119

Here are the salient stats from the study conducted by Braun Research for AT&T about what people do behind the wheel:

61 percent of people text
33 percent use email
28 percent use a web browser
27 percent are on Facebook
27 percent think they can safely shoot video while driving
17 percent take a selfie
14 percent are on Twitter
Another 14 percent are on Instagram
And 10 percent admit to video chatting
But the absolute best stat: 22 percent of people that access social networks while driving “cite addiction as a reason.”

/facepalm

 

[balloonshark]

Both the National Safety Council and AT&T have released separate studies that confirm what we’ve suspected: people are using their phones more and more while driving. And because of that, phone use is now a factor in more than one out of four crashes in the U.S.

That fact is disgusting when you consider you're in control of a motorized vehicle that weighs a ton or more.

Why can't phone makers disable all features of the phone except the ringer when it senses movement between the tower/s or gps? Once you stop you will regain access to the screen and the ability to answer the phone.

 

[Majes]

Sounds about spot on to me.
I used to text while driving all the time. I've quit since the law came into effect. Most people dont care at all though.

 

[waffleironhead]

Sounds about spot on to me.
I used to text while driving all the time. I've quit since the law came into effect. Most people dont care at all though.

So you didn't quit because it's unsafe, only because it's now illegal?

 

[zinfamous]

what about distracted bikers? some douchenozzle ahole almost plowed right into me in a crosswalk because he was texting while biking, looked up last second (I was creeping right and he kept blindly veering to his left--only when his wheel was at my crotch did he look up and I noticed that he was staring at his phone), and he gave the stink eye like he was somehow not responsible...

anyway, people are fucking horrible stupid people. I say lose a hand on first offense of being caught with a phone while operating death machinery. That'll learn 'em.

 

[zinfamous]

Sounds about spot on to me.
I used to text while driving all the time. I've quit since the law came into effect. Most people dont care at all though.

the wha?...sounds like you didn't/don't either, tbh.

 

[Newell Steamer]

And, here are the reasons for bicycle accidents:
http://www.rospa.com/road-safety/advice/pedal-cyclists/facts-figures/

Common Cycling Accidents

• Motorist emerging into path of cyclist
• Motorist turning across path of cyclist
• Cyclist riding into the path of a motor vehicle, often riding off a pavement
• Cyclist and motorist going straight ahead
• Cyclist turning right from a major road and from a minor road
• Child cyclist playing or riding too fast

Nothing there about distractions.... it's confirmed; motor vehicle drivers are menaces. You people make me sick.

 

[waffleironhead]

the wha?...sounds like you didn't/don't either, tbh.

I read it as, 'don't care about the ticket'.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I think he meant most people do illegal stuff in cars anyway.

Drunk driving is illegal, yet that doesn't stop thousands from doing it.

 

[purbeast0]

i wish they would punish people more severely for using phones while driving.

whenever i see someone in front of me kinda swerve or whatever, i will drive up past them and sure as shit, 95% of the time they are on their phone.

overall in general i can't stand how glued to phones people are. that shit grinds my gears. i was at the gym the other day and just looked around while between sets, and over 50% of the people are face down in their fucking phones. at the fucking gym. no wonder they are the ones that look like they don't work out cause they are fucking around on their phone the whole time.

 

[zinfamous]

i wish they would punish people more severely for using phones while driving.

whenever i see someone in front of me kinda swerve or whatever, i will drive up past them and sure as shit, 95% of the time they are on their phone.

The other 5% are fapping

 

[purbeast0]

The other 5% are fapping

i was gonna say the other 5% are from a certain continent but declined against that.

JK!

 

[BurnItDwn]

if you are stuck in a red light, if you are doing the "stop" part of stop and go, does that count as driving?

I hate fucktards that sit there after the light turns green making traffic worse by blocking the intersection oblivious to the world playing on their phone, but, if the car isnt movie, does it count as driving?

 

[Captante]

if you are stuck in a red light, if you are doing the "stop" part of stop and go, does that count as driving?

I hate fucktards that sit there after the light turns green making traffic worse by blocking the intersection oblivious to the world playing on their phone, but, if the car isnt movie, does it count as driving?

I know in Connecticut they have been really cracking down on texting while driving. For awhile they had cops with binoculars in remote positions in downtown Stamford to snag people doing just that. Not sure how many tickets were written or if they'll hold up in court though.

I'm in favor of making the fine for texting/surfing or talking without a hands-free device $1000 minimum for a first-offense.

 

[highland145]

I know in Connecticut they have been really cracking down on texting while driving. For awhile they had cops with binoculars in remote positions in downtown Stamford to snag people doing just that. Not sure how many tickets were written or if they'll hold up in court though.

I'm in favor of making the fine for texting/surfing or talking without a hands-free device $1000 minimum for a first-offense.

Here too.... $25 fine and the cop has to actually see your device before he can stop you.

 

[ControlD]

Seems like I see the cops texting and dicking around on their laptops as much or more than the average citizen. I'm sure that's all in the name of public safety though.

 

[MetalMat]

17 percent of people are taking pictures of themselves!?

I don't know the whole context of this study but I find that to be hard to believe. However if that is true that is just god damn ridiculous.

 

[highland145]

Seems like I see the cops texting and dicking around on their laptops as much or more than the average citizen. I'm sure that's all in the name of public safety though.

Just a bad apple or 2.

 

[pauldun170]

As a motorcyclist who has ridden for close to 1\4 century I can say that the proliferation of cell phones has turned people into idiots.
Half of drivers I see are either glancing at their phone, have the phone glued to their ear or they are outright staring at their lap.
These are the idiots who can't maintain lane position. Blow stop lights. Can't maintain proper distance and just a danger.
The usage is predictable by gender and age. If its a commercial vehicle, you can be guaranteed that they have a phone glued to their head.
Even those with handsfree systems are impacted. Slower reaction times to traffic conditions. General inattentiveness.

The best is when you get the morons who say "I'm fine because I can multitask"

 

[nageov3t]

if you are stuck in a red light, if you are doing the "stop" part of stop and go, does that count as driving?

I hate fucktards that sit there after the light turns green making traffic worse by blocking the intersection oblivious to the world playing on their phone, but, if the car isnt movie, does it count as driving?

it does.

I got a ticket a couple years ago for a 15 second phone conversation while stopped at a red light (no cars behind me, I was just calling my friend who was in the car in front of me to tell him to pull over and let him follow me, since I was the one who knew where we were going but we got split up on the highway)

 

[darkewaffle]

My mom and dad do it, it drives me fucking insane. Like I have to treat them like children and take the damn thing away from them. Dad's all "Well I've never had an accident yet" like that's a good reason to keep doing it lol.

I'll use mine sparingly at a red light or stop sign, but usually it's just changing what song is on at the most. And I'm definitely conscious of the traffic around me even then.

 

[rh71]

That fact is disgusting when you consider you're in control of a motorized vehicle that weighs a ton or more.

Why can't phone makers disable all features of the phone except the ringer when it senses movement between the tower/s or gps? Once you stop you will regain access to the screen and the ability to answer the phone.

passengers, in a car, on a bus, on a train, etc.

we need less intervention, not more. Harsher punishments when caught should work .

 

[Fritzo]

I took a picture while driving yesterday. I also quit my job and started following this truck:

 

[darkewaffle]

we need less intervention, not more. Harsher punishments when caught should work .

Since when? lol. Not to mention enforcement of this stuff is spotty at best.

 

[ImpulsE69]

You guys all sound like soccer moms with nothing better to do. You realize that right?

I used to text and drive, back before all the 'OMG' about it. You know back when there were keyboards on the phone and you didn't actually have to look at your phone to type. It definitely comes down to an individuals abilities. It is not some grand scope. Some people are just really bad at things (for example, looking down in your lap...wtf).

That being said, MOST people are really bad at it and shouldn't be doing it, and 90% of those are women from what I've seen.

I've seen people reading books, putting on makeup, brushing their teeth, etc while driving down the interstate. It isn't just phones that are a problem. Even jacking with the radio or reaching for a cigarette can cause accidents.

What I do rather than bitch about it though is be very aware of my surroundings and what others are doing, and if some a-hole does something dumb while on the road using a phone, I road rage them down stalker like so that they are too paranoid to hang up their phone. You know, that point where they are on the phone going "I think someone is following me, this a-holes crazy!" Then I bump their bumper just enough to let them know, yes, I am following them. Then I race past them, and turn onto the next road just ahead of them, spin around and wait for them to almost pass me before driving right in front of them. Then...$$$!