distracted driving stats

[DrPizza]

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.

Under the claim that they're "specially trained." When science knows it's all about how a brain functions and that you're not "specially training" yourselves to be better than the general population at multi-tasking. Or rather, thinking that you're multi-tasking, since you can't.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Under the claim that they're "specially trained." When science knows it's all about how a brain functions and that you're not "specially training" yourselves to be better than the general population at multi-tasking. Or rather, thinking that you're multi-tasking, since you can't.

I don't think that is necessarily true. Consider fighter pilots. They have massive amounts of input/output they have to juggle. They are highly trained and some are better at it than others.

 

[balloonshark]

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

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

Unfortunately we're beyond that if more than 25% wrecks involve phones. This is something that should have been dealt with years ago. This "new" technology has become a major safety issue and can probably easily be dealt with technology. But knowing this dumb-ass country we live in they will use it as another excuse to imprison more people and that hasn't worked to well to prevent drunk driving.

 

[rudeguy]

I don't think that is necessarily true. Consider fighter pilots. They have massive amounts of input/output they have to juggle. They are highly trained and some are better at it than others.

Except that cops are not fighter pilots.

 

[SSSnail]

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

Dude, you need to follow the BUS, not the TRUCK.

 

[rh71]

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

Enforcement can be ramped up if this is such a growing concern. What is Canada doing with all forms of distracted driving? Young adults getting their licenses taken away or having to pay a hefty fine will learn their lesson real quick.

 

[CPA]

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.

Sorry if this comes off too strong, but that behavior is asinine. You're willing to risk your life and the lives of others just so you can text something? Sometimes I really wish cellphones were never invented.

 

[CPA]

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.

I'm thinking it's 17% of people who have used their cellphones in a car have used it to take pictures of themselves. I buy that.

 

[Printer Bandit]

periscope + driving = mother of all distractions.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Except that cops are not fighter pilots.

Doesn't matter. The point is some people are better at it than others, and it can be refined through training.

 

[rudeguy]

Doesn't matter. The point is some people are better at it than others, and it can be refined through training.

Except the police are not trained to use electronic devices while driving.

 

[zinfamous]

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

The reality is that hands-free makes no difference. holding the phone in your hand, or not, has nothing to do with what causes distraction--it's trying to engage in a conversation over the phone. In any situation, that activity does cause more concentration that speaking with someone in the same room.

There are a few studies that overwhelmingly support this.

That being said, I'm not sure how to easily fine someone for using the phone at all--what can you prove without spotting someone in the act of holding a device to their head?

In some ways, the "hands-free" distinction is there only because it is enforceable. The truth is that any phone use is as dangerous as any other. The aim of any law should be to eliminate all phone/device use while driving, if safety was the real concern.

I think the only way to do that is to require devices to shut down when in vehicles. Of course, there will be an argument for navigation (I'm one of those that honestly believes that if you need navigation, then you suck at driving to begin with, and are no less distracted than anyone else, but that's a different part of the issue)...

I still look up my route ahead of time, write down my turns on the back of an envelope and carry it with me. Rarely need it, though, because that information is already imprinted. Hasn't failed me yet.

 

[edro]

What I do rather than bitch about it though is be very aware of my surroundings and what others are doing

I agree. Always think about an escape plan and how to evade.

I'm most worried about teenagers veering into my lane and causing a head on.
At least most texters drift slowly (which you can see and react to) and don't swerve.

 

[zinfamous]

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...$$$!

Doesn't matter how good you think you are at texting while driving: you are still worse than a drunk driver.

 

[z1ggy]

I can't site this statement, but I read that phone laws have actually increased the rate of phone use related accidents. Main cause they speculated was due to people holding the phone lower while texting/useage so police can't see them on it. Staring down at phone instead of maybe slightly more on the road = more accidents.

I personally use blue tooth phone calls a lot while driving, so I may need to look down at my phone for a few seconds to speed dial or whatever. I try not to text, and don't ever use email or social media stuff.

 

[DrPizza]

I don't think that is necessarily true. Consider fighter pilots. They have massive amounts of input/output they have to juggle. They are highly trained and some are better at it than others.

The vast majority of people cannot. You don't wake up, and apply, "hi, I'd like to be a fighter pilot." You have to test into the program.


One of my coworkers had a child who was in a vehicle t-boned by a distracted driver - looking down at cell phone. Her child almost died; really lucky that a second physician caught the internal problem. I was talking to the coworker yesterday and you can tell that she's still overwhelmed with the whole thing. But I think another coworker and I got her to realize that just covering medical costs doesn't quite cut it. Her child is going to have major scars for the rest of her life - i.e., would look horrible in a bikini; disfigured. Her child suffered a great deal. Simply paying medical expenses? What about all the lost time from work? Lost time from school? Those cannot be made up. So, we talked her into suing, and definitely not settling for some paltry settlement.

So, from the coworker's perspective, her life and that of her child were majorly screwed up; she almost lost her child.

From the perspective of the distracted driver - his life is now going to be screwed up too.

 

[disappoint]

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



/facepalm

How many percent admit to facepalming?

 

[bradley]

While driving in the car with my aunt, I tried unsuccessfully to convince her how much technology has changed the world for the worst. Everyone's distracted from their real lives and basic common sense. It was my way of politely asking her to stop fucking texting while driving. Although, next time I'm not so polite.

Of course she learned the hard way (a month later) while stopped at a red light and speaking on her cell phone. A distracted driver in her early thirties struck her car from behind completely totaling the car. It actually caused the air-bags in both cars to deploy. She's now slowly recovering from major back and head injuries. I can only imagine how hard her car was struck.

I personally believe that distracted driving is the equivalent of DUI and yet neither are taken seriously enough.

 

[Mixolydian]

Haven't seen any changes since the laws were passed.

 

[Ferzerp]

How do you people on this weird crusade reconcile your world view of "OMG DISTRACTED DRIVERS!" with the simple fact that injury and fatality rates for drivers and passengers have steadily declined since the 90's? I can't find stats on non-injury crashes.

 

[rudeguy]

How do you people on this weird crusade reconcile your world view of "OMG DISTRACTED DRIVERS!" with the simple fact that injury and fatality rates for drivers and passengers have steadily declined since the 90's? I can't find stats on non-injury crashes.

If your whole family were killed by a distracted driver, would you be against distracted driving?

 

[CPA]

How do you people on this weird crusade reconcile your world view of "OMG DISTRACTED DRIVERS!" with the simple fact that injury and fatality rates for drivers and passengers have steadily declined since the 90's? I can't find stats on non-injury crashes.

So what you're saying is if everyone was distracted, then the rates would be 0?

 

[feralkid]

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.

Except what about people in the passenger seat, bus and train riders or anyone walking?

 

[Ferzerp]

So what you're saying is if everyone was distracted, then the rates would be 0?

What I am saying is there isn't even a correlation between this activity that 2/3 of people are doing and any increase in injuries or fatalities, much less any causal relationship.

It is almost as if you guys have nothing better to do and this is your little pet peeve.

 

[CPA]

What I am saying is there isn't even a correlation between this activity that 2/3 of people are doing and any increase in injuries or fatalities, much less any causal relationship.

It is almost as if you guys have nothing better to do and this is your little pet peeve.

Read the article, accidents involving drivers distracted using their phone are up 27%. The fact that overall accident stats are down doesn't take away the increasing problem of distracted drivers.