Using Mobile Phone Whilst Driving

TonyMMM

NaughtiusMaximus wrote: »

That doesn't sound right. I agree that a hands free phone is a distraction but surely the fact you're not driving one handed and don't need to take your eyes off the road to receive a call means a hand held phone is worse.

There was a lot of research done by the Transport Research Laboratory in Berkshire when the mobile phone legislation was being considered (I was involved with them on another project at that time) that showed quite clearly that holding or hands free made very little difference (if any)...it was having the conversation with someone not in the vehicle that took the driver's attention.

However, the government of the day decided that completely banning all phone use by drivers was not thought politically acceptable at the time, so the law was drafted to allow the hands free option.

Robisere

If I am called whilst driving, it comes through my stereo speakers and i say "Driving: I will call you back."

Any caller who does not appreciate the sense of that, will probably be annoyed when I immediately end the call after my short message.

building_with_lego

Jackmydad wrote: »

Agreed. My attitude is that either you are driving, or you're doing something else.
The problem with "multi-tasking" is it's OK until something goes wrong, and you need to concentrate 100%.

I think there's something in our brains (at least there seems to be in mine) that puts taking a phone call on a higher level of importance than casual chit-chat with a passenger in a car.

This programme looks at why we shout on mobiles, and it's to do with feedback of volume and how hard we have to concentrate to "be" with the person we're talking to, compared with 'being' where we are. (11 minutes long)

Retrogamer, there is a proven distinction between a hands-free call and a chat with a passenger- as others have mentioned, an alert passenger will notice things happening around you, or you just stop talking while you concentrate on a junction, and then the conversation continues. On the phone, the other person might still be rabbitting on in your ear, taking some of your attention away from the process of driving at that moment. Similarly, lots of teens killed on the road are using their phones and absent-mindedly trot out into traffic.

(I made sure that my voicemail mentions that I might be driving- ever the teacher, I am trying to normalise not doing phones while in the car for my teenagers.)

AdrianC

Robisere wrote: »

If I am called whilst driving, it comes through my stereo speakers and i say "Driving: I will call you back."

Any caller who does not appreciate the sense of that, will probably be annoyed when I immediately end the call after my short message.

Wouldn't it just be a lot easier not to have the phone paired, or not to have it on auto-answer...?

prowla

A little air-vent phone holder can be had cheaply; you can then operate your phone hands-free.

Retrogamer

Mercdriver wrote: »

A passenger is there in the car and can potentially see when you need to focus solely on what is front of you. Someone on the end of a phone doesn't have that potential to see what is happening around you. Quite a big difference.

Regardless if it's passengers talking to me, or my hands free i don't feel i need to concentrate any more or any less for either of them. If i felt that the call was such a distraction that i couldn't concentrate on my driving i'd just mute it, or tell them to wait a moment. The same as i would if my passenger kept talking in the car.


I'm guessing you've never drove a car with more than 1 child in it the same time? They don't tend to stop talking even if the driver is really stressed. Perhaps talkative children are a higher risk than a hands free kit.

Robisere

AdrianC wrote: »

Wouldn't it just be a lot easier not to have the phone paired, or not to have it on auto-answer...?

Then I would not know who to call back, would I? It's simple just to give that quick message, and I am in a situation which means I am waiting for 2 different, serious medical appointments. I need to answer those ASAP. This way, they know that (a) I am responsible enough to not have a conversation whilst driving and (b) that I will return the call ASAP.

Retrogamer, I totally get that! Recalling 3 grandchildren having WWIII in the back seat, only got one now of that age and she is quiet, thanks to her own phone.

AndyMc.....

Robisere wrote: »

Then I would not know who to call back, would I? It's simple just to give that quick message, and I am in a situation which means I am waiting for 2 different, serious medical appointments. I need to answer those ASAP. This way, they know that (a) I am responsible enough to not have a conversation whilst driving and (b) that I will return the call ASAP.

Retrogamer, I totally get that! Recalling 3 grandchildren having WWIII in the back seat, only got one now of that age and she is quiet, thanks to her own phone.

Ask the grandkids about voicemail and caller ID.

AdrianC

Robisere wrote: »

Then I would not know who to call back, would I?

"1 missed call - <name from address book>"

Mercdriver

Retrogamer wrote: »

I'm guessing you've never drove a car with more than 1 child in it the same time? They don't tend to stop talking even if the driver is really stressed. Perhaps talkative children are a higher risk than a hands free kit.

Yes, I have. But you are completely ignoring the different levels of concentration people have with someone over the phone. As others have said, this has been scientifically tested. Perhaps you have special super multitasking skills, who knows. The rules should be made for the worst, not the best.