Are you a distracted driver?

yoda313 · POLLSTER Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: the real world

So do you have too much tech gear in your car? Are you blabbing on the phone while driving? Or worse yet texting?

I only have the radio on while driving.

How about you?
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Soopafresh · Dismember Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Location: United States

Nope. I won't even take a call in my car when I'm driving, much to the dismay of many.

redwudz · Mod Neophyte Joined: 07 Sep 2002 Location: AZ, USA

In my work, my vehicle had a VHF transceiver, a scanner, cell phone, a GPS, a LF transceiver and a laptop. It also had a AM/FM radio, which I didn't use.

I didn't use the laptop when driving, though. Strangely enough the cell phone was the only thing that was distracting when I used it. Using the transceivers didn't distract me. We go hands free with digital cell phones in a month or two, so that may help. I've gotten used to listening to the VHF and the scanner at the same time, though that took some practice.

Xylob the Destroyer · Melkor Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Location: Earth, for now

I never dial while driving.
If the phone rings while I'm driving I do not answer it -- much to the irritation of friends and family.
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Video Head · Member Joined: 10 May 2007 Location: reality

Same here. Will not answer the phone, just let it go to voicemail...can't hear the damn thing with the top down anyways.

If I need to look up an address or check Pocket Streets directions on the PocketPC I pull over somewhere safe. Would never consider GPS in the car as I do not want a video display facing me while driving. I have a CD changer so I do not need to fumble with discs. The glow of the gauges, the wind in my hair, the music on the CD player and the sound of the exhaust keep me plenty happy...

edDV · Posted: Apr 17, 2008 18:34

I only take cell calls when on the open road. I rarely call from a moving vehicle.

Modern GPS is useful in strange cities because it takes your attention off road signs and back to the road. If you miss an exit, the GPS helps you recover.

Back in the 55 MPH days, I monitored the trucker's CB channel to track the "smokies" and "local bears".

Further back I had a 2 Meter ham transceiver in the car and made a sport of patching to friends off local mountain bounces, even at times through satellites. This was pre-cellphone.

IMO, the most dangerous activity while driving is searching for a CD.
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Epicurus8a · Posted: Apr 17, 2008 20:07

My XM radio is always on when I drive - except during a rare cell phone call. My GPS device and radar detector are also on, but I rarely pay much attention to them in my home town. IMO, the biggest distraction are the Freeway Snipers. They really piss me off.
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JohnnyMalaria · Member Joined: 29 May 2006 Location: United States

Hang on a minute, Yoda - let me pull over....

gadgetguy · Contestant Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Location: Michigan, USA

According to studies, the most distracting thing in a car is a passenger. I personally find the most distracting thing while driving is a pretty girl on the sidewalk.
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j1d10t · Human Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: California, USA

I don't understand why people get so upset about talking on a cell phone while driving. I mean, it's pretty much the same as talking to the passenger. Is that really distracting? Some people say that it's the fact that you are holding the phone. I personally don't think it's any worse than eating or taking a drink while drive. And how many people eat or drink (non-alcoholic) while driving every day? I think people that drive with small children in the car are dealing with more of a distraction then people talking on a cell phone. I have a child, and I remember what it was like to drive in heavy traffic while they were screaming/crying, or yelling. Or, as edDV said, people trying to dig out a CD are worse then cell phone users. And then you get into the whole smoking and driving issue. Why is it generally acceptable for people to drive and smoke, but not to make a phone call? With your phone you are not lighting it, waving it around, and risk burning yourself. Nothing against smokers - one of my best friends is a smoker. I'm just saying. Some of the things people do while driving that the general public does not freak out about amazes me, yet driving an using a cell phone (without a hands-free set) is becoming illegal in more and more places.

When I am in the car by myself I usually am on the phone. But I use my headset.
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SingSing · Member Joined: 30 Apr 2001 Location: U.S.A.

This is man vs woman quiz.

Woman can drive, change radio station, fix makeup, answer call, make call, take note of the store on the left, take note on the guy on the right, change the DVD to quiet the kids down, look for the discount cupons, talk back to the GPS, while driving.

Man can drive, and no much else.

Note : The radio control buttons on my steering wheel are for man, the lited mirrors on both my visors are for woman.

JohnnyMalaria · Member Joined: 29 May 2006 Location: United States

Unfortunately there are plenty of people who are incapable of driving a vehicle let alone while on the phone.

Conquest10 · Thread Killer Joined: 05 Sep 2002 Location: Chicago, IL

I don't drive seeing as I live in Chicago (not Northside as those yuppies can't seem to survive without one).
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Soopafresh · Dismember Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Location: United States

I hate those gremlins that sneak into your car and turn your stereo up before you get back into it

Video Head · Member Joined: 10 May 2007 Location: reality

Video Head · Member Joined: 10 May 2007 Location: reality

Epicurus8a · Posted: Apr 18, 2008 03:02

Well, There are other distractions. :wink:

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http://www.pulitzer.org/year/2004/national-reporting/works/
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Video Head · Member Joined: 10 May 2007 Location: reality

raffie · and his Member Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Location: Belgium

I have a DVD/DIVX car radio with built in screen, and i play music videos on it all the time. However, i'm not really destracted by it; I only glince at it when in traffic jams, or at traffic lights. It's also a convenience issue since i have shitloads of music videos on my comp that i dont have cd's/mp3's of and so its easier to just put those on a dvd/usb stick.

John · Member Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh

I answer the phone whilst driving, handsfree of course, but if its somthing i have to concentrate on i will pull over. I agree with EDtv, the most distracting thing is finding a cd.
Here in the UK its illegal to do most things whilst driving. especially eating drinking, putting on make up.
anything which meens both hands aint on steering wheel except for changing gear.
Therre was a case not so long ago a guy got done for taking his phone out of his pocket and putting it on the dashboard

MJA · Member Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Location: IL

freebird73717 · Posted: Apr 18, 2008 16:26

MJA · Member Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Location: IL

yoda313 · POLLSTER Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: the real world

CD's??? Man so last century!! That's why I love having my zune for music. Though really I tend to listen to fm on the way to work in the morning and sports talk radio on the way home. I do occaisonally hook up my zune but I listen to it all day at work.

Side question here - I have a tape deck in my car no cd player (2001 car model - cd player wasn't 100% standard unfortunately) so I use a tape adapter for my zune. It makes a clicking noise like the heads on the tape player are trying to read the adapter but it is pretty loud. Would I be better off trying a different brand of cassette adapter?

I know they make the fm transmitters now but the one I have isn't very impressive. It is one of those spin dials not digital so I can't dial it to specific frequency and it only covers a small range. Do newer digital fm transmitters offer clear broadcasts?
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Epicurus8a · Posted: Apr 19, 2008 18:08