What is it about mobile phones?

[chrisp]

In the past few days I've seen (in Victoria):
A horse float with race horses weaving across several lanes (including the emergency stopping lane) of the Western Freeway at 110 km/h.
A truck partly weaving across adjoining lanes in North Road.
A lane on the Westgate bridge being slowed down to about 30 km/h by one car.The thing in common with them all - the driver was using a mobile phone.

I've got no doubt in my mind that using a mobile phone while driving is dangerously distracting, and that a hands-free set doesn't seem to reduce the distraction. I reckon it is easy to spot drivers using mobile phones as they exhibit poor speed and lane control.

I can listen to the radio and not weave all over the road. I can talk with a passenger and still maintain steady speed control of a car. What is it about mobile phones that makes them so distracting when driving? Why is using a mobile phone more distracting than talking to a passenger?

[arose62]

The passenger is getting the same input about driving and traffic conditions, and will tend to shut up if things get hairy.

The person at the other end of a mobile phone conversation doesn't know what's going on at your end, so they act as if they have your full attention, and expect your full attention in return.

[Bleedin Thumb]

Is it worse than putting on your nail polish or trying to eat a hamburger etc etc those are all legal whilst having a chat on the phone isn't.

It is against the law up here to drink an alcholic drink whilst driving but you can drink water etc... whats the difference?

What about loud music... hearing is one of the senses that comes into play if you are to drive well but every car has a stereo.

My opinion is that the people you noticed are probably poor drivers anyway no matter what they do whilst driving.

I think there are far worse things you could be doing in the car to be a danger..... eating asian takeaway with chopsticks whilst trying to read latest stock report in the paper with the kids in the back seat throwing a frisbee to name just one example

[Carry Pine]

Bleedin' Thumb, your Telstra dividend cheque is in the mail with a bonus!

I have to agree with you about other distractions. People head banging and dancing while driving is my pet diversionary whinge. Perhaps texting could come close to the most distractive thing to be doing.

Graham

[markharrison]

The best example I've seen (on Pittwater Road, Narrabeen) was some wally in a Mercedes four wheel drive, talking on a phone tucked between ear and shoulder, a cigarette in the left hand while taking a note on a pad held against the steering wheel. I kept hoping he would hit something and the air bag would go off. Man that would have really hurt! :D

I am also wary of smokers, particular when they light up while driving.

[Gra]

eating asian takeaway with chopsticks whilst trying to read latest stock report in the paper with the kids in the back seat throwing a frisbee to name just one example

You been watching me drive home again:U:U

[silentC]

My opinion is that the people you noticed are probably poor drivers anyway no matter what they do whilst driving.
I agree. Hence the laws - lowest common denominator. I reckon a better idea would be to include driving through a course while talking on a mobile phone in the test. If you can't do that, you shouldn't be in charge of a motor vehicle at all.

[Cliff Rogers]

... include driving through a course while talking on a mobile phone in the test. If you can't do that, you shouldn't be in charge of a motor vehicle at all.
Mythbusters did this one, it does make a difference. :D

[silentC]

For them, yes. I could believe that, they're a bit suss if you ask me...

And they're still allowed to drive on the road? That's the US for ya...

[Bleedin Thumb]

I watched a truck driver do a u turn in the middle of Iron Cove bridge Victoria Road one morning.... just went and did a 5 point (at least) turn with his 6 odd tonne flat bed across every lane! people were just stareing with mouths agape at this joker as traffic banked up in both directions.

[silentC]

I don't think they require IQ tests for truck drivers...

[chrisp]

The passenger is getting the same input about driving and traffic conditions, and will tend to shut up if things get hairy.

The person at the other end of a mobile phone conversation doesn't know what's going on at your end, so they act as if they have your full attention, and expect your full attention in return.

This is one of my favorite theories, but I'm not sure it is an entire explanation. I have seen cars in fairly light traffic, with steady driving conditions (i.e. no traffic lights, bends, hills, intersections, etc.) and I can spot the odd car that exhibits poor lane and speed control and, yep, they're on the phone. I can understand a phone being distracting in heavy driving conditions, but it seems to be distracting in light conditions as well.

[Cliff Rogers]

This is one of my favorite theories, but I'm not sure it is an entire explanation. .....
Nope.... doing away with the wire is what did it... you watch anybody with a cordless phone or a mobile.... they pace aimlessly back & forward all over the place, I watched a bloke in the Airport the other day & I reckon he covered about 9 miles on one phone call. :D

[Ruddigar]

you watch anybody with a cordless phone or a mobile.... they pace aimlessly back & forward all over the place
I'm a bandit for that. :-

Can't stand still if I'm talking on a cordless or mobile phone. Drives the missus nuts.

[Bleedin Thumb]

Its not as disconcerting as watching someone speak to themself.....are they on blue tooth or are they just another nutter?

[Sebastiaan56]

I use the Bluetooth, works a treat. Its wired into the Prius so that it cuts the stereo out but is very useful none the less.

The only time I had a real incident was when I was driving a landrover on a dirt track with my knees and rolling a smoke. Good thing no one was around to watch...

Sebastiaan

[Carry Pine]

As a 20 y.o. our fashion was blue shirts with ephaulets- guess we thought we looked like coppers. Now those guys talking to themselves on bluetooths look like would-be CIA operatives.

It's bloody embarrasing when they are talking and you are beside them...and you answer! I feel like downloading the "Taxidriver" dialogue into MY mobile phone and running it:
(You know how it goes)

"You talking to me?
You talking to me?
You must be talkin' to me....'cause I'm the only one here"

(or words to that effect.)

Graham

[Burnsy]

Now those guys talking to themselves on bluetooths look like would-be CIA operatives.

CIA Operatives you reckon, I thought it was tossers, why do they feel the need to use blue tooth while walking through woolworths? Do they think they might have an accident:wink:

My pet hate for drivers is women with fluffy dogs sitting on their laps in front of the steering wheel - you can't tell me that doesn't effect their driving.

[Sebastiaan56]

My pet hate for drivers is women with fluffy dogs sitting on their laps in front of the steering wheel - you can't tell me that doesn't effect their driving.

Its the thrill,

Sebastiaan

[Bleedin Thumb]

In one study of mobile phones found that there was a link between long term heavy usage/exposure and brain tumors. This was a very rigourous scientific study and was conducted about a year ago and went back 10 years when we were mostly using analog. Since then with the advent of G3 and blue tooth etc etc the signal strength has increased dramatically and is still increasing.



Sorry I'll pass on the blue tooth.

[Gra]

Its not as disconcerting as watching someone speak to themself.....are they on blue tooth or are they just another nutter?

I vote nutter either way