Virginia Ranks #1 for Distracted Driving/Cell-Phone Use.
05-30-19, 04:49 PM
#76
Lexus Fanatic
Life has risks. Mitigating those risks aren't worth curtailing our rights to privacy.
You misunderstood me. That statement is accurate, but it doesn't mean I'm driving around texting because Siri doesnt work well. The point was, its technology that has to improve still.
Well, that's your prerogative. You think it's worth distracting yourself while driving so you can conduct business. I don't. You prefer to communicate with your customers via text because you know it's what they want. I understand that, but if it were me, I'd set the expectation that important discussions require a phone call because I'm driving. Anything else can wait. Again, I'm not trying to tell you how to live or work, I'm just saying that I would do it differently and take a safer approach.
You did. See post #41.
"In any event, replying to a quick text at a red light or verbally over Siri Eyes Free is no more distracting than making, receiving, and talking on phone calls."
"In any event, replying to a quick text at a red light or verbally over Siri Eyes Free is no more distracting than making, receiving, and talking on phone calls."
Putting words in my mouth. I bolded where you aren't understanding. I never said texting WHILE DRIVING isn't more distracting than talking on the phone when driving. I said texting while STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT.
Agreed, and I think it's part of the problem. People have become too dependent on text based communication, to the point where they place the same expectations on responding to a text as they would asking a question face-to-face. But that's the way the majority of people communicate now.
I can also give you some examples where responding to something immediately had a very different outcome than keeping $10k in your pocket. Granted, these examples occurred when drivers were texting while the car was moving, and I know you don't do that. In your case, it isn't really a manual or visual distraction to reply to a text via voice-to-text, but it is a cognitive distraction since you're focusing on work.
It just cant be helped. Working while driving a car is just part of the requirements of what I do.
05-30-19, 07:43 PM
#77
Lexus Fanatic
I suppose you do not use your phone while drivng. I do not. I take no calls either on Bluetooth I used to but the fines and penalties are too high and I know someone who crashed their car while texting.
05-31-19, 06:18 AM
#79
Oh, I know you don't text while the car is moving. I meant that texting at any time, even while stopped, is still a distraction (albeit slightly less risky compared to texting while driving).
It just doesnt work that way. You may choose to do it a different way, but it would cost you money. Its about providing customer service, and in any sales business today instant response has become a part of basic customer service. if people have to wait more than 10 minutes or so for a response to a text, it bothers them. Its not about "important discussions", of course important discussions are done in person or over the phone, its *any* contact.
To clarify, I should have said that I would try to do it a different way. For the record, I honestly don't know if I would do it any differently if I were in your shoes and that kind of money was at risk. But I do know that I would try everything I could to avoid it. Again, not to say that you aren't trying, but you do have to take some accountability in willingly putting yourself and others at risk to make your money.
There are "Car Mode" apps that only let you access certain apps, and that auto-reply to incoming SMS messages with a preset text message. So I could get into my car, open the Car Mode app and start driving. If someone texted me to confirm an order or something, my phone would auto-reply with "Sorry, I'm in the car. I'll respond as soon as I can." To be fair, this doesn't solve the loss in the efficiency of working in your car, but it gives your customers a response while mitigating one of the many risks involved in driving.
And I meant that texting while stopped is still more distracting than talking on the phone. It's harder to keep your eyes above the dash when you have to keep the phone low to avoid being spotted by enforcement. If your eyes are down and the music is going, how likely are you to notice that an emergency vehicle is coming up behind you, trying to get through traffic?
I don't know what dealing with your customers is like, but the quality of service you provide (in their eyes) doesn't outweigh the risk, IMO.
The bolded part directly contradicts what you said before that talking on the phone was less distracting. When talking on the phone, I'm focused on work as well. Almost everybody is focused on or thinking about something else when driving other than just driving. I assume you drive in total silence, no music, no conversations with anybody in the car, so you can not have any cognitive distraction?
True, but your eyes are still on the road. Even with voice-to-text, your hands may not be on your phone, but you're likely glancing at the screen to confirm that the message was transcribed properly, right? If the phone is on or near your lap, that's almost as distracting as typing out a text. AA/ACP and some infotainment systems help with this by displaying the transcribed text on a screen above the dash, but with a phone call, you don't have to double check anything, so the risk of distraction is lower.
FYI I drive with my music up almost all the time, and its only turned down when the baby is asleep or when I'm having a conversation. It's not about eliminating the cognitive distractions, its about mitigating them.
EDIT: All this to say that while I have an opinion of your conduct, when it comes down to it, I fully agree with you that the tech needs to improve, and fast. In the meantime though, these laws need to be better enforced to be effective. The threat of points, a suspension and a fine is nothing compared actually getting tagged.
Last edited by sm1ke; 05-31-19 at 06:23 AM.
06-02-19, 08:06 AM
#80
Lexus Fanatic
Slightly less risky? Its exponentially less risky than texting while driving.
To clarify, I should have said that I would try to do it a different way. For the record, I honestly don't know if I would do it any differently if I were in your shoes and that kind of money was at risk. But I do know that I would try everything I could to avoid it. Again, not to say that you aren't trying, but you do have to take some accountability in willingly putting yourself and others at risk to make your money.
There are "Car Mode" apps that only let you access certain apps, and that auto-reply to incoming SMS messages with a preset text message. So I could get into my car, open the Car Mode app and start driving. If someone texted me to confirm an order or something, my phone would auto-reply with "Sorry, I'm in the car. I'll respond as soon as I can." To be fair, this doesn't solve the loss in the efficiency of working in your car, but it gives your customers a response while mitigating one of the many risks involved in driving.
And I meant that texting while stopped is still more distracting than talking on the phone. It's harder to keep your eyes above the dash when you have to keep the phone low to avoid being spotted by enforcement. If your eyes are down and the music is going, how likely are you to notice that an emergency vehicle is coming up behind you, trying to get through traffic?
Texting when stopped at a light is just not dangerous. Sorry.
I don't know what dealing with your customers is like, but the quality of service you provide (in their eyes) doesn't outweigh the risk, IMO.
True, but your eyes are still on the road. Even with voice-to-text, your hands may not be on your phone, but you're likely glancing at the screen to confirm that the message was transcribed properly, right? If the phone is on or near your lap, that's almost as distracting as typing out a text. AA/ACP and some infotainment systems help with this by displaying the transcribed text on a screen above the dash, but with a phone call, you don't have to double check anything, so the risk of distraction is lower.
FYI I drive with my music up almost all the time, and its only turned down when the baby is asleep or when I'm having a conversation. It's not about eliminating the cognitive distractions, its about mitigating them.
06-02-19, 08:46 AM
#81
Lexus Fanatic
Everything you do in a car is a distraction, including talking to other people in the car, changing radio stations, setting a GPS destination. People get so attached to "texting" that they loose sight of their senses. The car is stopped. Me texting or writing a quick email is no different than doing anything else while the car is stopped.
Slightly less risky? Its exponentially less risky than texting while driving
Slightly less risky? Its exponentially less risky than texting while driving
Someones level of concentration/awareness is completely different if you were to change the radio station vs attempt to read and email or text message from a hand held
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 06-02-19 at 09:08 AM.
06-02-19, 09:16 AM
#82
Lexus Fanatic
And again, the car is STOPPED. If I were talking about going from XM to BT audio streaming WHILE DRIVING I wouldnt be getting as much hell as I'm getting about texting WHILE STOPPED. Thats my point, "texting" is a hot button issue while the real problem is distraction.
06-02-19, 09:23 AM
#83
Lexus Fanatic
Even if the car is stopped. Your level of concentration is different from using a hand held and texting vs changing the radio via XM or whatever band. That is what the issue is. If your stopped, and trying to change the XM station on your phone vs the cars controls, that too is an issue
06-02-19, 09:30 AM
#84
Lexus Fanatic
Even if the car is stopped. Your level of concentration is different from using a hand held and texting vs changing the radio via XM or whatever band. That is what the issue is. If your stopped, and trying to change the XM station on your phone vs the cars controls, that too is an issue
The difference is that you have to put your head down to use the phone, but when I'm stopped...my concentration is not as required as when I am moving. Car manufacturers agree with this, which is why many shut off certain functionalities when moving, not when stopped.
Its all distraction. There is nothing so special about doing a task with a phone vs something else that makes it more distracting. Phones are just the scapegoat people like to use.
06-03-19, 06:27 AM
#85
If you're talking to someone over bluetooth audio, your eyes should be on the road. You can see an emergency vehicle in your rearview mirror before you can hear it.
The point is, if you're driving, you're supposed to be aware of everything around you, which includes the road, pedestrians, cyclists, incoming traffic, drivers behind you, the light in front of you, etc. You can't do all of that if you're focused on typing out a response on the phone in your lap.
Let's say you're stopped at a light. Text comes in, you glance at your phone and see that it's a client. Check the light, it's still red. Check for cops, and there are none around, so you pick up your phone to read/respond. A pedestrian then decides to run through the crosswalk because they're about to miss their bus. They trip in front of your car as the light turns green, and they're now obscured by your hood, so you don't see them, and you attempt to accelerate through the light. You know the rest. You might argue that a car with parking sensors/pedestrian detection might stop the car for you, but not all cars have this tech yet, and even if they did, the systems aren't perfect and the sensors can fail.
I can see it in my rearview mirror.
If it were really that much safer to text while stopped, enforcement wouldn't be able to ticket you for it. I'd love to hear you try to argue your way out of a ticket or plead your case in traffic court.
06-03-19, 06:55 AM
#86
Lexus Fanatic
Slightly or exponentially, it's still more risky than postponing a response.
Well the problem isn't with the tech. It can be improved, sure, but that isn't an excuse. If the tech isn't there yet, you either use it while being aware of it's limitations, or you limit the distraction.
That's quite a narrow minded statement.
If you're talking to someone over bluetooth audio, your eyes should be on the road. You can see an emergency vehicle in your rearview mirror before you can hear it.
The point is, if you're driving, you're supposed to be aware of everything around you, which includes the road, pedestrians, cyclists, incoming traffic, drivers behind you, the light in front of you, etc. You can't do all of that if you're focused on typing out a response on the phone in your lap.
Let's say you're stopped at a light. Text comes in, you glance at your phone and see that it's a client. Check the light, it's still red. Check for cops, and there are none around, so you pick up your phone to read/respond. A pedestrian then decides to run through the crosswalk because they're about to miss their bus. They trip in front of your car as the light turns green, and they're now obscured by your hood, so you don't see them, and you attempt to accelerate through the light. You know the rest. You might argue that a car with parking sensors/pedestrian detection might stop the car for you, but not all cars have this tech yet, and even if they did, the systems aren't perfect and the sensors can fail.
You're not the only one with a job and a family.
I can see it in my rearview mirror.
If it were really that much safer to text while stopped, enforcement wouldn't be able to ticket you for it. I'd love to hear you try to argue your way out of a ticket or plead your case in traffic court.
Well the problem isn't with the tech. It can be improved, sure, but that isn't an excuse. If the tech isn't there yet, you either use it while being aware of it's limitations, or you limit the distraction.
That's quite a narrow minded statement.
If you're talking to someone over bluetooth audio, your eyes should be on the road. You can see an emergency vehicle in your rearview mirror before you can hear it.
The point is, if you're driving, you're supposed to be aware of everything around you, which includes the road, pedestrians, cyclists, incoming traffic, drivers behind you, the light in front of you, etc. You can't do all of that if you're focused on typing out a response on the phone in your lap.
Let's say you're stopped at a light. Text comes in, you glance at your phone and see that it's a client. Check the light, it's still red. Check for cops, and there are none around, so you pick up your phone to read/respond. A pedestrian then decides to run through the crosswalk because they're about to miss their bus. They trip in front of your car as the light turns green, and they're now obscured by your hood, so you don't see them, and you attempt to accelerate through the light. You know the rest. You might argue that a car with parking sensors/pedestrian detection might stop the car for you, but not all cars have this tech yet, and even if they did, the systems aren't perfect and the sensors can fail.
You're not the only one with a job and a family.
I can see it in my rearview mirror.
If it were really that much safer to text while stopped, enforcement wouldn't be able to ticket you for it. I'd love to hear you try to argue your way out of a ticket or plead your case in traffic court.
06-03-19, 10:00 AM
#87
Lexus Test Driver
the worst that can happen from texting at a light is someone behind giving you a quick honk if you don't start moving when the light changes, but there's no inherent danger
06-03-19, 03:46 PM
#89
The fact is way too many people don't have the mental capacity to be responsible drivers. Before granting people driving privileges there should be vigorous testing, as well as mental and physical evaluation. Once granted, there should be very strict enforcement and permanent suspension for major violation, and jail time for road rage, DWI (including alcohol, drugs, and weed smoke), and driving without license or insurance.
06-03-19, 05:59 PM
#90
Lexus Fanatic
Slightly or exponentially, it's still more risky than postponing a response.
Well the problem isn't with the tech. It can be improved, sure, but that isn't an excuse. If the tech isn't there yet, you either use it while being aware of it's limitations, or you limit the distraction.
Well the problem isn't with the tech. It can be improved, sure, but that isn't an excuse. If the tech isn't there yet, you either use it while being aware of it's limitations, or you limit the distraction.
If you're talking to someone over bluetooth audio, your eyes should be on the road. You can see an emergency vehicle in your rearview mirror before you can hear it.
The point is, if you're driving, you're supposed to be aware of everything around you, which includes the road, pedestrians, cyclists, incoming traffic, drivers behind you, the light in front of you, etc. You can't do all of that if you're focused on typing out a response on the phone in your lap.
Let's say you're stopped at a light. Text comes in, you glance at your phone and see that it's a client. Check the light, it's still red. Check for cops, and there are none around, so you pick up your phone to read/respond. A pedestrian then decides to run through the crosswalk because they're about to miss their bus. They trip in front of your car as the light turns green, and they're now obscured by your hood, so you don't see them, and you attempt to accelerate through the light. You know the rest. You might argue that a car with parking sensors/pedestrian detection might stop the car for you, but not all cars have this tech yet, and even if they did, the systems aren't perfect and the sensors can fail.
Let's say you're stopped at a light. Text comes in, you glance at your phone and see that it's a client. Check the light, it's still red. Check for cops, and there are none around, so you pick up your phone to read/respond. A pedestrian then decides to run through the crosswalk because they're about to miss their bus. They trip in front of your car as the light turns green, and they're now obscured by your hood, so you don't see them, and you attempt to accelerate through the light. You know the rest. You might argue that a car with parking sensors/pedestrian detection might stop the car for you, but not all cars have this tech yet, and even if they did, the systems aren't perfect and the sensors can fail.
Just because I'm looking at my phone in my hand at steering wheel level doesnt mean that I'm not aware of what's going on around me. The windshield is still visible in my upper periphery, and in reality I'm looking up every couple of seconds to make sure I'm not missing anything or the light. I think your scenario is one I would see, and if I didn't it would be an extremely unlikely confluence of scenarios occurring to make it so. In any event, I could have missed it digging through my console or glove box, or picking up food to eat it, etc.
You're not the only one with a job and a family.
I can see it in my rearview mirror.
If it were really that much safer to text while stopped, enforcement wouldn't be able to ticket you for it. I'd love to hear you try to argue your way out of a ticket or plead your case in traffic court.
I wouldn't even try to argue my way out of a ticket or plead my case in traffic court. I would pay the ticket. If it were a serious fine I'd hire a good attorney and they would get me out of it.