Why Can't Drivers Resist Using Their Phones?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38711931
This is the newest and most deadly traffic offence. Time to start banning for first offence?

[-Talbot-]

Mine doesn't

[douglas9401]

Aye, right then. Some folk are just clumsy.

[andy-hughes]

Talbot - Why am I not surprised.

[andy-hughes]

douglas - if that reply is aimed at me, I can assure you I am not normally clumsy, but I did notice over a period of time that simple awareness of things around me - including normal anticipation, was distorted when I was on the phone.

Of course that may just be me - but research into use of mobiles, and the attendant legislation, suggest that it is not.

[ummmm]

I have the phone positioned so I can see who is calling. If I think it's important I will pull in, if not I'll call back when I'm not driving.

[andy-hughes]

Sounds reasonable ummmm.

I think one of the issues is the cultural acceptance that everyone needs to be in contact with everyone else all the time - an issue we didn't have before the advent of mobile communications.

This extends not only to driving, but cinema and concert visits, eating in restaurants, watching TV, in fact, just being conscious!

[ToraToraTora]

"Making calls is probably not the most dangerous thing, it's checking Facebook while driving.

I see people looking at phones all the time. " - yes hoppy incredibly dangerous far worse than drink driving, texting etc should be an instant ban.

look at this numpty; https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/31/lorry-driver-distracted-phone-jailed-10-years-crash-deaths-tomasz-kroker

[ummmm]

Andy - I left my phone in the office while I was popping to the shop. I shut the door behind me forgetting that the boss had changed the codes so couldn't get back in. I wasn't back in the office until 3 days later. My friend couldn't believe I'd gone that long without my phone.

[Kathyan]

When I'm in the car, my phone is in my bag and that is where it stays. I can't think of any reason why I would want to answer the phone whilst was driving. Whoever is calling can wait until I'm parked up! In my opinion if you are caught using a phone whilst driving then your car should be confiscated and crushed

[ummmm]

What if you don't own the car?

Short journeys I'd also leave it in my bag. Long journeys I'd like to know who was calling in case it's the kids.

[naomi24]

andy-hughes, //your spatial awareness distorts when you are on the phone in a way that does not happen with face-to-face conversations.

Like Talbot, mine doesn't either.

[Zacs-Master]

mmm. I'd like to know how AH's 'spatial awareness' distorts. Concentration is affected without doubt, but spatial awareness....?

[Zacs-Master]

The irony is just staggering. How about answering Naomi instead of me then, or in your rush to criticise me, did you not see that one?

[-Talbot-]

Under starters orders for the 1:15

[ToraToraTora]

I think I know where Andy's comming from. I have used my in built in hands free system on occasion but it's does feel very different from talking to a passenger in the car. I do feel less aware somehow, I can't really nail it down but when you have a passenger that person is actually psuedo driving too and they react accordingly, you don't get that with someone on the phone.

[Baldric]

We have 4 cars between the 3 of us at home. All are fitted with Hands-Free kits as original equipment and we are not daft enough to go round bumping in to desks and things when using them.

[andy-hughes]

TTT - //I can't really nail it down but when you have a passenger that person is actually psuedo driving too and they react accordingly, you don't get that with someone on the phone. //

I think that is definitely something to consider.

When you have a passenger in conversation - even if it someone who doesn't drive - they can clearly see when the driver is concentrating, or working their way through a difficult junction, and so on, and they will instinctively sop their dialogue until that time passes. Obviously the person on the other end of a phone has no such idea of what is going on, and will blithely carry on, at a time when the drive may just need his or her faculties to carry on driving safely.

[Zacs-Master]

It's very easy to simply say, I'm trying to find may way thru traffic do you mind if i call you back. I do it quite often. I appreciate not all do. I also think it's an age / conditioning thing. Young people seem far more adept at it, as with all technology.