I fly helicopters, that is super risky too, but that risk is mitigated multiple ways. It sounds like we are on the same page then. We both text and drive, we both mitagate that risks. Not sure where the disconnect is??? Or where the anger/hositlity is comming from?



I didn't mean for you to get worked up...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTGdAGPDBpo

 

 

Why would you purposely make an inherently risky behaviour (driving) even more dangerous for the sake of a shitty little convenience like texting? I hate to use the word entitled, but that's exactly what this behaviour is. You risk the lives of everybody around you for the sake of urgently responding to a non-urgent medium. Or if you absolutely must respond, pull over for 20 seconds?! Inconvenience yourself instead of endangering everybody else, please.



what's next, "I drive more carefully when I'm stoned"?

 

how are you aware of your surroundings when you're looking at/typing on your phone?

 

Since nobody seems to be mad at me... I think if you get 3 citation for texting while driving, the cop should required to seize your phone... and then search your contacts for one called "mom" and text her that he caught you texting and driving again and he now has your phone.

 

The same reason people puposely make an inherently risky behavior (driving) even more dangerous for the sake of a little conveniece like changing the radio station, or looking at their GPS, or making a blue tooth call....or texting.



Who's live is it risking (other than my own)? I guess I wasn't clear enough. I didn't say with heavy traffic and kids in your car text essays to people. I said, if traffic is light enough, that when you do look at your surroundings, you see a car way in front of you or a car way behind you, OR if you are at a stop light. There is on reason you shouldn't be able to pull out your phone and send a quick text. And if it is up to the douche cop in question, that is the best time, because they don't think it is illegal then.



The whole reason I responded in the first place. I am simply saying, their shouldn't need to be a law, people should be able to use their brains to figure out that it isn't safe to text and drive in heavy traffic or in a residential area or oter conditions. But since their is a law, apparently some cops will exploit it agaisnt those who aren't endangering any one. That is my initial point.



It is completly different than driving stoned or drunk, it can' be stopped or started when appropraite or not, the former conditions are on going.







You can't be.... BUT, you can be aware of your surroundings, and when an opportunity arrises that traffic is light (again speaking of a hwy and not residential) then you can bring your phone up to your face, look at it, type for 3-5 secs (I used to be able to touch type before touch phones were invented and that made it super easy), then look up again, observe, then go back down, and repeat. Sure you could pull over for 20 seconds, much like you could pull over for 5 seconds to look at your gps and find a good radio station. But when the risk is so low, and only to you, it just isn't all that necessary to do, so you text smartly.



I put my money where my mouth is at least, I don't have collision insurance. I am not worried about an accident that is caused by me.

 

If you ever exceed the speed limit, you're falling into your own accusation.



I can't say I don't text while driving. I do. It's very infrequent and when it does happen I'm usually inching along at under 5mph on the interstate. I can't say I do it daily, or even weekly, but it does happen. I'm just being honest by saying I do it and realize there are risks, but I'm not making excuses for it and trying to justify my actions as safe or mitigated as WHATNOT has done.



I do check Waze while driving, and fairly often. If I get a message on my phone I will usually reply with "driving" or something along those lines to let them know it'll be a while before I respond... or I'll call them.

 

I agree with everything Cobra has posted thus far.

 

Dammit!!!

 

Nah maj you're cool. I'm mainly concerned with the ~ideas~ that whatnot and Floyd have towards texting.



It doesn't matter whether you think it's currently safe to effectively close your eyes for a few seconds. The reason is that when times are good, you need to be using all of your spare mental power to be building your own 360 degree traffic radar. While you read a text, I check three mirrors, headcheck a fool in my blind spot, and start sussing out other drivers in case they are looking stressed or inattentive. When you are stopped you need to be doing the same, especially watching for motorcycles and emergency vehicles that could startle you on the takeoff.



I wouldn't preach it if I didn't practice it. This is the difference between anticipating danger and forcing a messy ABS stop at the last second. Doesn't matter what road, doesn't matter what vehicle. You have to be on your toes at all times.