Riding and driving

[DaveT319]

I see the threads on here all the time about how stupid and inattentive and unpredictable cagers are. So when you are forced to have to drive a cage yourself, are you a better driver because of it?

Personally I think I am. Admittedly, one thing I still do that a lot of riders complain about is talking on a cell phone while holding it. But let me explain something: for many people, it's not the holding of a phone that's the problem; it's an inability to concentrate while being distracted by the conversation. In my case, I still make sure to pay attention to what's going on around me, including continuing to scan as I would if I were not on the phone. In fact, at times the people I'm talking to have to repeat themselves because I was "too busy" paying attention to the road to catch what they were saying. And as far as holding the phone goes, most of the time I only have one hand on the steering wheel anyway, so holding the phone isn't changing that. Besides, I tried using one of those Bluetooth hands-free ear thingies, and not only did I hate it, but inside of six months it stopped holding a charge. I spent 40 bucks on the thing, and since I can't just replace the battery I'd have to go buy another one, and I've got better things to spend 40 bucks every 6 months on. And the speakers on these things are shit anyways, so I can't hear what people are saying unless I have it close to my head, and I have to be holding it anyway for that to be the case, so I might as well have it up to my ear. So until they pass a law requiring two hands on the wheel, or one that completely outlaws phone conversations while driving, I'm going to continue to do it this way and roll the dice that I don't get a ticket.

Now, aside from that, I think I'm a better driver than most: I scan my mirrors - ALL OF THEM - on a regular basis; I actually turn and look when I am going to make a lane change; I ALWAYS use my turn signals when turning or changing lanes. I'm not perfect (I still exceed the speed limit and don't completely stop at stop signs and red lights), but I KNOW I'm still doing MUCH better than the majority of people out there. My record of zero accidents in my 18+ years of driving speaks to that.

Does this hold true for you too? Or do you find yourself sometimes doing the very things that you would silently curse cagers for doing if you were on your bike?

 

[Aluisious]

I am a better driver because of riding, and you are irresponsible and dangerous for holding and talking on the phone while you're driving.

You're not so important that people can't wait to talk to you, or that you can't get somewhere 5 minutes later. So hang up or pull over.

 

[DaveT319]

So do you use one of those Bluetooth things, or do you never take or make a call while driving?

 

[Wormwood]

The phone parts sounds like trolling I hope.

I learn everyday to be a better rider/driver, and always scan for bikes to give right of way.

Otherwise, I take issue with people who threaten my or minez safety. No other reason than that. Uber dorks can be picked out, avoided and at times reminded kindly that we do exist, are nice and just wanna get home safe. It is those whom appear to have intent or malice that I at times wanna do a drag out boot stompin dance.

 

[JO EBRMC]

Everyone thinks they are a better driver than everyone else on the road.

'Better than the rest' is exactly the same as 'the rest'.

This isn't a condemnation, just pointing out that I have never met a single person that feels they aren't a better driver than most everyone on the road.

 

[DaveT319]

The phone parts sounds like trolling I hope.

Nope, it's fact. Having a Bluetooth thing in my ear wouldn't be any different than holding the phone, because that other hand wouldn't be on the steering wheel anyway. It's just how I drive. Yet the lawmakers, in their "infinite wisdom" have decided that holding a phone is worse than having one of those things in my ear. You're still having a (potentially) distracting conversation. Holding the phone has little if anything to do with the problem. So if they want to outlaw talking on a phone while driving entirely, then I'd probably adhere to that. But I'm not going to waste my money on a device that's only going to last 6 months because they say it will make me safer. It doesn't. It doesn't make ANYONE safer.

So I brought that up because it's about the only thing that I've seen people complaining about here that I actually do. But other things like using my turn signals and mirrors I already do, though admittedly I've always done those things. Just that riding has made me make sure to KEEP doing those things, and has made me more aware of when others don't.

 

[Momo-san]

I may be wrong, but I bet most drivers who chit-chat on the phone are able to rationalize why it's okay for them to do it, all while agreeing the inferior drivers of the world (everyone else) should refrain.

Edit: From your last post...yeah, there may not be much difference in danger between holding the actual phone vs. talking on the bluetooth. Likely, the distraction of the actual phone conversation is the real problem, IMO.

 

[DaveT319]

So, for you too, do you use one of those Bluetooth things, or do you simply never talk on the phone while driving?

 

[Wormwood]

Nope, it's fact. Having a Bluetooth thing in my ear wouldn't be any different than holding the phone, because that other hand wouldn't be on the steering wheel anyway. It's just how I drive. Yet the lawmakers, in their "infinite wisdom" have decided that holding a phone is worse than having one of those things in my ear. You're still having a (potentially) distracting conversation. Holding the phone has little if anything to do with the problem. So if they want to outlaw talking on a phone while driving entirely, then I'd probably adhere to that. But I'm not going to waste my money on a device that's only going to last 6 months because they say it will make me safer. It doesn't. It doesn't make ANYONE safer.

So I brought that up because it's about the only thing that I've seen people complaining about here that I actually do. But other things like using my turn signals and mirrors I already do, though admittedly I've always done those things. Just that riding has made me make sure to KEEP doing those things, and has made me more aware of when others don't.

To many real bad experinces with the cell phone textie's in traffic to agree. They slow down, drift and worst of all while in bumper to bumper they drift as if the all the lanes are free fair game. If everyone followed the law it would make everyone safer.

 

[Wormwood]

Nope, no bluebeard, no ear bud, no nada.

pull over yep, I got time.

 

[Gnarly Cranium]

Cops talk on radios a LOT while driving. I don't mind, they are probably more competent and alert and I'll give them some trust there.

Same goes TO AN EXTENT to riders that drive.

That said, probably one of the biggest issues with talking on a cellphone is that you have to take your eyes off the road and look at the damn thing to answer and dial it, and juggling it is not the same thing as casually leaving one hand off the wheel. And just the sight of the cellphone will piss me off in any case.

 

[DaveT319]

To many real bad experinces with the cell phone textie's in traffic to agree. They slow down, drift and worst of all while in bumper to bumper they drift as if the all the lanes are free fair game. If everyone followed the law it would make everyone safer.

To clarify, I use a cell phone to TALK while driving; I would never EVER dream of trying to text while driving. Texts wait until I'm at a stop light, or have arrived at my destination.

Now, you say "if everyone followed the law it would make everyone safer". So does that mean you believe that someone who has one of those Bluetooth things in their ear is automatically safer than someone holding the phone while talking?

 

[TheRiddler]

Everyone thinks they are a better driver than everyone else on the road.

Yep.

I do NOT talk on the phone while driving. Ever. Example: I was driving last week and someone called me twice within one minute. I figured it was important. I pulled into the nearest parking lot, parked, then checked my phone. It was a wrong number!

If I get a text, I will wait until I am stopped at a light to check it, or once I'm done driving. Someone's life is no where near as important as me checking my phone.

I use turn signals all the time, always look over my shoulder and check my mirrors when I change lanes. I always go 5 over the speed limit because, well, everyone does.

Guess what? I did this all before I rode, too. Because operating a multi-thousand pound vehicle has consequences that result in the difference between life and death. And I wish everyone else would realize this. One screw up and someone is dead, or permanently paralyzed, or even just lives with physical pain for the rest of their life. Driving isn't a joke. You are granted a LICENSE because what you're doing has serious consequences. Whether that license's test is adequate is another issue.

The only difference riding has had in my driving is I always do a double-take for bikes before turning left, and make sure I can see my entire blind spot before changing lanes.

 

[*Tina*]

The phone parts sounds like trolling I hope.

.

You're learning pretty quickly Mr Wood !!

 

[DaveT319]

That said, probably one of the biggest issues with talking on a cellphone is that you have to take your eyes off the road and look at the damn thing to answer and dial it, and juggling it is not the same thing as casually leaving one hand off the wheel. And just the sight of the cellphone will piss me off in any case.

Understood. However, I will say that I almost never dial while I'm in motion, I can retrieve the phone without looking, I glace at the screen to see who's calling but it takes almost no more time than it does to look in a mirror (quick glance), and I can hit the "talk" button without looking at it.

This is me, though. YMMV when it comes to some other people. You know, the kind of people that probably shouldn't walk and chew gum at the same time, let alone drive a motor vehicle.

 

[Wormwood]

To clarify, I use a cell phone to TALK while driving; I would never EVER dream of trying to text while driving. Texts wait until I'm at a stop light, or have arrived at my destination.

Now, you say "if everyone followed the law it would make everyone safer". So does that mean you believe that someone who has one of those Bluetooth things in their ear is automatically safer than someone holding the phone while talking?

Not at all. I think its less a matter of oo i cant reach the wheel and more a matter of the potential for emotional situations to distract. Phone calls can get very heated, stressful, relations, work, boss. THis is more to my point.

 

[JO EBRMC]

The only difference riding has had in my driving is I always do a double-take for bikes before turning left, and make sure I can see my entire blind spot before changing lanes.

Yeah, I spread my check in the mirror a little wider - check the next lane AND down the split between the lanes.

And, yes, I don't talk on the phone AT ALL while driving. It drives my wife crazy.

 

[DaveT319]

Not at all. I think its less a matter of oo i cant reach the wheel and more a matter of the potential for emotional situations to distract. Phone calls can get very heated, stressful, relations, work, boss. THis is more to my point.

I'm not denying that. In fact, one of my contentions is that the whole "hands-free" law is completely misguided, and in fact for most it is not the act of holding the phone that is the problem, but the conversation that is distracting them from their driving. Of course, there's some that shouldn't even be driving, let alone driving and having a conversation. But the fact remains that the legislature decided that if you have a hands-free device you're perfectly safe, but holding the phone makes you a danger to society. I content that that's not really the case. If you want to outlaw talking on the phone PERIOD, fine. But don't try to sell me that holding the phone is the problem, and that using a Bluetooth solves the problem.

 

[JO EBRMC]

This is me, though. YMMV when it comes to some other people. You know, the kind of people that probably shouldn't walk and chew gum at the same time, let alone drive a motor vehicle.

That is a rationalization. You are smarter and more capable than everyone else around you.

Think about it for a minute. You are using the same justification that everyone uses for talking on the phone.

 

[Wormwood]

We agree on one thing for sure. The legislative presumption of this law also infers I, as a smoker, should be handcuffed and beaten for driving w/ on hand.