Texting and Driving, Do you do it? Why?

[ChrisF]

And and anonamous email to Branded company and tell them he drives like a ***************

 

I wanted to take a photo of the branded vehicle, with my phone .....    

[ChrisF]

I text and drive occasionally. I hate it when I do. Only when I catch myself driving like a knob do I put the phone down. The society we've created has made this instant communication and 'reachability' a prerequisite though.  I hate that I am being unwittingly moulded to feel pressure to comply to these social norms.

 

BRAVE soul .... 

 

 

jokes aside - according to my electronic logbook I spent TEN DAYS behind the steering wheel last year .. just for work trips !!!  Thanks to bluetooth I CAN be reached SAFELY ....

 

 

The office and clients KNOW I dont check for messages while driving.

 

 

PS - may I respectfully ask that you observe other cars.  Notice those driving "eratically", then look at the drivers face as he watches his phone more than the road .... NOBODY can actually text and drive safely ! 

[Robbie Stewart]

I have made a conscious decision to ignore my phone when I am driving. It's my life, and I simply don't give a shite about anyone's agenda who want's to get hold of me while I drive. If they are not willing to wait for a response when I am able to do so, then I evaluate their particular issue to not be off sufficient importance to be deemed worth further attention. If it's important, then make contact again at a later stage, but not 30 seconds later.

My wife knows that even when I am in a meeting I A) kill her call when she needs to contact me, and B) that I will call back. We have a standing agreement that if it's an emergency, she will then call me immediately again. If she does not, then she knows I'm busy, and she is happy to wait.

She does not whats-app me for crap. But then, we don't feel the need to live our lives on FB or IG for other people's approval ratings. We don't care about what other people's opinions are for the most part. This has also moved into to how we drive. We are not chained by digital addiction to "absolutely having at any cost" hear from the latest BS posted on social media. My phone is exactly that.. MY PHONE! I will look at it when it suits me, not you the person wanting my attention. This extends to everyone I know: family, friends, colleagues, customers, I don't care. You wait, or move along, swiftly.

[Chris_]

What are you going to do if society decides to have a mass suicide event? Are you then also going to feel pressured to do your bit?

 

 

This is a childs rebuttal, don't be ridiculous.

 

I am merely speculating why so many of us have reasoned this sort of behaviour to be acceptable. I have equally little dependency on social media so your comment on likes etc is probably for a different debate. Unfortunately I feel some of us live in a far more greyed world of right and wrong. I applaud you on being able to be so black and white on your choices. The first thing I said was I regret my behaviour every time, because the consequences (despite seeing them at every turn which again I question why we do it over and over again) is substantial.

[@ndy]

What's worse?:

 

1. skipping a red traffic light / not stopping at a STOP?

2. driving in the oncoming lane?

3. driving while drunk?

4. driving while high?

4.a. driving while drunk and high?

5. driving while texting?

6. driving while applying makeup?

7. driving with a coffee in the hand?

7.a. driving while texting, while eating cereal, while trying to drink your latte and flipping the bird to the person hooting at you to move?

8. driving with a bowl of cereal in the hand, spoon in the other?

9. driving while recording a whats-app voice note? (I just love how people seem to justify that one)

 

My take? None is worse than the other. They are all just selfish behaviors performed by an entitled and lawless generation. We have now entered the final stage of human existence, whereby Generation Y has become Generation Stoopid.

 

I personally use a travel mug to drink my coffee. My cup is designed in a way to make it very hard to spill as it pours at a very slow rate even when totally inverted. My car comes with cup holders I assume for this very purpose. Am I driving to the very best of my ability? I guess not, I wouldn't win any rally stages while taking a sip every few minutes. Am I being selfish? I wouldn't take issue with anyone accusing me of this, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I however, know I can drink my coffee without taking my eyes off the road and I don't use the cup while I'm negotiating the more difficult parts of my commute. Am I on the same level of selfishness with a high and drunk driver (see 4a). I'm sorry but I don't think so and I don't see all traffic offenses as black and white issues and I think treating them this way isn't constructive.

[BigDL]

This is a childs rebuttal, don't be ridiculous.

 

I am merely speculating why so many of us have reasoned this sort of behaviour to be acceptable. I have equally little dependency on social media so your comment on likes etc is probably for a different debate. Unfortunately I feel some of us live in a far more greyed world of right and wrong. I applaud you on being able to be so black and white on your choices. The first thing I said was I regret my behaviour every time, because the consequences (despite seeing them at every turn which again I question why we do it over and over again) is substantial.

I agree with Robbie. It is tour decision and knowing it is wrong and regretting it is not a mitigation.

[Robbie Stewart]

This is a childs rebuttal, don't be ridiculous.

 

I am merely speculating why so many of us have reasoned this sort of behaviour to be acceptable. I have equally little dependency on social media so your comment on likes etc is probably for a different debate. Unfortunately I feel some of us live in a far more greyed world of right and wrong. I applaud you on being able to be so black and white on your choices. The first thing I said was I regret my behaviour every time, because the consequences (despite seeing them at every turn which again I question why we do it over and over again) is substantial.

 

 

One uses child rebuttals on people who reason like a child.

 

Your argument of "I know it's wrong, but I can't help it..." is pathetic. You are basically admitting to being a weak willed human being who is incapable of taking responsibility for their own stupidity.

 

It is NOT acceptable, and it is ILLEGAL to use your phone while driving. If you keep doing it, YOU ARE the problem. Quit your behavior, and become a responsible citizen, and FFS, stop blaming society for your own inadequacies.

[Skubarra]

One uses child rebuttals on people who reason like a child.

 

Your argument of "I know it's wrong, but I can't help it..." is pathetic. You are basically admitting to being a weak willed human being who is incapable of taking responsibility for their own stupidity.

 

It is NOT acceptable, and it is ILLEGAL to use your phone while driving. If you keep doing it, YOU ARE the problem. Quit your behavior, and become a responsible citizen, and FFS, stop blaming society for your own inadequacies.

 

The name of the thread is : Texting and Driving, Do you do it? Why?"

 

This is not a debate on whether its ok or not to text and drive - we all know its wrong.

 

CBlake is merely answering the OP's question , I don't see the point in bashing him for this.

 

And he touches on the truth ,we live in a society where people are more and more connected to their phones and people find it hard to disconnect when driving. Like I said in my first post, every time I'm on the road I see more and more people on their phones, the problem is getting worse not better

[Patchelicious]

The name of the thread is : Texting and Driving, Do you do it? Why?"

 

This is not a debate on whether its ok or not to text and drive - we all know its wrong.

 

CBlake is merely answering the OP's question , I don't see the point in bashing him for this.

 

And he touches on the truth ,we live in a society where people are more and more connected to their phones and people find it hard to disconnect when driving. Like I said in my first post, every time I'm on the road I see more and more people on their phones, the problem is getting worse not better

It’s getting worse because more and more people are justifying this type of behavior. It has to be condemned, or it will simply become the norm.

[Patchelicious]

https://twitter.com/mrmopar281/status/1023796512437018624?s=21

[Robbie Stewart]

https://twitter.com/mrmopar281/status/1023796512437018624?s=21

 

If this does not adequately illustrate the irresponsible and stupid behavior of using your mobile when driving, well then.

 

 

It’s getting worse because more and more people are justifying this type of behavior. It has to be condemned, or it will simply become the norm.

 

We live in a world where society frowns on being called out for reckless behavior, and usually it is thrown in with accusations of being intolerant and bigoted etc.

 

I am not one to be derailed by such menial observations. I am one who if I see someone acting like an ass, will gladly point out that person's stupidity if it means someone else is saved from having to pay the cost.

 

So, I will carry on condemning such things as highlighted in this thread. It IS a problem, and it IS increasing. I agree with you that if we just let it be, we actually perpetuate the problem, and in so doing become the problem, not the solution.

[Chris_]

I’m quite enjoying unpacking this argument/debate, and I’m going to keep playing devil’s advocate.

 

I’m not shifting the blame, I still maintain society moulds us and allows us certain options, but the choice is always ours. And I alone make it. I thought of it last night and I reckon it boils down to us choosing between an immediate benefit vs the long term possibilities. 

 

When my phone beeps or rings in the car, I have the option to leave it. I also have the choice to read the msg, or answer the msg, or decline the call, or answer the call, which we have cleared up amounts to the same transgression, and is illegal. We all know this. Whether I suddenly worry about my wifes safety, or my parents, or my work having a crisis, it doesn’t really matter, I make the choice to break the law. Because right then for that second on that road in that traffic in those surroundings, the benefits of checking my phone outweigh the long term potential negatives - from bumper bashing to far worse scenarios.

 

Driving under the speed limit. We know the speed rules, and exceeding them is illegal. We all know that. But we can make the choice of maybe rolling a little faster down a hill, keeping up with normal flow, battling taxis, getting somewhere a little earlier, getting somewhere faster if you’re late. We all know speeding is illegal and yet we make the choice right then (regardless of the quantum) to exceed it over the potential of one day being pulled by the cops, or even worse killing someone.

 

One of the most catastrophic normalities I see on SA roads is driving over the drink/drive limit. 1 beer an hour puts you over the official limit if I remember correctly. But again, we have the choice to have x number of drinks and drive thereafter. Whether its 1 over the limit or 10, we all know it’s illegal. But the immediate benefit of getting home quicker and easier outweighs the potential risk of getting pulled over by the cops or even worse, killing someone.

 

When I go outside, I have the choice to put on sunscreen. One day I may get skin cancer, a devastating outcome. It’s obviously not illegal but a risk remains a risk. And yet do we always apply the stuff? No. It’s all the same thing, do I want to do something now, or deal with the possibility of a crushing outcome later on which may not occur?

 

Does this mean I’ll always ‘push the boundaries’ until that longer term possibility of the worst case scenario plays out? Probably. I think that’s true for a lot of us if you really think about it across a broad spectrum. However, can new habits be learned to diminish the probability of ever needing to encounter these ‘inevitable’ outcomes? Absolutely. 

[Patchelicious]

 

I’m quite enjoying unpacking this argument/debate, and I’m going to keep playing devil’s advocate.

 

I’m not shifting the blame, I still maintain society moulds us and allows us certain options, but the choice is always ours. And I alone make it. I thought of it last night and I reckon it boils down to us choosing between an immediate benefit vs the long term possibilities. 

 

When my phone beeps or rings in the car, I have the option to leave it. I also have the choice to read the msg, or answer the msg, or decline the call, or answer the call, which we have cleared up amounts to the same transgression, and is illegal. We all know this. Whether I suddenly worry about my wifes safety, or my parents, or my work having a crisis, it doesn’t really matter, I make the choice to break the law. Because right then for that second on that road in that traffic in those surroundings, the benefits of checking my phone outweigh the long term potential negatives - from bumper bashing to far worse scenarios.

 

Driving under the speed limit. We know the speed rules, and exceeding them is illegal. We all know that. But we can make the choice of maybe rolling a little faster down a hill, keeping up with normal flow, battling taxis, getting somewhere a little earlier, getting somewhere faster if you’re late. We all know speeding is illegal and yet we make the choice right then (regardless of the quantum) to exceed it over the potential of one day being pulled by the cops, or even worse killing someone.

 

One of the most catastrophic normalities I see on SA roads is driving over the drink/drive limit. 1 beer an hour puts you over the official limit if I remember correctly. But again, we have the choice to have x number of drinks and drive thereafter. Whether its 1 over the limit or 10, we all know it’s illegal. But the immediate benefit of getting home quicker and easier outweighs the potential risk of getting pulled over by the cops or even worse, killing someone.

 

When I go outside, I have the choice to put on sunscreen. One day I may get skin cancer, a devastating outcome. It’s obviously not illegal but a risk remains a risk. And yet do we always apply the stuff? No. It’s all the same thing, do I want to do something now, or deal with the possibility of a crushing outcome later on which may not occur?

 

Does this mean I’ll always ‘push the boundaries’ until that longer term possibility of the worst case scenario plays out? Probably. I think that’s true for a lot of us if you really think about it across a broad spectrum. However, can new habits be learned to diminish the probability of ever needing to encounter these ‘inevitable’ outcomes? Absolutely. 

 

 

Im glad you are enjoying this.

 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

 

I’m quite enjoying unpacking this argument/debate, and I’m going to keep playing devil’s advocate.

 

I’m not shifting the blame, I still maintain society moulds us and allows us certain options, but the choice is always ours. And I alone make it. I thought of it last night and I reckon it boils down to us choosing between an immediate benefit vs the long term possibilities. 

 

When my phone beeps or rings in the car, I have the option to leave it. I also have the choice to read the msg, or answer the msg, or decline the call, or answer the call, which we have cleared up amounts to the same transgression, and is illegal. We all know this. Whether I suddenly worry about my wifes safety, or my parents, or my work having a crisis, it doesn’t really matter, I make the choice to break the law. Because right then for that second on that road in that traffic in those surroundings, the benefits of checking my phone outweigh the long term potential negatives - from bumper bashing to far worse scenarios.

 

Driving under the speed limit. We know the speed rules, and exceeding them is illegal. We all know that. But we can make the choice of maybe rolling a little faster down a hill, keeping up with normal flow, battling taxis, getting somewhere a little earlier, getting somewhere faster if you’re late. We all know speeding is illegal and yet we make the choice right then (regardless of the quantum) to exceed it over the potential of one day being pulled by the cops, or even worse killing someone.

 

One of the most catastrophic normalities I see on SA roads is driving over the drink/drive limit. 1 beer an hour puts you over the official limit if I remember correctly. But again, we have the choice to have x number of drinks and drive thereafter. Whether its 1 over the limit or 10, we all know it’s illegal. But the immediate benefit of getting home quicker and easier outweighs the potential risk of getting pulled over by the cops or even worse, killing someone.

 

When I go outside, I have the choice to put on sunscreen. One day I may get skin cancer, a devastating outcome. It’s obviously not illegal but a risk remains a risk. And yet do we always apply the stuff? No. It’s all the same thing, do I want to do something now, or deal with the possibility of a crushing outcome later on which may not occur?

 

Does this mean I’ll always ‘push the boundaries’ until that longer term possibility of the worst case scenario plays out? Probably. I think that’s true for a lot of us if you really think about it across a broad spectrum. However, can new habits be learned to diminish the probability of ever needing to encounter these ‘inevitable’ outcomes? Absolutely. 

 

EDIT2: I do realise that the title of the thread includes the question "WHY?" - hence the justification and introspection (which is a good thing) but I'm sure you'll also agree it's dangerous and irresponsible. Much like drunken driving, as you postulate. 

 

Question is: Will you change your behaviour? 

..................................................

 

 

So you're wilfully endangering others, as you perceive the risk of being caught / being involved in an MVA as being too low to contemplate a change in your behaviour?

 

Gotcha. 

 

BTW - not at all the same as not putting on sunscreen. That's a fabulously poor false equivalency. You only endanger yourself, in that scenario, vs multiple people in the texting / drinking / tindering and driving scenario. One is also against the law, vs the other being a personal choice. 

[Shebeen]

I text and drive occasionally. I hate it when I do. Only when I catch myself driving like a knob do I put the phone down. The society we've created has made this instant communication and 'reachability' a prerequisite though.  I hate that I am being unwittingly moulded to feel pressure to comply to these social norms.

Guy gives an honest answer, and admits his own failings.

 

Apparently Mother Theresa, the Pope and Roger Federer's librarian are now double posting on the hub lecturing him. High horses and all that, I hope they all have no mp3s on their phones, all have paid up tv licences, are square with SARS etc etc.

 

I'm too scared to admit what I do on my bluetooth connected phone whilst driving incase I'm lumped in with Sibusizo Zuma, Josiah Rabotapi and that Steinhoff guy for being a menace to society (for the record Zuma done nothing wrong).

[Skubarra]

 

 

Apparently Mother Theresa, the Pope and Roger Federer's librarian are now double posting on the hub lecturing him. High horses and all that, I hope they all have no mp3s on their phones, all have paid up tv licences, are square with SARS etc etc.

 

 

Like. Like. Like.

 

People bashing posters like CBlake is really missing the point of this thread.

 

If you are confused read the title..