Distracted Drivers: Part Two

WTHR-TV reporter Cat Andersen looks at the dangers of distracted driving.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Distracted
• driving
• cell
• phone
• danger
• texting
• WTHR
• Indianapolis

[keebstracy]

My husband was recently injured when he was rear ended by a driver who had been looking down at his ipod and did not see him stopped in the road. I wish there were more laws against this kind thing!

[RaW142857]

Nascar, IndyCar, and F1 drivers talk to their crews while driving bumper-bumper at 200 mph. What's the diff?

1 They use hands-free.

2 They never dial while driving.

3 Both hands always on the wheel.

4 Their priorities are straight.

5 They're situationally aware.

Follow their example. Driving is deadly serious, not an empty time to fill with diversions. Cellphones aren't the problem, idiots who are distracted by them are.

[RaW142857]

@Chris05161967 True, unlike the race driver the person on the other end of the call is not focused on your driving. Now think: Is the morning DJ focused on your driving? Is Rush Limbaugh? Why not outlaw radios? Or CD players? It still comes back to the driver being situationally aware, serious about driving, and having his priorities straight. I can't tell you how many times I've been on hands-free and said "could you repeat the last 20 seconds, I was focused on traffic and didn't hear you."

[Chris05161967]

@RaW142857 There is a big difference between a race car driver talking to a pit crew on the radio and, talking to someone on a cell phone. A race car driver along with the pit crew are BOTH constantly focused on the race. On a cell phone, the person on the other end of the phone won't be focused on the person's driving. They will be focused on why they called.

[ThinkStage]

Everyone knows the dangers of texting and driving, so here is a video of what I am trying to do to prevent myself from texting and driving

youtube.com/watch?v=2gfxxVzRw1­I&feature=youtu.be

[dewerk]

@mshatswell Actually CAVC 21703. "The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway." 3 seconds is the *recommended* distance. Attention and scanning ahead and around are the main problems that people don't do. One gets very defensive in driving when riding a motorcycle, unless you're one of those young speed demons.

[mshatswell]

@dewerk Staying 3 seconds behind is the law, and no excuses hold water in court. The DMV Handbook tells you to drive in such a way that you always have an escape, in case you are faced with someone swerving into your lane. I agree that accidents happen, and that some people are too lame to own phones, let alone drive with them on their ear, but I cannot rationalize punishing everyone for the actions of a few.

[dewerk]

@mshatswell Yes, we are required to be 3 seconds behind. However, if you do that people will come into you2 lane in front of you and will be within 1 to 2 seconds of you. Also if the swerve into your lane due to an obstacle or accident in their lane, you may not have the 3 seconds either. As for 40 in a 25? That happens all the time. My street is a main entry into our section and is marked 25, but people still drive 40.

[jackshilack]

Tell the world you've had enough of distracted drivers on our facebook page... "itsUrcall"

[sonnyman2000]

in norway ur fined 300 USD for using phone while driving

[yourboycal]

@RaW142857 You just answered your own question captain obvious 1) Hands free. Vs Non hands free . Thats the differnce. 

[Ibedieb]

Go ahead, drive and text. I see it all the time. Sorry thing is most people don't have the common sense to drive a car safely.

Hit me while you're on the phone...I'll own everything yoou ever have.