Talkback: Texting while driving doubles reaction time

pyndman

10/10/2011 at 23:21

Have they done a test on driving with a small brain and what that does?

Andrew S 21

11/10/2011 at 09:50

So they used a flashing bright yellow light... Hm.. that doesn't sound like what you'd typically get as a warning to an accident. You'd usually have to not only be paying attention but actually deduce that an accident is about to happen (you know, use your brain)...

So it's more likely they don't even react to whatever they see because their brain is engaged in misspelling "LOL"..

Maverick Renegade

11/10/2011 at 13:13

So they're saying they need to make the motorbike test harder??

:D

iancp5

11/10/2011 at 14:17

I'm sure it does reduce reaction time but it's a silly test. They'd be better having a car approach suddenly from a side turning. I doubt our subconscious is programmed to react to a yellow light.

RoyalBoy

11/10/2011 at 14:49

Fair point Ian, however it still serves to demonstrate the effect of doing something totally distracting whilst driving. I assume the subjects were told to look out for the flashing yellow light before taking part in the test. In my view the authorities should be every bit as harsh with drivers who text whilst driving as with drink driving as it not seen by many drivers as serious.

Maverick Renegade

11/10/2011 at 16:03

I helped out an old guy hit by a car the other day. He has a walking stick and can't walk very fast at all. He was hit in the middle of the road and the dent in the car was right in the middle of the bonnet and the accident was by a quiet junction in a 30mph zone. Idiot woman was on the phone. Guy turned out to be a neighbour, I couldn't tell at the time because he landed on all fours and was bleeding heavily from the face and I didn't want him moved until the ambulance arrived. He's got a shattered pelvis and nasty stitches in his face and almost died from an infection he caught in the hospital.. Luckily, he seems to be recovering now.

I think they should just shoot people who use phones while driving..

Nooj

11/10/2011 at 19:32

"I think they should just shoot people who use phones while driving.."

That's just stupid and the kind of response that get all us bikers a bad name. A well-hefted cricket bat to the face would be sufficient punishment :-)

Pagik

11/10/2011 at 19:46

It's taken a study by a University to work this out? Are you kidding me???

Christ almighty.

Rob Clarke

13/10/2011 at 09:05

Now to be realistic, they also have to get you to make an emergency stop with a phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

This style of driving is very popular at the moment.

R30Paul

13/10/2011 at 10:44

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/EndorsementsAndDisqualifications/DG_10022425
Using a mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle (CU80) comes under the Constuction and Use Offences... with a limit of 3 Points.

These offences really need to be acted upon and the Laws applied...

duck51

18/07/2012 at 10:22

It takes any element of chance away from the situation ie. "it was an accident" because it's a deliberate, intentional act to use a mobile phone while driving and one which no thinking person would reasonably make.(and we are told the law is based on what is reasonable)
The penalties should be very harsh.
Two things which would go against this are:
Stupid liberal minded judiciary with its lenient sentencing.
Lack of any real police presence on our roads.
Sorry to say.

soco

08/02/2013 at 16:58

3 points and £60 fine is not enough of a punishment judging by the number of drivers I see using a phone while driving.
Maybe if the Police had the power to seize and destroy the phone it may have a better effect.
Most people store all their contacts and photos on their phone.
Just think of the inconvenience having to buy a new phone and start from scratch.

lobofuego

10/02/2013 at 12:16

This must be an old report ,cos they are on the net with wifi in their cabs now,things being microwaved into their diminutive brains, as their lives are so cool they can talk to the world, and are all connected to kevin bacon, Its great really!!

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