CarsoBlog.com

In most countries talking on a mobile while driving is forbidden by the authorities. Some of them even try to establish penalties heavier than regular tickets (ex. jail) for doing it.

The authorities try to protect us at all costs, forbidding to do the every day stuff – and “mobile” is just one of the examples. This particular ban is one of my (and their) favourites. You’re not allowed to use it on a plane, in the post office, library or at the gas station and in the car. I can understand the post office and library – there is a need of silence there. But for example there is no proof that the electro-magnetic waves influence other machines around.

And is this really so dangerous when in traffic? Picture Yourself driving on a highway and talking on the phone (held in hand). Does it feel as creating danger to the people and cars around? Or is talking something natural, that don’t necessary takes much of Your focus away from the road?

Of course I’m not talking about freaks that go 100 mpg in heavy traffic and still talk – it’s not talking that’s dangerous then.

The authorities say…
… that You are not allowed to talk through Your mobile (held in hand), because:

1. You don’t concentrate on driving – You are focused on talking.
2. You should be driving with two hands on the wheel.

And that is a nice and round… rubbish.

Regarding concentration: At the same time it’s not forbidden to talk via hand’s free bluetooth speakerphone car set. So this is about “talking” in the car – not only via mobile. Therefore You shouldn’t talk with Your passenger either, maybe don’t even listen to the radio, You need to be focused 100% on the road! Maybe Your speedometer and RPM distracts You too!

I think that concentration isn’t a problem here. I think that someone just made money on selling car speakerphone sets

Regarding point 2: It’s dangerous to hold a mobile in hand while driving. But how often do You really keep both hands on the wheel? 30% of the time? Most cars are automatic now – so one hand (and leg) is useless any way. When driving manual, You sometimes need to change gear – this is a little problem when You hold “something” in one hand.

I used the word “something” on purpose… because at the same time, You are allowed to eat ice cream, a hamburger, fries and coke when driving. Girls like to fix their make up… Being consequent, we should have these activities banned as well. Imagine spilling hot coffee or melting ice cream on Your new trousers…

Talking on the phone, among other distractions

I know that some very smart and important research was done, that show the danger of using a phone when driving, but they were never compared to other real life distractions (only to some reaction times, vs alcohol etc). And I think that they put too much attention to this one topic.

1. Talking about concentration and focusing on the road: What about when You need to … pee? We all experienced that feeling. Sometimes it gets You in the car. Here’s how the priorities change in the driver mind when pressed by the feeling: You completely ignore the traffic lights, signs, photo radars, other cars, people around – You are in the “Toilet search” mode and nothing can get in Your way. You will sacrifice Your car paint, bumpers and reputation just to get to the nearest McDonald or gas station. You will leave the car anywhere You can, and run for it. For this short moment – You are experiencing something comparable to road rage that I would put (in the scale from 1 – 10) at 11. Pretty distracting?

Tip for the authorities: ban drinking sodas and water less then an hour before driving. You just need to figure out a way to execute this ban by the police. And/or require mobile toilets to be mandatory in Your trunk?

2. Have children? Until they’re 3 years old – they just seat in their small seats, looking at the world. Sometimes they cry, so mummy needs to take car of them. They hardly move around. When they grow up, they become “full of life”. And talking about “distractions” when driving – can You imagine something worse than a brothers fight in the back seat? How often will You see a flying toy ricochet aimed to Your head or a front window? It’s not only the turmoil in the back, but a physical abuse of the driver… who should be calm and focused and have both hands on the wheel and don’t talk (or listen)

Tip for the authorities: force drivers to tie the children to the seat, the way they won’t be able to move or throw any thing. Another good way to make money on producing and selling special – children proof seats. Think about it.

3. A pet ? Dog? No dog like’s to hear loud noises… for example Harley passing by. It will either go crazy or get scared. Both the same dangerous. I saw a dog once, and it wasn’t a Chiwawa, but something shaped like a German shepherd, which heard a muffler shot from some bike passing by the car. Not only it wanted to get the biker through closed window, but the dog followed the bike from the back seat to the front of the car, barking and eventually sitting on the passenger. At the same time weaving it’s tail at the drivers face.

Tip for the authorities: force drivers to tie the dogs to the special seats (together with kids?)…

4. What about 110 year old behind the wheel? Aren’t they dangerous for the surrounding people and cars? It’s not that I discriminate them. I just think that for the same reason why You are not allowed to drive until You’re 17-18 (depending on the country), You should be somehow examined regularly when You turn over 65. I don’t know about any regulations in EU or US, that would check older drivers capabilities: reflexes, motoring skills and eyes – to make sure they are not dangerous on the road. I know that I would agree to that for my own safety.

Of course that they are allowed to be a part of traffic as everyone… but some people age well, some don’t. It’s just that there is a limit at a point, when You just shouldn’t drive, because You don’t see or are not able to turn Your head enough etc.

Tip for the authorities: Maybe instead taking care about banning mobiles everywhere, You should focus on this topic?

In the name of all drivers: Just give us a break with stupid regulations and focus on serious topics!

PS. I use a Bluetooth phone set in a car – as it’s more comfortable to drive manual this way and I don’t like getting tickets

You may also like:

1. 9 things that piss me off when driving to work
2. Ecodriving – the right and easy way to be “greener”