Driving/Riding and Distractions...

[Fozzer]

The use of Mobile/Cell Phones when driving....

...and the consequences

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09 ... -governme/

http://kron4.com/2016/08/03/nearly-70-o ... e-driving/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/3 ... h-suggests

http://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Ep ... 200530.php

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/NTSB ... 400534.php

..but then we have something like this on the new Harley Davidson and Indian, etc, Cruiser Motorcycles...

Programmable, push-button, touch-screens, capable of inputting and displaying a variety of information for use whilst riding.

Pic 1


Pic 2


Pic 3


Surely this can be just as dangerous a distraction as motor-car, etc, drivers using similar devices when on the move?

As a long-term Motorcyclist, it worries me somewhat!

Eyes need to be focussed on the road ahead.

What do you reckon?

Paul.... ....!

[pete]

Absolutely a distraction while riding. I was with an old friend today and we were talking about the dangers and deaths caused by use of phones in cars and we also both mentioned the current - built in technology in modern day cars. With sat nav. Lot's of screen based entertainment. - Just as bad!

But I am pleased to hear at least that we are now beginning to view the use of phones in cars as we view drinking and driving. It causes death. I would like to see manslaughter charges for death caused when using a phone in a car and at least a 6 month ban when caught using your phone at the wheel.

[OldAirmail]

Look, if they'd let us play paintball tag as we cut in and out of traffic we wouldn't be tempted into phone distractions.

It's all the governments fault!

[FlexibleFlier]

But I am pleased to hear at least that we are now beginning to view the use of phones in cars as we view drinking and driving. It causes death. I would like to see manslaughter charges for death caused when using a phone in a car and at least a 6 month ban when caught using your phone at the wheel.

Pete, I don't know in what country you live but very sadly in the US drunk driving has become a national pastime with few, if any, consequences. For example, while I was living in Wyoming a number of years ago we had a local with 10 - that's right, 10! - DUI's who was still driving. Insane! Worse yet, a local killed another local while driving drunk and was back on the road almost immediately. We have raised the privilege of driving to a "right" that apparently the judicial system is unwilling to challenge. Having become addicted to our cars we will accept any excuse ((the most common : I need my car to get to work) to keep using them. Here in North Carolina it is against the law to drive while talking on anything but a remote device but I have never seen or heard of anyone ticketed for using their hand-held cell.

The world - at least as I know it - has fast become a universe of no consequences. Very sad, indeed. I'm glad I'm 75 years old and don't have much longer to see the awful results of our failure to be responsible human beings.

[H]

We have raised the privilege of driving to a "right" that apparently the judicial system is unwilling to challenge. Having become addicted to our cars we will accept any excuse (the most common : I need my car to get to work) to keep using them.

Can't speak for where you're at but hiring techniques have added to that excuse. Many places in NH won't hire you unless you have your own transportation -- "No car, don't apply!" -- and require your driver's license info when you apply. Although age filtering is against the discrimination law, it has to be proven in court; however, one's age is on the driver's license, which you need to, supposedly, prove you have a car that you can legally drive.

[SG-19]

Rev counter, Speedo, Engine warning lights, and maybe just maybe a fuel gauge what more do yo really need.

[Fozzer]

Rev counter, Speedo, Engine warning lights, and maybe just maybe a fuel gauge what more do yo really need.

The simple cockpit on my Honda Rebel Cruiser...>>>



Speedometer straight in front of my forward vision.
Indicator lights:
High Beam.
Turn signal
Neutral Gear.

...and that's your lot!

All I need to know!

No further distractions.... ...!

All my time spent observing everything around me.

Paul.... ....!

[Sinkrate]

Reminds me of cars in the 1970s and all those Smiths instrument kits that you could get. I had about half a dozen of them in my mini van and even built a new dash to house them in. All my mates thought it looked great. We were a bunch of A-holes in those days mind you!

How long before we get HUD’s in our visors?

[Fozzer]

Surely these new touch-screen displays on the latest Cruiser motorcycles; Indian and Harley Davidson, etc, cannot be legal!.... .... >>>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKdou6Iq9LE

They perform the similar function as Mobile/Cell Phones, which are illegal to use when driving a motor vehicle!

I have been watching You-Tube videos of riders manipulating the touch-screens and associated buttons whilst on the move, and apparently unaware of what is going on in front, and all around them!

What would be their defence on the occasion of an accident?

I worry about the use of these new devices on motorcycles.

Useful when stationary....

.....but NOT on the move!

What do you think?

Paul...looking where I'm going.... ...!

[pegger]

I will assume most laws that are in place regarding this issue are similar to the laws in my jurisdiction.

The law here is kind of absurd. In basic terms our law uses the following qualification for devices:

"it is securely anchored to an interior
surface of a vehicle, or held in a holder that
is securely anchored to an interior surface of
a vehicle, in a manner that does not interfere
with the vehicle's safe operation,"

So securing the device to the dash makes it safe to use???

There is one other paragraph that says that you may touch the device once, to initiate or end a call. All other functions must be activated by voice command.

This rule is bent constantly, with people mounting their phones right in their windscreens for easy access (instead of driving). Or with new vehicles, people pair their devices to the fancy onboard computer system and access everything from the screen in the centre console or through one of the 25 buttons on the steering wheel...

Still not good enough in my opinion. Whether you are changing the radio channel, fiddling with the environment controls, yelling at the kids in the back seat, or using your phone, you are distracted from the task of responsibly controlling your 1 ton hunk of metal from killing other people in the confined road spaces. Not sure when people started forgetting that cars are heavy and they do alot of damage when they hit other objects.

[Shadowcaster]

Just yesterday I saw a Police Car coming towards me with a driver and passenger both of whom were using mobile phones. In the past, like many, I have used a mobile while driving but as soon as they changed the law I stopped.

Cheers
Rich

[Fozzer]

Its always a scary thought, when I am riding my motorcycle, that the driver/rider of the vehicle approaching me, at a combined closing speed of up to 120+ MPH, is not observing me, and is instead concentrating on something else inside the vehicle!

...and the same thing at road junctions and cross roads, etc.

My life can be ended in a split second by an inattentive driver/rider.

Paul.