My wife and I were driving today and of course saw a young girl that could barely drive due to fiddling with her cell phone, and we started talking about how since cell phones got so popular, you hardly ever see a woman putting on make up or plucking her eyebrows, painting her finger nails, or even yelling at the kids in the back seat while driving anymore, or men shaving, or someone reading a book or magazine, or someone eating. Now it seems to be cell phones, cigarettes and Starbucks coffee, usually all at the same time, that are the main distractions.
Not any better, just different.
Soon, if not already, ... it will be yelling at Android Auto or Apple CarPlay for not listening, or failing to find what the driver wanted. At this point things will be pressed on the steering wheel, or on the dashboard, and of course, on the phone.
The kids in the back won't care because they are glazed-over and high on their pad-screens-whatever.
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Riding a m/c does provide a vantage point of looking into many more vehicles and unfortunately most of the time, your observation is told.
I am quite relieved when I see a driver with two hands on the steering wheel. It is like the good ol' days. Sad story to say that, really.
My wife got quite upset with me the other day in the car when I was screaming at Siri to play Rachmaninov and it didn’t understand me. I try to be nice to people but it’s nice to be able to verbally abuse your phone mercilessly. Maybe that’s why Apple Maps sucks so bad.. it’s trying to get me lost. At least Waze lets you select the Cookie Monster voice. Who could get upset with Cookie Monster?
One other distraction that is on the rise is based not only on what you can see people doing in cars but what you can smell. Half the people on my commute home are toking up on the freeway. By the time I get home lately I’m quite hungry.
(09-01-2019, 12:30 AM)Gone in 60_imp Wrote: [ -> ]My wife got quite upset with me the other day in the car when I was screaming at Siri to play Rachmaninov and it didn’t understand me. I try to be nice to people but it’s nice to be able to verbally abuse your phone mercilessly. Maybe that’s why Apple Maps sucks so bad.. it’s trying to get me lost. At least Waze lets you select the Cookie Monster voice. Who could get upset with Cookie Monster?
One other distraction that is on the rise is based not only on what you can see people doing in cars but what you can smell. Half the people on my commute home are toking up on the freeway. By the time I get home lately I’m quite hungry.
I got caught in a heavy traffic jam a few weeks back and moved about 200 meters in 40 minutes...in a least two cars--one in front, one to the side--people were lighting up and the smell was "distinctive".
(09-01-2019, 01:16 AM)pdedse_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (09-01-2019, 12:30 AM)Gone in 60_imp Wrote: [ -> ]My wife got quite upset with me the other day in the car when I was screaming at Siri to play Rachmaninov and it didn’t understand me. I try to be nice to people but it’s nice to be able to verbally abuse your phone mercilessly. Maybe that’s why Apple Maps sucks so bad.. it’s trying to get me lost. At least Waze lets you select the Cookie Monster voice. Who could get upset with Cookie Monster?
One other distraction that is on the rise is based not only on what you can see people doing in cars but what you can smell. Half the people on my commute home are toking up on the freeway. By the time I get home lately I’m quite hungry.
I got caught in a heavy traffic jam a few weeks back and moved about 200 meters in 40 minutes...in a least two cars--one in front, one to the side--people were lighting up and the smell was "distinctive".
I got caught in a heavy traffic jam a few weeks back and moved about 200 meters in 40 minutes...in a least two cars--one in front, one to the side--people were lighting up and the smell was "distinctive". This "freedom" will only create more danger on the roads.
The problem is distraction of any kind, isn't it? Trying to program a map or checking an old-fashioned street directory. Drinking coffee or water or eating breakfast. Putting on makeup, trying to get a CD out of its case and into the slot. Fiddling with the radio or the AC. They're all distractions at a time when you need all your focus on what's happening around you. Phones are just another one, albeit more significant because they seem to press some primeval button in us to respond to them immediately.
So it's not at all surprising that this sort of thing happens:
See [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=14715]here for the whole story.
Different distractions, same problem: people are bored with driving and want something else to do besides pay attention to their surroundings.
My wife and I took a weekend getaway in the roadster. On the way home today, we saw a grizzled old guy drive past us in a small economy car, a bright blue can tipped up to his lips. I said to Mrs. Stichill, "That dude's drinking Bud Light at 10:30 in the morning." She said, "Really? Are you sure it wasn't an energy drink?" Just then, he turned right onto a divided highway. He cut the corner short and slammed in and out of a corner pothole created by semi trailers.
Mrs. Stichill: "OK, I guess it was Bud Light."
I'm noticing a change to your signature line.
(09-01-2019, 11:21 AM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I'm noticing a change to your signature line.
Anticipatory at this point...
(09-01-2019, 11:01 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Different distractions, same problem: people are bored with driving and want something else to do besides pay attention to their surroundings.
My wife and I took a weekend getaway in the roadster. On the way home today, we saw a grizzled old guy drive past us in a small economy car, a bright blue can tipped up to his lips. I said to Mrs. Stichill, "That dude's drinking Bud Light at 10:30 in the morning." She said, "Really? Are you sure it wasn't an energy drink?" Just then, he turned right onto a divided highway. He cut the corner short and slammed in and out of a corner pothole created by semi trailers.
Mrs. Stichill: "OK, I guess it was Bud Light."
I don't know about KY, but in GA it was common to see drivers (e.g. in pick-up trucks) tossing back a few tall boys. They'd crack one open while turning the ignition key. Really in your face moments.
I later learned from locals (I was not from 'round there) that it was okay to drink and drive so long you were not drunk. However, if caught, the punishment was severe by GA state law.
Not sure what else to say. "Riders beware while cruising GA"?