02-10-2018, 12:35 PM
This can be a complex issue. Studies show people having phone conversations, even hands free, result in longer reaction times. Of course, you can say the same about someone having an animated conversation with a passenger as well.
I think the most pressing issue these days are distractions in which the driver/rider is taking his/her eyes off the road to focus on something else. This is the equivalent of driving down the road with your eyes closed. The most obvious distracted drivers I see on the road have their heads down, focused on something other than what is in front of their vehicle. I feel these are by far the most dangerous people on the road.
I often do things that do not require me to take my eyes off the road while driving. Changing a radio station, having a sip of coffee, etc... What I find that I can't do well is anything that requires much attention. I once tried to have a mobile (hands free) phone conversation with my boss about a technical issue at work, but found myself unable to divert enough attention from the road to intelligently answer any of his questions. I ultimately had to pull over.
BTW, I also occasionally use a lanyard cam. Only in light to no traffic, as having one hand off the bars essentially rules out hard braking. I also do it all by feel. I never look at the camera. Just point it it the right general direction and snap off several shots in the hope that one might turn out.
There are many levels of distraction, but I think anything that requires someone to take their eyes off the road is by far the worst (and should be legislated as such).
I think the most pressing issue these days are distractions in which the driver/rider is taking his/her eyes off the road to focus on something else. This is the equivalent of driving down the road with your eyes closed. The most obvious distracted drivers I see on the road have their heads down, focused on something other than what is in front of their vehicle. I feel these are by far the most dangerous people on the road.
I often do things that do not require me to take my eyes off the road while driving. Changing a radio station, having a sip of coffee, etc... What I find that I can't do well is anything that requires much attention. I once tried to have a mobile (hands free) phone conversation with my boss about a technical issue at work, but found myself unable to divert enough attention from the road to intelligently answer any of his questions. I ultimately had to pull over.
BTW, I also occasionally use a lanyard cam. Only in light to no traffic, as having one hand off the bars essentially rules out hard braking. I also do it all by feel. I never look at the camera. Just point it it the right general direction and snap off several shots in the hope that one might turn out.
There are many levels of distraction, but I think anything that requires someone to take their eyes off the road is by far the worst (and should be legislated as such).