http://community.cartalk.com/categories/distracted-driving/feed.rss Wed, 16 May 2012 12:44:03 +0000 Distracted Driving - Car Talk en-CA http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2282344/shifted-my-honda-accord-into-park-on-the-highway Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:13:52 +0000 effj 2282344@/discussions
I came to the Cartalk forums to post this ridiculous story, not realizing there was a perfect category in which to list it.

Distracted, I did something really stupid this week on the way to work: I shifted into park while driving 60+ mph. I have a 1995 Honda Accord V6 with automatic transmission. From when I shifted into park, I heard constant clicking, until I pulled over and stopped. The shift lock system didn't give me any other choice but to pull over, because it allowed me to shift into Park, but it did not allow me to shift back out of Park. So much for safety, as it appears that I beat the system! Once safely parked on the side of the road, I shifted back into Drive, and finished my commute.

This post is not so much as question, because I already found the answers I needed on a different forum website. I thought I'd share this story with you guys, because it's not a scenario I've ever heard of happening before now.

Peace,
effj]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2283948/best-way-to-have-a-wreck Sat, 03 Mar 2012 21:33:01 +0000 terry37128 2283948@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2135828/do-you-use-your-phone-while-you-drive Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:16:28 +0000 Tom and Ray 2135828@/discussions
Let us know what you think! And thanks.

Tom and Ray Magliozzi
Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2283367/texting Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:11:40 +0000 4loch28 2283367@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2152612/how-do-you-ask-carpool-drivers-of-your-kids-not-to-talk-on-the-phone-while-driving Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:12:05 +0000 alisonthesp 2152612@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2283999/a-road-rage-crash-in-nh Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:04:52 +0000 the same mountainbike 2283999@/discussions
Please, I urge you, don't let others drag you into road games. It isn't worth it. ]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2283832/making-better-drivers Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:07:21 +0000 holtwebb 2283832@/discussions
Whatever happened to paying attention when you're behind the wheel? We all know it's the only real answer, yet we keep allowing people to get away with being distracted. It's like we're afraid to say what the real problem is. The real problem is that it's become acceptable to be a passive participant instead of an active one. (This is a symptom of our society in general, but I'll stay on topic here and limit the post to driving.)

I'm not a big fan of loading up cars with so many safety features that it takes the driver's responsibility out of the equation. The only way I see that working is if (and when) we eventually get to the stage of automatically controlled vehicles -- vehicles where there is no driver, only passengers. But, until we reach that level of technology, the only solution seems to be driver responsibility. Like most Americans, I took my driver's test at age 16 (though, unlike most Americans, I passed on the first try), and I've always thought that the privilege to drive was not taken seriously by anyone -- drivers or DMV. It's far too easy to get a drivers license and far too dangerous to put any average idiot behind the wheel. Driving is a "privilege" and not a "right", as many people believe. Our licenses can be taken away if we abuse them. So how is distracted driving and putting other drivers in danger not considered abuse? How is it acceptable that we are "allowed" to pilot a 2000lb vehicle simply because we memorized some rules and can maneuver around cones in an empty lot? Forklift drivers and backhoe operators have stricter training than we do for driving a car -- and they aren't even operating around other moving vehicles. If we make the driver training more involved and more accurate to actual driving conditions (ie taking driving tests in simulators), the drivers on the road -- the ones who actually have the ability and sense to operate a vehicle properly and thus pass the test -- will be much more competent and safe. And this test should be repeated every 10 years or so, to make sure we are still capable of operating a moving vehicle (this is especially important for the elderly). Getting a lifetime license because we passed a simple test at age 16 is irresponsible (and if anyone thinks the DMV driver test is hard, they shouldn't be behind the wheel). My best friend when I was 17 failed the test twice, and passed on his third try. In the five years following, he wrecked three cars on his own! (one of them a mint condition '73 Mustang convertible). He's a terrible driver (as should have been noted by the DMV when he failed the test twice). My dad began showing me the bits and pieces of driving at a young age, so that when I was old enough, I'd already become familiar with most aspects of driving. That included not only maneuvering the car, but being safe, aware and knowing when to be assertive and when to chill out. Driving in the real world takes a lot more attention and skill than just being able to maneuver a solo car in an empty parking lot. Train our drivers better and make the tests more like what we would encounter in the real world and we'll have better drivers. Millions of people will be upset because they have to "earn" their license, but millions more will be alive. There are many other benefits to having safer drivers, but I'll save that for another time. ;) ]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2282802/how-do-i-avoid-getting-rearended Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:18:30 +0000 muminutah 2282802@/discussions My question is: should I get a huge panel of lights on the back of my new car, or a large bank of reflector lights, or should I get a neon sign that says:"Back Off" ?]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2278228/is-this-the-stupidest-thing-yet Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:35:43 +0000 RayG 2278228@/discussions
http://shop.crackberry.com/igrip-windshield-tablet-kit/3A78A8593.htm]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2283142/the-state-of-nevada-has-really-cracked-down-on-drivers-talking-and-texting-on-cellphones Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:15:43 +0000 katidid79 2283142@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2280295/spilled-soda-responsible-for-injuries-damaged-homes Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:41:25 +0000 DfromSD 2280295@/discussions
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110914/ARGUS911/110914028/Spilled-soda-led-car-crashing-into-two-homes?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2278549/ford-first-to-support-bill-banning-handheld-phones-while-driving Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:39:45 +0000 bscar 2278549@/discussions
Ford has already made hands-free calling technology widely available across its model range. In addition to SYNC – found in just about every new Ford product – the automaker has rolled out its MyFord Touch infotainment system, and the Blue Oval boys are already working on major upgrades to improve general ease of use.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the other major American automakers – General Motors and Chrysler – have yet to comment about the proposed cell phone ban. However, both automakers have supported previous efforts to reduce hand-held phone use while driving.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press | Images: Copyright 2011 Chris Shunk / AOL]
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/12/ford-first-to-support-bill-banning-handheld-phones-while-driving/]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2148046/manhole-covers-and-swerving Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:13:50 +0000 Ravyn624 2148046@/discussions
1. Driving over the manhole cover and possibly dip down into the road while doing so?

2. Jerk the steering wheel so far one way or the other that you avoid the manhole?

Just wondering.]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2280433/my-distracted-driving-story Tue, 20 Sep 2011 01:29:40 +0000 AlanDrewskee 2280433@/discussions
Last year, in the winter, there was a big concert going on with big names in the metal and punk scenes; and it took place on the night of last year's intense blizzard. Like the doofus kid I am, I put my own safety in the back seat and drove to the event.

On the way back, things were HORRID. I was driving through back-roads that were unpaved; my wheels constantly treading through 4 inches of snowy slipperiness.

I was driving slowly enough, right? I was doing about 30mph in a 40; thank god there were no tailgating idiots behind me. As the snow pummeled my windshield, my brights the only thing lighting the way, I figured that I would be fine; that is, until I hit THE BIG CURVE.

I was doing 30 mph down a snow-covered back road that I did not know, and out of nowhere, I hit a sharp, SHARP curve; my car slid into it as I freaked out, yanking my steering wheel all the way to the right. My front and back right wheels GOT ONTO THE CURB as I made this massive turn, and I was fortunate enough to get those two wheels back onto the road where they belonged.

I took a breather, until I realized; ..."I'M HEADED DIRECTLY FOR A HOUSE!!"

I freaked out once more and turned the wheel all the way to the left; the car responded accordingly, and I was headed directly towards another house. About 3 drastic, all-the-way-turns of the wheel later, I finally managed to pull to a halt in the middle of the road, the only remains of the incident being the obnoxious snow-tracks behind me. I thank my lucky stars I didn't destroy my car, or even worse, someone's house! Goddamn!

The moral of the story, even if George Carlin came back from the dead and performed in your area on a day of a big blizzard, DO NOT GO, heh!]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2241399/allthe-new-visual-distractions-on-the-center-of-the-dash Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:56:40 +0000 mcphix 2241399@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2222793/why-wont-people-pay-attention-while-driving Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:15:29 +0000 Bladecutter 2222793@/discussions


Earlier this week, here in Colorado, we got about half a foot of snow in the Denver area. Not too much, but it always brings out the stupid in drivers.



On the road I drive home, Highway 93, it runs North/South, and is right next to the Foothills of the Rockies. There is a huge amount of open plains on both sides of the highway, so when the wind picks up, the snow gets blown back onto the highway, and tends to freeze in all sorts of various area.



So, here I am, driving along, behind a pack of vehicles, and I realize that the road conditions are less than stellar, so I open up more space with the cars in front of me, because, sooner or later, someone is going to slam on their brakes for no real reason, whatsoever.



And not more than 10 seconds after I open up the space in front of me, does a panel truck 6 vehicles ahead, have its brake lights light up. Almost instantly, a silver Jeep Liberty shoots right, onto the shoulder of the road, and plunges into the snow drift into the ditch, and comes to a stop, listing to the right.



Now, there were no turns, or driveways for the truck to want to turn into on this section of road, and it is straight as an arrow. There wasn't any traffic in front of the truck, so no real reason for it to slam on its brakes, but it did anyway.



But the real question is why couldn't the lady in the Jeep have been paying more attention to the driving at hand instead of whatever it was she was doing when she decided to plunge into the snowy abyss instead of applying the brakes, and leaving enough space in front of her to safely slow down?



No one else on the road in front of me reacted the way she did, and all of us were able to safely pass her by as she sat on the side of the road, cellphone next to her ear, as her wheels pointlessly churned away, while she pointlessly attempted to unstick herself from the ditch.



And is it wrong for me to have no sympathy for her situation?



BC.]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2162614/is-an-in-car-navigation-system-a-distraction Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:01:21 +0000 trigg_b 2162614@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2155473/final-solution-cell-phone-jammers Sun, 17 Oct 2010 19:00:40 +0000 Metalhead999 2155473@/discussions
Browsing the web led me to a simplistic and inexpensive solution... Cell Phone Jammers!

I purchased myself a cellphone jammer, played with it a bit to maximize the effective range, installed it in my vehicle, and suddenly I don't see so many people fiddling with their phones anymore.

For about $30 I have an effective range of up to 100 feet of jamming.

It's not an eloquent solution by any means, but it certainly gets the job done!]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2152185/distracted-driving-will-not-change Sun, 26 Sep 2010 19:03:00 +0000 stinky'81-911 2152185@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2276775/gosmart-automotive-smartphone-accessory-is-ironically-named Sat, 07 May 2011 22:15:10 +0000 bscar 2276775@/discussions http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/06/gosmart-automotive-smartphone-accessory-is-ironically-named/

In a world chock-full of bad ideas, the makers of the GoSmart Clip have found a way to stand out. The device is actually quite simple in form. It's a plastic phone holder that clips onto many smartphones, and utilizes an elastic strap to adhere itself to the steering wheel. The device retails for $29.95, and it comes in both red and black.

A $30 price tag isn't too horrible for any chunk of useful plastic, but this testament to distracted driving takes "smart" to an entirely different level. The device is obviously for those who like to play on their phone when they're going 75 miles-per-hour, though the device's FAQ page tells owners not to text and drive and recommends using Bluetooth when you're on a call. That was responsible of them. And if you're wondering if the device blocks the gauge cluster, we're guessing the answer is almost always yes. But don't worry, the FAQ says that if the gauges are blocked, simply move the device too 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock on the steering wheel. Problem solved, right?

With over 5,000 deaths per year attributed to distracted driving, the GoSmart seems like one of the worst accessories ever. Luckily, the company made a video to prove how sturdy the device is, and you can check it out by hitting the jump.

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