Distracted drivers are dangerous

[flappist]

Well I am truly amazed. Finally a road safety campaign that is not "stealth tax" orientated.

Videos showing average ordinary people doing things that they probably did not realise was actually dangerous.

No attempt to marginalise any particular group so "it is them not us".

No attempt to justify another increase in tax cameras.

Just a simple message, it does not matter who you are, being distracted while driving is dangerous.

We need more of this type of thing. Good job.

Here for life campaign

[DoreSlamR]

Agreed.

But where do we draw the line?

Obviously talking on your mobile is illegal and considered dangerous, so what about operating the radio?

Is sitting back talking with one hand to your ear more dangerous than leaning forward trying to insert a CD or press buttons?

[flappist]

Originally Posted by DoreSlamR

Agreed.

But where do we draw the line?

Obviously talking on your mobile is illegal and considered dangerous, so what about operating the radio?

Is sitting back talking with one hand to your ear more dangerous than leaning forward trying to insert a CD or press buttons?

Well I believe it is not the "illegal" point they are attempting to get across rather the "be careful it is easy to get into trouble if you are distracted" message.

Many older drivers have already learned that lesson, some the hard way, but others have not and I think it is better to see a near head on prang on TV than through your windscreen.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by DoreSlamR

Agreed.

But where do we draw the line?

Obviously talking on your mobile is illegal and considered dangerous, so what about operating the radio?

Is sitting back talking with one hand to your ear more dangerous than leaning forward trying to insert a CD or press buttons?

They had adds in Vic very simular on all those little distracting things .... changing the CD, Playing with the radio, talking on mobile etc. I thought they were good but now gone back to justifying speed camera's through Speedster Bob!



| [/url] |

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

They had adds in Vic very simular on all those little distracting things ....

I reckon I've seen them before here in SA as well.

[DJR-351]

Great stuff, get them on the tv and keep them there....

And while there at it, a few adds about driving to the prevailing conditions, eg: the bloody idiots still clapping along at 110kmh or more on the Bruce Hwy in the blinding rain we had last week, i was lucky if i could see more than 50m in front of me at times, yet these fools were carrying on as though it was a bright sunshiney day....then again they where probably to distracted to notice....

[Chopped]

This sounds funny but I'm serious >

Perving is hardly ever mentioned as a distraction.

Watch how many guys (me included sometimes ) will perve whilst driving .
Looking at chicks on the side of the road, sitting at bus stops, in cars, on push bikes (esp behind!), Sexy Billboard Ads etc.

I wonder how many have had/caused an accident because of this fact.

[fangq]

Originally Posted by DoreSlamR

Agreed.

But where do we draw the line?

Obviously talking on your mobile is illegal and considered dangerous, so what about operating the radio?

Is sitting back talking with one hand to your ear more dangerous than leaning forward trying to insert a CD or press buttons?

I have in vehicle blue tooth and even with that am very aware just how easy it is to zone out. My calls therefore are either very quick, no pick up or if needs be, pull over and call back. The research re driver phone distraction is well proven..

Steve
is my halo showing ??

[Iggypoppin']

so many times I have changed cds in my 6 stacker. It's only a split second of a distraction but it could mean the difference between life or death. So too my electronic seat controls, cruise control, passengers, food, drink, lighting a cigarette, etc. And I don't even think when I'm doing either thing! Wow. That is a message that has gotten through. Well done Aus Gov. I am listening now

[Trevor 57]

I have been saying for years and years, that driver distraction is the single biggest issue in road safety.

I know some Governments are moving on it, but it is not the Government job, it is our job NOT to be distracted by driving.

Biggest distractors IMO:
* Mobile phones (and NOT holding them to your head, by just simply talking TO them).
* GPS
* Adjusting car radios / MP3's, stereos, etc.
* Passengers
* Eating while driving
* Car controls, crusie, etc.


There is far too much going on outside the car for drivers to be distracted, but MOST drivers don't get it.

[seduced_xr]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

I have been saying for years and years, that driver distraction is the single biggest issue in road safety.

I know some Governments are moving on it, but it is not the Government job, it is our job NOT to be distracted by driving.

Biggest distractors IMO:
* Mobile phones (and NOT holding them to your head, by just simply talking TO them).
* GPS
* Adjusting car radios / MP3's, stereos, etc.
* Passengers
* Eating while driving
* Car controls, crusie, etc.


There is far too much going on outside the car for drivers to be distracted, but MOST drivers don't get it.

hmmm thats not good then... i do all of those things youve listed above :P, although ive noticed touch screen phones are worse then button phones when ur driving.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by seduced_xr

ive noticed touch screen phones are worse then button phones when ur driving.

Well, here is a tip for you, don't touch it

[deesun]

A great initiative, it should be Federal though so the campaign is national. Phones are I believe the most distracting and should be first targeted with further adds highlighting the other main distractions ie GPS etc.

[ltd]

I always find idiots with a great big GPS stuck directly in their line of vision tend to be some of the most thoughtless behind the wheel; often they'll stop, turn or do whatever in a flow of traffic because their GPS's told them to. These people are passively apathetic, and would make perfect assassins. They hear a random voice and they obey. How hard would it be instead of: "Make a U-Turn" to change it to: "Kill such and such".
Let's not forget the mobile phone users. The problem is that some people possess such lackadaisical motor skills (no, not driving a car skill the ability to coordinate their bodies) that once on the phone and concentrating on their conversations they become useless behind the wheel. They slow down, they swerve and then they don't indicate a damned thing. These people deserve to be factory workers. Instead of giving them a fine, give them 12 months in a factory in China. It takes a long time to learn how to be good at something such as driving whilst being distracted, most drivers struggle just to concentrate on one thing at a time; probably nothing we can do as a society about it short of selective breeding. :

[3vXT]

Originally Posted by ltd

These people are passively apathetic, and would make perfect assassins. They hear a random voice and they obey. How hard would it be instead of: "Make a U-Turn" to change it to: "Kill such and such".

I think the Mossad is working with TomTom to come up with something.

[ltd]

Originally Posted by ken2903

I think the Mossad is working with TomTom to come up with something.

Ha ha, that or; "Turn right in 200 metres, followed by a Kill the infidel, kill the infidel in 400 metres". :

[Jason[98.EL]]

This is the type of adds that should be shown in all states of australia right now

Good find flappist

Jason

[LTDHO]

There are a lot going on now than 15 years ago.
Now there are phones and GPS.
In saying that GPS should never be touched onre the journey begins.
Phones should never be used whilst the vehicle is being driven. Hands free or not.

Honestly who can drive whilst talking on a phone and actually concentrate on thr road?
Anyone who answers yes is full of ****.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

There are a lot going on now than 15 years ago.
Now there are phones and GPS.
In saying that GPS should never be touched onre the journey begins.
Phones should never be used whilst the vehicle is being driven. Hands free or not.

Honestly who can drive whilst talking on a phone and actually concentrate on thr road?
Anyone who answers yes is full of ****.

I agree 100% - well said

[flappist]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

Honestly who can drive whilst talking on a phone and actually concentrate on thr road?
Anyone who answers yes is full of ****.

Can you carry on a conversation with a passenger while driving?

Can you listen to talk back radio or music while driving?

Can you look around at the surrounding area for kids, animals or whatever that may possibly go onto the road?

If not then maybe you don't have the skills necessary to control a motor vehicle in the 21st century.

How is talking on a hands free telephone different to talking to a passenger?

And more importantly why is talking on a CB radio that REQUIRES one hand to operate while driving "safe"?

[castellan]

I know a dude who has to look at you when he is talking and driving.
I say watch the f ing road.
But he recons i am rude. because i don't look back at him when i am talking and driving.
I have seen people driving along and turing around talking and looking at some one in the back seat.
And how many times have ya seen a mother argue and try to slap a kid when driving.
People develop these bad habits.
Maybe a road safety campaign may help some.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by flappist

Can you carry on a conversation with a passenger while driving?

Can you listen to talk back radio or music while driving?

Can you look around at the surrounding area for kids, animals or whatever that may possibly go onto the road?

If not then maybe you don't have the skills necessary to control a motor vehicle in the 21st century.

How is talking on a hands free telephone different to talking to a passenger?

And more importantly why is talking on a CB radio that REQUIRES one hand to operate while driving "safe"?

All of those things you have listed have been known to be the cause of accidents.

I understand what you are saying about talking to kids/people in the car versus mobiles, BUT the phone holds greater intensity of concentraction than passengers do, unless the kids are mucking up.

As technology grows so does our interest in it, and it is a distraction, the modern driver cannot keep up with everything that is going on around them.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

There are a lot going on now than 15 years ago.
Now there are phones and GPS.
In saying that GPS should never be touched onre the journey begins.
Phones should never be used whilst the vehicle is being driven. Hands free or not.

Honestly who can drive whilst talking on a phone and actually concentrate on thr road?
Anyone who answers yes is full of ****.

Actually pilots do a multitude of tasks while flying.
And yes all at the same time....
Talking on radio, changing frequencies, navigating, stayin up right...

The problem with phones is that people switch to "phone mode" and forget they are actually driving a car.

There should be no difference to talkin to your passenger, then talking on your mobile. Its a "brain" function thing....

Do we forget that racing car drivers, super cars, formula one, WRC, ALL TALK ON THE RADIO back and forth with their mechanics and NOT ONCE get distracted???

Then again, like was said, some people actually turn around while talking to their passengers! Or apply make-up, comb their hair, light up a smoke, read a map... etc

Its a simple concept, when your driving, your primary job is to actually drive.
Most people seeminly rather be a passenger.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Actually pilots do a multitude of tasks while flying.
And yes all at the same time....
Talking on radio, changing frequencies, navigating, stayin up right...

The problem with phones is that people switch to "phone mode" and forget they are actually driving a car.

There should be no difference to talkin to your passenger, then talking on your mobile. Its a "brain" function thing....

Do we forget that racing car drivers, super cars, formula one, WRC, ALL TALK ON THE RADIO back and forth with their mechanics and NOT ONCE get distracted???

Then again, like was said, some people actually turn around while talking to their passengers! Or apply make-up, comb their hair, light up a smoke, read a map... etc

Its a simple concept, when your driving, your primary job is to actually drive.
Most people seeminly rather be a passenger.

They are not the only ones. On every shift I manage to drive, operate radio, provide notification and consult with hospital, monitor my student and provide clinical support to that student. All these and I am a male and apparently not capable of multi tasking.

I do not see an issue with talking while driving as long as the eyes stay on the road. Anyone that is not capable of doing this is probably not capable of driving safely and should hand their license in now. The problem comes when functions involving hand/eye coordination are carried out whilst driving, taking the eyes of the road and hands off the vehicle controls. Hands free is ok as long as it a true hands free, this does not include having to select numbers and dial.

Additionally driving along holding the phone in front of your face while you talk on speaker is not hands free. Personally I use a bluetooth ear piece at work as we can not fit hands free to general ambulances (we do not have service provided phones and therefore we all have different types). When I need to call whilst driving, I pull over, dial and then proceed once connected on the earpiece, despite the fact that at work I am legally allowed to talk on a mobile, I don't.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by geckoGT

Anyone that is not capable of doing this is probably not capable of driving safely and should hand their license in now.

There is the problem, 80% of people are not capable, that is the point we trying to make.

I would class myself (because of my extensive advanced driver taining, and that is trying I have undertaken, not delivered) as a damn good driver, but I have made a mistake whilst taking a business call on the mobile in a car HANDS FREE.

Noone is exempt, and I reckon if you were truthful you would admit to one or two mistakes as well.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

There is the problem, 80% of people are not capable, that is the point we trying to make.

I would class myself (because of my extensive advanced driver taining, and that is trying I have undertaken, not delivered) as a damn good driver, but I have made a mistake whilst taking a business call on the mobile in a car HANDS FREE.

Noone is exempt, and I reckon if you were truthful you would admit to one or two mistakes as well.

Of course I make mistakes, everyone does, the important point is the size of the mistakes and the recovery, I have not made one that involved touching another car in 15 years. Some of my driving involves higher speed through traffic whilst carrying out more functions than just driving and holding conversation, it can be done, it just takes concentration. I am not anything special, I have no special talents, I am just well trained and well practiced.

I think you may have misread me, I am not suggesting that everyone should be able to drive around, gas bagging on their hands free phone waving their hands around like Mama Luigi. All I am saying is that the average human being should be able to hold a quiet conversation (either person to person or hands free), it is a skill we all use every day.

When you are watching tv and the wife wants to ask a question, do you have to pause the tv or the wife because you can not accommodate two things at once? Are you able to walk through a shopping centre or department store with the wife, dodging clothing racks, bargain crazed shoppers and crazy rugrats, while holding a conversation? I am sure in your job as a driver trainer you talk to students whilst you are driving, have students talk to you while they are driving (I do).

My point is that holding quiet conversation whilst driving is a skill that every competent driver should be able to do, if they can't then they are not competent and should hand their license in. I do not support the notion that normal quiet conversation is a distraction to safe driving, where do we stop? Do we then have to have legislation that forces us to have monitored cameras and microphones in our car, with legislation that bans conversation whilst the vehicle in motion? I hope not.

I can not think of a single crash that I have attended where when asked what happened a motorist has said "I was talking to my friend and not concentrating on driving and crashed into the car in front". I have been to many when the motorist has admitted to looking for wallets, changing CD's, making a phone call, reading bill boards, looking for street signs etc. All things that have resulted in their eyes leaving the road for a prolonged period of time. By the way, you would be amazed how honest people can be after an accident as to what went wrong when you wear a green uniform and not a blue one.

Any one that can not flap their jaws whilst concentrating on driving should not be driving, neither should those that can not glance at a speedo without bumping into things.

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by flappist

Can you carry on a conversation with a passenger while driving?
Can you listen to talk back radio or music while driving?
Can you look around at the surrounding area for kids, animals or whatever that may possibly go onto the road?
If not then maybe you don't have the skills necessary to control a motor vehicle in the 21st century.
How is talking on a hands free telephone different to talking to a passenger?
And more importantly why is talking on a CB radio that REQUIRES one hand to operate while driving "safe"?

Think about how much concentration is needed whilst doing to those things.
You hardly need to concentrate to every spoken word whilst listening to a song. Unlike talk back radio or phone calls.

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Actually pilots do a multitude of tasks while flying.
And yes all at the same time....
Talking on radio, changing frequencies, navigating, stayin up right...

and they have to deal with all that traffic and pedestrians [/sarcasim]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

The problem with phones is that people switch to "phone mode" and forget they are actually driving a car.

So true. They forget the responsibilities of driving.

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Do we forget that racing car drivers, super cars, formula one, WRC, ALL TALK ON THE RADIO back and forth with their mechanics and NOT ONCE get distracted???

They are at a much higher level of concentration the the usual road user. The micro-second they are not, they crash.

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Then again, like was said, some people actually turn around while talking to their passengers! Or apply make-up, comb their hair, light up a smoke, read a map... etc
Its a simple concept, when your driving, your primary job is to actually drive.
Most people seeminly rather be a passenger.

A mate usted to duck his head to light a smoke. (open window would blow out lighter) and I thought he was mad as if something pulled out, he would hit it and smash his head on steering wheel.
Good point though. Not enough though/concentration is given to driving.

[ltd]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Actually pilots do a multitude of tasks while flying.
And yes all at the same time....
Talking on radio, changing frequencies, navigating, stayin up right...

Difference here is that flying is relatively simple in as much as there are very little moving obstacles such as when you are driving. Once you trim an airplane for a certain ascent, descent, cruise; you can take your hands off the controls briefly to do what you need to. Also, when flying you tend to be incredibly focussed. I notice a couple of guys on these forums are pilots, so they can attest to what I mean.
Also, in airline work you'll always have one pilot flying whilst the other handles the radio, checklists and other items. In saying that, I agree with you 100%, difference between pilots, race car drivers etc compared to the regular public is that we have been professionally trained to multi-task.
My driving history, zero at fault accidents.
I've had a couple of close shaves, but they've always been facial. That said it can be a jungle out there. :

Speaking of phones/distractions and mult-tasking, a few years ago a mate of mine and myself ended up at the same company doing VIP work. When the VIP stuff was on the quiet side, we'd do mail work after curfew. So, one night enroute to yssy I got bored and called my mate as I thought he was on the ground already. Couldn't get him on a company frequency so I used my mobile. Turns out he still in the air. The way you talk on a mobile eliminating the noise is to stick the handset between your ear and headset. Long story short whilst I was in a cruise with the autopilot on, my mate was busy doing an ILS approach into yssy. I heard his radio calls, gear retract, flaps and even the wheels touching the runway. Some may call it wreckless and some may call it stupid; but to me that's the epitome of multi-tasking.
Him, no at fault accidents either.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by ltd

difference between pilots, race car drivers etc compared to the regular public is that we have been professionally trained to multi-task. .

i've heard race drivers go off at the race manager for talking while he wasn't on the straight. therefore i think the protocol is to only talk to the driver when distraction is minimal (ie on the straights).

[geckoGT]

Great ads, I hope they make a difference.

Only last night I went to a guy that had pulled into a servo, filled up and then as he was pulling onto a major 3 lane road he was putting his wallet away (god knows why he could not put it away before he moved). End result was he pulled his tiny little hatch back out into the path of a semi trailer with a big bull bar traveling at 80 km/h. His rear bumper is now where his rear passenger footwell was. The impact was so great it punted him about 40m from point of impact and pushed the bull bar on the truck back about 10cm.

The other one was a driver traveling at 80 km/h had a lapse in concentration, swerved left, hit the concrete barrier and bounced off, veered across 3 lanes and hit the concrete barrier on the right. End result is the front bumper is now hard up against the firewall and the whole floor and roof is kinked. Her first comment was "I wasn't on my mobile, my tyre blew", yeah right.

Thankfully all occupants survived with no severe injuries.