Another safe driving topic

[PTDixieGal]

This is kind of related to the other safe driving thread that Jimmy, I think it was, started. This is another thing that I am seeing that gets to me. Drivers who aren't paying attention. It could be anything from an intense conversation on a cell phone to doing their nails. I have a friend who once saw a guy watching a DVD while driving down the road!!!

I'm not crazy about cell phones and driving, but I can deal with it to a point. But WATCHING A MOVIE!?! PULL YOUR VEHICHLE OVER!!!

[sailordave]

A few years ago the driver of an 18 wheeler killed some people in an accident. Besides the fact that he was using meth, he was also watching a porno while driving. Stop at major truck stops and you'll see a whole host of gadgets truckers can plug into their cab to make their long distance driving more like home. I've seen microwave ovens, coffee pots, toaster ovens, toasters, DVD players, and many other things. I do see the need for these devices. They can drive for only so many hours a day and have to keep an exact log of how long they drive and how long they stop and for those times they stop they could cook a quick meal or watch a movie. Problem is some drivers do this why on the open road.

As for those DVD players installed in cars, the shop that installs them are required by law to make sure it cannot work unless the car is in park. However, the same mechanic that knows how to do this also knows how to undo it and can sometimes work on the side for a little extra to let the customer be able to watch and drive at the same time. I've never been a fan of front seat DVD players nor a dashboard computer screen for navigation, surfing the internet, and sending/receiving email. I'm waiting for the day when someone starts selling a steering wheel that comes with a text messaging keyboard that's bluetooth connected to your cellphone and has a headsup display to show you what your texting and the replies you receive all while driving. If I can imagine it, someone is probably testing it.

[lightfoot]

On I-95 in southern CT last week I saw a guy reading a newspaper. In rush hour traffic, which was going 35-50mph.

[sailordave]

I once had to make an 8 hour drive. Before making the drive I visited the local library for books on tape. Made the drive and return trip easier to manage cause it kept my mind awake. No more distracting than listening to music on the radio. Comic strip Zits had one in which the dad was complaining to the mom about the book on CD she gave him to listen to. He said the story kept jumping around and he couldn't follow it. The son went out to the car, came back, and said the CD player was set on ramdom. I've got some vacation time coming up. Instead of planning an expensive trip I plan on kicking back with a book somewhere where there's nothing but peace and quiet. Where the only noise comes from the wind in the trees, birds singing, frogs croaking, and crickets playing their music. In a place like that I can truly relax with a book as long as I'm covered head to toe with Deep Woods Off mosquito spray.

[xcel]

Hi SailorDave:

___Excellent idea! I do want to raise a small safety concern with any Books on Tape/DVD. You can get distracted relatively quickly even with the spoken word. I used to look for the full-line Clancy Novels on tape/DVD for the long drives but I found them to be to distracting for my taste as well.

___Not like Cel phones are not distracting either and I am guilty as hell wrt that menace

___Does anyone have a suggestion for a ear piece based Bluetooth unit?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[brick]

I saw someone reading a book last week. Wish I knew what possessed people to think that's OK.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Wayne, I use a Plantronics in-ear headset when I HAVE to talk in the car. Mostly I just don't answer the phone and I only make calls in the car when I'm in need of directions as I'm getting close to a destination -- and those are always with the headset in.

I'm using a Plantronics 650 -- there are newer models of this out now but the have the same functionality. I like the sound quality and the fact that it doesn't interfere with the sunglasses.