Mobile Phone While Driving. Why Do People Do It?

Lpegaxs on 29/08/2017 - 23:43
Last edited 30/08/2017 - 09:29 by 1 other user

On the current trend of "why do you/others" topics I have seen lately, ie: overtaking lanes, not parking at drive through, etc etc, I have been wanting to ask this question, if you use your mobile phone while driving, with the punishment being so high, why do you still do it and what would it take for you to give up using the phone while you are driving?

I ask this because, as a motorcycle rider and a truck driver, I get to spend a lot of time being able to easily witness what people do in their cars. While the ladies with their cars full of infinite amounts of rubbish and the blokes not being able to stop scratching their balls, one thing that strikes me is the sheer number of people I witness on a daily basis that are in some way shape or form, totally engaged with their mobile phone, texting, snapchatting, instagramming, facebooking and various iterations of speaking on the phone, to the ear, in front of their face on speaker. As a motorcycle rider, this scares me. I have had so many near accidents or witnessed near accidents that my mind just boggles. Drifting over centre lines, close calls on parked cars or just not seeing pedestrians or riders.

And I may come off to some as sexist here, but 80% of the people I witness using their mobile phones are women. They are the most prolific at the messaging/snap/Insta/facey, where guys I find most of the time are tradies and are speaking on the phone. And holding the phone down below the window sill, it's still very obvious what you're doing…

So, as I said, I am curious. Why, with all the information out there about how dangerous it is and the sheer cost of the fines and points and possible license loss, why? And if there is a limit, what would make you stop? If fines or loss of points aren't enough of a deterrent, what would be?

Or, as a person who does not do it, what do you think should be done to curb mobile phone use while driving, as fines and possible loss of license at the current level seems to have little to no deterrent.

If you did it in the past and have since given it away, what changed your mind? Did you get fined? Got in an accident or a close call? Family member got fined/accident/close call. Maybe even the safety ads on TV worked for some. I'm keen to know.

I'm interested in hearing from both sides of this issue, but please, keep it civil and on topic.

Automotive

Comments

  • Kangal on 29/08/2017 - 23:52
    +28

    …sorry hold on, just gotta answer this txt first

    • hmac on 30/08/2017 - 00:36
      +1

      pretty sure you are not allowed to touch it while your ignition is on. Minimum is that your car is in Park with the handbrake on

      • airal3rt on 30/08/2017 - 01:51
        +2

        That's what Siri is for, so you don't have to touch it..

      • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 13:51
        +2

        pretty sure you are not allowed to touch it while your ignition is on. Minimum is that your car is in Park with the handbrake on

        I drive a manual. Can I touch my phone whilst executing a handbrake turn? 🤔

      • Quagles on 30/08/2017 - 20:12

        When I read about this some time ago it appeared it was legal to touch phone while in an approved mount or holder. Doesn't need to be hands free. Safest usage is voice calls, then maps, then music playing. Maps and music laws differ among states.

        • hmac on 30/08/2017 - 20:15

          This rule was changed. You aren't even allowed to touch a GPS anymore

        • Quagles on 30/08/2017 - 20:17
          +4

          @hmtk: which state?

          NSW allows touching

          http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/mobilepho…

        • McBanjo on 30/08/2017 - 20:21

          @hmtk: state matters. Says nothing about this in QLD either.

        • hmac on 30/08/2017 - 21:39
          -2

          @Quagles:

          can be operated without touching any part of the phone, such as via Bluetooth or voice activation

        • hmac on 30/08/2017 - 21:44
          -2

          @Quagles:

          You can use a mobile phone for calls if it does not require you to touch the phone in any way

        • Quagles on 30/08/2017 - 22:13
          +5

          @hmtk:

          That's very selective copy and paste haha.

          Here is the full version for anyone interested. Note the very important "is either"

          ONLY if the phone is either:

          In a cradle fixed to the vehicle and doesn't obscure your view of the road

          Or

          can be operated without touching any part of the phone, such as via Bluetooth or voice activation

        • hmac on 31/08/2017 - 11:39
          -4

          @Quagles:
          i don't think you understand. You can use the phone as long as it's in the cradle, you just can't touch it.

        • Quagles on 31/08/2017 - 14:56
          +1

          @hmtk:

          I can't explain it any further clearer. It's all in the link. Touching is fine if it's mounted. If it's not mounted then has to be operated hands free.

        • iDroid on 31/08/2017 - 21:44

          @hmtk:

          i don't think you understand. You can use the phone as long as it's in the cradle, you just can't touch it.

          It clearly states Either, Or. Not Either, And.

          http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/mobilepho…

          According to that, if your phone is "In a cradle fixed to the vehicle and doesn't obscure your view of the road" then you can touch it as much as you like to make a phone call. But not texting, browsing, etc.

        • CrushJelly on 01/09/2017 - 12:28
          +3

          @Quagles:
          Quagles, don't bother educating the uneducated.
          I touch my phone all the time
          - I'm in NSW
          - the phone is mounted on a cradle fixed to the vehicle
          - I only touch it to manipulate functions relating to either navigation, telephone calls, or music.

          I'm happy to do this in front of a police officer, since, as you've correctly interpreted, it is entirely acceptable to do so.

        • Zenyatta on 02/09/2017 - 19:30

          @hmtk: My interpretation of that is that it's either/or. If the phone is mounted, OK to touch, but if it is not mounted, then voice activation only.

  • Donaldhump on 30/08/2017 - 00:01
    +15

    same reason some people can't stop checking their phone whilst at work, they are addicted. same reason people drive plastered, because until they kill someone its not a big deal.

    i have had someone on their first day, check their phone whilst i'm talking to them to check their facebook and reply to it

    in all seriousness phones should be banned from cars, or only allowed in a mount. simple measure…

    • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 14:00
      +4

      same reason some people can't stop checking their phone whilst at work, they are addicted.

      Indeed. If the current penalties aren't effective, perhaps they'd be deterred by being shamed on their social media profiles.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2017 - 14:02

        Our penalties are laughable. A few hundred dollars and I can do anything I want on the road.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 14:04
          +9

          Perhaps fines should be proportional to income for the last financial year.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2017 - 14:05
          -2

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          tbh, it really wouldn't matter. Fines should probably be lowered only to cover the administrative cost and tax of the crimes risk profile.

          I would prefer instant license suspensions for a year on any traffic offense.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 14:15
          +2

          @eggmaster:

          tbh, it really wouldn't matter. Fines should probably be lowered only to cover the administrative cost and tax of the crimes risk profile.

          Why?

          I would prefer instant license suspensions for a year on any traffic offense.

          That would be absurdly Draconian. Humans make mistakes and a reasonable society is tolerant of that. Driving is a necessity for many people's lives too. Fines serve to deter offences and tax those who do offend — a win-win for society.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2017 - 15:00
          -5

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          Fines don't deter people.

          We are way too tolerant. A car is a responsibility not a right. People can exist without cars.

        • Hirolol on 31/08/2017 - 23:32
          +4

          $444 and 4 demerit points in Vic.
          I don't know why these people risk it.

        • Architectonic on 01/09/2017 - 02:53

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          An excellent suggestion!

        • abb on 01/09/2017 - 10:08
          +3

          @Scrooge McDuck: > Perhaps fines should be proportional to income for the last financial year.

          income + net investment losses + some percentage assets, including funds held in trusts you control and/or are a beneficiary of

          Otherwise Kerry Packer would pay less in fines than I do…

        • [Deactivated] on 01/09/2017 - 10:17
          +1

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          Driving is not a necessity. People should get their priorities straight.

          Water, food, air, money/work is necessary. A car is a luxury.

        • [Deactivated] on 01/09/2017 - 10:19
          -1

          @Hirolol:

          $444 is not really too much.

          Demerit points are a joke. I could be speeding, drink driving and on my phone and have a license. How cool is that? Attempted manslaughter of everyone in my vercinity; I get off free.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 01/09/2017 - 10:43

          @eggmaster:

          Driving is not a necessity.

          It is if you have a job and you don't live near it. Public transport alone is inadequate.

          Water, food, air, money/work is necessary.

          Many people need to drive for work and therefore money, food and water.

        • [Deactivated] on 01/09/2017 - 11:47
          -1

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          Public Transport is inadequate.

          Probably not. Most people just feel above public transport. It is also a lifestyle choice to live in the countryside opposed to a smaller location more central to your workplace.

          The only argument I would accept where a car is necessary is a tradesperson maybe.

          Many people need to drive for work and therefore money

          Only a few people truly need to drive as part of their job. Saying many people need to drive and therefore money is like me saying "many people get free government money… therefore I should get some too".

        • Euphemistic on 01/09/2017 - 12:44

          @eggmaster: Agree, most people only 'need' to drive to work because they choose not to move closer or get a different job. While it seems like they can't choose to live closer or change job, ultimately it is a choice. You can also choose to get up earlier and get home later to account for a slower commute by public transport or other means, but it is a choice made difficult by the ease of using a car.

          Unless you need to carry a lot of heavy equipment (tradies) you do not need to cart 2 tonnes of metal with you to get to work.

        • Hirolol on 01/09/2017 - 13:24

          @eggmaster:
          It is for the average income.
          If you are caught drink driving you lose your licence.
          Repeat offenders are meant to get harsher penalties

        • OldBugger on 03/09/2017 - 10:38

          I think community service (and a fine) should be an option too. And there are so many community service options to cater for all abilities

        • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2017 - 19:16

          @OldBugger:

          Community service and a fine?

          No demerit points?

          The issue is not everyone is in a car, despite the bogans deepest beliefs. These entities…. strange creatures…. known as (profanity) pedestrians exist and are instantly lost when hit. (As does someones time if you hit them… time is invaluable. Imo no amount of money could compensate me if i was hit by a racecar driver and had a bad day.)

          Pedestrians dont get a second chance if a car hits them. Its game over. Though for a small amount of coin, you the driver get another go. If you inconvenience someone because you are a great driver and "had an accident"; nothing can compensate that person,

          Instant loss of license should be in effect. Road rules really arent hard to follow. They are really easy. Though i have gained it is difficult for the average f1 ozbargainer

        • [Deactivated] on 03/09/2017 - 19:24

          @Hirolol:

          Bs. $400 is nothing even for the avergae 5k/month wage.

          Manage your money better

    • idonotknowwhy on 01/09/2017 - 09:46

      check their phone whilst i'm talking to them to check their facebook and reply to it

      It really shits me when people do that. Facebook, Weechat (for Chinese people), etc.

  • Diji1 on 30/08/2017 - 00:10
    +19

    "It won't happen to me, I'm different because I felt like it".

    • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 14:06
      +3

      "I'm special."
      -Thought by most people.

    • hmac on 30/08/2017 - 00:38
      +3

      The off chance that he'll catch sight of an exhibitionist

    • airal3rt on 30/08/2017 - 01:53
      +4

      Try reading the post before commenting. He literally explains that he is a motorbike rider and truck driver.

      • pegaxs on 30/08/2017 - 07:45
        +15

        Exactly this. It's part of staying alive on the road. While on the bike, I am using every thing I can to get an edge on what people are doing in their car and if I see someone using a mobile phone or distracted by something in the car, ie: constantly turning around and screaming at kids in the back seat, I know that I have to get clear of that person.

        The best indicator of how unpredictable a driver is potentially gong to be is to look at them and see if they are distracted. If they are, you need to drive for yourself AND pull up the slack in their concentration.

        The same goes for guiding around 40+ tonnes of death. I don't want to run over anyone, but some people who are engrossed in their social media make it near impossible to be around in traffic while they are distracted…

        So, that's why I spend so much time looking at what people do in cars, because I want to know what they are doing and if they are focused or inattentive so I can adjust what I am doing to suit.

        Oh, that, and people do weird shit in their car when they think people can't see them. :D

        • EyesWideOpen on 30/08/2017 - 11:11
          +1

          Please share what you witnessed from the truck/bike point of view and think are really Extreme actions to be avoided for all road users sake. I think sometimes car drivers don't realise it ourselves,

        • pegaxs on 30/08/2017 - 13:08
          +6

          @EyesWideOpen: Ok, where do I start? Apart from the obvious topic above, there are a number of things I see every day that just blow my mind that I would consider extremely dangerous while in the operation of a 2+ tonne of wrecking ball people call a car. I'll give a short list.

          • Ladies, do your hair and make up at home. Get out of bed 5 mins earlier, get it done, get in the car.
          • Getting dressed/taking clothes off. Take that jumper off and cover your head and face. Try not to get tangled.
          • Pull over and yell at your devil spawn. Don't turn around at freeway speeds and yell at the little hellions
          • You braked hard and shit fell on the floor. Leave it there. Don't go groping around in the passenger well for shit that's only going to end up back there at the next set of lights.
          • Sexual activity. As a truck driver, ewwww. Put it away.
          • Put the sugar in the coffee before you drive away. Not between your legs as you're driving.
          • Please, for the love of Christ and all that is holy, hands on the steering wheel. The amount of people I see in a day with no hands on the wheel. I once saw a woman knitting… Knitting FFS!!
          • Eating a hamburger/food with both hands. Really? Time is that tight?.

          These are just some of the things that I see in a daily basis that I think a lot of people just don't associate with dangerous while driving. I think that driving has becomes such an ingrained part of life, that people just don't give it the respect and attention it deserves. That coupled with the "my life is more important than your safety" makes it just that more dangerous.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 14:23
          +1

          Oh, that, and people do weird shit in their car when they think people can't see them. :D

          I've seen some revolting humans on public transport.

          Just because you're in the back of the bus doesn't mean your reflection can't be seen: Use a tissue!

        • Hirolol on 31/08/2017 - 23:35

          @pegaxs:

          Sexual activity.

          Pics or it didn't happen.

        • CandyMan on 02/09/2017 - 09:57

          @pegaxs:

          Ladies, do your hair and make up at home. Get out of bed 5 mins earlier, get it done, get in the car.

          pretty ambitious

    • fruit on 03/09/2017 - 10:23
      +1

      Trying to stay alive would be my guess.

  • EyesWideOpen on 30/08/2017 - 01:18
    +23

    Off topic. can't help it. Wow, a truck driver with better grammar than the average ozb….

    • pegaxs on 30/08/2017 - 07:46
      +22

      Truck driver by choice. I do it because I enjoy it, not because it's the only job I can get. ;)

      • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 14:24

        What rig and routes do you drive? :)

        • pegaxs on 30/08/2017 - 16:18
          +13

          What ever truck they tell me to drive. My favourites are my '84 K120 Kenworth (classic reg cafe machine). My other favourite is the T904. If a T904 doesn't make you feel like you own the road, nothing else would. I put the indicators on in that bad boy and it's like Moses himself parting the Red Sea. And I'm that high up, I swear I can see Brisbane from Sydney… And there's something about a bonnet the size of something that could host a tennis match…

          What route, mainly Newcastle to Brisbane or Melbourne or western NSW. I don't do set routes and usually take jobs that make it interesting.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 16:37

          @pegaxs:

          What's your preferred gearbox?

        • pegaxs on 30/08/2017 - 16:53
          +3

          @Scrooge McDuck: Road Ranger. I love my 13sp in the K120. High and low and only splitting the top box. I like the manual shift boxes over the automated boxes. One of the Freightliners at work has cable operated box and I'm not a fan of that truck.

          We have one Allison auto trans at work in an old Freightliner 112 single drive flat bed, and when it's unladen, that is fun to drive as well. Loaded, it's slow as F!

        • superm86 on 01/09/2017 - 08:51

          @pegaxs: Great - how do you pass time while driving?

        • pegaxs on 01/09/2017 - 16:24
          +12

          @superm86: I pass time by concentrating on what I'm doing so as I and all other road users can go home safe to their families and not end up wedged under the front of my truck.

          That and yelling at the radio callers on John Laws and other talk back radio.

  • airal3rt on 30/08/2017 - 02:00
    +13

    Stating facts isn't sexist, women are absolutely the worst offender when it comes to mobile phone use and driving, and tradies are also pretty bad for this as you mention. It's just a case of people acting mindlessly without weighing the risks and benefits of what they are doing.

    Losing demerit points and getting a big fine? No problem as long as I can upload this amaaazing selfie to instagram while I'm at the traffic lights. Cause a smash and injure or KILL myself or an innocent person? Well, that sounds kinda rough, but like my BFF Stacey is ringing me and we like, OMG, haven't spoken since like last night, so I'm going to speak to my girlfriend ok!!

    • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 14:28
      +4

      Stacey, I'm at the hospital. Turn the news on NOW! How do I look?

    • Davo723 on 01/09/2017 - 08:08
      +1

      Got evidence to back up this 'fact'?

      • Euphemistic on 01/09/2017 - 08:41
        +2

        I saw a woman using her phone yesterday. That's a fact.

      • Baysew on 01/09/2017 - 10:37
        -5

        Stating facts isn't sexist

        Male motorists accounted for 70 per cent of all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and drink-driving offences
        Men account for four out of five drink-drive fines, seven of every 10 speeding fines.
        Of 20 idiots booked drinking booze while instructing a learner driver, 19 were men.

        • airal3rt on 01/09/2017 - 11:40
          +11

          Notice how they had to lump in the mobile phone offences with the others, then proceeded to give individual numbers for every offence EXCEPT mobile phones? Males were clearly worse in several categories but the fact that women are the mobile phone offenders didn't fit the narrative they are trying to spin for this articles so they hid those figures in a big group with different offences. Don't get triggered by the truth.

        • pegaxs on 01/09/2017 - 16:38
          +5

          @airal3rt: Exactly! It's a real world observation. I drive for a living. I spend more time on the road in a week than what some people do in 3 months. I drive through metro areas, suburban areas and rural areas, and the observation is that a majority of mobile phone users who use their phone while driving are female. Overwhelmingly it is the 18 to 25 females who are the worst.

          Males also make up a majority of road users, so of course they are going to be over represented in these statistics.

          And these statistics are useless as it only shows who gets caught, not who gets away with it. The only thing these statistics show me is that aside from men out numbering women on the road, they also seem to be the most easily caught.

          Come back to me when you have some real statistics…

        • pegaxs on 03/09/2017 - 11:49
          +1

          @Baysew: Sorry. Would love to read that article, but it appears to be behind a pay wall for me.

          And citing an Adelaide tabloid newspaper as any fact reference, be it for or against, is not really a reliable source.

        • Baysew on 03/09/2017 - 12:12

          @pegaxs: It does support your observation

          And these statistics are useless as it only shows who gets caught, not who gets away with it

          (Just Google the headline, if you want to read it. Sorry Rupert)

          Anyway, what about this

          Older drivers 'worst offenders' as NSW Police target mobile phone use while driving

      • freemoneyhunter on 02/09/2017 - 18:20
        -1

        Yes, women are really badly behaved, they are always whistling at hot guys when walking past construction sites. They can't control themselves. If you think the reverse is true, have you got evidence to back it up?

  • xoom on 30/08/2017 - 06:17

    Usually when they ran over a pedestrian or ran into other cars resulting in serious injuries or even death for the victim. That usually puts a stop for the driver on a mobile phone. Till then its as how Diji1 says it.

  • chumlee on 30/08/2017 - 06:44
    +2

    It's all about multitasking

    https://vimeo.com/23193145

  • Euphemistic on 30/08/2017 - 07:03
    +2

    It is too easy to drive modern cars, on modern roads. Don't need to change gears, can steer with one hand, cruise control means you don't need to watch your speed, abs means I can stop really quickly, the car behind will beep if I don't move off quick enough in traffic.

  • bobbified on 30/08/2017 - 08:11
    +11

    Licences come in cereal boxes;
    Roads are too congested;
    Speed limits are too low;
    Road education seems to be focused on revenue raising rather than proper education and becomes counter-productive;
    Chances of getting caught are low;
    Addiction to mobile phones;
    Everyone's in their own world in their cars;
    Everyone's "me, me, me!";
    Time is money (esp for tradies).

    … and so on.
    There's a whole bunch and it's always a combination of different reasons rather than just one.

    • EyesWideOpen on 30/08/2017 - 10:49
      +2

      On tradies, man-in-a-ute, never get in their way when they are navigating to the next job or giving a new quote on the road. I see more of them reckless and distracted on-phone than others but this is on Melb roads during peak. Mostly sub-contractors, those driving employers ute seems much better.

    • Lets Make Sandwiches on 03/09/2017 - 09:18

      Yes it is a complex issue with many different reasons. One that hasn't been mentioned is urban sprawl and the effect it has on people's travel time to work, and hence available spare time to conduct this activity safely whilst not driving. Two income families are quite common these days, which requires huge effort and time to manage the household and kids when they get home. Since people now have such a long commute, they're finding what they believe to be the most efficient way to squeeze in their mobile phone time.

  • rambutann on 30/08/2017 - 08:25
    +2

    I too am a motorcycle rider and happen to have a truck licence if that makes us twins?.. Haha

    I find that you can spot people on their phone from a mile away as they are either swerving, going too slow/fast/ not in their lane etc. I also find that as the dials on cars become more technical, more people are being distracted even more. I often find that someone adjusting the radio can have the same affect as using a mobile phone.

    I think its deadly - I personally think it should be policed much more by moto cops - https://youtu.be/9N1iw5Vdim8

    I find that anyone and everyone uses their phone whilst driving. I find lack of adequate indicating as big of an issue also.

    On multiple occasions I have seen people actually pull over to use their phone - these people are great and I'm often tempted to pull over and give them a pat on the back or something.

    • EyesWideOpen on 30/08/2017 - 10:53

      Thought I was weird when I pull over to answer a call/text because people are staring.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2017 - 08:38

    It's a new habit, so get used to it when Shit happens. Ban it? What would the cops do there after?
    The world is over populated any way.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 14:38
      +6

      The world is over populated any way.

      But unfortunately, people who drive dangerously don't just hurt themselves.

  • Rumbaar on 30/08/2017 - 08:42
    +1

    Yes, they need to ban smoking while in a car too. That is a major distraction and forces you to have one hand off the wheel, so if it's unsafe to hold a phone then it's unsafe to smoke and drive too.

    • altomic on 30/08/2017 - 08:45
      +1

      And eating soup while driving as well.

    • Some Human on 30/08/2017 - 09:07
      +2

      I just don't like when the person in front of me's smoke drifts through my window.

    • Yummy on 30/08/2017 - 11:00
      +2

      Please ban chicken drumsticks too.

      True story.

  • altomic on 30/08/2017 - 08:44

    Umm, I have to check ozbargain.

    But seriously, (profanity) those guys.

  • Banana on 30/08/2017 - 08:44

    If women and truck drivers are the worst offenders then OzB is probably the wrong place to ask why they do it. I think the unofficial census of Ozbargain is men in their 30s-40s in some sort of IT-related position.

    I usually horn extra long(agressive) if I caught someone checking on their phones while waiting at the lights. I tend to see more oldies doing it.

  • burningrage on 30/08/2017 - 10:12
    -5

    Because when you get a phone call from an agent for a job you have applied for and you're stuck in the traffic so you can't pull over in time, saying "Sorry Mate, you can wait" won't do. I know because it happened to me. Called back and ended up in voicemails until I gave up.

    Within reason is all I can say.

    • EyesWideOpen on 30/08/2017 - 11:00

      You can record messagebank answering to say you are driving, to call back later. I did that when I was in a period where a client was ringing me excessively but I couldn't ignore so the answering msg helped. Just a suggestion for readers. YMMV. Or bluetooth it.

      • burningrage on 30/08/2017 - 11:47

        Having a client ringing is probably different compare to getting your only job interview but I got your point.

        Certainly BT helps these days…

  • apple2016 on 30/08/2017 - 10:51
    +2

    I drive 15 kms to work and it takes about 1.5 hrs each way every day. Maybe drivers are too bored sitting in the car that forces them to instagram/facebook etc…

    • Euphemistic on 30/08/2017 - 12:33
      +1

      15kms take 1.5hrs to drive? Get a bike, and unfit rider should be able to do that in under an hour.

      • pegaxs on 30/08/2017 - 12:50
        +1

        But but but… It's uphill… BOTH WAYS!!!

        "Insert anecdotal grandpa story involving broken glass, in snow, bare feet 6 miles to work/school"

        And I think that "boredom" plays a huge part. People feel the need to always be connected. While generally in stationary traffic, even I have been guilty of checking the odd message, my question was more aimed at the freeway speed or open traffic areas at or close to the speed limit. What I would consider an unsafe time to be doing anything other than driving. Parked on the M4 in peak hour and moving at less than walking pace, while still not ok, I can give some reasoning to…

      • apple2016 on 30/08/2017 - 13:36
        -1

        Its simply not piratical for me. What about people who drop kids in school/daycare etc. Public transport is not an option due to this as well.

        • Euphemistic on 30/08/2017 - 13:50
          +3

          That sucks, I'd hate my commute to be so slow (or to have to worry about pirate-ical costumes). There are ways of transporting kids on a bike, I've ridden to school with my kids a few times. Two on their own bikes, one in a trailer behind me with all their bags. Trailer, tag-a-long bike, cargo bike, tandem etc are all different ways of carting extras around on a bike.

          I can get to work by bike, shower and get dressed for work in 35mins - love it!

        • Architectonic on 01/09/2017 - 02:55
          +2

          If this was a country that had decent (dedicated) cycling infrastructure, you'd use a cargo bike to carry the kids - millions of parents in Europe do so.

      • abb on 01/09/2017 - 10:13

        Cycling on the same road? I don't think you'll be able to do it much faster than the cars…

        If there was a cycleway, I would gladly cycle to work. I'm not doing it through 6-lane traffic in peak hour though.

        (You have inspired me to at least look for possible cycle routes)

        • Euphemistic on 01/09/2017 - 10:17

          Even if you can't cycle much faster than the cars, you'll save time elsewhere because you'll be able to skip the gym or an early morning run. I also start the day a lot better after riding to work.

        • abb on 01/09/2017 - 10:27

          @Euphemistic: Have to trade that time against having a shower / getting changed at work though?

          For my route, it doesn't look like the timing is great. 1hr cycling (per Google estimate, may be pessimistic?) vs 45 min (best case 30, worst case 1:15) driving. Fitness benefits are definitely worth considering…

        • Euphemistic on 01/09/2017 - 10:53

          @abb: Google estimate is def pessimistic. I think it is averaged around 15km/h. Once you are fit you should easily be able to average 20km/h, depending on terrain up to 25km/h with a decent bike. I allow about 15min for shower at work, 10min to cool down first or I need another shower! Again, that 15min is time you don't need to spend at home.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 30/08/2017 - 14:42

      Maybe drivers are too bored sitting in the car that forces them to instagram/facebook etc…

      You can use your phone all you like on public transport.

      • apple2016 on 30/08/2017 - 16:02

        Yes if you do have proper public transport after all.

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