You're better off drunk than texting...

[Slide Panda]

Not like the data saying that texting while driving is a major distraction is a surprise.  What surprised me is *how* bad it is

" Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) -- which carried out the study for the RAC Foundation -- also found that steering control worsened by 91% for those who were distracted by texts...

The tests also showed that texters were less able to maintain safe distances from other cars and they tended to drift out of their lane more often.

RAC Foundation director Stephen Glaister said the research "clearly shows that a motorist who is texting is significantly more impaired than a motorist at the legal limit for alcohol." "

Linky to the full article

[the_Journeyman]

Mythbusters did a thing on this showing similar results. Even tipsy, someone is still looking at the road, unlike while texting.  It was a great show, they got Carrie tipsy ~

JM

[red baron]

As a texter/driver I'd say this is 100% true.

To make matters worse I do this in Los Angeles.


I'm trying to quit.

[Ash]

Mythbusters did a thing on this showing similar results. Even tipsy, someone is still looking at the road, unlike while texting.  It was a great show, they got Carrie tipsy ~

JM

would love to see that!   

[Slide Panda]

Mythbusters did a thing on this showing similar results. Even tipsy, someone is still looking at the road, unlike while texting.  It was a great show, they got Carrie tipsy ~
JM

Yeah, that was an amusing episode.  Carrie was a funny drunk.  If I rember it right - they didn't even do texting though, it was just talking on the phone and driving.

[the_Journeyman]

Ooh, yea, that's right, just talking.  They need to do texting so they can get Carrie tipsy again 

JM

[wbeck257]

Apparently texting while engineering a train is a bad idea too:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/18/train.collision/index.html

[Slide Panda]

Edit - wbeck posed while I was writing this:

Hmm I started this off to be a little light hearted about the subject - but just came across some updated new about that train crash, which is related to the topic.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/18/train.collision/index.html

It's confirmed that he was sending out text messages just prior to the accident and that all signals on the line were in working order.  Though they cannot be sure he was occupied sending a text and missed the red signal as a result - it sure looks that way.  make the beast with two backsing shame....

I'm not much for getting on soap boxes... but this one might get me going.

[OwnyTony]

As a texter/driver I'd say this is 100% true.

To make matters worse I do this in Los Angeles.


I'm trying to quit.

Hi im Bob ::Hi BOB!:: and im a text-aholic

[sbrguy]

Edit - wbeck posed while I was writing this:

Hmm I started this off to be a little light hearted about the subject - but just came across some updated new about that train crash, which is related to the topic.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/18/train.collision/index.html

It's confirmed that he was sending out text messages just prior to the accident and that all signals on the line were in working order.  Though they cannot be sure he was occupied sending a text and missed the red signal as a result - it sure looks that way.  make the beast with two backsing shame....

I'm not much for getting on soap boxes... but this one might get me going.

no law against texting while operating a car or train so that is good.. at least he wasn't doing anything illegal LOL   

[erkishhorde]

What I don't get is how barring the engineer from using his phone while on the job doesn't apply to texting while the train is moving. Isn't he on the job while the train is moving? Did I misread something?

[TiNi]

would love to see that!   

...you say that about all the girls 

it can be done but it's really hard to do... which is why i'm surprised people do it.
i only text/surf/check email etc. in the car if i'm a passenger 

[Scottish]

Some people are just not smart enough to be issued DL's as evidence I enter into evidence exibit #1a)
http://break.com/index/the-dumbest-women-on-the-highway.html