Are you a distracted cage driver?

[dennisd]

Seeing a recent news clip about a possible ban on texting while driving here in the United States got me wondering; how many Monster riders are guilty of doing this?

Me personally; if I use a cell phone while driving, I use hands free (and I try not to do that very often) and I never text while driving.  If I need to send a text, I pull over and park somewhere.

I'm not even going to get into the other distractions people do while driving like navigation, playing with the stereo, eating, reading, etc., etc.  I'm also not concerned about riding a motorcycle while talking on a cell, that requires a different poll.

How about you?

BTW, I want to hear from riders world wide, not just here in the US.

[Drjones]

One has to wonder as always though if the same outcomes couldn't be handled via enforcing the existing traffic laws better i.e. failure to maintain control of the vehicle, or failure to maintain lane position, etc.  But I guess the politicians can't go around chest thumping during election time if we just enforce the existing laws better, so we have to make up new laws to enforce half assed.

[duccarlos]

You are not a real man unless you can handle driving, texting, talking and beating your kids all at the same time!

[Latinbalar]

Everytime some one around me does something stupid driving they are distracted. So i am about // this close to buyinf a truck and welding a 5" steel pipe as bumpers and running people off the road. I am tired off people.


BTW..just so the  can't match the paint on my bumper to those of the cars i hit i'm re-painting my bumper every night.

[jsd2]

It's already illegal to text and drive in NY state where I live.  It doesn't slow people down from doing it though so having it banned in the US probably won't do much.  I try not to use my phone much when I drive although I do use my Ipod, drink (water, coffee, no alcohol), and eat in my car (generally not all at the same time).  When using most hands free devices you still need to dial.  They are only hands free when you are actually talking so I don't think they really make people any safer drivers.  I see people putting on makeup, using laptops, texting, and other stuff while driving.  It is pretty scary.

Jim

[The Bearded Duc]

You forgot boobies.

[Travman]

You should add an option for "Talk (without using the handset or hands free) / no texting."

[truckinduc]

I text on my motorcycle.  I pull off the road to do it though. Ok well ive only really done it once or twice.

[duccarlos]

I text while riding my motorcycle. This is me:

cool indian guy texting on motorcycle

[JEFF_H]

saw a car coming towards me on a residential street weaving.
thought 'that jackhole is texting'

got a little closer and saw both hands occupied on device, "driving" with elbows.
only it was a PSP, not a phone 

nice driving, dude.

[WetDuc]

My worst fear is hitting a motorcyclist while driving in the safe cage.
 
I don't text and drive, but I do talk and drive.  On the bike, I text at stops, which might be a little stupid, but I don't get the phone out until at least one car has already pulled up behind me.

[DoubleEagle]

Occasionally I will make a phone call while driving in the cage, but no long conversations.

Usually just a quick call under 30 seconds.

I am concerned always about not seeing Motorcyclists as I drive the cage.

Dolph

[Drunken Monkey]

I went to the hassle of wiring up a bluetooth kit into the car's stereo and making sure my wife's phone is properly configured to work with the handsfree dialing and all that other stuff.

Even then I'll cut conversations short "Sorry, can't talk long. I'm driving"

And I can always tell someone is on the phone or texting, because their driving sucks ass. It's apparently worse than drunk driving, so all I can say is that the penalty needs to be as bad as a DWI.

"But it's so convenient" - True, but being able to drink and drive is pretty convenient too. Doesn't mean it's even remotely a good idea.

They should have tip lines you should call to report drivers who are texting and driving like idiots.

Come to think of it, I think I'll start reporting erratically driving texters as drunk drivers 

[fastwin]

Every dumb ass driver in my town seems to be texting or talking on a cell phone. It's not bad enough that they are horrible, dangerous drivers anyway, they have to make it worse by being even more distracted using cell phones! Then after dark they are drunk and driving and using their cell phones!! God damn combat zone. I never like using a cell when I drive because I'm too damn busy dodging all the other drivers.

[duccarlos]

If you guys can't appreciate my skillz, then I'm going back to India.