# Cell Phone Use and PSAs Against Distracted Driving: What Seems Excessive to You? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 11, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511 "2022-08-11T21:57:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/41 "2022-08-12T18:45:04Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Which makes it no longer “hands-free”, and a distraction. Neither is that drink you are sipping on, or even the turn signal that you are using. I assume you have never adjusted the environmental controls or radio settings while the car was in use? You for some reason chose to cut off most of my reply, that mentioned that in most cases, there isn’t a need to touch it at all, but in the cases that you would, it’s not really as much of a distraction as you seem determined to make it out to be. Certainly less than that of pulling out a map to find an alternate route. > [@D\_Anconia](#): > > This signs I saw whilst driving this summer said “Eyes Up, Phones Down”. Sounds like the sort of attempt at pithiness that a govt agency would come up with. Not really the sort of thing that you can base policy on. I also note that it doesn’t say, “Put your phone in the trunk or glove box” or “Turn off your phone.” or “Don’t use GPS.” And since you seem to take such a slogan to such extreme literal lengths, don’t you find it unsafe to drive while staring at the roof of your car? When you pass a sign saying “Click it or Ticket”, do you click “it” to avoid a ticket, or do you simply continue wearing your seatbelt normally? > [@D\_Anconia](#): > > This is the forum for sharing opinions. Oh, in that case, I like most pies, but not rhubarb. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/42 "2022-08-12T18:55:35Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > Yes, we did get by before we had navigation apps. We got by before we had cars, too. And evidently we got by before we had horses and before the wheel. I think convenience and safety belong in some kind of balance. Safety is a very big deal, but if it’s an absolute 100% requirement, driving is out anyway. I got lost a lot. I also wrote down the directions, and often fumbled with both paper maps and paper directions while i drove. I also sometimes pulled off the road to do that, but sometimes there’s no safe way to do that. I’m a safer driver with GPS. I also have my phone set to block most alerts while I’m driving. It doesn’t bing to tell me someone has texted me or sent me an email. I can check that when the car isn’t moving, i don’t need it while I’m driving. I rarely mess with the GPS once i start driving. Ordinarily, i set everything up when i get into the car. Keys, seatbelt, GPS, check behind me, ready to go. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/43 "2022-08-12T19:25:30Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > you have to physically interact with the phone, providing a single press of a button to accept/decline the proposed detour. My satnav simply reroutes if I ignore her instruction. She does get a little silly sometimes, and keeps telling me to turn round, or tries to send me up some country lane to get back on her chosen route. She does give up quite quickly though. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/44 "2022-08-12T19:55:45Z")
Mine announces “recalculating” when I fail to follow instructions. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/45 "2022-08-12T20:00:12Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > This signs I saw whilst driving this summer said “Eyes Up, Phones Down”. You read that sign? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/46 "2022-08-12T20:12:43Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Some people may be so tempted to look at texts or send new ones that turning off the phone might help them. Yeah, I was driving with one of those. He was texting with new GF. He could NOT stop looking at and replying. Note it is not only drivers. Too many clueless pedestrians are crossing the street while not looking… at anything but their phones. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > But how are you pressing no to the prompt about whether to download a text message? Doesn’t doing so require you to look away from the road? I remember a CA Judge ruled that using a Nav app was not illegal. > [@D\_Anconia](#): > > People managed just fine before navigation apps. Yeah, we had those big Thomas guide map books. You don’t thinking looking at them was distracting? > [@D\_Anconia](#): > > If you were visiting someone’s house for the first time, you might be given directions such as “Take Main Street through town, turn right at the Sunoco station, left on Elm, 2nd house on the right.” Or “get off the Freeway at the beer billboard, turn right at the gas station, go past the house where the Smiths used to live, and it’s the white house”. And the problem with directions is that if you miss a turn, you are **LOST.** > [@carnut](#): > > I have my phone bluetoothed to the car so I can take calls hands-free. That is good and pretty safe as long as it is a _short_ call such as “Honey, get some milk on your way home”, or “Freeway is jammed, I am gonna be late”. During a long conversation, you will zone out, have tunnel vision, and start driving slower and weaving. > [@BigT](#): > > I remember there being talk about how even talking on the phone hands free is a problem. You’re actively engaging with someone who doesn’t know what’s going on, which makes it worse than talking to people in the car (who can see what’s going on) or listening to radio (where you don’t have to be active). Exactly. But it does not seem to be an issue if the call is short. > [@doreen](#): > > I can maybe buy that 90% of drivers don’t use hand-held phones while driving but I don’t think you can get to 90% if you include eating, drinking, changing radio stations. All those are usually quite short. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/47 "2022-08-12T20:14:18Z")
And yet, somehow, she starts to sound exasperated after you ignore her directions for too long. _Sigh_ Recalculating. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/48 "2022-08-12T20:17:37Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > All those are usually quite short. I don’t know about eating. I was travelling with my (now ex) brother in law many years ago, and he had a full plate of enchiladas on his lap, fork and knife at work, and thought that his knee on the steering wheel was sufficient for driving. Refused to let me drive, “Nah, I’m good, I always do this.” I haven’t been in his car since. I’m quite amazed that he hasn’t killed himself or others. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/49 "2022-08-12T20:19:11Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I don’t know about eating. I was travelling with my (now ex) brother in law many years ago, and he had a full plate of enchiladas on his lap, fork and knife at work, and thought that his knee on the steering wheel was sufficient for driving. Yeah, that’s excessive and dangerous. I was thinking one handed fast or finger food, like chips or cookies or something. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/50 "2022-08-12T20:24:50Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > I don’t think you can get to 90% if you include eating, drinking, changing radio stations. Does this mean I can’t eat a hard-shell taco when driving? 😉 Seriously, though, if new car radios are that hard to search to find a station, I’d rather drive in silence than risk an accident. In the U.K., there is no eating or drinking anything while behind the wheel. While, it can make road trips a challenge, especially if you haven’t got a driving partner, it has had a positive effect. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/51 "2022-08-12T20:35:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > That is good and pretty safe as long as it is a _short_ call such as “Honey, get some milk on your way home”, or “Freeway is jammed, I am gonna be late”. During a long conversation, you will zone out, have tunnel vision, and start driving slower and weaving. Before you judge what _I_ would do, why don’t you come on a drive with me. But you’ll have to not say anything because I might find that distracting. It would cause me to zone out, have tunnel vision, and start driving slower and weaving. Or so you say. I say this because you are identifying me as a bozo on the road, without having proof that I am one of the bozos on the road. Yes, there are many, but please don’t condemn me without evidence. I never mentioned how long any call I might accept is or what the subject matter is. As I mentioned above, I ignore all messages and don’t pick up most calls. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/52 "2022-08-12T20:41:08Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Before you judge what _I_ would do, why don’t you come on a drive with me. But you’ll have to not say anything because I might find that distracting. It would cause me to zone out, have tunnel vision, and start driving slower and weaving. Or so you say. > > I say this because you are identifying me as a bozo on the road, without having proof that I am one of the bozos on the road. Yes, there are many, but please don’t condemn me without evidence. If you read my post, I was not accusing _you_ of making long calls. There is an “IF” there, _and that applies to all us mortals._ However, the studies have shown that a conversation with a passenger beside you does not have the same effect. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/53 "2022-08-12T20:52:18Z")
You don’t even need cell phones to be an ass. About 30 years ago, I was driving on I-90 through Indiana. I passed a car and glanced over to see that the driver had a bible set inside the steering wheel well and seemed to be reading it! Maybe it was Mike Pence. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/54 "2022-08-12T21:05:27Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > However, the studies have shown that a conversation with a passenger beside you does not have the same effect. But it really does for me because I am so used to driving distances alone. Even I notice the difference. Sorry for taking offence to your statement but it felt to me that your comment was aimed at me. It’s been a rough week. Again, my apologies. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/55 "2022-08-12T21:17:55Z")
Yes, that’s what responsible drivers do. There’s a lot more than stop/yield,/speed limit signs. Exit 122 is on the left. The 465 bypass is on the right. Reduced speed ahead–school or construction zone. No exit to Highland Avenue. Sharp curve. Steep grade. Road closed. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/56 "2022-08-12T21:21:24Z")
I’m pretty sure that in most jurisidictions, “I was just checking GPS” is NOT a valid defense to a charge of distracted driving. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/57 "2022-08-12T21:24:02Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > In the U.K., there is no eating or drinking anything while behind the wheel Unless it has changed very recently I don’t think that is a hard and fast rule. [It may be recommended not to do so](https://www.newtons.co.uk/news/illegal-things-to-do-while-driving/#:~:text=Eating%20or%20drinking%20at%20the,and%20points%20on%20your%20license.) but unless the eating or drinking is causing you to be distracted it isn’t actually illegal, not in the same way that interacting with a phone is. From that link though you can see that there are plenty of infractions that can land you with a fine. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/58 "2022-08-12T21:31:43Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Sorry for taking offence to your statement but it felt to me that your comment was aimed at me. It’s been a rough week. Again, my apologies. No problem. 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/59 "2022-08-12T21:47:05Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > I’m pretty sure that in most jurisidictions, “I was just checking GPS” is NOT a valid defense to a charge of distracted driving. YMMV. If you can safely spare a couple of seconds to glance at a road sign that says “[next road exit] 1.5 miles”, I don’t understand why you think I would struggle to safely do the exact same thing on my cell phone. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511/60 "2022-08-12T22:02:56Z")
Because the road signs are on/beside the road, where you’re eyes are supposed to be scanning. Not in your cupholder, lap, mount, or adjacent seat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-use-and-psas-against-distracted-driving-what-seems-excessive-to-you/969511.md?page=4)