# Multi-tasking while driving **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 10, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763 "2011-12-10T20:22:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/1 "2011-12-10T20:22:33Z")
Do you multi-task while driving? ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/2 "2011-12-10T20:25:14Z")
Some. I drink (coke or tea) and occasionally eat, but otherwise driving is the one task that I give all of my attention to. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/3 "2011-12-10T20:31:33Z")
When I drive, I _drive_. No calling, no drinking, no eating. The radio is adjusted before I start, and if the person next to me wants to talk to me s/he had better get used to the fact that I refuse to glance to the passenger side when responding. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/4 "2011-12-10T20:37:17Z")
I never make cell phone calls when driving. I hate talking on the phone, so this is never a temptation. If I’m driving across the desert, I’ll change CDs, or change the podcast on my ipod in remote areas. In the city, I don’t tend to multitask unless perhaps changing a radio station. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/5 "2011-12-10T20:52:16Z")
Very seldom. Driving is far too dangerous to mess around with other stuff when you’re supposed to be paying attention to the road and other drivers. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/6 "2011-12-10T20:57:04Z")
I usually have a drink in the cupholder. Sometimes I eat but only small things that I can pop in my mouth quickly and come in a bag that doesn’t need to be held. I don’t talk on the phone, but I do fiddle with the iPod fairly frequently. Which I guess is almost as bad. ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/7 "2011-12-10T20:59:38Z")
Never, when I drive, I drive. May have something to do with living in a very crowded place (Netherlands). ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/8 "2011-12-10T22:03:38Z")
Depends on how you define “multi-tasking.” Changing radio stations, chatting with a passenger or drinking a bottle of water or cup of coffee - sure. These are simple things I can do without taking my eyes off the road or the mirrors and I’m not compromised by doing them. No more onerous than shifting gears, turning signals on and off, adjusting visors to eliminate sunrise glare, and so on. Fiddling with the phone or GPS, trying to read something, doing anything that involves looking in the mirror…not at all. I can’t even comprehend texting while driving, although I see people doing it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![industrialfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/fbc32d/32.png) [@industrialfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/industrialfish)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/9 "2011-12-10T22:06:31Z")
I voted before I read the replies. I drink coffee damn near every morning on the way to work so I guess that counts as multi-tasking. But I won’t answer the phone, or txt and I’ve a HUD and the radio buttons are on the steering wheel so that doesn’t take my eyes off the road. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/10 "2011-12-11T00:23:00Z")
The only thing I do is change CDs - rarely - and when I am about to do that I have them set up on the seat next to me so I don’t have to fiddle. I change radio stations also, but that is done by a button on the steering wheel, and so is less multi-tasking then using the turn signal. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/11 "2011-12-11T01:01:55Z")
Sometimes I have to control the dog a bit, while drinking coffee and having a donut and talking on the cell phone while fiddling with the radio all while avoiding the crazy distracted drivers out there. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/12 "2011-12-11T01:23:49Z")
When I’m on vacation, I’m guilty of taking the occasional photo out the window, fiddling with my iPod once in a while, and glancing at the map from time to time. I don’t do any of that when I driving around home though (commuting, running errands), and I never use my phone while driving, ever. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/13 "2011-12-11T03:03:17Z")
No. I only drink/eat at red lights. ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/14 "2011-12-11T05:34:22Z")
I sometimes drink out of a water bottle or coffee cup while driving. Less often I will eat, but only small items that can be eaten quickly with one hand and set down easily. For drinking and eating, I will only do it when the traffic is light - not during heavy or busy traffic that needs more concentration. Very seldom I will use my hands-free cell phone for short calls, but only when the car isn’t in motion (e.g. stop and go traffic during rush hour, long line of cars waiting to turn left). ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/15 "2011-12-11T05:38:59Z")
I depends. I have bluetooth, so I’ll answer a call if my mobile rings but I don’t make calls while driving. I do change the radio station. I don’t eat or drink while driving but I will take a sip from my drink while stopped at the lights. I was unable to vote because of my ‘it depends’ reaction. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/16 "2011-12-11T05:48:08Z")
Seldomly. Only if I stop at Five Guys for take-out. The fries last just as long as my drive home. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/17 "2011-12-11T06:39:30Z")
I voted always, but only because it seems that drinking coffee or water is considered multi-tasking. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/18 "2011-12-11T17:48:44Z")
Food, Beer, Texting…I only need one knee to steer. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/19 "2011-12-11T22:13:50Z")
> [@Jamicat](#): > > Food, Beer, Texting…I only need one knee to steer. :rolleyes: Unless I have to turn around and smack the kids upside the head for mouthing off, then I use my butt to steer and I hope to god one of the kids will yell if I have to hit the brakes. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763/20 "2011-12-11T23:27:22Z")
Does multi-tasking involve thinking about things other than driving? If so then I am guilty. I can be totally in another world and then come back to reality looking at the road. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multi-tasking-while-driving/605763.md?page=2)