# "Sure I text while driving. \*#@% you if you don't like it!" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 5, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271 "2016-02-05T21:07:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/221 "2016-03-16T04:50:15Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > … > > ETA: I just re-read your post. Are we just supposed to hang around near your car until you show up? He has nothing else to do, that’s why he wants company. He did all his texting driving to the motel. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/222 "2016-03-16T06:02:08Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I do not have complete control over the actions of everything and everyone around me. > > Question for you: ever take your eyes off the road, for any reason whatsoever? If you do, how do you justify that? If I am following your argument, if I do stupid and reckless things on the road, then you are totally entitled to do so as well. :dubious: You really want to be right about this thing that almost everyone, except the person who reads books while driving, tells you is a bad idea. That chicken sure looks good on you though. ---
**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:** [March 16, 2016, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/223 "2016-03-16T06:20:14Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Highly unlikely, but, if it’s bumper-to-bumper traffic crawling at 0-5mph, and I have the adaptive cruise control on, I might. > > And I would be safe doing so. Ah, you’re saying that the computer in your car drives more safely than you do. That I believe. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/224 "2016-03-16T08:55:46Z")
**Bullitt** must have been texting when he pissed off those Hell’s Angels. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/225 "2016-03-16T09:06:21Z")
It’s becoming increasingly apparent why these Marines are called “jarheads.” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/226 "2016-03-16T10:51:56Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Would you, Sam, agree to this? What I agree is that you are fighting tooth and nail for your right to act irresponsibly and endanger others. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/227 "2016-03-16T11:28:31Z")
People like to hide behind absolutes. That way they (you) don’t have to think, or to assess risk. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/228 "2016-03-16T11:54:35Z")
I guess you’re just too big a brain for me. Asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/229 "2016-03-16T13:34:03Z")
I am not going to call you an asshole, Bullitt, but I just cannot agree with you. I’ve been watching my own behavior over the last few days. I do a fair amount of driving, nothing crazy, but I travel in the area regularly. Nothing takes your and mind off the road as much as texting. - Drinking coffee or even eating. Distracted, yes, but if you queue everything up before you start, you hardly take your eyes off the road. Maybe for a quick second to make sure your hand is around the mug and not grasping at air. - Changing the song/tune/radio station. I have all of my buttons memorized. I don’t even take my eyes off the road. - Talking on the Bluetooth or cellphone. highly distracted BUT still less than texting. Eyes are still on the road, as long as you’re not trying to dial while driving. I actually don’t use the phone when I am driving, but I admit to the occasional call to say I am LATE! and will be there soon. (I hate being late more than anything). But texting literally forces your eyes off the road, and you can say what you like, I just don’t believe you when you say it’s half a second. And I speak from experience. I have texted a time or two while driving and found it to be so distracting that I immediately stopped. I’ve been driving 23 years and have a ridiculously clean record. I’ve been in two accidents, one of which was the other guy’s fault, and one of which was my fault but we were going like fifteen mph. I’ve got NO speeding tickets since I was 17. With a clean record like that, when I think of all the times I was just a tiny bit distracted and nearly got into an accident, or when someone else was distracted and not paying attention, and my (or their) quick reflexes saved the day, I shudder to think of what could have happened were I texting. Or they texting. You just cannot react as quickly. It takes the edge of your reflexes. I cannot wait until everyone is mandated to have self-driving cars. (Don’t spoil my dream, shut up). Then you can text to your heart’s content. My last question for you: What kind of texts are you getting anyway, that they are worth risking your life for? Note I said your life, not anyone else’s, because, as you claim, you are by yourself when texting. Is someone getting open heart surgery and you are texting them instructions? If not, then why do it? IT CAN WAIT…or get an fancy phone and do voice activated stuff at the least. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/230 "2016-03-16T14:56:09Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > … well I don’t want to get into a pissing contest about who has more driving experience. I have more driving experience than you, and I say you’re wrong. So neener. :rolleyes: Dude, we get it. You have a giant penis. Congratulations. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/231 "2016-03-16T15:43:45Z")
Texting while driving takes more than one’s eyes off the road. It takes both one’s mind and eyes off the road. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/232 "2016-03-17T01:25:33Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I am not going to call you an asshole, Bullitt, but I just cannot agree with you. > > … > > My last question for you: What kind of texts are you getting anyway, that they are worth risking your life for? Note I said your life, not anyone else’s, because, as you claim, you are by yourself when texting. Is someone getting open heart surgery and you are texting them instructions? If not, then why do it? IT CAN WAIT…or get an fancy phone and do voice activated stuff at the least. Thanks. And, I hear you and don’t disagree with your points. And I am fine with your (and others) disagreeing. I do not expect people to agree with me, nor am I trying to change how others drive. The texts I received that night was a continuation of phone calls earlier that day. - Someone sent a pic about the discussion, with a This?, and I replied, Yes. - My wife had been admitted to the hospital, and I texted to her dad the room number. Could these have waited? Yes. Could I have pulled over to send these? Yes again. I’ll say that I do sometimes pull over to type and send a text if it is longer than a word or three. And today while driving through Colorado my family had a group text discussion about politics or some such. Not any urgent issue. I glanced quickly to see what they were discussing, then didn’t read any more of the back and forths, nor did I reply. I’ll catch up to those now, now that I’m checked into a hotel. People have been heaping coals on me as if I text while driving all the time. That is not the case. I do it occasionally. My point through all of this, and I believe I have been saying this consistently, is that there are some occasions when I feel comfortable doing it. Again, we disagree, you and me. And I’m okay with that. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/233 "2016-03-17T01:36:59Z")
I wonder if, God forbid, Bullitt ever hits and hurts someone while texting, will he stand in front of the judge and try and feed him the same bullshit he’s shoveling here? Will he insist it’s safe, and it isn’t his fault that because he didn’t see the flashing red lights on the stopped school bus when he passed it? Funny thing, he thinks he’s never missed anything while texting, but the fact is, he has no idea what he’s missed, because…he missed it while texting. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/234 "2016-03-17T02:11:39Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > My point through all of this, and I believe I have been saying this consistently, is that there are some occasions when\*\* I feel comfortable doing it\*\*. (my bolding) Believe as you wish. But that’s not what you’ve been saying. “I feel comfortable with it” is very much _not_ the same thing as “it is safe.” You’ve been saying, consistently, the latter. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/235 "2016-03-17T10:19:05Z")
We each have our limitations, and they are different for each. Some people can walk, talk and chew bubble gum at the same time, and others can’t. I can. Some can juggle 3, or 5 or more objects, and others can’t. I can (3). Some can fly airplanes, and others can’t. I cannot. Some can ride motorcycles, and others can’t. I can. Some can walk a 3’ wide outside window ledge 30 stories up. I cannot, I have a fear of heights. Some can ride a unicycle, and others can’t. I can. I am comfortable and safe texting under very limited conditions, which is not often but is also not never. Others may be comfortable and safe texting in many more situations. Others aren’t comfortable or otherwise cannot be safe texting under any situation whatsoever. > [@andros](#): > > (my bolding) > > Believe as you wish. But that’s not what you’ve been saying. > > “I feel comfortable with it” is very much _not_ the same thing as “it is safe.” You’ve been saying, consistently, the latter. RTFT, **andros**. Can you read? It is safe enough, for me, _ **under certain conditions** _. I feel safe (comfortable) under certain conditons, but if others do not, if others cannot be safe while texting then they should not. Post #5 – under very limited conditions: > [@Bullitt](#): > > It is safe to do this. Post #33: > [@Bullitt](#): > > I look (at the text) when it is safe, and _ **only if** _ it is safe. > > Receiving a text msg does not command my immediate focus. Safety is first and foremost. Safety to me and my passengers, safety to others. Post #36: > [@Bullitt](#): > > There is an important logical difference between Never Ever, and Sometimes Depending On The Situation. Post #85: > [@Bullitt](#): > > The key is to not drive distracted. > > _ **There are some driving scenarios where texting can be done safely** _ > > Law Enforcement have computers and keyboards next to them in the car – _ **there are some driving scenatios where they can be used safely.** _ Post #103: > [@Bullitt](#): > > I agree here. It is not the safe thing to do. Not texting is of course safer. However, there are times you can do it while still being reasonably and effectively safe. Post #112: > [@Bullitt](#): > > My purpose was to share how texting can be done while being safe enough. Post #201: > [@Bullitt](#): > > What I have been saying is that, on occasion and depending on location, there are times when it can be done safely enough. Is one more safe if not texting? Yes, of course. Post #216: > [@Bullitt](#): > > There is a threshold of multiple variables (including speed, traffic, light, weather, road curvature, driver skill and experience, etc) that, when crossed, makes texting while driving an unsafe act but below which it can be done safely ---
**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/236 "2016-03-17T11:03:54Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I have a friend that claims to have called the cops and given them the plate number of a car any time he sees them doing anything dangerous. > > The kicker? He tells the dispatcher he saw them weaving and worries that they might be drunk. > > THAT usually gets a patrolman out on the road to see what’s up. Then the po-po get to see Entitled Jerk Driver [speeding/tailgating/whacking the kids in the back seat/almost side-swiping cars/texting/calling/filling the hookah] for themselves. > > I’ve always wanted to do that, but haven’t gotten mad enough yet. This thread might push me over the line… No. it doesn’t. Unless an officer is immediately in that vincinity on that road… but usually its giving out as a general message we ignore ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/237 "2016-03-17T14:38:20Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > RTFT, **andros**. Can you read? It is safe enough, for me, _ **under certain conditions** _. :rolleyes: RIP Critical Thinking. You had a good run. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/238 "2016-03-17T17:41:51Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I am comfortable and safe texting under very limited conditions, which is not often but is also not never. Others may be comfortable and safe texting in many more situations. Others aren’t comfortable or otherwise cannot be safe texting under any situation whatsoever. Comfortable maybe, safe no. Just because someone says, “Here, hold my beer.” doesn’t mean you’re going to get a great viral crash video, sometimes they get lucky & nothing exciting happens. 5/6[sup]ths[/sup] of the time tthere’s no bad outcome to Russian Roulette; doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to play, though. ---
**Author:** ![Hooleehootoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/eada6e/32.png) [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/239 "2017-04-01T17:41:21Z")
So, Bullit, what kind of syllabus would you have had to teach the driver of this [incident](http://www.chron.com/news/local/article/Witness-driver-who-hit-church-bus-was-texting-11041354.php) your fine skills? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/240 "2017-04-01T17:53:38Z")
> [@Hooleehootoo](#): > > So, Bullit, what kind of syllabus would you have had to teach the driver of this [incident](http://www.chron.com/news/local/article/Witness-driver-who-hit-church-bus-was-texting-11041354.php) your fine skills? [We’re already pitting this.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=822939) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271.md?page=13)