# "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:** 2
**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:** [February 5, 2016, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/21 "2016-02-05T23:35:40Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > It’s a stupid fucking thing to do when driving. Period. Bullshit. > [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > No, it’s not OK. Nothing you have to say is worth the risk. It isn’t the risk to you that matters, it’s the risk to others. They are depending on you to pay attention to driving. In fact, in order for them to drive responsibly, they have to assume you are paying attention to driving; otherwise, the only rational action for them is not to be on the road. Which is OK, I guess, if you own the road. Bullshit. > [@glee](#): > > No, it isn’t. Bull fucking shit. Again, read what I wrote _ **while also taking an honest appraisal of how you drive** _: > [@Bullitt](#): > > I have been known, on a stretch of controlled-access road where I can see clearly for 20 seconds downfield, so to speak, AND IT IS SAFE TO DO SO, to type in a quick OK and hit Send. > > It is safe to do this. You don’t ever take your eyes off the road for 1 second to change the radio station? You don’t ever take your eyes off the road for 1 second to look at your cup of coffee in the cupholder to get it? You don’t ever take your eyes off the road for 1 second to turn to your passenger to say something? You don’t ever take your eyes off the road for 1 second to look at a map? You don’t ever take your eyes off the road for 1 second to look at the written directions to get to where you’re going? Ever? You _ **never** _ take your eyes off the road? To scan quickly your gas gauge? Your water temp gauge? Your speedometer? Of course you do. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/22 "2016-02-06T00:04:15Z")
**Bullit** texting in the manner you describe is dangerous. You could try using Siri or another voice control program if you absolutely must answer. Of course, how do you even know you must answer? I’m guessing you read that message first… Glad you feel comfortable with your maneuver. The rest of us would rather not share the road with you. **Digs** I have called the Highway Patrol on drunk drivers. Drunk as in wildly swerving, no lane control, no speed control, clear road hazard. Not that I’ve done this often, but the HP never showed up. It may be dependent on location and conditions (no officer available due to other calls, etc). It’s not a fool proof way to get idiots off the road. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/23 "2016-02-06T00:11:25Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Bullshit. > Bullshit. > Bull fucking shit. > > … Everyone is pointing out that you’re wrong, but don’t let that stop you. Denial is wonderful isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/24 "2016-02-06T00:15:30Z")
> [@Hooleehootoo](#): > > Understood. I agree startling would be counter-productive. I typically am alongside for several seconds before I an be convinced a person is texting. It is common for them to see a car in the periphery of their vision and look up. So they’re staring at their phones, and you’re staring into their cars to determine if they are texting. Neither activity seems like a good idea, and both are a form of distraction. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/25 "2016-02-06T00:18:27Z")
In many states, texting while driving is an offense. ---
**Author:** ![Hooleehootoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/eada6e/32.png) [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/26 "2016-02-06T00:19:26Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > It is actually codified. What is, that you should keep right? (understandable.) Or that you should turn on your brights to offenders(surprising) ? ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/27 "2016-02-06T00:24:07Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Everyone is pointing out that you’re wrong, but don’t let that stop you. Denial is wonderful isn’t it? You can go along to get along. But when you’re right, you’re right. ---
**Author:** ![Hooleehootoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/eada6e/32.png) [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/28 "2016-02-06T00:25:46Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > You don’t ever take your eyes off the road …Ever? > Of course you do. I think you are misguided, but I do want to acknowledge your point. I think I am slightly more likely to be in an accident and injure others due to the fact that I have a radio in the car, or that I sometimes eat in the car. I listen to the radio because it benefits me. It does not benefit other drivers. It is a negative externality to them. But texting is orders of magnitude more dangerous than other technologies that don’t demand that you cast your view down into your lap for multiple seconds at a time. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/29 "2016-02-06T00:27:10Z")
Look, I understand what people are saying, or trying to. I do. But anybody who denies taking their eyes off the road in, for example the times I posit in post #21, is kidding them self. That is ignorance, and I’m here to fight it. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/30 "2016-02-06T00:30:47Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Bullshit. > > Bullshit. > > Bull fucking shit. This just about sums up your previous post. I don’t consider phone calls or texts important enough to give my immediate attention to while driving. Especially texts, as the sender usually doesn’t expect an instant response. Otherwise he’d have called, right? I only use my phone to play music on my stereo. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/31 "2016-02-06T00:33:22Z")
At or near intersections, in traffic, near pedestrians, where there are uncontrolled access points (cross streets or driveways or hidden bushes where a child or animal may dart out) – idiots who text in those situations are the ones who cause accidents. I do not do this. At or near intersections, in traffic, near pedestrians, where there are uncontrolled access points (cross streets or driveways or hidden bushes where a child or animal may dart out) – people who take their eyes off the road in those situations (whether to change the radio or pick up the french fry that dropped on the center console or whatever reason) cause accidents. I do not do this either. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/32 "2016-02-06T00:36:34Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > This just about sums up your previous post. I don’t consider phone calls or texts important enough to give my immediate attention to while driving. Especially texts, as the sender usually doesn’t expect an instant response. Otherwise he’d have called, right? I only use my phone to play music on my stereo. Who said anything about immediate attention? I don’t do this. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/33 "2016-02-06T00:45:44Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > **Bullit** texting in the manner you describe is dangerous. You could try using Siri or another voice control program if you absolutely must answer. Of course, how do you even know you must answer? I’m guessing you read that message first… Glad you feel comfortable with your maneuver. The rest of us would rather not share the road with you. I look 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. When I coached my kids as they learned to drive, if they needed to pick up something in the car (e.g., a cup) or change the station, I taught them to: 1. Without reaching for the item and only when it is safe, quickly find it with your eyes and then bring your eyes immediately back to the road. 2. Then while kerping your eyes on the road, reach out and do what you need to do. This can be done with only 1/4 second having your eyes off the road. Please remember, I am a trained and certified motorcycle safety instructor with MSF, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I hve over 200,000 accident-free motorcycle miles. I have never been in any motorcycle accident. In my classes I hold and teach a Zero Tolerance for texting and driving. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/34 "2016-02-06T00:46:57Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Who said anything about immediate attention? I don’t do this. If you’re reading your texts while you’re driving, you are giving them your immediate attention. They can fucking wait until you park your car. > [@](#): > > In my classes I hold and teach a Zero Tolerance for texting and driving. Then you should practice what you preach. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/35 "2016-02-06T00:47:19Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > It’s a stupid fucking thing to do when driving. Period. +1 ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/36 "2016-02-06T00:51:57Z")
I now realize that my word choice may have led some to misunderstand what I have been trying to say. Example: > [@Morgenstern](#): > > It’s a stupid fucking thing to do when driving. Period. I responded with [del] **Bullshit**.[/del] A much more accurate response would have been, **Not always**. There is an important logical difference between Never Ever, and Sometimes Depending On The Situation. Thank you for allowing me to clarify, and I hope my (unchanged but better stated) position becomes more acceptable to the masses here. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/37 "2016-02-06T00:54:36Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I look when it is safe, and _ **only if** _ it is safe. I’m sure you really believe this, but it doesn’t make it true. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/38 "2016-02-06T00:54:55Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I now realize that my word choice may have led some to misunderstand what I have been trying to say. > > Example: > > I responded with [del] **Bullshit**.[/del] A much more accurate response would have been, **Not always**. > > There is an important logical difference between Never Ever, and Sometimes Depending On The Situation. > > Thank you for allowing me to clarify, and I hope my (unchanged but better stated) position becomes more acceptable to the masses here. Keep fucking that chicken. ---
**Author:** ![hkepotat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/edb3f5/32.png) [@hkepotat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hkepotat)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2016, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/39 "2016-02-06T01:00:17Z")
I have texted while driving. I do not do this anymore. I thought that I was doing it safely, and it was fine. I have ridden in cars with other people who felt that they could text and drive just fine, and it made me realize that this is not possible. You are distracted enough to think that you are in fact driving fine, but you most certainly are not. I spent nearly 5 years driving large vehicles professionally, and nearly killed several dozen people in that time because they were distracted by their phones. It was only due to my defensive driving and avoidance that possibly fatal accidents (that would have been 100% their fault) were avoided. I do occasionally read or send an “ok” text at a red light, but I acknowledge that I probably shouldn’t even do that, though the consequences of being distracted there are more likely embarrassing than dangerous. The only safe way to send a text while driving is to have a passenger do it. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2016, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271/40 "2016-02-06T01:05:43Z")
The bottom line is only a putz texts while driving. Period. Although it’s true that most putzes don’t realize they’re a putz. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sure-i-text-while-driving-you-if-you-dont-like-it/745271.md?page=3)