# When will idiots learn not to text and drive? (Texas bus accident) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 1, 2017, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483 "2017-04-01T06:36:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Trancephalic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trancephalic/32/380_2.png) [@Trancephalic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancephalic)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/41 "2017-04-02T01:12:29Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Thats what I love about the Pit. 49% of Americans admit to texting while driving. Reading this thread you would think that not single SDMB ever TD’d. EVER. > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Is this a “cast the first stone” remark? If so, _casts first stone_. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/42 "2017-04-02T01:14:18Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Thats what I love about the Pit. 49% of Americans admit to texting while driving. Reading this thread you would think that not single SDMB ever TD’d. EVER. Here’s a possible explanation: There are studies galore showing the adverse effects of texting and other distractions on people’s driving. US auto fatalities have seen a recent uptick after years (actually, decades) of decline, and safety researchers believe that the presence of in-car distractions is a big factor. And stories like the one in the OP, where people are killed as a result of texting and similar activities, are in the news more and more. Given all of these things, i would be willing to bet that most people who text while driving are aware that it really is a rather indefensible practice. So, when they see a conversation like this, they are left with a choice between defending the indefensible, lying about their own behavior, or hypocritically admitting to the behavior while also criticizing it. Under those circumstances, it might be easier and less confronting just to stay out of the conversation altogether. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/43 "2017-04-02T01:14:55Z")
> [@Fuji](#): > > Yeah! Totally! What kind of an asshole _wouldn’t_ text while driving, amiright! 😉 Freebird!!! 🆒 Yer drunk. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/44 "2017-04-02T01:24:55Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Thats what I love about the Pit. 49% of Americans admit to texting while driving. Reading this thread you would think that not single SDMB ever TD’d. EVER. Why would you assume that? Maybe we’ve learned our lesson… First time I tried texting two words, I looked up just in time to avoid hitting a car. It was parked. Never again. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/45 "2017-04-02T01:47:14Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Mythbusters did a show once on this very topic and they found that handheld talking was slightly _better_ than handsfree, which was a complete surprise to me. Since the testing only involved 30 drivers total, the slight difference was not found to be statistically significant. They concluded that it was no safer to use a hands-free device, but not necessarily less safe than handheld talking. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/46 "2017-04-02T01:48:56Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > This is not an accident, it is mass murder. Driving drunk or distracted is like playing with a loaded gun. I wish your opinion held here when my father was killed. Most people insist on calling what happened to him an accident. No. The dude looked DOWN to put in a CD, then hit and killed my father. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/47 "2017-04-02T01:50:53Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > This is not an accident, it is mass murder. Driving drunk or distracted is like playing with a loaded gun. I wish your opinion held here when my father was killed. Most people insist on calling what happened to him an accident. No. The dude looked DOWN to put in a CD, then hit and killed my father. It’ been two and a half years, and the sin that continues to weigh on my sould is that I don’t want to forgive the killer. Well, unless I could look him in the face and ask “why?” Turns out he lived only two blocks from me at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Fuji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/48 "2017-04-02T02:03:22Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Yer drunk. You’re not incorrect in this particular instance with that accusation. Kudos. Doesn’t change the fact that only assholes fiddle with their fucking phones while driving. And while I’m here. It’s time to ankle this shit: > [@](#): > > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/49 "2017-04-02T02:12:36Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > Since the testing only involved 30 drivers total, the slight difference was not found to be statistically significant. They concluded that it was no safer to use a hands-free device, but not necessarily less safe than handheld talking. Thats the next thing the driving Nazis are trying to push: banning ALL phone calls while driving, hands free or not. I sure as hell hope if this ever passes in my state they’ll increase unemployment while they are at it because in my business if a customer calls me and I don’t pick up right away guess who they will call next? Bingo: the competition. Or if they want to be real assholes they’ll call my manager complaining they couldn’t get hold of me. Banning texting while driving or non-handsfree devices is reasonable but you better be careful because there’s a lot of busybody lawmakers that want to take things too far. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/50 "2017-04-02T02:24:00Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Thats the next thing the driving Nazis are trying to push: banning ALL phone calls while driving, hands free or not. I sure as hell hope if this ever passes in my state they’ll increase unemployment while they are at it because in my business if a customer calls me and I don’t pick up right away guess who they will call next? > > Bingo: the competition. Or if they want to be real assholes they’ll call my manager complaining they couldn’t get hold of me. Well, if you were at some minimal level of intelligence, you could record your voice mail message as something along the lines of “I’m sorry, I can’t take your call, I may be driving at this time. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.” But you’re russian heel, so fat chance of THAT. ---
**Author:** ![Fuji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/51 "2017-04-02T02:25:26Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Banning texting while driving or non-handsfree devices is reasonable… Alright, so you’re amenable to reason. You seem to at least recognize the potential for disaster. The Tapatalk shit remains obnoxious as ever. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/52 "2017-04-02T02:34:18Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Thats the next thing the driving Nazis are trying to push: banning ALL phone calls while driving, hands free or not. I sure as hell hope if this ever passes in my state they’ll increase unemployment while they are at it because in my business if a customer calls me and I don’t pick up right away guess who they will call next? > > Bingo: the competition. Or if they want to be real assholes they’ll call my manager complaining they couldn’t get hold of me. > > Banning texting while driving or non-handsfree devices is reasonable but you better be careful because there’s a lot of busybody lawmakers that want to take things too far. Hey, until about 20 years ago, not being reachable on the phone while away from your fixed desk was the normal state of affairs for msot of us. To be totally frank, creating the expectation that I have to be on call 24/7 across every square foot of the Earth’s surface and from sea level to the ceiling of our airliners, or else fall behind in the marketplace, has been one of the most sucktastic parts of technological progress. But yes can at least say, look, the genie’s out of the bottle but let’s adapt and use specific forms of the system that manage the risks. You can reach me, but not necessarily ANY way you want to, we can compromise. (That messaging now tells you that the message was delivered and read is aggravating since it panders to the sender feeling entitled to a quick response.) ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/53 "2017-04-02T02:56:16Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I wish your opinion held here when my father was killed. Most people insist on calling what happened to him an accident. > > No. The dude looked DOWN to put in a CD, then hit and killed my father. > > It’ been two and a half years, and the sin that continues to weigh on my sould is that I don’t want to forgive the killer. Well, unless I could look him in the face and ask “why?” Turns out he lived only two blocks from me at the time. Driving suffers from familiarity. It’s routine and people become complacent to the seriousness of the job. I admit I fiddle with things while driving that I shouldn’t. Music and eating in the car are my distractions. Talking on the phone I do all the time. But I definitely don’t text. ---
**Author:** ![Fuji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/54 "2017-04-02T03:48:28Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I admit I fiddle with things while driving that I shouldn’t. Music and eating in the car are my distractions. Talking on the phone I do all the time. If you’re aware of the danger, why continue these behaviors? ---
**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:** [April 2, 2017, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/55 "2017-04-02T03:55:49Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I admit I fiddle with things while driving that I shouldn’t. Music and eating in the car are my distractions. Talking on the phone I do all the time. But I definitely don’t text. You talk on the phone all the time while driving? I really wish you could watch a video of yourself doing this-what you do with your hands, where your eyes focus when you talk to others, the delays in response to red and/or green lights. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/56 "2017-04-02T04:05:15Z")
> [@Fuji](#): > > If you’re aware of the danger, why continue these behaviors? That’s a good question. I’d have to say that I suppose I’m making the assumption that the additional risk is relatively insignificant. I don’t have to take my eyes off the road to eat a bucket of chicken or change the radio station. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > You talk on the phone all the time while driving? > I really wish you could watch a video of yourself doing this-what you do with your hands, where your eyes focus when you talk to others, the delays in response to red and/or green lights. Yeah, all the time and it’s not hands free. The video might be educational actually. I don’t use or answer the phone in city or busy traffic though. Light interstate traffic is where I’m usually chatting on the phone. Here I am making excuses! Sad. ☹ I don’t see how it’s different than talking with a headset while flying though. Which I’ve only done once. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/57 "2017-04-02T04:47:30Z")
OK, to be perfectly honest, I will admit to calling my office just to tell them I am on the way, but I refuse to do anything that requires looking away from the road or takes more than a few seconds (Siri responds to “call office”). I have also been known to look at my phone when stopped at a long light. I think I am going to have to be more cautious if I expect it of others. I agree that we need to treat this like drunk driving. I am constantly amazed at how MADD was able to make designated drivers a widely accepted concept. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/58 "2017-04-02T04:55:23Z")
**octopus** , I’d love to be the cop that pulled you over for distracted driving, that “I’m safe talking on the phone” thing. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/59 "2017-04-02T05:20:18Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > **octopus** , I’d love to be the cop that pulled you over for distracted driving, that “I’m safe talking on the phone” thing. It’s legal where I live so cops can’t just for talking on phone. I pass police on the interstate while on the phone just like everyone else around me. The police are too busy driving while staring at their laptops to worry about drivers behaving legally. Texting is illegal and I don’t do that. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2017, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483/60 "2017-04-02T07:49:18Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, if you were at some minimal level of intelligence, you could record your voice mail message as something along the lines of “I’m sorry, I can’t take your call, I may be driving at this time. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.” > > But you’re russian heel, so fat chance of THAT. Yeah, I’m going to change my voicemail every time I drive. That’s not a burden at all. Making fun of my username=ORIGINAL Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-idiots-learn-not-to-text-and-drive-texas-bus-accident/783483.md?page=4)