Should talking & driving be illegal?

[thegreatkazoo]

Well, I was going to give this one to my DHers, but I decided you guys needed it more. However, the DHers will be getting a TMQ-inspired debate soon enough.

The question here is:
Should talking and texting while operating a motor vehicle be banned?

The concept is not that unfounded: Texting while driving has been shown to be just about equal to driving while drunk, and operating a cell phone has been known to distract drivers.

I will only come in to keep the debate on track & to stop logical fallacies (only if y'all don't. ).

Happy debating.

EDIT: This is in reference to American drivers.

 

[-ACE-]

Although I'm not a big 'texter' (my plan limits me to 200 texts/month) I love the convenience of text messages. However, I still think that it should be illegal. Statistics show that a driver is 6 times more likely to cause an accident while sending a text message, and 80% of crashes in the US are the result of 'distracted drivers' (http://www.fox4now.com/Global/story.asp?S=10717568&nav=menu563_12_10_4).

I have been guilty of texting while driving, and it honestly has a significantly negative effect on my quality of driving (I was once sending a text message while on the interstate, and passed 2 state troopers next to each other while doing 87 in a 70; I had no idea I was going that fast and somehow I did not get pulled over). By December of this year, my state (NC) will render texting while driving completely illegal, and I completely agree with this decision (http://www.edgarsnyder.com/auto-accident/auto/cell/index.html). I feel that I am a very good driver (I have been driving for over 10 years with no accidents), and I feel that if texting while driving can effect me, it can effect others as well (and although this may seem like anecdotal evidence, statistics show that others are effected, undoubtedly for the same reasons.

 

[Disfunkshunal]

hink most people will agree texting and driving should be illegal so no need to go over that. However i dont think talking and driving should be illegal.

With today's technology you no longer need to physucally pick up a phone and dial or scroll for numbers. Im sure you all have heard of the wireless bluetooth and if you havent

Being able to call people people simply by turning the blue tooth on and then speaking is a lot less dangerous and should be allowed. the only distraction would be pushing the button which is 1 second and most times not even that if you know where your ear is.

 

[-ACE-]

hink most people will agree texting and driving should be illegal so no need to go over that.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. I could easily see how a lot of people might consider such a law to be a tad outrageous (not that I see it that way).

 

[thegreatkazoo]

With today's technology you no longer need to physucally pick up a phone and dial or scroll for numbers. Im sure you all have heard of the wireless bluetooth and if you havent

However, there are multiple studies which show that just using a cell phone while driving impairs driving ability. Check the OP for more...

 

[rhan]

Texting behind the wheel SHOULD be illegal PERIOD. Yeah some people may be able to text without looking at the screen but it adverts your attention away from driving because then you're more focused on trying to memorize where each letter is or how many times you have to press a certian button. And it's not mainly teenagers that text behind the wheel. Even adults. My mom does this and i scares the crap out of me whenever she does. The worse part when she does this is that she owns a stick shift... Obviously not smart and it adverts her attention off the road. She starts to drift around from lane to lane and I have to scream at her and take her phone away from her.

Talking on a phone while driving is pretty much no different than talking to someone in the car or rolling up the windows. Only difference is that if you don't use the speaker phone or your phone doesn't have speaker phone, you're mainly using one hand while driving. This would only be a problem if you own a stick shift (but since that person own a stick shift you should be fairly decent at multitasking anyway). The one thing with talking on the phone rather than texting is that your eyes and most of your attention is still focused on driving. One doesn't need much focus in talking than they do when they text or type.

In a summary. If there would be a passed law that bans texting behind the wheel, it could possibly create a safer driving enviornment and there could be fewer crashes on the road. But talking on the phone isn't any different than talking with someone in your car.

 

[zrky]

Being able to call people people simply by turning the blue tooth on and then speaking is a lot less dangerous and should be allowed. the only distraction would be pushing the button which is 1 second and most times not even that if you know where your ear is.

Actually the process of talking and thinking of what your saying is what distracts you while driving, it's not the act of finding the number or stuff like that.

Your brain is all ready having to work enough being aware of it's surroundings while driving and keeping within set limits, thinking of what to say to someone in a conversation is the last thing it needs.

 

[professor mgw]

Did anyone see that newer invention billy mays advertised? Basically a bluetooth but plays sound throught your whole car. So you can keep both hands on the wheel.

 

[Disfunkshunal]

I wouldn't be so sure about that. I could easily see how a lot of people might consider such a law to be a tad outrageous (not that I see it that way).

I've met/ read from very few people against that idea but if anyone with that viewpoint comes in then ill say something more.

However, there are multiple studies which show that just using a cell phone while driving impairs driving ability. Check the OP for more...

Pretty much everything impairs driving ability
-listening to football on the radio
-fast music
-kids

and theres more than that. Unless you're driving by yourself in complete silence and no medical or other disablilities then your driving should be perfect but all qualifications are rearely met.

Actually the process of talking and thinking of what your saying is what distracts you while driving, it's not the act of finding the number or stuff like that.

Your brain is all ready having to work enough being aware of it's surroundings while driving and keeping within set limits, thinking of what to say to someone in a conversation is the last thing it needs.

I understand what you are saying but i dont think the distraction is enough for a ban. Also consider the that not every call is a casual call. Sometimes it may be to warn someone of something, sometimes it can be a reminder, sometimes it can be to save your job, sometimes its an emergency etc.
Anohter thing to look at is how hard this would be to enforce. the most obvious is if you are seen holding a phone to your ear and preatty much the only way to check that is have a cop ride uo next to you and look in your car, which would be hard especially on busy streets. Also the phone isnt always visble like if you are using a bluetooth.

 

[Mic_128]

I understand what you are saying but i dont think the distraction is enough for a ban. Also consider the that not every call is a casual call. Sometimes it may be to warn someone of something, sometimes it can be a reminder, sometimes it can be to save your job, sometimes its an emergency etc.

You can still answer the call by pulling over.

Anohter thing to look at is how hard this would be to enforce. the most obvious is if you are seen holding a phone to your ear and preatty much the only way to check that is have a cop ride uo next to you and look in your car, which would be hard especially on busy streets. Also the phone isnt always visble like if you are using a bluetooth.

We have it illegal to use a phone without hands free over here, and you're right. Only way it's enforced is if a cop sees someone on the phone.

 

[Omni]

But talking on the phone isn't any different than talking with someone in your car.

I'm going to have to disagree.

Talking on the phone requires you to remove your focus from the road by grabbing your phone (wherever it may be), acknowledging who is calling, then using one hand to hold the phone and finally going back to driving.

Talking with someone in your car only requires for you to be able to speak and respond when spoken to while driving.

Those extra functions required to answer/call using a phone are the main reasons why accidents occur.

 

[rhan]

It varies from person to person. Some people already know the location of thier cell phone in thier car and can answer thier phone without adverting thier eyes away from the road. The average person may check to see who's calling but other people just answer the call. If thier phone has a speaker phone option then most people use that insted of holding it to thier ear anyway or maybe use some kind of bluetooth.

All these different variables can prevent the driver from adverting thier attentions/eyes off the road.

 

[zrky]

It varies from person to person. Some people already know the location of thier cell phone in thier car and can answer thier phone without adverting thier eyes away from the road. The average person may check to see who's calling but other people just answer the call.

Agreed, but it's those people who check to see who is calling that often cause the problems.

If thier phone has a speaker phone option then most people use that insted of holding it to thier ear anyway or maybe use some kind of bluetooth.

Wouldn't you need to find that key or button inorder for the function to he activated? Even with the speaker on some people still hold the phone in one hand. Others (depending on where they place it) often have to focus more on the phone to keep it from falling, and that is an uneeded extra distraction.

 

[thegreatkazoo]

First, turn your sig off, and then...I'm gonna show you a few flaws in your argument.

Pretty much everything impairs driving ability
-listening to football on the radio

This is from the UK, and I am referring to American drivers. Don't compare apples & oranges.

-fast music

This is from seven years ago. It is typically better when countering a point to make your sources more up to date.

-kids

This link doesn't even work...

and theres more than that. Unless you're driving by yourself in complete silence and no medical or other disablilities then your driving should be perfect but all qualifications are rearely met.

That's not the point I am trying to make. Just because certain activities may impair your driving (say, scratching your nose for a second) doesn't mean it should be prohibited. Rather, activities that show a major detriment to a person's driving (such as drinking, and as I showed in the OP, texting as well), should be IMHO.

I understand what you are saying but i dont think the distraction is enough for a ban. Also consider the that not every call is a casual call. Sometimes it may be to warn someone of something, sometimes it can be a reminder, sometimes it can be to save your job, sometimes its an emergency etc.
Anohter thing to look at is how hard this would be to enforce. the most obvious is if you are seen holding a phone to your ear and preatty much the only way to check that is have a cop ride uo next to you and look in your car, which would be hard especially on busy streets. Also the phone isnt always visble like if you are using a bluetooth.

There was a point that addressed the point you made on your first sentence in the OP:

Had myself an epiphany, I did: was reviewing last night's game with my son really worth dying for? I decided it was not. So I no longer make or take calls while driving.

If it's an emergency, I told my family, dial me again and I'll call you back. But the calls are hardly ever urgent, are they? That's not what this epidemic is about. Rather, it's about this idea -- new within the last 15 years or so of our hyper-connected, hyper-productive culture -- that it's never OK to be out of touch, unreachable, unreached.

Whither solitude? Whither the moment just spent communing with your own thoughts? Do you really have that much to say? I'll save you the trouble: You don't.

Phoning while driving, texting while driving . . . here's a novel idea. How about driving while driving? And for those truly urgent messages that just can't wait, I propose a simple solution:

Pull over.

Also, I didn't ask if the law could be enforced, but rather should a law be implemented.

 

[Fuelbi]

Oh god the times my father has texted in the car while driving (which pretty much is every single time we go out).

I would say it has to be illegal. I wouldnt even take bluetooth with me on the car. The noise would just distract me from concentrating on the road. Pretty much anything that involves me talking with other people would distract me from driving. If I really get an important call Id do what my uncle does: Pull over. Although if my father did that every time hed get a text we would never get to our destination. Talking with.... well I dont have kids yet but if I had, Id tell them to stfu till we got to our destination. There we'll talk all we want.... well I dunno thats my opinion. A law really should be enforced.

But if a law was enforced how are we going to make sure the cops will enforce it. I mean you could drive well when you text (again my father) and you could put it below the windows where people can see. How are we going to make sure that the police will enforce it? I mean sure some people will drive as if they were drunk and theyll surely get THOSE people but what about the others that drive as well as the text?

 

[thegreatkazoo]

Oh god the times my father has texted in the car while driving (which pretty much is every single time we go out).

I would say it has to be illegal. I wouldnt even take bluetooth with me on the car. The noise would just distract me from concentrating on the road. Pretty much anything that involves me talking with other people would distract me from driving. If I really get an important call Id do what my uncle does: Pull over. Although if my father did that every time hed get a text we would never get to our destination. Talking with.... well I dont have kids yet but if I had, Id tell them to stfu till we got to our destination. There we'll talk all we want.... well I dunno thats my opinion. A law really should be enforced.

But if a law was enforced how are we going to make sure the cops will enforce it. I mean you could drive well when you text (again my father) and you could put it below the windows where people can see. How are we going to make sure that the police will enforce it? I mean sure some people will drive as if they were drunk and theyll surely get THOSE people but what about the others that drive as well as the text?

As noted in the OP, texting in the car has about the same detriment as driving drunk, which would mean law enforcement should be able to notice the effects with the same efficiency as they do with drunk driving.

 

[Fuelbi]

As noted in the OP, texting in the car has about the same detriment as driving drunk, which would mean law enforcement should be able to notice the effects with the same efficiency as they do with drunk driving.

Hohoho. If you just saw my father drive. There are people, who like him, drive almost perfectly while texting. I think the cops will still have about 3/4 of the people arrested for text driving while the rest will go on free because they drive well while texting. IMO I think thats unfair for teh rest of the people.... maybe they should make cars that when you get a text it gives you a limited time to get to park somewhere to answer it before it shuts down itself or something....

 

[thegreatkazoo]

Hohoho. If you just saw my father drive. There are people, who like him, drive almost perfectly while texting. I think the cops will still have about 3/4 of the people arrested for text driving while the rest will go on free because they drive well while texting. IMO I think thats unfair for teh rest of the people.... maybe they should make cars that when you get a text it gives you a limited time to get to park somewhere to answer it before it shuts down itself or something....

Where is your evidence for this (viz no personal anecdotes to defend a claim unless you source accordingly...)?

 

[KrazyGlue]

Hohoho. If you just saw my father drive. There are people, who like him, drive almost perfectly while texting. I think the cops will still have about 3/4 of the people arrested for text driving while the rest will go on free because they drive well while texting. IMO I think thats unfair for teh rest of the people....

Well, the cops can never catch everyone.

And even if you're father is good at texting while driving (which I'm not sure whether to believe or not):

1. There might just be that one time where he messes up. He could've texted and driven perfectly his entire life, but one mess up could mean death.
​

2. You also have to assume the worst while driving. Never assume that everyone arround you is a competent driver. And if someone swerves in your lane without flashing their turn signal and your father is looking at his phone... there will be a crash.
​

I encourage you to tell your father to stop texting while driving.

maybe they should make cars that when you get a text it gives you a limited time to get to park somewhere to answer it before it shuts down itself or something....

What if you're on a highway with no exits for miles? Also it would be a heck of a lot smarter to just turn of the phone than to stop every 5 minutes to answer a text.

There is, however, a car that enforces some limits on the driver (mainly for parents limiting what their teens can do while driving). For instance, radio volume, maximum speed, etc. It's called the Ford MyKey.

 

[Ryan Ludovic]

Hohoho. If you just saw my father drive. There are people, who like him, drive almost perfectly while texting. I think the cops will still have about 3/4 of the people arrested for text driving while the rest will go on free because they drive well while texting. IMO I think thats unfair for teh rest of the people.... maybe they should make cars that when you get a text it gives you a limited time to get to park somewhere to answer it before it shuts down itself or something....

With this logic, if 3/4ths of the people who drunk-drive can pass as sober while driving, the law against drunk driving should be lifted for fairness?

and cars that stop when you get a txt? i sit in 2 hours of traffic to work, and 2 hours from work. 1/6th my day is spent in traffic. can you imagine how bad traffic everywhere would be if that happened? I wish we could replace responsibility with technology, but then we'd become extinct

 

[Sucumbio]

OK glad I read the OP cause the title I was about to thwack you, lol "No talking, you're driving!" TEXTING however, absolutely. I consider myself to be a good driver, and I have a good driving record to back it up. However, I've never been so close to accidents as I have been when having to reply to my impatient wife in a text message cause she can't talk on her phone at that time, only text, and needs a response. I don't do it anymore, too many near collisions, or not noticing the light's changed, etc. Yes, totally should be illegal. I for one would rather there be a re-institution of the one-handed-driver rules, which basically means you keep both hands on the wheel at all times, save for very brief periods when changing the temperature controls, radio, etc. But cars often have these controls on the steering column now, so that's even more precedent to having those old driving laws brought back.

 

[Bob Jane T-Mart]

According to this study involving around 500 participants, driving while talking in the phone is up to 4 times more dangerous than driving when you aren't. Additionally a hands free kit, doesn't improve your ability to drive while talking on the phone much at all. The distraction of talking to somebody elsewhere is what counts. I would imagine texting is worse because you probably take your eyes of the more road and it's harder to use(I don't actually drive).

Basically talking or texting while driving is a dangerous practice, and people don't put just their lives at risk; they will put many other lives at risk.

This means that these practices should be at least discouraged, and perhaps made illegal. Even if the laws against text/talking while driving are hard to enforce, they may act as a deterrent for people who would do this without the legislation in place.

 

[LLDL]

It depends on how experienced the drivers are. My parents are in there 50s, and driving and talking is second nature to them. Although people won't admit it, drivers my age have alot more trouble driving while talking. I can drive perfectly fine while talking, but I find my self concentrating more on driving than normally while talking.

 

[Bob Jane T-Mart]

It depends on how experienced the drivers are.

You're probably right about this.

My parents are in there 50s, and driving and talking is second nature to them. Although people won't admit it, drivers my age have alot more trouble driving while talking. I can drive perfectly fine while talking, but I find my self concentrating more on driving than normally while talking.

Sorry but subjective opinions and anecdotal evidence don't seem to quite as powerful as peer reviewed literature...

You may think you drive fine while talking, but have you actually tested that? If you haven't your perceptions may not be entirely accurate, as they are subjective and possibly flawed (no offence intended. In fact almost all eyewitness accounts are unreliable). Even if you are fine at driving while talking, you may be in a skilled minority of drivers that can drive and talk safely.

 

[Ryan Ludovic]

According to this study involving around 500 participants, driving while talking in the phone is up to 4 times more dangerous than driving when you aren't. Additionally a hands free kit, doesn't improve your ability to drive while talking on the phone much at all. The distraction of talking to somebody elsewhere is what counts. I would imagine texting is worse because you probably take your eyes of the more road and it's harder to use(I don't actually drive).

Basically talking or texting while driving is a dangerous practice, and people don't put just their lives at risk; they will put many other lives at risk.

This means that these practices should be at least discouraged, and perhaps made illegal. Even if the laws against text/talking while driving are hard to enforce, they may act as a deterrent for people who would do this without the legislation in place.

But that would involve making a law against conversations in cars while in motion, which is not only very orwellian, but unrealistic.

 

[Bob Jane T-Mart]

But that would involve making a law against conversations in cars while in motion, which is not only very orwellian, but unrealistic.

It's been done in Australia, and it doesn't really seem that bad... Talking on the phone while driving is illegal in Australia as is texting while driving.

 

[Sucumbio]

But that would involve making a law against conversations in cars while in motion, which is not only very orwellian, but unrealistic.

LOL I -think- (hope) he didn't mean just talking, but talking on a Phone. You can talk and drive at the same time, it's easy. But doing so while trying to hold a phone in your hands is not so easy. Again this is why one-handed driving rules should be brought back. it was illegal before, and for good reason, no reason why it shouldn't still be illegal -especially- now that cell phones are so prevalent.

And texting while driving, that's NOT TALKING. That's imputing data strings on a keypad... and while driving? Completely ridiculous to even try.

 

[Ryan Ludovic]

LOL I -think- (hope) he didn't mean just talking, but talking on a Phone.

Additionally a hands free kit, doesn't improve your ability to drive while talking on the phone much at all. The distraction of talking to somebody elsewhere is what counts.

read the post i was responding to...

 

[CStick]

Texting an driving should definitely be illegal. I would also support making other types of distracted driving (for example, eating while driving) illegal as well.

However, as said, there are many devices that allow hands-free talking on a cellphone. So, as long as a person can have both hands on the wheel and sit properly to focus on driving, I can't argue for that being illegal.

The one ambiguous thing about making such things illegal is that it is still legal to do other equally distracting things while driving, such as screwing with the car radio, lighter, smoke a cigarette, etc. I'd imagine that the car radio has caused more accidents and impaired more drivers than cellphones ever have.

 

[Ryan Ludovic]

It's hard for me to actually know where to draw the line in what is illegal and what is legal.

I feel texting should be finable
I feel talking should be finable
I feel talking on a wireless or hands-free system is not finable

 

[Sucumbio]

read the post i was responding to...

LOL Ok now I gotcha. And your response well leads into your next one:

It's hard for me to actually know where to draw the line in what is illegal and what is legal.

I feel texting should be finable
I feel talking should be finable
I feel talking on a wireless or hands-free system is not finable

I agree, actually. Texting is definitely bad. Talking while HOLDING a phone is bad. I'm gonna actually go out on a limb here... Smoking is bad too. I smoke, and basically one of my receptors in the brain is to light one up as soon as I click the seat belt shut. It's bad, it's literally burned me in the past, gotten me to lose control of the car, etc. Phone usage may seem benign, as compared to cigarette smoking, but it's actually larger when comparing size, and in either case, the sudden necessity to grab the wheel w/both hands firmly to avoid a collision is hard pressed to be met when one hand is filled with, a phone, cigarette, coke can, mug, a map, etc etc.

Now on a good hands-free system, not ear-plug mind you, those are even MORE dangerous cause the wire gets caught up, but a blue-tooth, etc... these are great. There is literally Zero difference in the mechanics of the conversation between driver and other; it is as if they're IN THE CAR, for all real intents and purposes. Not only should this be not illegal, but it's actually becoming mandatory as more and more statistics come out on the subject.

 

[Bob Jane T-Mart]

According to this study involving around 500 participants, driving while talking in the phone is up to 4 times more dangerous than driving when you aren't. Additionally a hands free kit, doesn't improve your ability to drive while talking on the phone much at all.

Actually, in Australia, hands free kits aren't illegal, but texting and talking on the phone are. However there seems to be no reason to draw the line at hands free kits. Why? because it does little, if anything at all to improve your driving performance, when compared to a mobile phone. See the study I linked to in the quote in red.

I'm not sure, but I think a conversation with someone else in the car is better than talking to someone on a mobile phone. This because the other driver is physically in the car, and can respond to the same stimuli. eg. oncoming cars, traffic lights etc. I think talking to someone on the phone is intellectually harder than talking to someone in real life, and more distracting. At least that's my opinion on it.

 

[Sucumbio]

eh, I don't like that study, there are too many varieties of hands-free devices, and yet the study seems to have ignored this. Wired ones are definitely not safer. Wireless ones that are dash-mounted are not necessarily either because they require manipulation that oftentimes is more complex than say, changing the radio station, or changing your climate control settings. Blue tooth ear pieces are bad because it interferes with critical sounds getting through, such as horns honking, skidding or road hazard, back-up beeps, etc. The best ones are integrated with your steering column, and allow for seamless conversation, as if you're talking to your car. These have 1-button touch-answer and hang-up, and require setup before you're in motion, and usually cannot be altered w/o pulling over due to their complexity.

 

[Dorsey]

Texting while driving should be banned; it's not safe for obvious reasons(mainly not having one's eyes on the road)

Talking on the other hand, I have mixed feelings over. I talk on my phone while driving all the time and I believe that I am still driving relatively safe, or at least very close to normal. So, does this mean that I multi-task well? No. In reality, there's no such thing as multi-tasking, with the human mind anyways. The psychi can can only concentrate on one thing at a time, no exceptions. When someone talks and drives, his/her mind's focus is switching back and forth from driving and talking, mostly concentrating on the phone. Since one can only concentrate on one thing at a time, the thing someone's not concentrating on at the moment is put in a mode similar to an autopilot. So it's fact that you won't be as attentive to the road while on the phone.

However, it's clear to me that the effect of talking and driving is not significant enough to ban it from roads. The only difference between talking on the phone and talking with someone in your car is one of your hands being used to hold your cell. So in essence, the question is asking: is the lack of one hand on the wheel worth banning talking on your phone while driving altogether? In my opinion no. Additionally, problems would arouse when attempting to enforce a law like this as well.

 

[Sucumbio]

It's already law in many states. New York was the first, I believe. Gotta have a hands-free kit, or be fined no more than 100.00 USD. And it's a first offense, so you don't have to be speeding or breaking some other traffic rule for you to get pulled over for it.

Holding the phone is unsafe in that you may suddenly need to grip the wheel sturdily w/both hands and the precious time it may take to let go the phone to do this = the difference between swerving to save your life, or taking an impact that could kill you.

I personally use my cell all the time, as I said I also smoke while driving, I'll eat lunch while driving, rummage under the seat, mess w/the glove box... all kinds of typical "no no's" you learned in driving school. But because I'm able to do this successfully, does not mean it should be so true for everyone. I would use these examples to illustrate that I'm a better driver than anyone who can't do these things. And as such, laws of this nature should be made for the lowest common denominator, not the above average person.

 

[Ryan Ludovic]

Simply listening to a cellphone distracts drivers, a study concludes.


Source: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2008-03-09-drivers-listening-cellphone_N.htm

Listening while driving led to a "significant deterioration in driving accuracy," Just and his co-authors write in the latest issue of the journal Brain Research. The drivers hit the guardrail and veered out of the center of the lane more often while listening.


Source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00431.htm

"Driver distraction - in which mobile phone use is one of the leading distractions - contributes to an estimated 23% of crashes. Research I have undertaken has shown that the use of a hand held mobile phone whilst driving increases the risk of crashing 4-fold whilst the use of hands-free mobile phone use whilst driving increases the risk 3.8-fold. Importantly, the risk of crashing is increased despite the age or sex of the driver."


Source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00431.htm

If it is true that simply 'listening' to someone talk through the phone on a hands-free kit is just as dangerous, should we also ban talk-shows / radio shows and disallow conversations in cars? I'd think since a large percetile of communication is body language, more would be taken away through an actual conversation in the car with a person in the passenger seat as you'd be partially visually distracted from that also.

The Temporal Lobe
The Temporal Lobe is involved in auditory (sound) sensation and is where the Primary Auditory Cortex and on the left hemisphere, Wernicke's Area (language recognition) are located. This lobe is also involved in emotion, memory and speech


Source: http://www.brainhealthandpuzzles.com/brain_parts_function.html

The Temporal Lobe

The Thalamus
The Thalamus is THE relay station in the brain. Most of the sensory signals, auditory (sound), Visual, Somatosensory (from your skin and internal organs), go through this organ on their way to other parts of the brain for processing. It also plays a function in motor control.


Source: http://www.brainhealthandpuzzles.com/brain_parts_function.html

The Thalamus



Would not more of your brain be pre-occupied in a real-life conversation with a passenger in the car, than something that would also take the toll on other parts of your brain that should be dedicated to driving? Logically, a hands-free kit would be more ideal than an actual conversation with a person in the car.

 

[Bob Jane T-Mart]

Would not more of your brain be pre-occupied in a real-life conversation with a passenger in the car, than something that would also take the toll on other parts of your brain that should be dedicated to driving? Logically, a hands-free kit would be more ideal than an actual conversation with a person in the car.

I'm not sure, there aren't many studies published about this.

I see a problem with your conclusion, the person in the car can respond to the same stimuli as the driver, so he may be able help him/her drive. Additionally I'm unsure whether it's easier to talk on the phone or to talk in person, and which takes up more of your concentration. I think it's talking to someone on the phone is harder because it's an unnatural method of communication and body language can't be communicated. This may require more of your concentration and impede your ability to drive.

As for the talk shows, I have no idea. I'm not sure that you would pay as much attention to a radio as you would a phone...

 

[Ryan Ludovic]

I'm not sure, there aren't many studies published about this.

I see a problem with your conclusion, the person in the car can respond to the same stimuli as the driver, so he may be able help him/her drive. Additionally I'm unsure whether it's easier to talk on the phone or to talk in person, and which takes up more of your concentration. I think it's talking to someone on the phone is harder because it's an unnatural method of communication and body language can't be communicated. This may require more of your concentration and impede your ability to drive.

As for the talk shows, I have no idea. I'm not sure that you would pay as much attention to a radio as you would a phone...

While there are insufficient studies done on listening to an in-car passanger versus a wireless hands-free phone call, there are a good number of results regarding the simple intake of information such as listening to the person on the other line talk. How much attention you dedicate to the conversation is something relevent to the person themselves, just as how much of the conversation you spend talking instead of listening to someone talk, what you talk about, etc. That's why a wide-study would be needed. If you talk about something you are passionate about - it'll be more interesting to you drawing more attention, or if it's an important call from a boss at your job. If it's a friend telling you about his feelings for some girl, and it's really not an interest to you or something like that, you'd spend less attention interacting with that.

Likewise, if there is a talk show on the air that really interests you, it'll draw you in more than if it is something boring, and uninteresting. What distracts you the most is something you'd be interested in being distracted by.

 

[DUB]

This topic is both relevant and interesting to me. As of December 1, 2009, texting while driving a vehicle in North Carolina is illegal.


I do believe texting on a phone while driving jeopardizes the safety of others. In fact, any activity that requires that much attention should be illegal while operating a vehicle. The driver diverting their attention to a small screen endangers much more then just an oncoming driver.

As I step down from my high-horse I'd like to point a few things out. I frequently text and talk on the phone while I drive. Occasionally, I will look up and see myself running off the road or straying towards the other lane. Your body goes into a state of alarm and you experience brief shock. I have been fortunate enough to avoid a car accident thus far in my young ( 2+ years ) driving career.

One late late night in March this year, I was awakened by a phone call. A friend of mine began to explain to me that our mutual friend had just been involved in a very bad car accident. My friend hit a light pole at night going eight-five mph in a small, Honda Civic. As you may have guessed, he was texting while driving. He was immediately airlifted to Chapel Hill. Long story short, he recovered fine and is a lucky man.

I believe making texting and talking while driving illegal will ultimately make our roads safer. I'm sure a lot of people are wondering "How this can be properly enforced if an action such as texting is so discrete?". My answer is it can not be. I believe that if the knowledge of texting/talking on the phone is preexisting in a drivers mind, then they will be less likely to do so because of the potential fine that could ensue.

 

[Deleted member]

That really depends how you look at it. Talking on a cell phone and texting should defindently be illegal, since they increase risks of an car accident. However, if it's just talking to another person on the car, as long as it doesn't distract you, then it should be in no shape and form illegal. Beside, it's a good way to keep communication with family or friends.