Quote:
Originally Posted by ken0042
Let's explore these things:
read ads- You mean billboards? That is a head's up move- you are looking at your surroundings instead of down on the phone. There are also regulations and debate about what you can have on billboards.
drink coffee- covered under distracted driving
check on kids- agree that is a distraction. I would argue that is often necessary. What would you recommend- kids aren't allowed in cars? I don't know of a "solution" that doesn't sound extremely harsh
change songs- Every car I have ever owned since the mid 80s had quick access buttons. I would say texting is a closer analogy to reprogramming your radio presets or creating a playlist. Once again, this is more of a "heads up" type of thing to be doing.
fiddle with AC- Same as adjusting radio, you can only do 6 things. Hotter or colder; more or less fan; and vent adjustment (counting that as two as well) The fan and temp are quite simple, and I can do them in my vehicles without looking. I would draw the analogy of you only ever sending 6 different one character texts; without having to read the incoming text. I say that because you are either too hot or too cold, or need the air going a different direction. The latter is often due to window fogging up; or back to too hot or cold. And my dog can tell me if he is too hot or cold. (not complex thinking; like a question in a text.)
So I'd agree there are different distractions, and they have different degrees of distraciveness. Texting is the worst of them. And that's why I want the fine higher, to discourage me from doing it.
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All of those things take just as much attention at a red light as me firing off a text. Literally 2 seconds.