Alberta passes distracted driving law

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Slava

I should note that I'm not texting or surfing the net while I drive. Talking on the phone and eating though, that's another matter. I've tried hard to use the bluetooth....I know it's smarter and better for a few reasons, but I just haven't gone that way entirely yet. I suppose Sept 1 might force my hands though.

I'm "guilty" of both as well. In fact, I do it more often than most people, since I spend way more time driving than most people. But there are a couple tricks I've learned. When I'm driving my manual transmission vehicle, I use speaker phone, but since I have nowhere to prop the phone (in my old truck, the sun visor was pretty tight, so I could just prop it in there sideways) I just hold it in my hand with my index and thumb, and hold the shifter with my bottom fingers. Seems to work.
As for scarfing a burger while driving, the key is to have a good place to put it down before you start driving. make that food bag into a big napkin on your lap like you're in a fancy restaurant so that the very second you need your other hand back in driving action, you can put that burger down without hesitation about getting your shirt messed up. Eliminate any extra thought processes before you start driving and doing something while driving becomes manageable.
A good example of eliminating extra processes is when you really need to call one of your service companies and the only chance you're going to have is while driving, at least make sure you have the account number handy. Like, I've seen realtors driving down the street looking through a friggin contract while on the phone. Come on people! Do you really want to kill a kid because you're in such a rush that you can't pull over for a couple minutes to find that piece of info you're looking for?
Basically, I want people who are doing something that causes their eyes to not be looking at the road while driving to get fined and fined and fined until they can't afford to drive anymore, thus making my driving experience a little bit less aggravating and safer for the rest of the city.

[Slava]

Alright 4x4, see you in court!

(when we're both trying convince the prosecutor that we've thought this through and we aren't that distracted....it's though other idiots!)

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Slava

Alright 4x4, see you in court!

(when we're both trying convince the prosecutor that we've thought this through and we aren't that distracted....it's though other idiots!)

I dunno. I think I'll probably be guilty if I end up with one of these tickets. I haven't gotten a ticket of any sort in years, so I'm pretty sure the next time I do get a ticket I'll deserve it.

[Komskies]

I don't like this new law. I bet people effing around with their built-in nav/satellite radio/sync systems are way more distracted than any cell phone user could potentially be. I'm not talking about texting while driving, cause that's just plain moronic, but I see those nav systems as way more hazardous than making a phone call.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Komskies

I don't like this new law. I bet people effing around with their built-in nav/satellite radio/sync systems are way more distracted than any cell phone user could potentially be. I'm not talking about texting while driving, cause that's just plain moronic, but I see those nav systems as way more hazardous than making a phone call.

GPS units are included as well.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Komskies

I don't like this new law. I bet people effing around with their built-in nav/satellite radio/sync systems are way more distracted than any cell phone user could potentially be. I'm not talking about texting while driving, cause that's just plain moronic, but I see those nav systems as way more hazardous than making a phone call.

Which is why those are included as well...

Electronic devices like video games, cameras, and GPS devices also won't be allowed.

[Komskies]

Hey! I never said I was well-informed!

[DigitalCarpenter]

Not to mention most built in nav systems don't let you enter address information while you are moving.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by DigitalCarpenter

Not to mention most built in nav systems don't let you enter address information while you are moving.

Thank god I could plug my laptop into my car and change that.

It's highly annoying when you're trying to get your passenger to put something in your GPS for you operating in 10 second intervals at every red light.

[JustAnotherGuy]

I support this new law. I just hope they don't get carried away with it. To me it is meant for the few people who doing the lane wander as they try to multi-task.

Who doesn't eat in their car on occasion? My morning ritual as I drive the 40 minutes to work is to eat a banana and a breakfast bar while drinking my coffee.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I just hold it in my hand with my index and thumb, and hold the shifter with my bottom fingers. Seems to work.
As for scarfing a burger while driving, the key is to have a good place to put it down before you start driving. make that food bag into a big napkin on your lap like you're in a fancy restaurant so that the very second you need your other hand back in driving action, you can put that burger down without hesitation about getting your shirt messed up. Eliminate any extra thought processes before you start driving and doing something while driving becomes manageable.

Right, because when something happens on the road in a split second you'll have time to put your burger down and swerve

[peter12]

I hate to say it, but more busy-bodiness by the state.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by peter12

I hate to say it, but more busy-bodiness by the state.

How should the 'state' deal with the drivers who are meandering between lanes because they are talking on their phone?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

How should the 'state' deal with the drivers who are meandering between lanes because they are talking on their phone?

Aren't there laws to deal with reckless drivers already?

Or use your horn.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by TheSutterDynasty

Right, because when something happens on the road in a split second you'll have time to put your burger down and swerve

I'm pretty sure 4x4 has two hands. You can hold a burger with one.

[Rifleman]

Dropping the burger is a free action.

You then take the wheel with both hands and save your car. You shirt can be washed.

[pylon]

My new GTI has full on factory voice command Bluetooth. This is the first vehicle I have ever owned that requires only 1 button, on the steering wheel, to activate a call. Push button, say name, and talk. To answer, just say answer.

After having this system in my car for a few months, I can honestly say anyone who says that holding a cell phone, dialing, texting, whatever it is you are doing, is not distracted ....is sniffing glue , in denial, or ignorant to the technology. The difference is so extreme, that I can't honestly believe for 15 years, I was driving around holding a phone to my ear, endangering myself and people around me. It is literally no different than having a conversation with someone in the passenger seat. The system is so seamless, I can get in my car during an active call, and it seamlessly passes the call over to the car within 3 seconds.

I am fully behind the law, and think anyone passing judgment on it, should be forced to use a factory hands free device first. Then come to the realization on how distracted they were before.

[ken0042]

See, I'm not sold on Bluetooth being safe. Is it safer than using a handheld device- sure.

I've had Bluetooth in my vehicle for 6 months and I am aware that talking on the phone distracts me. And the people I think are idiots on the road aren't people I see dialing; it's people with a phone up to their ear. They are the ones doing 20 under, not signaling, wandering in their lanes, etc.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by peter12

Aren't there laws to deal with reckless drivers already?

Or use your horn.

The horn, yes. That will make distracted drivers instantly safe.

I have to say, I fully support this new law. I see people all the time on the cell phone, completely distracted. Saw one today, completely oblivious to the fact that they cut me off, did the same to another car. No clue, still talking away like nothing happened. I really sick of it, throw the book at them.

[browna]

I am with Ken, Bluetooth really isn't an answer. For some, not having the physical hinderance of holding a peice of plastic to their ear may help keep hands on the wheel, but doesn't keep the distraction and general unawareness out of the equation.

I recall a couple years ago when I used the speakerphone while driving, you get into a conversation, and next thing you know the 10-15 minute conversation is done and you're magically almost at your destination...with very little recollection of how you got there (usually on a common route that you take to and from wherever you're going regularly), and you just remember the last 10 minutes of the talk.