New GA law - hands free

jfkmk wrote:
You are just so wrong!

Glancing at gauges, in the mirrors, etc.for a split second is PART of driving. Texting isn't. And no one looks at a text for a split second. No one.

No one pauses a conversation while driving. At least very few do anyway.

We already discussed texting at a light and the delay it creates when the light turns green. Ok, not safety related for the person texting, but it makes others do irrational things to get through a light because they're delayed.

As for being able to tell who is on the phone while driving, almost everyone on the phone is a horrible driver. My daily commute takes me on an interstate for 15 miles each way. Yeah, there are bad drivers who are not on the phone, but the majority of the ones on the phone are erratic. I glance around while commuting, I notice these things.

The problem with people who think they can safely drive and use a cell phone is they effect others. It may be as small as an inconvenience at a light or as serious as killing someone else with their own selfish behavior.

I'm so wrong, or just a little wrong or misunderstood? ;)

I don't see where I said texting is part of driving. I just said in theory it could be and not be any worse than looking at gauges. Either one takes your eyes of the road. I also agreed with you when I said:

...the problem is in the reality. Many do not or will not give the proper priority to the immediate driving tasks.

Pausing conversation is something I actually do when on the (hands free) phone while driving. When anything gets slightly complicated in traffic, my conversation stops or turns into umm, uh and I deal with the driving first. It can be done if you choose to make driving the priority.

Again, "using" another device while driving isn't the issue by itself. It's using it poorly, which many drivers do.

I will say that most of the time I wait to make a call or pull over when I can but it's not always possible to do either. I don't text while driving, ever.