Thread: Drink drivers being targetted this Christmas

Originally Posted by vnx205

???

I didn't realise that anyone had claimed that it was.

Well it is obviously that if the driver is on the phone without a hand free device he/she only have one hand on the wheel.
It is not the concentration factor that have to be taken into consideration when I suggested the compulsory hands free device.

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

I reckon that texting is worse than driving at .08 Bac.

Dave.

The University of Utah appears to agree with you.

That NSC report that I linked to earlier says:

• University of Utah driving simulator study found drivers using cell phones had slower reaction times than drivers impaired by alcohol at a .08 blood alcohol concentration, the legal intoxication limit.


The findings in that report are hard to dismiss.

I find it a lot easier imagine reasons why there isn't a huge increase in the total number of accidents in the statistics matching the increased use of mobile phones than finding fault with the findings reported in that study.

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

Myself and a lot of people often drive with only one hand on the wheel. It might not be as safe but we all(most) do it at times. I will have two hand when I feel it is necessary.

You might have trouble believing this. I got my licence to drive semi's about six years ago. When driving on rough roads it was suggested we only have one hand on the wheel, as this helped keep the steering wheel more steady.

As the truck is bouncing, with two hands you are fighting the bumps with a push pull, which tended to make you over do it. This did not happen with one hand.

Dave.

From the NSW RTA test book
One hand only and test lost
Quote:
Operating the controls
Some of the driving tasks that will be observed and recorded are
listed here:
• Effective operation of the accelerator and brakes.
• Coordination of the clutch and gear lever to make
smooth gear changes.
• Effective steering with both hands on the steering wheel
(except when using another control). You may use either
‘hand-over-hand’ or ‘push-pull’ method with hands on the
outside of the steering wheel.
Maintaining vehicle control is very important. Many crashes
happen where the older driver runs off the road.

I'm in Victoria, not NSW The group of instructors are also the testers. I am not saying whether it is legal or not as I don't know. Sometimes things work better when not following the rules. These instructors might not have been following rules but were applying what works best in a real life situation.

Dave.

As with most instructors (and instruction), they tend to overdo it so that the best possible standard is met for an assessment. That's the theory anyway.

Over time and with human nature, we get slack and it's mainly through repetition and confidence. Get someone in a manual for the first time and ask them to text/make-take calls and they won't be able to do it with much competency, but with practice they will...and do. But what they're practicing to do is drive whilst distracted.

You can argue all you like that there are a huge amount of distractions whilst driving, but what we are doing is introducing a device that directly diverts our attention from driving.

It's not good, and about eight years ago i did a job with a little fella, seven at the time, who got hit by a car crossing the road with his bike. The driver who hit him was looking for a number in their phone. This kid had his pelvis and leg broken. He still can't run 'properly' and running causes him pain. He's just a kid who will never do stuff we all took for granted....and why, because some goose put their priorities over their responsibility of driving.

Mobile phones are a pest.

Matt.

Originally Posted by Mr Whippy

Myself and a lot of people often drive with only one hand on the wheel.

I see that quite often with younger people - one arm hanging down outside the vehicle.

Having an arm outside the car was made illegal in NSW over 40 years ago if I recall correctly - and that includes driving with one's elbow on the window sill.

Originally Posted by p38arover

I see that quite often with younger people - one arm hanging down outside the vehicle.

Having an arm outside the car was made illegal in NSW over 40 years ago if I recall correctly - and that includes driving with one's elbow on the window sill.

we call them "arm donors" for obvious reasons.. and the fine is substantial and I think 3 points..

we also talk about "deaf drivers" (doof doof) (which also can attract a fine and in SA is the first strike (for each occupant of vehicle no matter where seated) under the "hoon law" legislation.)

and "boy racers" (small cars, small brains etc..pommy term I believe)

Talking/listening on a mobile phone occupies & distracts some areas of the brain that are also utilised in the (boring, mundane, - 'anybody-can-do-it....') task of driving a vehicle.

Does'nt affect the manual dexterity , but slows and fogs up the decision-making process. THIS is the dangerous bit. The other dangerous bit is the use of hands-free devices, which are legal... but as the distraction is in the mind and not the fingers, they merely fool the idiot into thinking that he/she's "safe" in using them.


Using a two-way radio IS differant, more formalized, at least for those using them sensibly.... and for that reason the amount of 'distraction' is less. - From the research I've come across as well as my own experience.

Commercial flying usually involves one pilot flying the aircraft and the other doing the Comms.

Sending or reading text is another thing altogether, occupying the brain (if any...) as well as taking eyes off the road. No apologies, and NO sympathy for whatever penalties the Safety Nuts impose on you for 'texting'.l