Distracted mobile phone users

[WarrenerraW]

I don't know about any of you but I'm getting sick to bloody death with people using their phones in public and nearly causing accidents as a result of it whether they be driving, cycling or walking.

It's astounding just how many people talk/text and drive and not pay attention to the road, or or they're walking down the street (eyes on their phone) texting away without a care in the world - not paying any attention to people walking by or oncoming traffic. I've seen cyclists do it too.

I find it bewildering that people are willing to risk their lives and the lives of others through this behaviour, as well as the consequence of fines and demerit points, but that doesn't seem to deter people. On the way home tonight, I passed a girl walking her two blood hounds, one of which was medium sized and quite vocal. This dog then proceeded to start barking at me and actually got a little too close for my liking. Nothing happened to me fortunately by the girl was distracted by her phone, texting away like she was in another planet. A bigger dog and things might have been different.

I nearly ran a guy over whilst cycling because he was distracted by his phone. I sounded my bell numerous times but he still decided to walk out into oncoming traffic. I told him to open his f***ing eyes.

What does that say about us as a society? I find that we're too consumed by technology - particularly mobile technology and social media. The phone is basically an extension of the self, like another limb almost, and we've become so engrossed in everything it is and everything it does. It almost dictates our lives to the point where we can't possibly live without it. It controls us. There's an app for basically everything now which encourages more consumption. Watch and observe people around you and their phone behaviour.

I guess my point is that all this technology is detaching us from reality so much so that we lose touch with what's really happening right in front of us, right there and then.

[Tully]

I am more worried that I didn't have the foresight to book my holiday in September!

[Bucks5]

I wish they would triple the fine for texting while driving..... Handsfree talking while driving doesn't bother me, but those drivers who continually take their eyes off the road to type out a text, scare the heck out of me.

[David]

Really interesting thread, Warren. It definitely does seem like we're becoming increasingly dependent on/addicted to technology; to be specific, the immediacy of it. The idea of writing a letter (unless done as something romantic/nostalgic) and waiting days for a response is well and truly gone; now, we expect near instantaneous communication. The same goes for wanting to learn something: no more need to go to the library to research a topic or wait until you get home and turn the radio on to check the football scores; it's all there on your phone as soon as you want it.

I don't necessarily take a negative view on all this, though there definitely are dangers (some of which you mention in the opening post). It's just a period of rapid change, and it is radically affecting how we behave and how we think.

[mandy]

[David]

I texted while driving occasionally when I was 18 and still living in Canberra. I'm sure I knew it was stupid and dangerous then as much I do now; I guess maybe there's just a cognitive dissonance at play there.

[stui magpie]

The driving one is interesting.

When I was 18, you had to change the radio station by turning the dial on the car stereo. So that's one hand off the wheel and also looking at the dial to see where you were.

To change the cassette tape, take your eyes off the road to where the container of tapes was, pick the one you want, take it out of the case, swap tapes over etc.

Nowdays, I find myself reading and replying to work emails on the work mobile while sitting at red lights. Apparently this is illegal too.

nanny state laws for people unable to take responsibility.

[David]

^ Yeah, I get that the red light thing seems counterintuitive. In theory, that shouldn't be considered dangerous. Couldn't the law just be no mobile phone usage while the car is moving? I guess it's a bit like .05; taking the blanket ban approach to minimise ambiguity.

[1061]

I use velcro on the window pillar and back of the phone to stick it up and apparently that is illegal!

[think positive]

[Wokko]

I've read books while walking since I was a kid, still do it on my tablet and not once have I caused or become a victim of an accident. I think the problem comes with people who are both unable to focus on something as well as remaining aware of their surroundings coupled with the added 'interactive' nature of phones. Not only are they looking at their device, they're giving it the added attention of performing a task.

Saying all that, I've never once read a book while driving, people who are on their phones/texting/reading facebook while driving a car should immediately lose their license.

[Tannin]

I know what driving is. What is texting?

[think positive]

[Tannin]

Something similar, TP. In my job, I have computers coming out my ears, I don't need another one in my pocket. On my phone, you can text me and I can read it no worries, but sending texts is difficult, which is fine by me. I just email or phone and speak to you. And a battery charge lasts nearly a week, which is the most important thing of all.

[think positive]

My hubby doesn't text either! But he has found the on button for the PC, finally!

But my iPad, iPhone and laptop are safe!!

Cheers.

Your captain of vice!