Why I love motorists on their phones:
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Why I love motorists on their phones:
After a two year break from working and commuting through/in the city grid (New Orleans, USA) I have been pleasantly surprised upon my return by the actions of motorists while playing with/talking on their smart-phones and iPhones. The very same actions of these folks that annoy me behind the wheel of a car just delight me so when cycling in heavy city traffic. I have a fairly fast, aggressive riding style. I split lanes, run lights and stop signs, and only slow down or stop to grant right-of-way to motorists and sometimes pedestrians. So why on earth would I LOVE it when motorists are distracted with their phones? Ah...let me count the ways!
1. Many motorists drive slower when yacking, texting, messing with GPS, Google Maps, whatever. Since I cruise around town between 20 and 25 mph, the slower auto speeds almost assures that motor vehicles will NEVER catch up to me. Some people can't walk and chew gum at the same time and it is now my experience that they can't drive and talk simultaneously either. The slower yacker then slows EVERYBODY down! I can just follow in their draft or leave them in the dust while enjoying a nice car free gap in front of them. Since they never catch up, I am not too concerned with getting "steam-rolled" by their lack of attentiveness. I have actually found that motorists on their phones give me more cushion when behind me in traffic.
2. Over the past three months I have been shocked at how the iFools respond to crossing traffic including bicycles. Since iFools are generally not paying close attention to the road or road markings, every time I encounter an iYacker or iTexter at an intersection, even if they have the right of way, they slap on their brakes assuming they missed seeing a stop sign. At first I thought it coincidence, but now after literally hundreds of encounters I have to conclude that my life is better, and my ride less interrupted by motorists because so many people are on the phone behind the wheel, and they slap on the brakes at every active intersection. It has gotten to where I almost never have to stop.
I split lanes a lot. Probably pass 1000 cars each way to work and back. I have noticed that:
3. Yackers are not going to change lanes. It just never happens. When yackers are on "auto pilot" they just stay put in their lane and follow the bumper in front of them. They become slower and more predictable when on the phone.
4. If a Yacker is going to change lanes, he/she must turn their heads more degrees of radius thanks to the blind spot created by their hand and phone pressed to their ear - most often their left ear (driver's side of the car). This is way better than a turn signal because I can SEE their heads turn when I am next to their vehicle out of sight of their rear lights. Simply - I get more cues before cars change lanes.
5. When a light turns green I can be sure that many drivers will be slow off the light because they are looking at their device. This makes it very easy to find a gap to get into while splitting lanes. In other words, as I split lanes past dozens of cars stopped at a red light, sometimes the signal turns green before I get all the way to the front. In order to "merge" into the line of cars that has begun to move through the green light it is so much easier to find an opening when people are delayed in getting started. The gaps between cars are now enormous and easy to find.
6. Last but not least, motorists stuck in traffic just seem happier. They can talk to friends, get work done, shop the internet, look at porn, whatever. The phone is like a crack addiction, so those with smart phones (one-third of all mankind in the USA) are ALWAYS playing with them and tickling whatever pleasure receptors are available in their brains. And we all know when staring into a computer screen (or phone screen) all sense of time vanishes. No one on a phone seems to be in a rush. I love happy motorists - especially when they wave me through an intersection where they have the right-of-way! It happens all the time now.
I have been strictly against cell phone laws for motorists for some time. No one obeys laws. Set your cruise control on EXACTLY 70mph on the freeway and see what happens. There are laws - the speed LIMIT is clearly posted. People just ignore the law unless there is a cop in sight. Same with cell phone laws. Those crackheads are never going to stop texting behind the wheel. I prefer they text on top of the steering wheel - not in their laps as they try to hide their actions. Cell phone laws would only endanger all of us further UNLESS they draw the exact same penalties as drunk driving. Still, they will yack just like drunks still drive. They cannot help themselves. I can't imagine how brutal the penalty would be to make iFools hang up and drive.
Now don't get me started on pedestrians on the phone! Those Meanderthol Zombies are getting killed right and left these days as they stroll in front of moving traffic more and more. I must be on the highest alert when cycling anywhere near an iZombie.
1. Many motorists drive slower when yacking, texting, messing with GPS, Google Maps, whatever. Since I cruise around town between 20 and 25 mph, the slower auto speeds almost assures that motor vehicles will NEVER catch up to me. Some people can't walk and chew gum at the same time and it is now my experience that they can't drive and talk simultaneously either. The slower yacker then slows EVERYBODY down! I can just follow in their draft or leave them in the dust while enjoying a nice car free gap in front of them. Since they never catch up, I am not too concerned with getting "steam-rolled" by their lack of attentiveness. I have actually found that motorists on their phones give me more cushion when behind me in traffic.
2. Over the past three months I have been shocked at how the iFools respond to crossing traffic including bicycles. Since iFools are generally not paying close attention to the road or road markings, every time I encounter an iYacker or iTexter at an intersection, even if they have the right of way, they slap on their brakes assuming they missed seeing a stop sign. At first I thought it coincidence, but now after literally hundreds of encounters I have to conclude that my life is better, and my ride less interrupted by motorists because so many people are on the phone behind the wheel, and they slap on the brakes at every active intersection. It has gotten to where I almost never have to stop.
I split lanes a lot. Probably pass 1000 cars each way to work and back. I have noticed that:
3. Yackers are not going to change lanes. It just never happens. When yackers are on "auto pilot" they just stay put in their lane and follow the bumper in front of them. They become slower and more predictable when on the phone.
4. If a Yacker is going to change lanes, he/she must turn their heads more degrees of radius thanks to the blind spot created by their hand and phone pressed to their ear - most often their left ear (driver's side of the car). This is way better than a turn signal because I can SEE their heads turn when I am next to their vehicle out of sight of their rear lights. Simply - I get more cues before cars change lanes.
5. When a light turns green I can be sure that many drivers will be slow off the light because they are looking at their device. This makes it very easy to find a gap to get into while splitting lanes. In other words, as I split lanes past dozens of cars stopped at a red light, sometimes the signal turns green before I get all the way to the front. In order to "merge" into the line of cars that has begun to move through the green light it is so much easier to find an opening when people are delayed in getting started. The gaps between cars are now enormous and easy to find.
6. Last but not least, motorists stuck in traffic just seem happier. They can talk to friends, get work done, shop the internet, look at porn, whatever. The phone is like a crack addiction, so those with smart phones (one-third of all mankind in the USA) are ALWAYS playing with them and tickling whatever pleasure receptors are available in their brains. And we all know when staring into a computer screen (or phone screen) all sense of time vanishes. No one on a phone seems to be in a rush. I love happy motorists - especially when they wave me through an intersection where they have the right-of-way! It happens all the time now.
I have been strictly against cell phone laws for motorists for some time. No one obeys laws. Set your cruise control on EXACTLY 70mph on the freeway and see what happens. There are laws - the speed LIMIT is clearly posted. People just ignore the law unless there is a cop in sight. Same with cell phone laws. Those crackheads are never going to stop texting behind the wheel. I prefer they text on top of the steering wheel - not in their laps as they try to hide their actions. Cell phone laws would only endanger all of us further UNLESS they draw the exact same penalties as drunk driving. Still, they will yack just like drunks still drive. They cannot help themselves. I can't imagine how brutal the penalty would be to make iFools hang up and drive.
Now don't get me started on pedestrians on the phone! Those Meanderthol Zombies are getting killed right and left these days as they stroll in front of moving traffic more and more. I must be on the highest alert when cycling anywhere near an iZombie.
Last edited by JoeyBike; 09-07-12 at 08:25 AM.
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Although I have observed some of the behaviors that you describe, I don't think it is rational to believe that motorists using electronic devices are more passive and predictable.
-G
-G
Last edited by gmt13; 09-07-12 at 05:48 PM.
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Nice piece of work Joey. I avoid traffic as much as possible and don't have the experience you have in it, but I could see the slowdowns you mentioned being true.
Talking is a serious distraction on any job. I've noticed that for years.
Talking is a serious distraction on any job. I've noticed that for years.
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I noticed that the media jumped on the "cellphone use by drivers is bad" bandwagon very early and was looking for studies and statistics to support that foregone and self-evident conclusion. It's been difficult since actual accident rates have been falling, in spite of increased texting and cellphone use. (Yes, I know I need to provide a citation for this).
Finally, a study was conducted that seemed to demonstrate that motorists who used cellphones were impaired in their driving. I listened to an interview on NPR of the study's main author. Their most significant finding and evidence of impairment: drivers who use cellphones tend to change lanes less frequently and follow at greater distances (!) I'm still trying to figure out why this is a problem.
Finally, a study was conducted that seemed to demonstrate that motorists who used cellphones were impaired in their driving. I listened to an interview on NPR of the study's main author. Their most significant finding and evidence of impairment: drivers who use cellphones tend to change lanes less frequently and follow at greater distances (!) I'm still trying to figure out why this is a problem.
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Hi JB, welcome back, haven't heard from you in a while. I always enjoy your unique point of view.
That would never work around here in the Chicago suburbs where drivers are going 40-55 and controlled intersections can be a half mile or more in between. You WILL be passed by Icrackheads.
I have yet to see this one.
I have noticed this one, but unless I'm taking the lane, they are probably more likely to not notice me or clip me. Think long straights with a line of tailgaters overtaking a cyclist. Is that cyclist really safer when some of those drivers are playing on their phones? I'd say not.
I've noticed this one too.
No comment, except I know it works well for you in your location.
Agreed. Because they are so absorbed with their phone, they are less likely to get upset with me no matter what I do. The call/text is always more important.
Increasing penalties and enforcement against drunk driving DID reduce it, and could do the same for driving while phoning. But this will only happen when there is a strong enough of an outcry demanding it. Since so many are addicted to their itoys, this may never happen. The most effective solution would be a technological one that makes cell use behind the wheel not possible. Again, I don't see our society allowing this to happen any time soon.
2.Since iFools are generally not paying close attention to the road or road markings, every time I encounter an iYacker or iTexter at an intersection, even if they have the right of way, they slap on their brakes assuming they missed seeing a stop sign.
3. When yackers are on "auto pilot" they just stay put in their lane and follow the bumper in front of them. They become slower and more predictable when on the phone.
4. If a Yacker is going to change lanes, he/she must turn their heads more degrees of radius thanks to the blind spot created by their hand and phone pressed to their ear - most often their left ear (driver's side of the car). This is way better than a turn signal because I can SEE their heads turn when I am next to their vehicle out of sight of their rear lights. Simply - I get more cues before cars change lanes.
5. When a light turns green I can be sure that many drivers will be slow off the light because they are looking at their device. This makes it very easy to find a gap to get into while splitting lanes. In other words, as I split lanes past dozens of cars stopped at a red light, sometimes the signal turns green before I get all the way to the front. In order to "merge" into the line of cars that has begun to move through the green light it is so much easier to find an opening when people are delayed in getting started. The gaps between cars are now enormous and easy to find.
6. Last but not least, motorists stuck in traffic just seem happier...
Cell phone laws would only endanger all of us further UNLESS they draw the exact same penalties as drunk driving. Still, they will yack just like drunks still drive. They cannot help themselves. I can't imagine how brutal the penalty would be to make iFools hang up and drive.
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It should also be noted that even if it was, it still wouldn't make them perfectly predictable.
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Finally, a study was conducted that seemed to demonstrate that motorists who used cellphones were impaired in their driving. I listened to an interview on NPR of the study's main author. Their most significant finding and evidence of impairment: drivers who use cellphones tend to change lanes less frequently and follow at greater distances (!) I'm still trying to figure out why this is a problem.
I did a post on this not too long ago, and my strategy is to be fully in the lane as often as possible, while wearing Hi-vis get up and running bright blinking lights. (and keeping tabs on them in my mirror)
Last edited by AlmostTrick; 09-08-12 at 01:27 PM.
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Very good points and I agree, but they are generalizations and of course there will always be counterexamples. Anything that distracts the adversary can put them at a disadvantage that can be exploited, so long as it doesn't distract them to the point they hit you.
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So instead of ME getting faster, the whole world I exist in has slowed down to better accommodate my current ability. Who knew? I like to think I can be insightful, but I never saw this coming.
I think the new iPhones come out this quarter - yippee! I just hope Siri (the iPhone voice) does not mess me up now that texting/dialing/mapping/weather can be hands (and eyes) free.
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After a two year break from working and commuting through/in the city grid (New Orleans, USA) I have been pleasantly surprised upon my return by the actions of motorists while playing with/talking on their smart-phones and iPhones. The very same actions of these folks that annoy me behind the wheel of a car just delight me so when cycling in heavy city traffic. I have a fairly fast, aggressive riding style. I split lanes, run lights and stop signs, and only slow down or stop to grant right-of-way to motorists and sometimes pedestrians. So why on earth would I LOVE it when motorists are distracted with their phones? Ah...let me count the ways!
1. Many motorists drive slower when yacking, texting, messing with GPS, Google Maps, whatever. Since I cruise around town between 20 and 25 mph, the slower auto speeds almost assures that motor vehicles will NEVER catch up to me. Some people can't walk and chew gum at the same time and it is now my experience that they can't drive and talk simultaneously either. The slower yacker then slows EVERYBODY down! I can just follow in their draft or leave them in the dust while enjoying a nice car free gap in front of them. Since they never catch up, I am not too concerned with getting "steam-rolled" by their lack of attentiveness. I have actually found that motorists on their phones give me more cushion when behind me in traffic.
1. Many motorists drive slower when yacking, texting, messing with GPS, Google Maps, whatever. Since I cruise around town between 20 and 25 mph, the slower auto speeds almost assures that motor vehicles will NEVER catch up to me. Some people can't walk and chew gum at the same time and it is now my experience that they can't drive and talk simultaneously either. The slower yacker then slows EVERYBODY down! I can just follow in their draft or leave them in the dust while enjoying a nice car free gap in front of them. Since they never catch up, I am not too concerned with getting "steam-rolled" by their lack of attentiveness. I have actually found that motorists on their phones give me more cushion when behind me in traffic.
2. Over the past three months I have been shocked at how the iFools respond to crossing traffic including bicycles. Since iFools are generally not paying close attention to the road or road markings, every time I encounter an iYacker or iTexter at an intersection, even if they have the right of way, they slap on their brakes assuming they missed seeing a stop sign. At first I thought it coincidence, but now after literally hundreds of encounters I have to conclude that my life is better, and my ride less interrupted by motorists because so many people are on the phone behind the wheel, and they slap on the brakes at every active intersection. It has gotten to where I almost never have to stop.
I split lanes a lot. Probably pass 1000 cars each way to work and back. I have noticed that:
3. Yackers are not going to change lanes. It just never happens. When yackers are on "auto pilot" they just stay put in their lane and follow the bumper in front of them. They become slower and more predictable when on the phone.
I split lanes a lot. Probably pass 1000 cars each way to work and back. I have noticed that:
3. Yackers are not going to change lanes. It just never happens. When yackers are on "auto pilot" they just stay put in their lane and follow the bumper in front of them. They become slower and more predictable when on the phone.
4. If a Yacker is going to change lanes, he/she must turn their heads more degrees of radius thanks to the blind spot created by their hand and phone pressed to their ear - most often their left ear (driver's side of the car). This is way better than a turn signal because I can SEE their heads turn when I am next to their vehicle out of sight of their rear lights. Simply - I get more cues before cars change lanes.
5. When a light turns green I can be sure that many drivers will be slow off the light because they are looking at their device. This makes it very easy to find a gap to get into while splitting lanes. In other words, as I split lanes past dozens of cars stopped at a red light, sometimes the signal turns green before I get all the way to the front. In order to "merge" into the line of cars that has begun to move through the green light it is so much easier to find an opening when people are delayed in getting started. The gaps between cars are now enormous and easy to find.
6. Last but not least, motorists stuck in traffic just seem happier. They can talk to friends, get work done, shop the internet, look at porn, whatever. The phone is like a crack addiction, so those with smart phones (one-third of all mankind in the USA) are ALWAYS playing with them and tickling whatever pleasure receptors are available in their brains. And we all know when staring into a computer screen (or phone screen) all sense of time vanishes. No one on a phone seems to be in a rush. I love happy motorists - especially when they wave me through an intersection where they have the right-of-way! It happens all the time now.
I have been strictly against cell phone laws for motorists for some time. No one obeys laws. Set your cruise control on EXACTLY 70mph on the freeway and see what happens. There are laws - the speed LIMIT is clearly posted. People just ignore the law unless there is a cop in sight. Same with cell phone laws. Those crackheads are never going to stop texting behind the wheel. I prefer they text on top of the steering wheel - not in their laps as they try to hide their actions. Cell phone laws would only endanger all of us further UNLESS they draw the exact same penalties as drunk driving. Still, they will yack just like drunks still drive. They cannot help themselves. I can't imagine how brutal the penalty would be to make iFools hang up and drive.
Exactly
#11
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Hi JB, welcome back, haven't heard from you in a while. I always enjoy your unique point of view.
That would never work around here in the Chicago suburbs where drivers are going 40-55 and controlled intersections can be a half mile or more in between. You WILL be passed by Icrackheads.
That would never work around here in the Chicago suburbs where drivers are going 40-55 and controlled intersections can be a half mile or more in between. You WILL be passed by Icrackheads.
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I got reamed for saying this before, but what the heck here comes. Because all phones have GPS technology, even ones that don't have a GPS mapping program, that all cell phones should be programmed to prevent use once the speed goes above 15mph except for 911 calls. It can be done and done inexpensively if at any cost.
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In my experience, the inattentiveness is somehow granting me more distance between moving cars in general. Yackers brains somehow "know" they are compromised when driving on auto pilot and respond by going slower in general, leaving a larger gap in front, and using red lights as "office time" (they can concentrate 100% on the device) which in turn makes them very slow to get started when the light goes green. What you should realize beyond those facts is my style in traffic: I am either keeping up (just like on a motorcycle), breaking away (gap behind me gets bigger by the second) or splitting lanes. I NEVER EVER stop between two vehicle bumpers. So any inattentiveness on their part is very unlikely to literally bite me on the butt.
Crossing traffic on the other hand is more likely to blow a stop sign or red light while distracted - no doubt - and I see that all the time. Since I also NEVER EVER look at the color of the lights, this is a non-factor for me too. I just look for moving vehicles, peds, and other cyclists - grant right-of-way if necessary - then get on my way.
So the two best ways for a car to hit me are 1. from behind or 2. from the side - are totally eliminated by riding fast enough to prevent them from overtaking/passing me as well as looking both ways before I proceed through any cross street. All that remains for my safety beyond those two things is to avoid hitting them - this is where I have control. I never want to give up that control. Motorists driving slower makes my task much, much easier. I never leave my arse in front of their inattentiveness.
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I got reamed for saying this before, but what the heck here comes. Because all phones have GPS technology, even ones that don't have a GPS mapping program, that all cell phones should be programmed to prevent use once the speed goes above 15mph except for 911 calls. It can be done and done inexpensively if at any cost.
I think a realistic approach would be to report accidents+phone use to the at-fault party's insurance company after an accident. Perhaps they should be charged higher premiums. Like smoking and health insurance. That would be a good start.
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But the lawmakers want to talk on their phones above 15 mph. So do realtors, doctors, cops, and anyone on call. And almost everyone else. We know reaction times are slower for most yackers, but until enough deaths occur with proof that phones are contributing I think we are out of luck getting phone laws with teeth. The cop pulling us over is likely on his/her phone too.
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But the lawmakers want to talk on their phones above 15 mph. So do realtors, doctors, cops, and anyone on call. And almost everyone else. We know reaction times are slower for most yackers, but until enough deaths occur with proof that phones are contributing I think we are out of luck getting phone laws with teeth. The cop pulling us over is likely on his/her phone too.
I think a realistic approach would be to report accidents+phone use to the at-fault party's insurance company after an accident. Perhaps they should be charged higher premiums. Like smoking and health insurance. That would be a good start.
I think a realistic approach would be to report accidents+phone use to the at-fault party's insurance company after an accident. Perhaps they should be charged higher premiums. Like smoking and health insurance. That would be a good start.
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Technology would be the most effective solution, but not that technology. Self-driving cars would work far better. Not only would the human passengers in them be freed to be as distracted as they cared to be, but the cars would certainly drive more predictably and competently than most people.
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Technology would be the most effective solution, but not that technology. Self-driving cars would work far better. Not only would the human passengers in them be freed to be as distracted as they cared to be, but the cars would certainly drive more predictably and competently than most people.
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Glad to see your back Joey. I don't see much traffic on the phone while I'm on the bike path, but think it's great you've found a way to use that to your advantage.
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I got reamed for saying this before, but what the heck here comes. Because all phones have GPS technology, even ones that don't have a GPS mapping program, that all cell phones should be programmed to prevent use once the speed goes above 15mph except for 911 calls. It can be done and done inexpensively if at any cost.
And what about passengers wanting to use a phone at over 15mph? People riding on a bus? On a train?
#21
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Smart phones are already able to do so many amazing things, and continue to do even more every day. Yet some people think there is no way they could ever possibly be made to differentiate between a driver / passenger or a person on a train. Kind of silly me thinks.
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Like the post Joey.
I used to live in Laplace, cycling wasn't too bad there. Don't know about the in town commute.
You can't help but notice that it seems like everyone is preoccupied while behind the wheel of their car. If you just sit and watch traffic as it passes you by, more likely than not you will be able to count many people who are on the phone. That's bad, but not nearly as bad as trying to text and drive.
When a driver texts it forces them to take their eyes off the road for a fairly significant amount of time. This is when they are just as dangerous as a drunk driver IMHO.
I had a lady merge into me while texting. If the little girl in the back seat would not have shouted for her to look out, I think she would have bumped into me. She got close enough for me to knock on the passenger window.
Texting while driving is against the law in Georgia. Unfortunately, like many other public safety laws, they aren't enforced until someone is being prosecuted.
I used to live in Laplace, cycling wasn't too bad there. Don't know about the in town commute.
You can't help but notice that it seems like everyone is preoccupied while behind the wheel of their car. If you just sit and watch traffic as it passes you by, more likely than not you will be able to count many people who are on the phone. That's bad, but not nearly as bad as trying to text and drive.
When a driver texts it forces them to take their eyes off the road for a fairly significant amount of time. This is when they are just as dangerous as a drunk driver IMHO.
I had a lady merge into me while texting. If the little girl in the back seat would not have shouted for her to look out, I think she would have bumped into me. She got close enough for me to knock on the passenger window.
Texting while driving is against the law in Georgia. Unfortunately, like many other public safety laws, they aren't enforced until someone is being prosecuted.
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Bus or train? Who cares! They didn't have phones for years and no one cared. Just saying. So your willing to give up peoples lives so they can yak or text on buses and trains? Airplanes isn't a problem since they could reset the phone to work again once the speed exceeds 200mph.
#25
You gonna eat that?