JoeyBike

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.

gmt13

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

Closed Office

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.

Daves_Not_Here

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.

AlmostTrick

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.

telkanuru

It should also be noted that even if it was, it still wouldn't make them perfectly predictable.

AlmostTrick

I read about a study where on board camera's showed that cell using drivers spent much less time looking to the sides (where cyclist often are) or using their mirrors. No surprise there, as we all witness drivers staring straight ahead in a trance like state as they concentrate on their far away world every day. Probably not so good for cyclist safety.

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)

Looigi

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.

JoeyBike

Yes, and I never dreamed it would work out this way. I was sort of dreading resuming the grid commute as I just assumed that with all of the phone use in cars and trucks that I would be a mole in a giant wack-a-mole game out there. The traffic "rhythm" is most definitely altered from two years ago. It took me about three months to adjust and exploit it as you put it. I almost never put myself in a position where motorists have to dodge me anyway, so no surprise I am still staying off their grills for the most part. The largest single factor that has me giddy is the fact that I used to wish I could cycle above 30mph for more than a few seconds as I knew more speed would be safer for me (danger comes mostly from the rear with or without phones as I have very little control of how overtaking cars will affect me). I could not have imagined that traffic would somehow slow down to a speed I CAN maintain. Anything under 30mph and I can draft a motor vehicle forever. Very often now I am just swept up in a line of traffic traveling between 25 and 30mph instead of them doing 40 in a 35mph.

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.

Chris516

I cruise at the same speeds you do. Just because they are seemingly slower, doesn't mean they will pay attention to the possibility of having to slam on the brakes. I do leave some motorists', in my dust. But that doesn't alleviate their inattentiveness.

But they will inadvertently step on the gas harder, because their conversation has become more important than, what they should be focused on. That is why I am constantly listening for an engine approaching, and repeatedly looking behind me to see with the driver is doing.

While they must turn their heads, don't take an eye off the vehicle's position.

I don't split lanes for this very reason.

True, But don't be lulled into thinking it will be easier.

It has to stop somewhere. I do agree with you, about penalties needing to be the same as those for drunk driving.

Exactly

JoeyBike

Yeah, I know my system won't work most places - especially suburbs and rural areas. Thanks for the welcome. I have been keeping up with BF, but my life is fairly boring outside of my commute so my posting was cut way back.

rekmeyata

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.

JoeyBike

Your points are all good ones.

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.

JoeyBike

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.

AlmostTrick

Exactly. The situation will not be getting better until it gets much worse. Even then it will take years of fighting for change before the proper steps are implemented.

rekmeyata

They already have all the proof they need. In fact some law enforcement communities are turning of the cops on-board computer at 15mph because the distraction of the the cop trying to drive and input info into the computer was causing crashes.

ro-monster

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.

AlmostTrick

Agreed, but I'm not holding out hope that we will ever see self driving cars on a wide scale, because I don't believe the economy will allow for it within the time frame it will take to implement. I think the more pressing concerns we will experience post peak oil will take priority over smarter cars that few will be able to afford, and have no affordable fuel source available to run on anyway. I hope I'm wrong, but that's how I see it.

no motor?

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.

spivonious

That's actually not true. All phones can triangulate their approximate position, but they definitely do not all have GPS chips inside.

And what about passengers wanting to use a phone at over 15mph? People riding on a bus? On a train?

AlmostTrick

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.

marisaB

Nice post! I like it.

silmarillion

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.

rekmeyata

If they can triangulate your phone they can tell if it's moving. And most modern phones are coming with GPS chips.

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.

Doohickie

Joey! You're back. I've missed you, you knucklehead, you.