To the woman that nearly ran me off the road today!!!!

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Are you making some kind of correlation to something I've said?

You were basically saying that since YOU can do it safely, then it shouldn't be an issue for anyone to do it. At least that's what I'm getting out of this.

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I know I drive well while talking on a cell phone because I exhibit the same behavior... checking mirrors and blind spots, making sure I'm not hanging out on the left when other cars are trying to pass, not randomly slowing down/changing lanes/etc.

I also know I drive well because I could think of several close calls over the years, and none come to mind that involves me with a cell phone in my hand. Believe me, if I ever had an "oh shit" moment where I wasn't paying attention and almost hit someone, I'd take note on what was distracting me.

And yeah, one reason no incidents come to mind is I'm not chattering away when I'm trying to pass semis in the pouring rain (or in the pouring rain, in general), and sometimes I'll tell someone to hold on if I'm at one of the larger pains in the ass, like I70/I35/670 downtown. Like Phil said, it is a distraction, it's how and when you choose to handle the distraction that's the issue.

As far as the blind spot, I normally use speaker phone in the car (and I can tell my phone "call Bug Eater" so I don't have to look up the number), so I just talk with the phone in front of me instead of having 'tunnel vision' or whatever.

Well yeah, if you're using a hands-free device, then I don't have a problem with it. There's a world of difference IMO. You then free up your hands and head movement, and there's something about having a phone up to your ear that makes people feel like they're sitting in their recliner at home chatting away...and driving becomes secondary.