The Biggest Driving Mistakes Moms Make

re: The Biggest Driving Mistakes Moms Make

Liane — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:43:45 GMT

Everyone thinks about other things while they're driving -- unless you can completely shut off your mind, you're probably distracted to some degree. So I don't buy the argument that hands-free is just as bad as a cell.

re: The Biggest Driving Mistakes Moms Make

leahsmom — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:13:49 GMT

Larissa - how do you know that it wasn't just luck that you were able to drive safely? I think the point of many of these experiements where they're pitting drunknness against distraction, is that people aren't able to focus their full attention on the road while they're talking on the phone - even if their hands and eyes can remain on the road. I have found myself distracted on business calls before, not really seeing what's in front of me because I am thinking - I bet I'm not completely alone there. I think the point is that there is no way to make talking on the phone while driving as safe as simply driving, bluetooth or not.

re: The Biggest Driving Mistakes Moms Make

Maureen — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:34:34 GMT

I rarely use a cell phone and never in the car unless I'm parked -- my phone is old and can't be voice activated. However, I am so guilty of tending to my kids while driving. I hand back snacks or grab a toy from the floor and throw it back to them. My thought was always that their screaming would distract me more than handing them a toy. But maybe not....

re: The Biggest Driving Mistakes Moms Make

Larissa — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:35:22 GMT

I dunno Dana... when I lived in the Washington, DC area, I used that horrible commuting, traffic-congestion time to get a lot of important calls done (rarely can I work while the kids are strapped down & listening to XM kids radio...). With my bluetooth (both hands on the wheel & stick shift!), I was able to conduct conversations while driving regularly. maybe it was the manual transmission - it had trained my brain to remain engaged while driving. I got a lot of work done during those 20-30 minute drives.

re: The Biggest Driving Mistakes Moms Make

Dana — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:13:27 GMT

I hate the idiots with their cell phones, mothers, fathers, kids, I don't care who it is or what they are talking about...hang it up!

Mythbusters did a great experiment where they did a driving course while talking on a cell phone and then again when they were drunk, and they breezed through it while intoxicated but managed to run over all sorts of cones when they were on the phone.

What exactly is so important that it can't wait? It's just not worth the risk of seriously injuring (or worse) yourself, your family, or someone else just so you can chat away and save yourself 5 minutes...how about saving a life instead?

re: The Biggest Driving Mistakes Moms Make

Maeby — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:15:28 GMT

= / i know its stupid but i eat behind the wheel all the time. I just tell myself i'm a great driver, but its not safe at all. From now on i vow never to eat behind the wheel, ESPECIALLY if there are kids around (which is always). Done.