Advocacy & Safety - Ready for a whole new level of outrage? Texting while driving poll.

http://gizmodo.com/5308695/question-of-the-day-do-you-text-while-driving

Only 26% of those who responded never text while driving. I thought talking on a cell phone while driving was rampant, I never thought the number of people texting while driving was this bad.

Of course this comes from a tech/gadget blog, so the numbers are only relevant to the demographic. However, the demographic probably includes a majority of younger drivers who are more inexperienced behind the wheel so it only compounds my worry.

All the more reason to wear hi-vis clothes and blinking lights. Take the lane and use a mirror too. When they make that quick glance to see were they are going, I want to not only be seen, but seen as something relevant to their distracted mind.

I wonder if people tend to text while driving more often during the day than at night. I ride a lot after dark and notice that drivers tend to be more alert to my nighttime presence with flashing lights than they do during the day. I'd like to think I'm less likely to be hit by some texting twit at night, but perhaps I'm dreaming.

I have read elsewhere that a well-lighted bicyclist may be safer at night than during the day. However, we have to factor in the increase in the hazards presented by potholes and other defects in the roadway.

I have read elsewhere that a well-lighted bicyclist may be safer at night than during the day. However, we have to factor in the increase in the hazards presented by potholes and other defects in the roadway.True five years ago, but over the last several years, motorist have gotten closer and closer when passing at night and are now passing way TOO CLOSE AT NIGHT; while keeping the same passing distance during the day.

That is until two weeks ago, when I started using a blue LED blinkie at night. Now I get lots of room at night.

As a cyclist the thought of so many drivers text messaging while driving scares the hell out of me and gives me serious concern about the safety of cycling.While driving Ive seen more and more of it and I cringe every time I see it knowing that the same go bye me while Im my bike..

I wonder if the "yes" responses include texting while stopped at a light.

I believe that happens a lot, actually. Every time I see someone not moving when the light turns green, they're looking in their laps.

I have read elsewhere that a well-lighted bicyclist may be safer at night than during the day.

Potholes aside, I can vouch for that. My Nightsun lights crank out 30 watts and look like a car with one headlight. I use a bright amber blinkie in the rear. Looks like a pothole marker to a motorist a mile away which illicits their avoidance response behind the wheel. They move to the next lane an eighth of a mile back.

Not trying to turn this into a lighting thread, just sayin' I find I get WAY more respect after dark when I look like a car with a burned out headlight.

True five years ago, but over the last several years, motorist have gotten closer and closer when passing at night and are now passing way TOO CLOSE AT NIGHT; while keeping the same passing distance during the day.

That is until two weeks ago, when I started using a blue LED blinkie at night. Now I get lots of room at night.

Where did you get the blue blinky?

All the more reason to wear hi-vis clothes and blinking lights.

All the more reason for these chuckleheads tbe automatically charged with a felony crime when they crash into other people...