The problem of texting and driving is getting worse... according to NHTSA...
 

From this article about a texting motorist causing injuries to 38 people... http://news.yahoo.com/driver-texting...201841737.html

From the NHTSA... At any given moment last year on America's streets and highways, nearly one in every 100 car drivers was texting, e-mailing, surfing the Web or otherwise using a hand-held electronic device, the safety administration said. And those activities spiked 50 percent over the previous year, even as states rush to ban the practices. http://www.dailynews.com/ci_19501242

How does the agency know what you are doing behind the wheel... their data was derived using a new methodology aimed at getting a more precise picture of distracted-driving deaths and can't be compared with tallies from previous years, officials said.

The agency takes an annual snapshot of drivers' behavior behind the wheel by staking out intersections to count people using cellphones and other devices, as well as other distracting behavior.

Yup, the NHTSA is counting errant motorists... at least those using distracting hand held "toys" vice actually driving.

Those are mean streets out there folks... motorists can't avoid you if those motorists don't look down the road and see you. (think about that the next time you "take the lane...")

A friend who works at another company told me that a manager chastized others on an internal company email list for over-using the list for what he deemed to be unimportant purposes and causing him to crash his car as he was attempting to catch up on messages. True story.

I bet its a lot higher than 1 in every 100 drivers texting at any given time, judging by my unofficial observations of drivers.

don't need the NHTSA to indicate texting and driving is a growing problem.

I'm concerned people are watching movies, sports and television shows while driving, not just texting. Its difficult to gauge which is more egregious.

Cell phone use while driving isn't just 'distracted driving', it's RECKLESS driving! Complete disregard for other road users! So self-centered and self-important, they cannot fathom the potential for carnage they can cause by regarding driving as a casual afterthought activity.

1 in 100? I saw a report a few weeks ago that it was 1 in 6!

Cell phone use while driving should result in immediate arrest, impounding of the vehicle, and confiscation of license until settled at trial. (but then, cops are doing it, too.....)

+1

They are one reason why, I 'take the lane'. Because I don't trust that, motorists won't pull that garbage.

Since cell phone use or texting causes DUI-level impairment, the penalty should be comparable.

Their ignorance, is why, I 'take the lane'. Because, I don't want some texting moron to run me off the road, if it happened that I 'hugged the curb' and they were focused on texting.

Also, By 'taking the lane', unless the driver is homicidal maniac, I will make sure they see me, which will force them to slow down.

They should stake out the intersection by my daughter's school. Way more than 1 in 100...

I like.

Yep, 2 dead
http://news.yahoo.com/driver-texting...201841737.html

I agree that the texting pickup driver is at fault for his own death, but the buses seem to have been following too close, making the other death and injuries the fault of the bus drivers.

+1

When I count the motorists who are using hand-held electronic entertainment I generally observe active toy use in more than one in ten of the motorists that I can actually see. However, a sizable number of motorists hide their hands. If the NHTSA folks are just making a total car count and a total electronic toy user count, then all the folks with their toys in their crotches would show up as non-distracted. That's like doing a political poll and counting non-responders as non-supporters of whatever one's candidate/issue is.

Using a cellphone while driving is now illegal here in New Zealand. Get caught and you get fined and get demerit points. Acculated a ceratin number of demerit points (cant recall how many) and you lose your licence. You can still drink a coffee while driving, eat a hamburger...

But the key is getting caught. It is a 'by chance' law. Not something that can be reported by someone else.

Nobody is gonna convince me that 38 people weren't injured this year as a result of cell phone use while driving JUST IN MY CITY! Nationwide? probably 38 THOUSAND....

Chris, not trying to start an argument here, but genec's point is correct -- if they don't see you while you take the lane, there's no FORCING them to notice you. You WILL be roadkill. There is NO lane position that FORCES a driver to pull his eyes out of his lap (or head out of his ass), m'friend.

I'm not telling you to hug the curb, either; I don't. But don't delude yourself and get killed.

Seems to be a related problem... I know I see it all the time... it is called lack of driving skills coupled with a bad dose of "I don't care." The 10 second rule seems to have been long forgotten... right up there with speeding and texting. A national epidemic.

I don't recall being taught the 10 second rule, but recall only the 2 second rule or at least 1 car length for every 10mph in speed.

The section I bolded is true of course, but I believe taking an assertive lane position along with high visibility clothing and lights, makes it LESS likely that a distracted driver will hit me, not more. Even texters have to look up every few seconds for a glimpse… When they do I want them to see something that demands their attention and care. A well lit cyclist assertively positioned in the lane sets off a much louder 'action must be taken' alarm in the distracted drivers wandering brain than a cyclist trying to stay out of the way, or ‘just another car’ ever could.

You're right... I wrote that before my eyes were open this morning... it is a 2 second rule. (the "10" comes from the 10 mph of speed that you need to leave one car length for... as you pointed out.


What reminded me of it was watching the AM news about local rain... the news folks had a camera right on the highway near my house, and it was very easy to see the spacing of the motorists... and indeed it was just like what I often think I see... far too many motorists tailgate. The scene on the news was really eye opening as they were discussing wet roads and the dramatic increase in "accidents;" as I was hearing their report, I was watching the visual, and I was just amazed at how many motorists were right on the bumper of the car ahead... even in this rain.

The problem is, will the distracted motorist looking every few seconds (or with an even longer time gap) really see you in time, and will their brains properly process the situation? Being assertively positioned in the lane doesn't work unless you are seen. YOU MUST BE SEEN, for any of the tricks you mention to keep you safe. YOU ARE DEPENDING ON THE MOTORIST!

I am not deluding myself. I know the potential risk doesn't really change. But by 'taking the lane', I remove the possibility of getting sideswiped again. I FORCE them to notice me by not allowing them to pass me in the same lane, if the lane is standard(there is one local lane that is extra-wide for about a block). I am always thinking about the possibility of getting killed. So I don't 'take the lane' lightly.

Just a couple of days ago, I was going in the direction of my house in the midst of afternoon rush-hour. I was on six-lane divided road. At one point there was road crew blocking off one lane. I hadn't reached the beginning of the construction zone when the driver started honking at me repeatedly. I just rode into the construction zone and stopped because the lane was merging with the middle lane, I wanted to wait for all the right-turn traffic to pass me, before I came out of the construction zone. Once they were gone, I proceeded back into the lane. I am always listening for, and looking at, the traffic. That never stops.

NTSB recommends ban on driver cell phone use

http://news.yahoo.com/ntsb-recommend...172412513.html

That 'action must taken' alarm is something I make sure to set off, every single time there is a car behind me. Because, When I have 'tried to stay out of the way' by FRAP, I have been side-swiped.

Even yesterday while I was out doing an errand, a motorist commented on how motorists' around here drive like maniacs, when they understood why, I 'take the lane'.

Fantastic. Sadly, It takes someone dying as a result of someone else's stupidity, before people(and government) finally say that something needs to be done.

You’re not understanding my point. I believe taking the lane makes it more likely I’ll be seen, seen earlier, and seen as relevant enough to cause the brain drifting motorist to take a break from their all important crack toy and concentrate on the truly important task at hand. If you know a better way to jolt these impaired folks back into reality I’d like to hear it. If you are looking for a money back ‘they can’t hit me’ guarantee, of course there is none. I just think taking the lane is often (not always) better than the alternatives.

For what it’s worth (probably about 2 cents) I always monitor overtaking traffic with a mirror and have never had to fully bail because I thought a driver was going to run me over. I have partially glided right a few times when a motorist failed to change course or slow down until the last few seconds.