Why Does Driving Whilst On A Mobile Phone Annoy People So Much??

Question

I can understand if I'm driving along and cutting people up all over the place. But, today, I was parking my car, I'd already pulled into the space, and wasn't blocking any traffic, and no-body was waiting for me to finish...so I was on my mobile, and just slowly straightening up with my free hand. There was a lady standing in front of my car, shaking her head and talking loads of rubbish, of which I managed to lip read "mobile phone" about ten times! I would've asked her, but it was raining and I wasn't going to waste my time getting wet over it...but why did it concern her so much?

Another time, infact several other times, I've been driving along happily on my mobile on non busy roads, causing no harm, and other cars have been swerving all over the place trying to point at me and tell me to get off the phone...again, why does it concern them!? Granted, they are usually old people with nothing better to do...but I'm the one who'll get fined, so why don't they just butt out?

Answer 1

I've seen a few of your answers on here today and I like them - alot !

I kinda sighed when I read this question though. I was about to send you an email to say how brave I think you are answering some of the questions you did in such an honest open way and I still do respect you for it.

When people are driving and using a mobile (to their ear with no hands free headset) they cannot be paying 100% attention to the road.

I hate people using mobiles when they drive as I have been involved in an RTA which was the result of a new, young driver using his mobile and not paying attention to which I will give him credit he admitted to the police when they arrived on the scene.

If I hadn't read your other answers - especially the one to one of my questions I would have gone beserk and launched into a rant about how ignorant can you be.

I won't rant at you and I will save you the brief second of you reading the afore mentioned rant and thinking "what a tosser"

BUT I will say just think, next time you are on your mobile when driving - when you finish the call just try and recall how many pedestrians you saw, how many cars past you, how many meters/miles have you travelled.

I can safely predict you will not be able to recall 80% of the journey you made whilest using it.

You may have cut up several people without realising it - you may have made a few pedestrians jump back to the curb.

I may just send you an email though because I love some of your other answers in relation to our ethnic counterparts ! ;o) xx

Answer 2

Because people who talk on mobile phones and drive are on average a lot more dangerous on the road. It can especially be dangerous if the person talking on the phone is emotional. They can drive erratically or wrecklessly and not care how they're driving. It's good that you can drive so well that you can talk on the phone while drice, but remember one thing. It only takes a second to be distracted at the wrong time to really hurt someone and if that happens the courts won't look kindly on the fact that you were talking on your phone and became distracted at the wrong time. It may be a good idea to invest in a hands free device for your phone. I never have that problem. I drive a Standard and I absolutely need both hands to drive, so I can't chat away on the phone.

Answer 3

People don't get old with nothing better to do by taking lip from the young people who have death wishes .
When you are driving you may be sure of yourself , but what about that other crazy person on his cell phone who has just had a fight with his girlfriend and is now coming out of nowhere driving extreamly fast and because you are talking to your friend and get caught up in gossip you look away for 1 second .... and wham 3 car pile ! YOU , Him and An Innocent new Mom with her new born child ..
Now who should butt out ! Please just be careful ! No call is worth a life !

Answer 4

How did a imbecile like you manage to put the phone down long enough to take the driving test, and even more surprising pass it ,I presume. People cannot concentrate fully on the road and drive at the same time, so it's obvious to all but a moron that you do one thing or the other, I would say keep talking and sell the car.

Answer 5

I dont care if people talk on there phones , its just sometimes they cant do two things at once . example . the other day i was driving , a black dude was in front of me driving an escalade and talking on his phone, the speed limit was 55 , he was going 30 , some people are just dumb . And other times people wont pay attention and merge into lanes and cause accidents , i think all phones should come with an earpiece , it should be a law , it would just make it safer . Any ways if you live in Cali , the new law is you cant drive and talk on the phone .

Answer 6

Talking on a normal mobile phone while in a car is illegal. Your concentration isn't completely on th eroad, and your hands may not be on the wheel. If you want to chat on the phone without people pointing at you, buy a hands free set. It also stops you from being pulled over by a cop if you're caught

Answer 7

Perhaps being on that mobile means you are somewhat oblivious to the way you are driving or behaving behind the wheel. I am suggesting that your judgement may be impaired, in spite of what you think. Being engaged in a telephone conversation while behind the wheel suggests to others that your attention is not fully on the road or in the operation of your vehicle. Your distraction represents a potential danger to other fellow drivers and sets off "warning signals" in people and as such, it is met with annoyance and resentment and people take it personally. After all, you have made the choice to "multi-task" behind the wheel, and that directly affects others' safety and that's why they get irritated.

Answer 8

quite a few accidents have been as the result of drivers using mobile phones and many near misses put down to the same. I don't think a gentle reminder from the lady should bother you, as you say you were still behind the wheel and straightening the car.....it is still driving..............maybe just maybe her opinion will prevent you being in an accident one day !!!!!!!
Why did you not want to get wet ? seems to me you already are !!!!!
Don't even go there if you are wanting to disrespect the elderly...............Dizzy B.itch..............

Answer 9

This is because you may not think that you will cause any danger to yourself or other road users, but many people die each year because of thoughtless people on their mobile phones. maybe they dont butt out because they dont wantto be telling members of familys that the person died because some one was on their phone whilst driving and CRASHED and it was fatel. it dosnt take much money or effort to buy a hands free kit. it would be cheaper than getting fines and points on your licence wouldnt it ??

Answer 10

A better question is why is everybody so obsessed with their cell phones? What conversation are you having that is so important that it can't wait until you are free!! I am a busy man, with a lot of important issues, but I never had a conversation that couldn't wait until I finish parking my car.