States Send Mixed Message on Texting and Driving

FOX News ^ | 9-20-09 | AP

[STONEWALLS]

Fiddling with your iPhone behind the wheel can get you fined across much of the nation. But many states are more than happy to tweet you with up-to-the-minute directions on how to steer clear of a traffic jam.

It is a mixed signal that some safety experts and politicians say could be dangerous.

At least 22 states that ban texting while driving offer some type of service that allows motorists to get information about traffic tie-ups, road conditions or emergencies via Twitter.

"You shouldn't be fiddling around with any kind of electronic gadget in your car while driving," said Minnesota state Rep. Frank Hornstein, who helped write his state's no-texting-while-driving law.

[STONEWALLS]

.....there's a college town in our area...the kids there all seem to be fiddling with some kind of electronic device while they're behind the wheel.

[Vendome]

Look, if you can't multitask, I have serious doubts about your ability to be on the road.

Cops do it all day long. They have 3-4 channels of radio delivering information to them at all times.

They have a computer sending up written tasks, updating mission and alerts complete with pictures of target vehicles and suspects.

They have GPS telling them where to go.

They have Cellular sending various types of info.

Still they need to concentrate on odometer and speed.

They have in motion RADAR telling target vehicles speed.

They have to combine all this with a swivel mentality requiring situation awareness of possible targets based on a variety of parameters and prioritizing those targets.

Vehicles on the side of the road, in the direction they are traveling and vehicles traveling in the opposite direction or stopped in opposed travel.

Still they need view 360 degrees using mirrors and turning their head to ensure they are aware of all vehicle within their objective. That objective extends 1 mile in any direction and direction of travel. In front of them, to the side and rearward.

Add to this they must focus on driver intent, agitation, license/tag and other vehicle violations. They must be aware of all vehicles from cars to motorcycles, trucks to vans and even taxis. All present various challenges in determining violation and threat.

Add to this pedestrians who are in need of help or in areas they should not be.

they must also be aware of emergency vehicle that may require assistance and objects in the road that require their attention.

They do not receive some special training for all this and in fact, you as a driver are aware of much the same information that an officer encounters throughout their shift.

Bottom line: If you cannot multitask, I have serious doubt about your ability to be on the road in the first place.

You to, as a driver, must have a situation awareness unique to your objectives and should be able to complete the same tasks as a truck driver.

A truck driver must also maintain awareness and still operate a radio, maybe two, GPS, Cellular and a variety of other tasks, all while maintaining direction of travel toward their objective.

All of this does not happen automatically and are acquired skills.