Don't Text and Drive

Surprise, surprise! Texting while driving can be dangerous, and sometimes even more dangerous than drunk driving. Wow. What a big discovery. What a big truth revealed. What a big hype of something everybody already knows.

The Car and Driver Magazine conducted a reflex test for two drivers (definitely not a well-done research) who were texting and reading messages while they were driving. The results: like drunk drivers.

Everyone knows that texting while driving is a big distraction, and it should be illegal to do so. California already outlawed the use of cell phones while driving a year ago, and it's time for other states and countries to do that.

Nadav

nadavs

Cell Phones - A Great Distraction

Once again, my late night drives have taught me something new: don't speak on the phone while you drive. Ever.

No, I didn't have an accident. I just find it very distracting. The first time I spoke on the phone while driving was after I passed my test, when it was still legal. I nearly hit a taxi. I didn't repeat this, but even when I use a hands-free device, I find it hard to concentrate.

So, as I said, don't speak and drive. Ask the passenger near you for help, or just postpone the conversation. Nothing bad will happen.

Nadav

nadavs

Don't Text and Drive

Texting can be fun, but not while driving. A research conducted in Britain reveals that texting while driving can be deadly, according to The Age.

The researchers found that while texting, steering skills become 91% worse(!) than regular driving. For comparison, smoking cannabis showed only a 35% decrease in steering ability. Texting seems more than twice as dangerous as smoking marijuana.

Reaction time was also affected, with texting slowing it by 35%, alcohol (the legal limit) by 12% and cannabis by 21%. Scary.

The conclusion: leave your cell phone alone when you drive. If it's urgent, pull over and send the message. Don't die over a text message.

Nadav

nadavs

Don't Speak and Drive

After yesterday's humorous video about the California cell phone law, it's time to take it seriously. As you know, the new cell phone law in California is in effect from today, July 1. The new law forbids drivers from using their cell phone when driving without a proper hand-free device.

Drivers under the age of 18 are completely prohibited from using a cell phone or any mobile device while driving. If they use a hand-free device, a police officer can fine them only if they are pulled over for another violation. If they use a handheld device, a police officer can pull them over just for this (the same applies for adult drivers).

All I can say is this: finally. When I first came to California, I was amazed from the fact that people drive while holding their cell phones. It's illegal where I live. I've tried it only once, in California, and it's very distracting. Californians may find it annoying, I find it important.

The law allows text-messaging, but it should also prohibit that. Writing a text-message is an extremely distracting activity that shouldn't be allowed during driving. Many accidents happened because of that.

Good luck to you Californians. Just remember that this law is really here to protect you.
Nadav

nadavs