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[Doctor Gollum]

It would appear nobody actually explained the pedestrain right of way bit to pedestrians, they now seem to think they can walk into the road anywhere and the traffic will stop 

That's not exactly news, they've been doing that as long as I can recall around here... The brighter ones actually look as they do it

Don't forget, pedestrians aren't encouraged to read the Highway Code, let alone understand it. At this rate we'll need a test just to get born...

[Mr Skrunts]

It would appear nobody actually explained the pedestrain right of way bit to pedestrians, they now seem to think they can walk into the road anywhere and the traffic will stop 

It's amazing how many pedestrians you see totaly oblivious to traffic at juctions, they have thier mobile phone attched to  thier ear and just switch off from thier surroundings.

[Nick W]

It would appear nobody actually explained the pedestrain right of way bit to pedestrians, they now seem to think they can walk into the road anywhere and the traffic will stop 

It's amazing how many pedestrians you see totally oblivious to traffic at junctions, they have their mobile phone attached to  their ear and just switch off from their surroundings.

Not that drivers ever hold phones while driving. And their situational awareness is always excellent.

[Mr Skrunts]

Not that drivers ever hold phones while driving. And their situational awareness is always excellent.

I tried once, took a call whilst drivng when I 1st had a mobile & instantly realised how dangerous it was.  never tried since, either get my passenger to take the call or pull up to use the phone.  (and on one occasion got a warning for being parked on the road with my headlights on dipped from a trffic cop (2am))

[Doctor Gollum]

Not that drivers ever hold phones while driving. And their situational awareness is always excellent.

I tried once, took a call whilst drivng when I 1st had a mobile & instantly realised how dangerous it was.  never tried since, either get my passenger to take the call or pull up to use the phone.  (and on one occasion got a warning for being parked on the road with my headlights on dipped from a trffic cop (2am))

That hits the nail on the head... Some people are more/less risk aware and some are more/less adapted to doing more than one thing at a time. Most people get better at things with practice, but whatever you do, you should do so with an understanding of the implications and potential consequences.

Is talking on the phone really more or less of a distraction than talking to a passenger?

Using a hand held phone is obviously a much greater hazard, but most newer cars allow you to dial by voice and a single button push on the steering wheel... As in fact will most phones. Same goes for navigation devices.

The only progress of sorts is that screens are now touch screen and nearer the driver's normal field of vision which makes them much more tempting.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Not that drivers ever hold phones while driving. And their situational awareness is always excellent.

I tried once, took a call whilst drivng when I 1st had a mobile & instantly realised how dangerous it was.  never tried since, either get my passenger to take the call or pull up to use the phone.  (and on one occasion got a warning for being parked on the road with my headlights on dipped from a trffic cop (2am))

That hits the nail on the head... Some people are more/less risk aware and some are more/less adapted to doing more than one thing at a time. Most people get better at things with practice, but whatever you do, you should do so with an understanding of the implications and potential consequences.

Is talking on the phone really more or less of a distraction than talking to a passenger?

Using a hand held phone is obviously a much greater hazard, but most newer cars allow you to dial by voice and a single button push on the steering wheel... As in fact will most phones. Same goes for navigation devices.

The only progress of sorts is that screens are now touch screen and nearer the driver's normal field of vision which makes them much more tempting.

In 1990 I was blessed with a fitted company car phone.  Simple calls were fine, but often I would be having to discuss complex business issues with the directors, and other senior managers.  Generally it was not safe as I was distracted from the main task in hand; driving my car. In the end I used to park up the car to take, and make, the more serious calls in the interests of safety.

Talking on a mobile phone, in a car or as a pedestrian, is always a distraction as the human brain, as much as you try not to, becomes totally absorbed in the phone discussion at the cost of really what is happening around the car or pedestrian.

The times I have had near misses with other vehicle drivers and pedestrians using phones, and I cannot see how the new Highway Code rules will change the situation with the latter now the stupid ones think they have complete rights over everything else!

[Doctor Gollum]

I thought women were predisposed to multitasking

So you presumably wouldn't discuss such matters with passengers in the car for the same reason 

[Lizzie Zoom]

I thought women were predisposed to multitasking

So you presumably wouldn't discuss such matters with passengers in the car for the same reason 

No I wouldn't have done as I was usually out on business alone, covering hundreds of miles in a day.  It was only when we met up in the Division or at HQ that we had face to face discussions.

When I did have a colleague with me with one of us driving, the conversation was 'modeled' quite naturally on what was happening on the road ahead.  Conversations were discontinued, continued, discontinued, as the road conditions dictated.  That is THE difference with hands free telephone conversations in a car as opposed to the 'other person' being in the car.  On the phone the other person does not break, or alter, their conversation to allow for what you the driver  is having to deal with for each second / minute.  That is why even using a hands free phone is not good for any detailed or complex conversation.

[Andy B]

....
That is THE difference with hands free telephone conversations in a car as opposed to the 'other person' being in the car.  On the phone the other person does not break, or alter, their conversation to allow for what you the driver  is having to deal with for each second / minute.   ......

that's the same as having my Mum in the car ..... she just talks & talks & talks ..... 

[Lizzie Zoom]

....
That is THE difference with hands free telephone conversations in a car as opposed to the 'other person' being in the car.  On the phone the other person does not break, or alter, their conversation to allow for what you the driver  is having to deal with for each second / minute.   ......

that's the same as having my Mum in the car ..... she just talks & talks & talks ..... 

  Well, there is that, the exception to the general rule.

[Kevin Wood]

....
That is THE difference with hands free telephone conversations in a car as opposed to the 'other person' being in the car.  On the phone the other person does not break, or alter, their conversation to allow for what you the driver  is having to deal with for each second / minute.   ......

that's the same as having my Mum in the car ..... she just talks & talks & talks ..... 

  Well, there is that, the exception to the general rule.

She's no exception, they all do that.

[Doctor Gollum]

Here's a question... If vehicles overtaking bicyclist have to leave 5 feet clearance, shouldn't a bicyclist overtaking a vehicle have to leave the same distance (for the same reasons)? 

Pondered this whilst in a traffic queue as a bicyclist that I had correctly passed eventually caught up and was buzzing down the centreline swerving around door morrors/oncoming traffic... And yes I did consider opening the door just to make a point 

[STEMO]

Here's a question... If vehicles overtaking bicyclist have to leave 5 feet clearance, shouldn't a bicyclist overtaking a vehicle have to leave the same distance (for the same reasons)? 

Pondered this whilst in a traffic queue as a bicyclist that I had correctly passed eventually caught up and was buzzing down the centreline swerving around door morrors/oncoming traffic... And yes I did consider opening the door just to make a point 

No. Motorists must obey the rules, cyclists can do whatever they like. Got it? Good.

[Mr Skrunts]

No. Motorists must obey the rules, cyclists can do whatever they like. Got it? Good.

Nothing new there then.

[Sir Tigger KC]

It would appear nobody actually explained the pedestrain right of way bit to pedestrians, they now seem to think they can walk into the road anywhere and the traffic will stop 

Yes I nearly took out a stupid bint jogging in the road on a blind left hand bend a few nights ago! 

To be fair it's a place which is a bit of a mare for pedestrians as the road narrows on the bend and there's no pavement, so its a bit of a squeeze when there's two cars passing and people walking as well. Usually though people generally walk round the outside of the bend where they are visible to traffic coming both ways, so it was a bit of a shock as I went round the bend to be confronted by this silly bint running at me in the road, flapping her arms at me presumably to tell me to get out of her way. 

Luckily for her there was a car coming the other way as well, so I'd slowed down to go through, but I still had to stand on the brakes!