Distracted driving defined

I think it's fair to base the amount of "distraction" on what kind of distraction it is.

Texting is a visual, mental and physical distraction
Talking on the phone (even hands-free) is a mental distraction.
Eating is a physical distraction (but can be a visual one as well, if you are searching for your drink or food).

Either way, I'd say it's fair to penalize only for severe distractions (i.e. visual distractions). If an officer is writing you up for eating or drinking water while driving, they are scraping the bottom of the barrel of ethically sound citations.

 

If you get a ticket and don't feel you deserve it FIGHT IT! I know it is a PITA to do, but don't just whine about the system. Fight back a bit.

FWIW, I agree that "distracted driving" is a pretty broad brush stroke. but then so is "careless driving," which has been around in some states vehicle codes longer than I've been on this earth.

 

What about the gal in the other lane flashing the twins at you? Would that be distracted driving since they are not in your vehicle?

 

we had a diner/kitchen at our warehouse. one of the city guys wanted a taco salad to go,he had to go make a pickup.

seriously,a taco salad on the go? lol!

 

I think distracted driving is when you do something that takes away from your ability to safely control the vehicle.
Everyone's abilities vary. Lord only knows how many people need to be 100% focused just to drive a four wheeler, and barely at that.
When I trained, there were only a few people I said have a future as truck drivers. The rest would crash eventually, guarantee it, and I told safety as much.
I can go down the road doing pretty much whatever I want, and not be a danger to myself or anyone else. When I'm getting fatigued, no. What are the conditions?
There are so, so many wanna be's that really shouldn't have a CDL to begin with, that struggle with chewing gum and driving at the same time, let alone anything else.
I think if you start to engage in activities that pull your eyes from the road, your gonna have problems. If you have a really heavy phone call, pull over, cause your mind is there. You might see something, and just not process it because your brain is someplace else.
It's about each person's ability, everyone is different.

 

Are they going to pull the computers out of patrol cars, heck I'd be happy to see officers just put down their cell phones. One thing for sure, the get very upset when they see my kids taking a photo of them on their phones.

 

Ah, but they are trained professionals! The same guys who empty two magazines of ammo and maybe hitting the guy once.

 

Or 37+ rounds into a pickup with two ladies delivering newspapers and both survived and will never have to deliver another paper again, like they did in California.

 

Still better shots than storm troopers