Martha’s comment on this post on Dan’s blog recently reminded me of a thought I had recently on the concept of wearing earphones while you drive.
I have one of those FM radio transmitters that will play the audio from my player through the car stereo, but sometimes I don’t want to go through the trouble of unplugging my headphones then plugging in the thing, etc. so I will just leave one earbud in and listen that way (mostly podcasts, so stereo doesn’t matter). I’ve heard (although I don’t know whether it’s a law or a suggestion) that people say you shouldn’t do something like this, but I’m not sure why.
The funny thing that strikes me about it is how people who whine about people talking on their cell phones are always recommending that people use their phones hands free, which for most phones involves the use of an earbud type accessory (unless it’s speakerphone, which sounds horrible). So which is it? These two recommendations seem contradictory to me.
I will admit though that on several occasions, I have spotted a cop looking at me while driving with one earbud in, and (not knowing whether it’s actually illegal and *really* not wanting to find out that way), I’ve pretended to talk, as if I were having a phone conversation, so that they think I’m driving around with something in my ear the “safe” way rather than the more “dangerous” use of listening to something other than a phone conversation.
13 Comments
haha, i’d never thought of that contradiction before. fake talking? that’s pretty funny. rebel in writting, conformist in practice?
I hadn’t thought of it that way either. I just now when I’m listening to an audiobook, I don’t really hear much else. When I’m on the phone or listening to music I’m (in my opinion) still pretty aware of what’s going on. As far as the legal ramifications…interesting question.
I heard a long time ago that it was illegal to wear 2 head phones while driving, because then you wouldn’t be able to hear emergency vehicles if they had their sirens on.
From DMV.org
HOME > CALIFORNIA DMV PRACTICE TEST
CALIFORNIA DMV PRACTICE TEST
7. All of the following practices are dangerous to do while driving. Which of these is also illegal?
a) Listening to music through headphones that cover both ears
b) Adjusting your outside mirrors.
c) Transporting an unrestrained animal inside the vehicle.
a is the correct answer making me think it’s against the law.
But then there is this:
From an AMA press release:
California SB 315 has been signed into law. Included in this bill was a provision to allow for use of “foam” style non-custom earplugs by street motorcycle riders. Thanks are due to State Senator Debra Bowen (Democrat, District 28, Redondo Beach) who worked closely with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) to make this change in the law. The AMA is asking riders to let Senator Bowen know they appreciate her assistance by sending her an email. The new law takes effect January 1, 2004.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl28.htm
That dmv practice test questions makes me think that listening with only one earbud in is not illegal, but I still suggest you continue to have conversations with your podcasts.
I smell a lawsuit for vehicular descrimination. Why should motorcyclists be able to legaly wear headphones, while my civil liberties are restricted? I’m going to get pulled over for wearing headphones and then contact the ACLU.
or maybe vehicular dIscrimination.
Seems that earplugs would be worse.
I think automobile drivers should be allowed to wear earplugs so we don’t have to hear motorcycles with altered pipes.
Dan, thanks for pointing out the duplicate post. I went ahead and moved your second comment (the DMV link one) into this post; it was in the Gateway one before.
Contradictory you ask?
Talking on a phone you are concentrating intently on the conversation, and are really in a day dream state, as you visualize the comments made and construct a response.
Listening to music, it is just delightful noise, it can be mentally shut off quicker by a distraction such as a horn or siren, or visual cue of blue lights behind you.
Audio books I find are an interesting insight into your own behavior I have found. If the traffic get heated, and my attention needs to deal with it bump up a notch, I find often I have to rewind the book. As I find once through the traffic issue, I have not really heard the past x amount of time as my concentration was on the traffic not the book. I became deaf to it.
That illustrates for me the inverse, the distraction that talking on the phone is to my driving. It makes me blind… in that day dream state. Much like when you are driving somewhere you know by heart… and you “wake up” and realize you just drove x miles and turns without thinking… same deal.
I still do it. I’m human. But I am more aware of it now.
I also ride a motorcycle, so here is an interesting thought… Blue tooth helmets so you can talk and ride… On a bike the need to not be distracted is 10 fold… It will be interesting to see if accidents related to talking on the phone on bikes goes up as these helmets come more available/affordable.
thats my 2 cents, spend it as you wish ;–)
-g
That’s an interesting insight into how you behave during cell phone conversations, but I don’t think you can apply it to everyone. Actually, you might want to get that checked out by a doctor.
For myself, talking on the phone is no more distracting than talking to someone who is sitting there in person with me in the car. In both cases, I’m not actually looking at them; I’m listening to their voice and responding.