The Path of Truth Forum

Jeannie Van Popta sent this video in February. You need to see it. We all know people who could be texting and driving, if you aren't that person yourself. And the lessons here apply to more than texting and driving. Share this with all those in your circle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BqFkRwdFZ0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paul

For AT&T users they offers a free app called AT&T Drive Mode. Ronnie and I just installed it. It took less than 5 minutes and it stops texts and phones calls automatically when driving. I am guilty of texting and driving so the video was a good reminder of how serious such a simple thing can turn into a tragic event.

Thank you Paul.

Don't think I would be able to Text whilst driving. My wife got caught with her mobile stuck to her ear. The Police had been following her for about a mile. She got fined 60 pounds and got 3 penalty points on her licence. (that was in our old car) We now have hands free through the car radio which can be activated from the steering wheel. I know some people, maybe some of you, may think this is just as dangerous but if that is the case then do we, should we, stop drivers from talking to passengers in their car? I seen the video. It was heart wrenching and I agree whole heartedly that texting whilst driving is pure madness and selfish. I would like to hear your views on the hands free set-up.

What I've heard about the difference between talking on the phone (even hands-free) vs. having a conversation with someone in the passenger's seat is that in the latter case, you have both people reacting (even subconsciously) to what is happening on the road. The conversation takes a natural flow, or takes pauses, as things need to be dealt with.

Not so with phone talking, of course. You have one person entirely disconnected from what is happening on the road, and it's easy for the driver to be sucked in to paying attention to the conversation rather than the road.

Hi Paul and everyone - I did not watch the video but have seen quite a few on texting and driving and some of the results of those actions are horrific.

Just a note from me... I do not text while driving. There's a hands-free kit in the car I drive, which I find quite distracting, as well because it does interfere with road-concentration. I just don't do it and I "turn-off" Bluetooth so that I don't hear the phone ringing, at all. I do have the radio on, quietly, to listen for traffic reports.

Besides all the potholes (filled with water in the rainy season) and badly maintained roads in South Africa, one has to be 100% alert (especially in Johannesburg) as the mini-bus taxis are all over the place and most of the drivers just don't care who or what is on the road - they do exactly as they please and there's no one to stop them. If anyone phones, they can leave a message which I check when I get to my destination. The same with texting.

Beryl.

Hands-free phoning is not mind-free phoning.

I see people texting while driving on the road all the time. In CA, it's illegal to even talk on the phone in your hand. I have used the phone, turning it to speaker, then putting it on the seat next to me. Probably shouldn't even do that.

Texting and driving was like all the other challenges I faced and currently face in overcoming myself through His faith and grace He gives me to obey Him and not myself.

I don't remember exactly when I stopped doing texting and driving, but I do have records of when I gave up my cellular connection for my Iphone and thereby quit using it for anything other than wifiing my checks into the online bank I use. I've fallen twice since then by following Laurie and after the last time(now months ago), I believe He's taken that evil need from me and I stand firm when she insists I take it with me. Now I don't take it with me and tell her my trust is in the Lord to keep me safe and not in the phone and any connection it brings me, and that I prefer the connection to Him no matter how many problems with others it causes. I prefer to be hated(a desire He's given me) by others for doing what He wants, than(not then as Edwin pointed out) to be loved by others for doing what they want.

Eric C.

Hi Eric,
In your last line, "then" instead of "than" mean exactly the opposite of what you meant to say. I'm sure you know, but you surely didn't notice it.

What does it mean to drive? To lead, to control, to manage a vehicule on the road...When you are talking on the phone, even hands-free, are you really controlling the car or anticipating what can happen on the road? I don't think so!

In Europe is illegal to talk on the phone. But should it be a specific written restriction for you to not practice it?

what Victor said,,,"Hands-free phoning is not mind-free phoning" I agree, but in these days is there such a thing as mind-free driving.

Maybe I am playing “devils advocate” arguing for the least of two evils here, lets see.
As everyone knows, driving on the roads these days requires the utmost attention, there is just so much traffic out there, so many distractions. Taking your eyes/mind of the road, even for a second, is dangerous and can be potentially life threaten. Some drivers, as the video shows, are just outright mad when it comes down to it. As for talking to passengers when driving. When my 3 children were young driving was a real hassle. Not only was there other road users to consider, one had the distractions of kids crying or fighting in the back of the car. Talk about “driving” mad. I see my own daughter driving with 4 very young children and I know her mind is not always on the road. Its a juggling act and a very dangerous one at that. I know her mobile phone is like an extension of her arm, as it is for most people these days and she would not hesitate to use it when driving. I must show her the video... My youngest daughter just past her driving test and now she too has a car. I know both of them will be using their mobiles whilst driving no matter what I or the law of the road says.

Its Christmas, blah, blah, blah. Yes, I know, I should not partake and I try to stay out of it. This christman has been a real war zone for me. I don't want to digress, its a long story, so moving right along.
My wife asks me what we should get the girls for christmas. (I made my feelings clear about christmas) that said, after thinking about it, I said we should get one a Tom Tom sat-nav with hands-free and the other a hands-free radio. (strange this topic came up in the forum)
I don't know, but it seems to me that if they are going to use their phone when driving then maybe hands-free is the way to go.

I use the hands-free set-up in my own car and find it a much safer option. I consider myself to be an experienced and safe driver. I know everyone says that, but I believe in the old 3 Cs that use to be on the back of all the old blue driving licence here in the UK from years ago. Care, Courtesy and Consideration and I always drive with these 3 things in mind. With so many distractions on the roads these days and the busy lives most people live, is hands-free just another distraction or is there a case to be made for it?

Sorry for the term “devils advocate” but I could not think of anything better.

Why choose a lesser of two evils when there is a good choice to be made? Is not not better to do what is actually right rather than looking for something that just gives the appearance of being right? The lesser of two evils is still evil.

Would not modern traffic with uncontrollable conditions - congestion, road rage, road conditions, drugs, drunkenness, medicated drivers and the like strongly argue in favor of putting away all distractions possible while driving? Especially phones that particularly occupy the mind and remove it from the scene like little if nothing else present in the driving experience?

I recall Chuck Colson telling the story of being chauffeured on the autobahn in Germany where exceptional high public traffic speed is permitted. The driver well prepared himself, driving gloves included, for the challenging journey ahead.

Shall I smoke because I can't always avoid second-hand smoke? Shall I deliberately eat GMO foods because I can't always avoid them? Isn't minimizing poison better than no limitation at all?

I think we gradually become too complacent and take too much as granted. Brian, I fear for you, your daughters and their children.

However, I know that driving while phoning isn't the issue; neither is Christmas. God grant faith and wisdom to believe Him and follow His wise ways in all things. God will make a way for those who look to Him. He never promised "easy" but He did promise life and success.

I wonder if this topic shouldn't be listed in our paper on mundane matters, whatever the name of it is - I can never remember...gotta come up with a catchy title...anyone?

I hear you Victor.