PSA: please don't talk on your cell phone while driving!
http://www.businessinsider.com/talking-on-a-hands-free-cellphone-is-as-bad-as-driving-drunk-2013-8
Please note, those studies are for hands-free; nowadays, I see far too many drivers making bad turns while holding phones to ear.
@vfrmedia Hands-free is better than holding phone to ear, but ... yikes.
The worst I saw was a US driver in very heavy traffic (bumper-to-bumper) holding phone in one hand, lollipop in the other hand, using elbows on the steering wheel. This driver was also directly behind me, but traffic was too heavy for me to change lanes safely. At least I wasn't in an accident ...
The assumption of privacy within your car with the volume turned up also astounds me.
@nethope As you post that, I remember that video I saw on TV (youtube link)
@nethope Don't pokédrive, either
@nethope Yeah, had a surreal episode a decade ago. Had to take an important call, had a BT headset, chose to continue the commute home.
I managed the conversation, but when I hung up, I realized that I had no recollection whatsoever of that portion of the drive. It was as if I had teleported into the middle of the road, closer to home. Since then I make it a point to only do either, not both. At most short calls where I don't have to think, but that too makes me uncomfortable.
@nethope in UK where the article is written (and where I live) its illegal *not* to use a hands free kit, but the cops do still warn of distractions and I'm also amazed (in these supposedly security conscious times) how many people turn up the link to the car radio so loud I can hear all their personal stuff whilst waiting behind them in traffic when on my bicycle 1m behind their vehicle (over and above the ambient noise )