I've noticed this quite a lot lately. And I thought in some states, it's illegal. My only logical explanation: People can't figure out a good way to hook up their device to their vehicle's stereo. Or they figure it's cheaper to just use the ear buds...vs buying and installing a special adapter.
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Driving with earbuds
- Thread starter Glenn
- Start date
drjeff
Well-known member
Just plain and simply put, dumb and dangerous!
I disagree. I use them to listen to mp3 downloaded classes while driving. I can still hear sounds easily around me. No one else in the car would want to hear them.
I play my car radio a hell of a lot louder than the sound of those classes in my ears. And I find young children in the car (years back) were a lot more distracting to the driver than wearing ear buds today.
I use them for my phone while driving, so I don't have to take my hands off the wheel. I have very bad hearing. I've tried every blue tooth on the market and none that I've tried work for me as well as wired ear buds.
I got pulled over once in Connecticut on I-84 for wearing ear buds. I don't think it's such a great idea in general, but at the time someone had stole the stereo from my car and I had no music. And that was even worse!
you can get pulled over for that in CT? :jawdrop:
but a bluetooth earpiece is fine?
but a bluetooth earpiece is fine?
Go figure.
I've driven thru numerous work sites - where the officer is standing feet away from my car and the ear buds are on - and nothing has been said. Interesting.
I think because earbuds drown out other sounds from around vs. an earpiece that still lets you hear ambient noise.
I think that's the logic they use too. I know the earbuds I use to have a certain sound cancelling quality to them. It's not some super cool technology; they just tend to block noise if you have them stuffed deep in your ear. :lol:
billski
Active member
Can you hear a siren coming from far away, so you can plan in advance to get out of the way?
I use a little transmitter than connects to my iPOD. The trick is finding the best channel for your area, and where to place your ipod relative to your transmitter. Quality isn't as good as direct, but I'm safer.
I use a little transmitter than connects to my iPOD. The trick is finding the best channel for your area, and where to place your ipod relative to your transmitter. Quality isn't as good as direct, but I'm safer.
drjeff
Well-known member
Some of my issues with ear buds and driving, aside from what Billski just mentioned about safety possibilities, is that for me, driving and the interactions with my car IS not just a mechanical experience, but also a sensory experience too. There are just certain sensations and sounds that a car makes as you're driving it (especially on a fun road) that can really tell you about how your car is working.
I think for this same reason I don't use ear buds while i'm skiing or riding my bike, since for me some of the sounds associated with what i'm doing at that moment are as much of an integral part of my overall enjoyment as the physical sensations
I think for this same reason I don't use ear buds while i'm skiing or riding my bike, since for me some of the sounds associated with what i'm doing at that moment are as much of an integral part of my overall enjoyment as the physical sensations
Black Phantom
Active member
You get into an accident with ear buds-phones- what tever you care to call them, etc on and you will be found liable for all damages.
G*d forbid you run over a child, a pedestrian, or hit an animal, due to selfishness. Turn on the flipping radio. You can deal with the commercials. Or get a $10 adapter from Radio Shack.
WTF? Didn't anyone ever take drivers ed?
G*d forbid you run over a child, a pedestrian, or hit an animal, due to selfishness. Turn on the flipping radio. You can deal with the commercials. Or get a $10 adapter from Radio Shack.
WTF? Didn't anyone ever take drivers ed?
o3jeff
New member
Bluetooth phone to car connection!
I use one ear bud when driving and using the phone because I find the sound better than any bluetooth device.
If someone gets in an accident using a bluetooth device, will they be liable as well?
This will be a must have in my next vehicle purchase.
Geoff
Well-known member
+1
My hearing is fine but I try to minimize the amount of time I have a cell phone that radiates high frequency microwaves pressed against my brain.
I think bluetooth ear pieces suck. I much prefer a copper wire and a couple of little speakers.
I joined the 21st century years ago. My iPod plugs into the AUX port on my car radio with a minijack. When I business travel, I always bring a minijack cable with me and every rental car these days can accept an AUX input. The trick is finding where they hid it.
Geoff
Well-known member
Does this mean you are equally liable if you happen to be deaf?
Yes, I can. And most other sounds around me as well. At the sound level I listen, I don't see how it is any different than those listening to the radio in the car (or an iPod thru the various connections mentioned). Maybe I don't shove the earbuds far enough to my ears. :wink:
Hawkshot99
Active member
On my motorcycle I wear noise canceling ear phones all of the time. If I dont have them in I wear safety ear plugs. I can hear what is going on around me better with them in than without. It is not because my exhaust is loud, but the wind rushing by my head is VERY loud. Now I dont crank up the music either though.
In my truck I have a radio, so no ear buds needed.
In my truck I have a radio, so no ear buds needed.
Cannonball
New member
If earbuds affect you enough to make you unsafe on the roadways you are probably only a marginally competent driver to begin with. Knowing your limits is a good thing.
