Unsafe driving while filming ScrapYard Wars

[WeeemRCB]

After watching the last couple of episodes of Scrapyard Wars (love them btw), it was really bugging me that Luke was checking his phone all the time while driving.

I've had my share of close calls from texting drivers while on my motorbike and I have a friend that was knocked of his bike by a texting driver. it's been a big problem in the UK.

 

I'm sure guys in BC already know the score, but for those that don't it's a decent fine + demerits if you get caught:  https://www.caa.ca/distracted-driving

SYW is already filmed, so we're in the hands of the editors now, but for future roaming projects, Linus / Procurement, please make sure your guys 'on duty' have hands free kits or a dashboard mounts available so phones can be safely used as satnavs.

 

Not just for their safety... Selfishly I want you guys to continue making videos uninterrupted

 

(and for the smartarses oot there - yes, I know this season's SYW was filmed in California where the fines are insignificant, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous)

[Guest]

Reminds me of this in Scrapyard Wars 2.

 

I didn't notice he was doing that all the time, though. brb, rewatching again.

[Ryoku]

1 hour ago, WeeemRCB said:

After watching the last couple of episodes of Scrapyard Wars (love them btw), it was really bugging me that Luke was checking his phone all the time while driving.

I've had my share of close calls from texting drivers while on my motorbike and I have a friend that was knocked of his bike by a texting driver. it's been a big problem in the UK.

 

I'm sure guys in BC already know the score, but for those that don't it's a decent fine + demerits if you get caught:  https://www.caa.ca/distracted-driving

SYW is already filmed, so we're in the hands of the editors now, but for future roaming projects, Linus / Procurement, please make sure your guys 'on duty' have hands free kits or a dashboard mounts available so phones can be safely used as satnavs.

 

Not just for their safety... Selfishly I want you guys to continue making videos uninterrupted

 

(and for the smartarses oot there - yes, I know this season's SYW was filmed in California where the fines are insignificant, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous)

This shit really triggers me, and it's starting to get really bad they need to start cracking down on offenders very harshly.

[Guest]

They won't take any notice until they either get a massive fine or cause an accident. 

[captain_to_fire]

1 hour ago, WeeemRCB said:

Not just for their safety... Selfishly I want you guys to continue making videos uninterrupted

And with complete set of limbs

Texting and winning Scrapyard Wars? it can wait!

 

Edited June 3, 2017 by hey_yo_

[Guest]

Their response will probably be something along the lines of 'we only do it when it's safe and only ever glance at the phone'. 

 

Fact is, if you're driving, that's all you should be doing

[AlwaysFSX]

8 minutes ago, AUniqueName said:

Their response will probably be something along the lines of 'we only do it when it's safe and only ever glance at the phone'. 

 

Fact is, if you're driving, that's all you should be doing

Nobody changes until they run someone's ass over.

[JimKims]

Here in the uk, if your caught even with your phone in your hand whilst driving, its now 6 points on your license (Max 12) and a £200 fine (US$260 ).

 

Not worth the risk, leave it to passengers and drivers should put there phone in the "glove box" to resist temptation and get a hands free device.

[dalekphalm]

5 hours ago, WeeemRCB said:

After watching the last couple of episodes of Scrapyard Wars (love them btw), it was really bugging me that Luke was checking his phone all the time while driving.

I've had my share of close calls from texting drivers while on my motorbike and I have a friend that was knocked of his bike by a texting driver. it's been a big problem in the UK.

 

I'm sure guys in BC already know the score, but for those that don't it's a decent fine + demerits if you get caught:  https://www.caa.ca/distracted-driving

SYW is already filmed, so we're in the hands of the editors now, but for future roaming projects, Linus / Procurement, please make sure your guys 'on duty' have hands free kits or a dashboard mounts available so phones can be safely used as satnavs.

 

Not just for their safety... Selfishly I want you guys to continue making videos uninterrupted

 

(and for the smartarses oot there - yes, I know this season's SYW was filmed in California where the fines are insignificant, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous)

Can you tell me when exactly Luke was using his phone? Which episode and what approximate time-stamp?

 

If he was just picking it up to glance at the screen, that's not the worst, but if he's actually typing touching the screen, texting, emailing, whatever, that's no good at all.

 

I can understand checking a text message at a stop light (but not replying), if it'll take 0.5 seconds, but actually using the phone? Nope.

 

Also, fyi, even if the phone is dash mounted, most Canadian Law will prohibit you from touching it.

 

Basically, if you need to use the phone, it has to be completely hands free. Voice controls only (or steering wheel controls if doing things like music and answering calls).

[Arty]

5 hours ago, WeeemRCB said:

please make sure your guys 'on duty' have hands free kits or a dashboard mounts available so phones can be safely used as satnavs

TBH, this is still a distraction, obs not as much, but it still is. 

[yathis]

I love the justification buddy does. "Well if hes stopped at a light or just glancing at it" Bullshit

Its still illegal buddy.

This fucking shit costs lives!

 

 

 

[divito]

Some dash controls are more convoluted than simply glancing at your phone for a second, yet we still have all the menus and features in the car's infotainment system that are allowed when they're practically the same thing.

[Drak3]

I feel like I'm about to get in an accident if I check my phone whilst in a parking lot, stopped, and I'm not actually in park. How the fuck people can text and drive as if it were as easy as breathing is excessively beyond me.

[dalekphalm]

1 minute ago, divito said:

Some dash controls are more convoluted than simply glancing at your phone for a second, yet we still have all the menus and features in the car's infotainment system that are allowed when they're practically the same thing.

In some cases, yes. But if they are too convoluted, you shouldn't use them while driving.

 

You should ideally memorize all important controls so that you can operate them without looking.

 

Not every state/province/country has the same laws, but for example, most provinces in Canada have worded the anti-texting laws in such a manner so that distracted driving in general is an offense, and is dealt with more of on a case-by-case basis, with the officer having a lot of leeway on when to ticket someone - and when not to.

 

So, in theory, under these laws, if you become distracted due to an overly complicated infotainment system built into your car, that's no different legally from whipping out your phone and texting while driving.

[dalekphalm]

Just now, Drak3 said:

I feel like I'm about to get in an accident if I check my phone whilst in a parking lot, stopped, and I'm not actually in park. How the fuck people can text and drive as if it were as easy as breathing is excessively beyond me.

Some people can get fairly good at texting and "keeping the car in the lane while the road goes in a straight line".

 

I won't go so far as to say some people are good at texting and driving, because that's simply not true - they might feel like they are, and might look like it under some circumstances, but studies have shown that texting and driving can introduce similar levels of distraction as, say, driving while intoxicated.

[aisle9]

I'd be lying if I said that most of my time at traffic lights isn't spent on my phone. If I'm stopped anyway, who cares?

[rn8686]

Even hands free isnt even that safe while driving, ideally you shouldn't use it all 

 

(May not technically be the most scientifically accurate test ever, but its mythbusters). 

[MadyTehWolfie]

1 minute ago, rn8686 said:

Even hands free isnt even that safe while driving, ideally you shouldn't use it all 

 

(May not technically be the most scientifically accurate test ever, but its mythbusters). 

Meh some cars all you do is press a button adn say "call X" and it does the rest. 

[dalekphalm]

Just now, aisle9 said:

I'd be lying if I said that most of my time at traffic lights isn't spent on my phone. If I'm stopped anyway, who cares?

If you're looking at your phone, you're not looking at the road, and/or your surroundings.

 

What if the light changes green while you're staring at Facebook? No doubt you've inadvertently annoyed the driver beyond you. Also, you're not aware of your surroundings, and thus are more likely to be hit by another driver who, say, loses control of their car (or is drunk, etc). It might be their fault, sure, but you might be able to maneuver out of the way if you're paying attention - which could save your life.

 

Spending 0.5 seconds seeing if you have any messages is fine - that's no different from looking at the clock or seeing what radio station you're on. But that's not actively "using" the device.

[rn8686]

Just now, MadyTehWolfie said:

Meh some cars all you do is press a button adn say "call X" and it does the rest. 

Doesnt matter, the point is you are distracted if talking while driving. Its not just touching the phone that is bad. 

[dalekphalm]

Just now, MadyTehWolfie said:

Meh some cars all you do is press a button adn say "call X" and it does the rest. 

Indeed on my car, I press a "call" button, which activates a voice recognition system in which I tell the car the command I want (like saying "Call Jon Snow", or "Music, next song").

[MadyTehWolfie]

Just now, rn8686 said:

Doesnt matter, the point is you are distracted if talking while driving. Its not just touching the phone that is bad. 

Not really depends more on the conversation then the fact you are talking. If that were the case better not talk to anyone else in the car then. Make for boring car rides. 

[dalekphalm]

1 minute ago, rn8686 said:

Doesnt matter, the point is you are distracted if talking while driving. Its not just touching the phone that is bad. 

To be fair, the "course" they had to drive on MythBusters was quite a bit more challenging than typical driving usually requires. Though precision driving could be required at any moment due to avoiding an accident.

[Drak3]

Just now, dalekphalm said:

Some people can get fairly good at texting and "keeping the car in the lane while the road goes in a straight line".

 

I won't go so far as to say some people are good at texting and driving, because that's simply not true - they might feel like they are, and might look like it under some circumstances, but studies have shown that texting and driving can introduce similar levels of distraction as, say, driving while intoxicated.

I know a person that can drive perfectly well with a phone in their hands if they have a competent copilot instructing them on how fast to go and when to turn (and how much). Then again, he also is a former tank driver, so not having eyes on the road and going up to 30MPH whilst driving a 40+ ton behemoth is kind of a required skill that doesn't just go away.

That said, the second anyone pulls out a phone and they're not in park, is the second that I decide not to ride with them again. I know most people aren't frickin tank drivers.

[rn8686]

5 minutes ago, MadyTehWolfie said:

Not really depends more on the conversation then the fact you are talking. If that were the case better not talk to anyone else in the car then. Make for boring car rides. 

Probably would, but much safer ones too (Look what happened in their tests, I dont see much of a difference if your phone is hand free or using car controls).