I can't lie. I've texted and drove. With my old phone, I could text without looking down at the buttons since they were textured. I've since quit texting for several years now (while driving). If I have my Jawbone Bluetooth connected, an automatic text is sent telling the sender I'm driving and can't text and please call me. If I'm on the bike it's the same. They get an automatic text telling them to call me. Personally, I think handsfree is safer than talking to a friend in the car because you aren't constantly looking over at the person and you keep your eyes on the road.
While I was still driving truck, I was on the phone a lot! That may scare some of you but, I was driving up to 20 hours a day and the conversation kept me awake and alert when I got tired. As the day went on and I got tired, I had to call someone to help wake me up. If it got too bad, I pulled-over.
Texting for most people including teens who are very talented at it, requires you to physically take your eyes off the road. ONE SECOND away from the road can be the difference between life and death!
I was on the jury of a wrongful death suit where the accused looked down just to push the button to change the station and when she looked back up, the other car was turning in front of her (the turner had a green arrow and the light was notoriously short) and her light was red. Only a moment and a life was taken.
As motorcyclists, we are (generally) much more aware of our surroundings and our own vulnerabilities. Most people have no concept of the importance of what they are doing when they are driving. I blame that on our government not requiring training to drive.
In Germany, I believe it's a minimum of 10 weeks of training IF you get everything right the first time through! If you fail a course, you are required to take it again AT YOUR COST! I haven't looked but, years ago it was around $1400. Over here you hop in drive to the street and back and you're good to go. Not good!
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