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Do You/Would You Use Headphones in the Car When Driving?

Posted by TopDiscountsOnline • 2/04/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: Driving, earphones, headphones

I was driving into the office today and I saw that someone was driving in their car with their iPod earphones in their ears. It made me think, wouldn't it hinder the driver's ability to hear an emergency vehicle if one was approaching?

I personally wouldn't use earphones/headphones in the car. Do you/would you? If you do, are you able to hear what is going on outside of the car? I'm just curious because when I saw this I was a little surprised that someone would have earphones on when driving.

User Comments

2/04/09

bladeaxe4

noh !

[reply]
2/04/09

jafabrit

No, I prefer to be aware of what is going on around me when driving. I remember hearing a terrible crash on a road several cars ahead of me (didn't see it) but my instinct was to slow down and it turned out to be a very good thing too.

[reply]
1. 2/04/09
  
  Norski
  
  Situational awareness. I think that's what they call it.
2. 2/04/09
  
  TopDiscountsOnline
  
  I had that happen to me once as well. I was driving on a 2 lane road and heard tires screeching ahead of me, and by instinct started slowing down, ending up turning into a 3 car pile up which stopped at the car right in front of me.
2/04/09

BikiniHotline

I think that is a total hazard. However, one could argue that playing loud music in your vehicle would also limit your ability to hear other things such as emergency vehicles. How about cell phones?

[reply]
1. 2/04/09
  
  Norski
  
  Cell phones, used intelligently, aren't a problem.
  
  Anything, used foolishly, is a problem. Including cars.
2. 2/04/09
  
  TopDiscountsOnline
  
  I agree with the loud music scenario you suggest although it seems that these in ear earphone buds seem to block out all outside noise for the most part.
  
  In regards to cell phones, I think for sure texting should be banned across the board, and either speakerphone or a handsfree device of some sort should be mandatory (but even then, talking on the phone can be a huge distraction while driving and can cause someone to completely forget they are driving!)
2/04/09

Norski

I use my ears, as well as my eyes, while driving. So, no: I wouldn't have something covering my ears. (Winter headgear is an exception: it isn't all that effective in blocking sound.)

I've used a cell phone when driving - but only on straight sections of road with no traffic and good visibility for about a hundred yards on each side. I like being alive, and plan to stay that way for a while.

[reply]
1. 2/04/09
  
  TopDiscountsOnline
  
  Agreed, everyone should be using their eyes AND ears when driving!
2/04/09

csiunatc

Bikini is spot on.

It's a bad idea. But no more so than playing the stereo too loud.

[reply]
1. 2/04/09
  
  Norski
  
  Bottom line may be
  
  Distractions: bad.
2/04/09

ThriftShopRomantic

I don't believe that's even legal, actually. I'd have to check the driver's handbook, but I think that's considered a legal no-no.

[reply]
1. 2/04/09
  
  Anok
  
  It is in our state. (Illegal)
  
  I find that the use of headphones can completely disarm or distract you in a way that a stereo cannot.
2. 2/06/09
  
  TopDiscountsOnline
  
  I'll have to check into the legality of using headphones in the car here in Michigan. I've seen it several times now.
2/04/09

legbamel

It's illegal here, too, and I think it was illegal in California when I first got my license, years ago. It's illegal to have headphones on when you're riding a bicycle, too, although that never stopped me when I was 15.

[reply]
1. 2/04/09
  
  LGramlich
  
  It was illegal in NY years ago, as well. I can't imagine they've changed that.
2/04/09

destinedforwhat

listening to headphones while driving is illegal in probable every state. it hinders you from hearing approaching emergency vehicles. granted blasting your stereo can hinder that just as much. could it have been that they had an old school phone that maybe doesn't support bluetooth? those have the headset that sits in your ear just like an ipod earbud. i love my bluetooth headset. keeps both hands available to drive, not to mention when i head to cali its the only way i can talk to anyone while driving since they passed the no cell phone while driving with the exception of a headset law.

[reply]
1. 2/06/09
  
  TopDiscountsOnline
  
  I'm almost 100% certain they were stereo headphones. The phone headsets are typically only 1 ear. These were in both ears.
2/04/09

riverstyxxx

Illegal here. However, it's legal to use your headphone set if you're talking on your cellphone. I will never understand the difference.

[reply]
1. 2/06/09
  
  TopDiscountsOnline
  
  I think the main difference is the cell phone earpieces are typically only one ear, whereas stereo headphones/ear buds are typically both ears. Not that it matters, both are distractions no matter which way you look at it.
2/06/09

darren1985

That is absolutely a big NO! It's not safe to do that... It's digging your own grave... However if you use earphones or handsfree to talk on the phone while driving, it's okay.

[reply]
2/06/09

RTBjr73

I see it all the time on the highway. It does not bother me as much as someone using a cell phone in one hand, and smoking with the other hand.

[reply]
1. 2/06/09
  
  TopDiscountsOnline
  
  Ah, the driver's who drive with no hands and use their knees to steer!!
2/06/09

Shiley

No! If I need to listen to mmusic in the car there is a perfectly good radio in the vehicle. I don't do cell phones either. Cell phone gets turned off. I have heard too many stories of people dying from people who practice unsafe driving habits.

[reply]
1. 2/10/09
  
  TopDiscountsOnline
  
  Talking on the cell phone doesn't bother me as much as people who text on the cell phone. Texting is a complete distraction, all it takes is a split second for an accident to happen.