People wearing headphones while driving?

[Le_Petit_Lapin]

has anyone else noticed this more recently? A fair few times now i've noticded there is some female in the car next to me at traffic lights or some other queue, and upon looking over to have a quick perv i've been shocked to see that they're wearing in ear headphones listening to their iPod or something.

surely that can't be legal? they wont be able to hear warning horns or whatever?

 

[Peerzy]

Pretty sure it's not legal, not seen anyone doing it since college though when the bloke couldn't afford a HU.

 

[Housey]

Actually I have noticed more and more people doing this of late, I assumed it was simply 'them' watching me and communicating with base.

 

[thepeteh]

I thought that deaf people in the UK were allowed to drive, But I agree its probably not the best idea.

Edit -

some people might be wearing headphones as part of a 'hands free kit' although I thought those types of hands free kits were frowned upon now days.

 

[snowdog]

Wait, so deaf people are allowed to drive but you aren't allowed to wear headphones ?

The last owner of my car did it, I have a Stax Electret adaptor in my car for Stax headphones.
I don't see how it is much different from blasting music at high volumes. Perhaps ban music from cars too ?

 

[NickXX]

iPhone headset.

 

[Simon]

I wear my iPod headphones when I drive

 

[Liquidfox]

No different to me having my music blasting, but then i know to be more observant when i do. The amount of times i've seen people with Emergency vehicles behind them and being completely oblivious is scary

 

[matt100]

I've noticed it more often recently too, got to say on the odd occasion I move my car (turning it round so the other side faces the kerb) whilst washing it with my headphones in and music on I find it really disorientating.

It is different to having loud music on, you can still make out differences in engine sounds, hear sirens etc etc, any half decent set of ear canal headphones would take that away.

 

[Bear]

iPhone headset.

It could be as you say, a hands free kit.

 

[shifty_uk]

Saw some imbecile in a 3 series sporting earphones last night. Came up to the roundabout indicating left but instead he went straight ahead just as I nipped onto it, beeped and shouted some abuse at me despite him slowing down and indicating left. Watched him disappear into the distance with his indicators still on, he obviously hadn't heard them and been on for quite some time. ****.

 

[Simon]

It could be as you say, a hands free kit.

Exactly, that's what I use mine for.

 

[Simon]

Saw some imbecile in a 3 series sporting earphones last night. Came up to the roundabout indicating left but instead he went straight ahead just as I nipped onto it, beeped and shouted some abuse at me despite him slowing down and indicating left. Watched him disappear into the distance with his indicators still on, he obviously hadn't heard them. ****.

Really? You gave someone a load of abuse for using a handsfree kit?

 

[mk1_salami]

No different to bikers wearing earplugs I guess.

 

[shifty_uk]

Really? You gave someone a load of abuse for using a handsfree kit?

No, he gave me the abuse despite him indicating left and going straight ahead. It wasn't handsfree, normal earphones.

 

[Dr Who]

I got pulled by the Bill years ago wearing in ear phones, was told they were not legal and given a producer. Seems stupid really, as most cars now have a stereo that can block more noise than ipod phones

 

[snowdog]

No, he gave me the abuse despite him indicating left and going straight ahead

To be honest, one of the first things you learn at your lessons is to not trust just the indicators, ever...

It wasn't handsfree, normal earphones.

Which can still be used for handsfree ( headphones as speakers, mic on the phone) , how could you tell anyhow ? On my SE phone the mic of my handsfree headset was always under my collar. It looks just like normal headphones except it has a small mic where the cables split and a button to receive calls.

 

[Mucky_Pup]

Don't in the car, just plug the ipod into the radio, have used the ipod on the bike a few times though.

 

[shifty_uk]

To be honest, one of the first things you learn at your lessons is to not trust just the indicators, ever...

I'm know however he slowed down at the junction giving the impression he was going to turn. I had just enough time to get onto the roundabout before he went straight on.

Hard to explain.

 

[Janesy B]

To be honest, one of the first things you learn at your lessons is to not trust just the indicators, ever...

You shouldn't trust them, because of idiots like that. There is a difference between loud music and wearing headphones, headphones will also dumb down any noise around you, be it a horn or a siren.