Should conversaion while driving be banned (oh yeah - you only speak sigh language...)

[hal]

I was sitting at a red light just a little bit ago and saw a classic VW beetle with original tan paint (anyone remember that color on a vehicle?) and gave it a look-over and I spot a young couple in the front seats in animated conversation (using both hands) - in sign language.

It never occurred to me how one would drive while speaking sign language. As I recall, there are all sorts of abreviations - I assume that just about anything could be reduced down to one hand gestures, but you still have to look at the other person talking.

Is it safe? Surely someone here knows the ins and outs of sign language... just curious...

[Spock]

hal wrote:
I assume that just about anything could be reduced down to one hand gestures

Must be a lot of deaf people driving as I've seen plenty of those gestures.

[Lux Interior]

Spock wrote:
Must be a lot of deaf people driving as I've seen plenty of those gestures.

miley-laughing001:

[Black]

I would support a ban on signing while driving in the context of a general ban on driving.

[Lemon Drop]

Don't' know about talking, but holding your breath while driving should definitely be banned:

http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncoun...cart_river

[eustacetilley]

It's bad enough that they seem to be arguing at cross-purposes, almost certainly over money, until with a certain degree of alarm, you ask yourself:



Eustace

[space-time]

eustacetilley wrote:
It's bad enough that they seem to be arguing at cross-purposes, almost certainly over money, until with a certain degree of alarm, you ask yourself:



Eustace

blind people using Google's driverless cars

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morni...?tid=hp_mm

[OWC Jamie]

eustacetilley wrote:




Eustace

They are required by Americans with Disabilities Act
Passenger in back seat can use a drive-up just as handily as a driver.
They can't see what's going on on the screen but they can put their account number and pin in at least somewhat privately.

an aside:
a red flag PIN could alert police to a person being coerced at an ATM, likely used at least a little more often than the braille dots.

[cbelt3]

FWIW.. the drive through braille thing has nothing to do with an expectation that they will be used. They are just the same design as the walk up units, which have to have braille for accessibility (which is a good thing).

[spoiler=Personal Story Here]
I'm reminded of a tale a good friend told me. He new ASL because his brother was deaf. So he and his buddies were driving along, talking in ASL. And got pulled over for speeding. So my friend (who could hear) was busily signing to his passengers when the officer walked up and asked for license and registration. And decided at that point he would pretend to be deaf. And started signing at the officer. Who gave up in frustration and let them continue.

Unfortunately they got pulled over again. Emboldened, he tried to repeat the same process. Only to find that the officer ALSO knew ASL. Whoops ! $50 ticket, but still worth it for the story !
[/spoiler]

[bwicklander]

Hal - it's safe. Over all Deaf people have a better visual acuity, than hearing people. They can follow a signed conversation or the road in their peripheral vision. I would be more worried about the person checking his/her cell phone, than Deaf people having a conversation in a car.