Listening to music while riding - harmless or hazardous?
I have always wondered with this. Is it legal to wear your ipod while riding? What hazards does it place on other road users/peds etc.
I am a bit against it personally, as the ear phones with loud music can impede ones ability to listen and concentrate on traffic etc. especially if you are riding in a group scenario. Someone with ear phones rides off while people at the rear may have had a fall etc.
What are the legalities of this, pro's & con's? For or against? Please keep the discussion civil.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Konadog on -
Would'nt dream of listening to music while I ride myself - just not my cup-of-tea. Even on the trails where there are no cars I prefer to hear the sounds and rhythms of my bike and my breathing and to the birds and other sounds of the forest. I feel more present and in the game that way. I understand that riding with tunes seems to help some people find a rhythm, but it doesn't work for me.
I think it's kinda dangerous on the road too where I really want to be in the game and fully aware of what's going on around me. We have shared bike / walking paths here and it's the walkers strolling down the middle of the path with their music so loud they can't hear a bike bell or a "HELLOOOO" - that seems dangerous too...
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Permalink Reply by James Davis on -
There isnt any law against, and hopefully there never will be. The whole nanny state thing is outa hand as it is. As I have said before we are all adults, we are capable of making decisions and accepting the consequences, and just because others have made bad decisions and have suffered as a result, shouldnt impede my liberties. Its called life people and I dont wanna die without any scars.
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Permalink Reply by Glen Turner on -
There is a law. If you hit someone whilst listening to an iPod then "accepting the consequences" would include being charged with s45 "Careless driving" for lack of "due care and attention". If guilty then you'd also be up for criminal compensation for the victim's injuries.
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Permalink Reply by Derek Hasel on -
Now that is drawing a long bow. The mere fact that you are listening to music through ear pieces. even if you have an accident, is not deemed either 'careless driving or due care and attention. And even if an over zealous copper did charge you I be it wouldn't stick. Ask a lawyer ?
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Permalink Reply by Paul Inglis on -
Perhaps if you hit and injured someone while you were riding backwards with your eyes shut and listening to headphones that could be 'careless driving.' Most people use their eyes to decide which direction to ride in, not their ears.
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Permalink Reply by MarkK on -
I had another cyclist who thinks he can "Hear" whats coming and proceeded to turn left right into my line. Hearing whats coming only works 99% of the time, you have to look EVERTIME.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Playfair on
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I am working as a traffic controller and commonly see people driving with earphones in. I asked a cop who stopped at one of my workzones. It is not illegal per se. Similar to eating, it will be taken into account if you're involved in an accident. If seen as a contributor, then you were driving without due care and you'll be charged with that. As far as dissuading people from the unwise practice of excluding sounds that should be heard by the driver, about all the police can do is hit the siren & lights, and if there is not an immediate response, then they pull them over and book them as above. I was surprised that it wasn't illegal to have earphones in, but I probably shouldn't have been since I'd already discovered that it's not illegal to drink alcohol while driving(as long as you blow under) and it's not illegal to put 8 people in a Mitsubishi Lancer(as long as all seatbelts are in use)
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on -
Not yet in SA but there are moves to make it illegal.
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Permalink Reply by Derek Hasel on
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Agreed, it is currently not illegal to consume alcohol whilst driving ( in SA)
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