Signing while driving

[northernmonkey1010]

I was driving up north for a holiday when I saw a car coming towards me and the driver was using sign language to his passenger with both hands aibu to think this is wrong or am I been an idiot?

[VeryBitchyRestingFace]

To a front seat passenger or a back seat one?

I don't think they should do it but it does happen not infrequently amongst my acquaintances.

[Usernameinvalid16]

I drive and sign to my dm. She's always in the front seat, i wouldn't talk to her if she was in the back. I am careful with when i do it, never on the motorway, country roads etc. Then again i hardly drive with her in the car.

[northernmonkey1010]

To his passenger in the front

[Andrewofgg]

With both hands. FFS that's worse than one hand on the phone, that's more like texting. I know it may be harsh on them both if they have to travel in "silence" but if somebody else can see you that's somebody else you are putting at risk.

There is a charge called "driving while not in proper control of the vehicle" and that is what is happening.

[PinkBuffalo]

They shouldn't but if BSL is your language, it would be a lonely journey with no "conversation" don't forget they can't just put the radio on. I don't use BSL, but have hearing aids and find it hard to hear the person next to me when driving in rush hour. Roads round here are noisy! I am not condoning this though.
Very I have been in the car when this takes place and it actually frightened me less than when a taxi driver used his phone to look at messages! Still a bit scary though!

[VeryBitchyRestingFace]

To his passenger in the front

Och, that's nothing.

Why, I remember the time I went on holiday to South Africa and the taxi didn't have a steering wheel.

memoreeeeeeeees...

[brummiesue]

Im sorry but if this was a thread about someone having both hands off the wheel texting then everyone would be up in arms! Just because its done to communicate with a deaf passeneger does not make it any less dangerous or irresponsible, cant believe people are justifying this

[Andrewofgg]

Exactly brummiesue. Some drivers ask for total silence, no conversation even between passengers; I do occasionally in fog or heavy rain. And passengers must respect that however lonely that makes the journey.