r/mildlyinfuriating • u/BiteInfamous • 10h ago

I'm slightly vexed Taxi driver wearing noise cancelling headphones while driving in the city

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Look I’m PMSing so I’m admittedly in a very nit picky time of my life. But. Don’t love weaving in and out of traffic in a major city while the taxi driver has noice cancelling headphones on. The sound is loud enough I can hear whatever (moderately funny) comedy show he’s listening to in the backseat. This is ill advised, yes?

ETA thanks to everyone who taught me about transparent mode today :)

ETA2 : Okay, I’m the asshole, comments have shown me there’s lots that could be going on with the driver to make him need to use these and there’s way he could do so safely. Mea culpa. That’ll teach me to knee jerk react.

1.6k Upvotes

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714

u/mandatorypanda9317 10h ago edited 8h ago

So now I gotta ask because I genuinely dont know, are deaf people not allowed to drive? I dont think ive ever thought about it

Edit: the answer is YES THEY CAN DRIVE (thank you for pointing out my dumbass use of the English language haha) I also looked up laws in my state about headphones and apparantly here you can only wear them over ONE ear lol

118

u/Telesto-The-Besto 10h ago

They are indeed allowed to drive.

67

u/Ixaire 10h ago edited 10h ago

Speaking only for my country, but they are. They can drive without any restriction, don't have to wear hearing aids of any sort and it's common knowledge that they sign behind the wheel. They are used to rely on their other senses more.

36

u/powderjunkie11 9h ago

There must be a lot more deaf drivers than I thought…drivers message me through their hands all the time while driving . What does this one mean🖕🖕

13

u/creatyvechaos 9h ago

It means "have a good day!"

14

u/powderjunkie11 9h ago

🖕you too!

1

u/shibiwan 4h ago

You have a great day too!!

5

u/grape-fruit-witch 8h ago

"Peace among worlds"!

284

u/nikhkin 9h ago

Yes, deaf people can drive, but they're also fairly well adapted to navigating the world with reduced senses.

Similarly, a one-eyed person can drive but you wouldn't expect someone to drive around with one eye closed.

Actively removing your situational awareness is stupid.

62

u/DannyDevitosComb 9h ago

One eyed driver here, I just have an endorsement on my license that's states I MUST have my mirrors (I mean everyone does but y'know)

36

u/tun4c4ptor 9h ago

Nice, if I ever get pulled over for not having a mirror I'll say it's fine because I have both eyes. Checkmate, police. 

4

u/youngcuriousafraid 8h ago

In my state im pretty sure only the left side requires a sideview mirror funny enough

2

u/Redlikeroses_23 6h ago

Ironically depends on your state. Like Texas where I came from you only needed two mirror if your vehicle was tinted and one of they had to be the drivers and passenger’s side mirror. If you weren’t tinted you technically just would need the drivers side one.

1

u/PrestonWaters83 6h ago

It's both exterior mirrors, right?

Most states only require Driver's side and either a center interior or passenger side exterior. Some are weird. I think it's Texas that only requires a center mirror if you aren't towing.

9

u/M1dor1 RED 9h ago

With transparency mode the outside sounds get amplified so you will need to turn up whatever you are listening

1

u/TraditionalMap6872 8h ago

This is so well put.
It's about senses.

1

u/LordShtark 7h ago

I'm blind in one eye. When it happened I asked my doctor about driving and he said "Sammy Davis Jr used to drive. You'll be fine." 😆

-1

u/Friscolax 8h ago

I would argue that someone who drives professionally for a living has also adapted to navigating the streets.
This is a non-issue. The driver got their Passenger to their destination safely. The OP is overreacting.

30

u/Specter119 10h ago

Theyre allowed to drive in every state in the US

10

u/framingXjake 9h ago

When I worked in fast food, I regularly had customers in my drive thru who were deaf. I would greet them over the speaker not knowing they were deaf and they would honk to let me know they had already paid through our app and were about to pull around to the window. Saved them the hassle of trying to communicate with someone who doesn't know ASL (me).

6

u/creatyvechaos 9h ago

I was born deaf (underdeveloped eardrums) but could hear okayish by the time I was 7. In that time period I learned ASL, but never had to use it again after that. I can still vaguely "picture" the signs (quotes because aphantasia, it's more.....instinctually knowing I'm thinking of it?? Hard to explain) but I can't piece them together fluidly, and my other language learning also interfers with the structure and grammar of ASL. I currently have a deaf coworker, so I've been picking up on sign language again, but....It does make me wish it was a required course at least in middle school.

Whoever said "you'll never forget ASL because it's muscle memory" was not aware that muscle memory can atrophy through lack of use

2

u/Adorable_Ad4990 7h ago

You’ll remember it if you start using it again though

•

u/creatyvechaos 45m ago

Yeah tell that to my neural pathways. They aren't doin shit lmfao

11

u/GroundMeet 10h ago

They are allowed, but some states require more/bigger mirrors to enhance their visibility. Aside from that they don’t treat deaf any differently than hearing unless you’re attempting to get a CDL

10

u/caelynnsveneers 9h ago

I feel like deaf people probably are trained to use a lot more visual cues to drive safely. Idk maybe cuz I’m a scared driver I would want to be able to hear the roads.

1

u/Vexerz 6h ago

If you drove as often as a cab driver you wouldn’t be all that scared. It’s certainly important for new drivers to listen if they can though.

0

u/blue60007 9h ago

They aren't. Everyone should be using their eyes and not their ears to drive safely.

-1

u/Independent-Bat9797 9h ago

Who the fuck is driving by audio cues in busy traffic (or any traffic at all) - you dont really hear shit - even worse in old cars that are noisy by themself. The only exceptions is sirenes from ambulance or police.

14

u/PolitelyHostile 10h ago

I guess in theory they might be better at getting by without hearing. And it could just be a bit of an exception because they don't have the option whereas the rest of us do.

3

u/HereForTheBuffet This pen is red. 9h ago

I had a deaf Uber driver once. Had a little sign essentially saying “feel free to make phone calls or listen to your music as loud as you want”.

9

u/meowxinfinity 10h ago

Definitely allowed to drive. I am deaf and just use visual the most. Sound isn’t necessary for driving, imo.

9

u/Penguin_Arse 9h ago

They are allowed to drive, it's only a slightly bigger danger to drive without hearing, if you have the ability to hear you should use it.

However I always drive with so loud music that I can't hear shit anyway

2

u/im_wudini 9h ago

in NJ, it's 100% legal to wear earbuds while driving. In both ears. Likely a holdover from when handsfree was more important.

4

u/beefquinton 9h ago

yes. deaf people can drive. also yes, in my state as well, one ear can be occupied with an audio listening device (headphone or earbud).

3

u/sukastyx 10h ago

They are allowed to drive but they generally have extra accessibility things to help them drive safely

8

u/blue60007 10h ago

What things?

2

u/EnjoyerOfMX5 10h ago

listening devices are an exception to the headphone laws in my state. one earbud is okay, both is illegal, but hearing aids are obviously a-ok.

4

u/ArachnidNo2269 10h ago

Cars that can do sign language, jk

3

u/sukastyx 10h ago

Bigger side mirrors to see blind spots, siren detection systems, there's lots of other things too that some might get to help but aren't totally necessary

2

u/blue60007 9h ago

Thanks, I was genuinely curious. Siren detection makes some sense. I don't really see how bigger mirrors help - at least over a hearing person's baseline? You can't hear a blind spot. At least not well enough to be making any decisions on.

I like that more and more cars have more safety features like blind spot detection. Mine will beep, vibrate the wheel, flash lights and even steer back into your lane if you try to merge into someone.

1

u/sukastyx 9h ago

I think the bigger side mirrors also help to see emergency vehicles, but yeah probably not totally necessary just something that might be helpful for some

2

u/blue60007 9h ago

Yea that feels like something everyone should have lol.

7

u/Gold-Supermarket-342 10h ago

Like mirrors? I'd be surprised if more than half of deaf people had anything special in their cars.

2

u/blue60007 10h ago

This and modern cars are so well sound insulated, I don't see how sound is helpful in driving. That and most people have the radio/music/podcasts playing. And things like sirens are difficult to locate in urban environments because everything echos. Sound isn't a very useful input for driving.

17

u/Pipe_Memes 10h ago

I can hear horns even with the windows up on the highway, which can help avoid accidents if someone is trying to merge into you and you honk to tell them to stop, you can’t always move out of their way safely.

And you can hear the sirens, maybe you can’t pinpoint where they are, but you’ll now be on the alert looking for emergency vehicles so you can get out of the way.

12

u/meowxinfinity 10h ago

Deaf people use their mirrors more, visual cues. I am constantly looking in my mirrors (scanning from front, sides, back) to make sure I am not in the way of emergency vehicles. I live near a fire station so I encounter them a lot and am never in their way. (I am deaf)

-4

u/blue60007 9h ago

I can't remember the last time I had anyone honk at me, because I look at my mirrors and blind spots. Lot of newer cars have more and more safety features that help here too.

It's not hard to notice emergency vehicles without sound. They don't always have sirens on and light up like disco Christmas if you are halfway paying attention to your surroundings. This also isn't really a safety issue unless you're oblivious to holding up an emergency vehicle for miles.

34

u/MrDannyProvolone 10h ago

I don't how sound is helpful while driving.

Seriously? Horns? Emergency vehicle sirens? A terrible noise your car is making? Hearing all these things is not just helpful, but makes you and those around you safe.

-1

u/spekk7 9h ago

So why are deaf people allowed to drive then?

6

u/alpacawendyscds 9h ago

Deaf people have spent a large chunk of their life deaf. They have adapted to this. They make up for a lack of a sense with heightened awareness in their other senses.

Someone sticking headphones over their ears is not this.

0

u/[deleted] 7h ago

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-1

u/alpacawendyscds 7h ago

Fun fact: Cars are amplifiers. The bass boosted thumps that shake the whole neighborhood is not what the driver is hearing at all. No idea if thats what your referring too but hey. I thought it was cool.

Anyways, It's less about not hearing and more about awareness. Deaf folks aren't distracted by not being able to hear. Someone with headphones on is more likely to zone in to their music and not pay attention. Not everyone is guilty, but I will say I'd pass on this taxi driver if I saw this lol.

It's kinda like when some driving instructors refuse to let you listen to music when learning to drive; the less distractions the better.

1

u/[deleted] 7h ago

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0

u/alpacawendyscds 7h ago

I... I never said them not hearing is an issue? If anything I argued in favor that hearing is only a small aspect of driving awareness.

I said "Someone sticking headphones over their ears" is the issue. And then "Someone with headphones on is more likely to zone in to their music and not pay attention" + "Its less about not hearing and more about awareness".

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u/[deleted] 7h ago

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u/MrDannyProvolone 9h ago

Because they can still do so safely.

Hearing stuff around you is going to be safer then not hearing stuff around you.

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u/spekk7 7h ago

I'm not arguing that it's not an advantage, obviously being able to hear sirens and horns is safer than not hearing them. You're argument is that driving without hearing is more dangerous, and deaf people being able to drive literally disproves your point. If deaf people can adapt, why would someone who can hear not be able to adapt?

1

u/MrDannyProvolone 7h ago

It can be MORE dangerous and still be relatively safe at the same time. What is so tough to understand about that?

Deaf people can drive safely. They would be even safer if they could hear the environment around them.

1

u/spekk7 7h ago

Whats so tough to understand that just because someone is listening to music doesn't mean that they are less aware.

0

u/MrDannyProvolone 7h ago

Listening to music above a certain volume absolutely takes away from hearing the environment around you and thus lowers your general situational awareness. So if you disagree with that, then you're either saying the music has zero effect on your ability to hear outside your car, or it somehow helps. It obviously makes hearing outside of your vehicle tougher. Go ahead, try it, please.

I truly don't get what youre trying to say. Your sense of hearing is only going to help your overall situational awareness. Period. And more situational awareness will always mean a higher degree of safety overall.

1

u/spekk7 7h ago

My point is that having less auditory information does not automatically mean someone is incapable of driving safely. Like I said, if one person can adapt due to a disability, why would someone else not be able to do the same? So what is the difference between being deaf (not hearing sirens and horns according to you) and listening to music loud (not hearing sirens and horns) in the aspect of driving a car?

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u/iamthepita 9h ago

It’s called human rights but you’re not asking why senior citizens are allowed to drive right?

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u/spekk7 7h ago

No it's not what Im asking because this conversation isn't about senior citizens, it's about being deaf and driving vs having music on so loud you can't hear, or having headphones on.

0

u/iamthepita 7h ago

Presumptuous to think you don’t lose your hearing due to age. G’luck!

1

u/spekk7 7h ago

What? You want me to say I think old people should have to get tested every year to make sure they're still alright to drive? Eyesight/hearing/reaction tests Because honestly that's not a bad idea.

You started that part not me lol

1

u/iamthepita 4h ago

Some USA states requires such testing when renewing their drivers license

14

u/Moar_Cuddles_Please 10h ago

Sound can tell you about engine misfires, what RPM you’re revving, whether you’ve run over something, and so much more. That doesn’t even include sounds outside of your car.

0

u/Dizzy_Today_3523 10h ago

You can also feel that through your foot by the way

-4

u/PixalatedConspiracy 9h ago

Clearly you not driven a car enough to now you don’t need sound to know how your engine operates, what gear to be in, and running over something you have eyes to avoid that.

How do deaf people drive?

1

u/Adorable_Ad4990 7h ago

Also I drive an electric car

-2

u/blue60007 9h ago

Those aren't really safety issues, and any modern car will have its dashboard light up like a Christmas tree before anything goes that wrong. You don't need to know what RPM you're revving at to drive unless you're driving a stick and then those have gauges for that. If your engine is having problems, you'll also feel it.

I also drive an EV which makes literally zero sound other than wind noise at speed. I can't hear vehicles around me because it's very well insulated unless it's a really loud truck or something. If I run over something like a pothole I don't need to hear it to know I hit a pothole.

My gas car before that I could not hear the engine unless I was standing on the gas pedal, which probably isn't something you should be doing regularly.

0

u/Moar_Cuddles_Please 8h ago

You ever get stuck in a snow or icy patch and have to slowly ease your car out to avoid your tires spinning? I rely on rev sounds a lot in those situations as feedback on how much gas to give.

And yes, stick shift cars do exist. I use engine rev sounds as a cue to shift in addition to the gauges. Same with motorcycles.

1

u/grape-fruit-witch 8h ago

If it wasn't useful, we wouldn't have car horns. Also, as a person who is mostly a pedestrian, I have banged on someone's hood or thrown something at their car to get their attention before they hit someone, and the only reason they stopped is because they heard the sound. You can also hear car crashes, tires squealing, someone racing up behind you. You rely on sound when driving more than you think

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u/Hdjbbdjfjjsl 10h ago edited 10h ago

Honestly it really isn’t helpful, half the people on the road are already blasting music on top of how insulated cars are now, and honking horns have been pretty useless solely outside of some dimwit who doesn’t see the green light. Emergency sirens are the only thing but as you’ve said I’ve never really been able to tell where it’s coming from by sound alone.

2

u/oh_em-gee 10h ago

I had the same thought but then read the caption. He’s listening to a comedy show which would cause distractions. Deaf people are allowed to drive.

15

u/MetalHead_Literally 10h ago

Non deaf people are also allowed to drive while listening to a comedy show…

10

u/Gold-Supermarket-342 10h ago

I wouldn't really label it a distraction. You could blast the same comedy show through the speakers, too.

0

u/[deleted] 10h ago

[deleted]

4

u/TheMellerYeller 10h ago

So are people who can hear. They teach you to check your mirrors.

2

u/PixalatedConspiracy 9h ago

Everyone should be taught to look around your mirrors constantly. That is what makes you spatially aware of your surroundings on the road.

There are so many people distracted by their phones or blankly staring into outer space.

2

u/FerengiWithCoupons 9h ago

bro what.

everyone should be looking in their mirrors every few seconds. -_-

you don’t need sound to drive.

deaf people exist. we drive like everyone else.

if there’s a siren, there will be LIGHTS to see.

In the city EVERYONE is always beeping for no reason. it doesn’t make a difference you won’t know who’s beeping at who.

It’s no different than the assholes blasting their bass up and down the street.

Driver has both hands on the wheel and is paying attention.

4

u/mandatorypanda9317 10h ago

I was just wondering about deaf people. I read the caption.

4

u/StrangerOnTheReddit 10h ago

Wearing headphones isn't a problem because of distraction, they'd make it illegal to use your speakers if that were the case.

It's because it makes you significantly less aware of your surroundings. If you're wearing headphones, you won't hear sirens of emergency vehicles trying to get by. You won't hear another driver honk while you start moving into their lane, not realizing there's someone in your blind spot. You won't hear something small (like a child) getting hit by your car, and assume that bump was just a pothole you didn't see.

But if you just had music playing over your speakers, it's much more likely you'd hear all those things, and everyone around you would be much safer.

1

u/10000Didgeridoos 9h ago

Depends on the headphones though. Total noise canceling over ears like this, yeah, but buds that sit in and don't fully block the ear canal? Not a problem. You still hear everything that loud like sirens.

And fwiw driving around with a stereo cranked blocks outside noise just as much. The guy with car vibrating subwoofers isn't hearing the fire truck a block behind him

3

u/StrangerOnTheReddit 9h ago

Even earbuds dull the outside world a lot. If I wear my ear buds around the house while doing chores, I don't know that my husband is in the room until he physically touches my shoulder - but if I were to listen at the same effective volume (meaning obviously it's higher volume because it's not being shot directly into my ear canal, but a comparable level of loudness for being further away) with a phone or Bluetooth speaker, I'd hear him taking steps and saying "hey honey" across the room. Earbuds while driving are just as illegal, at least in my state.

And yeah, if you're gonna destroy your hearing with your car speakers, you're not gonna be able to hear stuff other than your music. I don't think anyone would argue that.

1

u/scavengercat 9h ago

And that's illegal as well in many states. If the music from your car is audible anywhere from 25 to 200ft away, you can get fined, depending on each state.

1

u/Glittering-Sea1769 9h ago

You won't hear something small (like a child) getting hit by your car, and assume that bump was just a pothole you didn't see.

That's a bridge too far. It's not like kids squeak as you run them over.

1

u/haze_haste 10h ago

So what about radio and music? Where is the difference? If it was on the radio it would be ok?

1

u/donttrustthellamas 9h ago

That's why emergency vehicles also have lights

1

u/Curious_Dream8288 10h ago

Yes, they are allowed to drive.

1

u/prosthetic_memory 8h ago

Wait: so the answer is no? Ie:

Are deaf people not allowed to drive?

No, they are allowed to drive.

1

u/mandatorypanda9317 8h ago

Haha thank you. Im a dumbass. I fixed it

0

u/sueveed 9h ago

And he's likely running those cans in transparency mode. It's not a bad way to go - keep your annoying music away from paying customers, but can still hear them talking.

0

u/jarrodandrewwalker 9h ago

If you made it illegal to use even one, truckers would be out of luck. A lot of them rely on a headset because they're not allowed to touch phones while driving but also pulling over on the shoulder to take a call is a fireable offense (and illegal outside of an emergency in many jurisdictions) at many companies while dispatchers are constantly calling for updates.

0

u/Independent-Bat9797 9h ago

Because beeing deaf gives you super powers like an reversed dare-devil, didn't you know :P

0

u/goldfinches-thistles 9h ago

To add to the comments that deaf people can drive: they also have handicapped license plates/signs to signal that they have a disability. I feel like that’s the point getting missed here