This is a new one ...

[OakLeaf]

Driver and passenger conversing in ASL.

I hesitated a little about posting this, because I truly can't imagine the difficulties deaf people must face. But seriously, look at the road, not your passenger's fingers, and keep at least one hand on the wheel at least half of the time...

[Eden]

The college that I went to also housed the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. I had occasion to carpool with a deaf person in one of my classes once. She wanted to have a conversation on the way...... but that meant looking at me to read my lips!!! It was scary and I tried to say as little as possible. OTOH - my husband and I drove across country one break and one of our ride shares was a partially deaf guy - he was the best driver in the whole lot of people we had in the car.

[bmccasland]

The college that I went to also housed the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. I had occasion to carpool with a deaf person in one of my classes once. She wanted to have a conversation on the way...... but that meant looking at me to read my lips!!! It was scary and I tried to say as little as possible.

That's as scary as a hearing person who has to turn to talk to you, and gesture with both hands, while driving. The interstate was straight, and she still managed to veer off the road 5 times. We threatened to take the keys away from her, then wouldn't talk. At the gas stop, thankfully not too far away, we did take the keys.

Where I wish everyone knew ASL - on airboats. Of course, I'm not riding airboats now.