39 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

It seems unlikely that it would be practical to stop all phone use to & from cars, given the way comms have developed in the past 30 years.

 

My road car has built-in Bluetooth with I-Drive and the screen which does everything including Nav, Warnings, Entertainment, Settings and Comms is to the left of centre in the main console. I can display my contacts list, scroll down and make/receive a call using just one control. There is also a keypad built into the dash which enables calls to be dialled without too much distraction. There really is now no excuse for hand-held calling and absolutely no excuse at all for texting and doing 'social media crap' whilst driving.

[panky]

Where I used to work it was considered gross misconduct if using a phone (even hands free) while driving on company business punishable by instant dismissal - no argument. One driver was spotted by his manager wearing a bluetooth earphone in his wagon, he was sent home and dismissed a couple of days later.

[miniseven61]

I was nearly knocked off my bike by a ******* talking on his mobile phone, he veered across the road straight for me then pulled back at the last second, he had a few choice words! it's a bit like speeding, they are prepared to risk it whatever, I saw a woman texting the other day on the motorway, she had her children in the back, that says it all I think. I understand that they are working on a system that prevents the mobile phone from working when in motion, the sooner that arrives the better. It will save a lot of lives if it works.

[GraemeC]

Hmm - I like to use my mobile phone when I'm on a train, would be very pissed off (and likely lose a lot of revenue) if a system stopped it working because it was in motion.

[1984mini25]

The 12 points and then a ban system would work, if it wasn't for the fact you can get let off with 'exceptional hardship' or ignored completely... http://www.bbc.co.uk...ngland-39053658

 

Also I never use my phone while driving, as it's either off or on silent.

 

And although some might find it rude, I only look at passenger/s when talking when its either safe to do when stationary or parked.

Edited by 1984mini25, 06 March 2017 - 06:33 PM.

[greenwheels]

Anything that distracts you when you are driving is dangerous, and that includes those gadgets that seem to simplify things. I completely ignore that sort of thing in my car on the move.

That time you get distracted can be the time someone coming the other way gets distracted and it may be that once in a lifetime event that either scares you to death or results in your death.

The  penalty for texting on the move can never be high enough for me. You should never expect everybody else's good driving to compensate for your own stupidity and bad driving.

[Jordie]

Havent read any comments, but my initial thoughts with the poll

 

Why do you victimize "young" drivers?

 

"Yes - the threat of losing their license should put many young drivers off"

 

The question doesnt relate to any age group, so why does one of the answers?

 

My thoughts are that people of ALL age groups are guilty of this and yes I agree with the law, it is a dangerous act and the punishment should be tough enough to warrant that ALL drivers are taking active action not to do it.

[nicklouse]

My biggest hate about some drivers. They seem to have this need to look at the person they are talking to.


Why? Eyes on the road.

[CCX]

Thank you all so much for your responses - really do appreciate it! I have to say I agree with the vast majority of what's been said. Personally I feel an instant 12 month ban at least would be a more appropriate punishment than a fine and points.

Havent read any comments, but my initial thoughts with the poll
 
Why do you victimize "young" drivers?
 
"Yes - the threat of losing their license should put many young drivers off"
 
The question doesnt relate to any age group, so why does one of the answers?
 
My thoughts are that people of ALL age groups are guilty of this and yes I agree with the law, it is a dangerous act and the punishment should be tough enough to warrant that ALL drivers are taking active action not to do it.

Sorry for the confusion yeah I get where you're coming from. That answer was poorly worded. The reason I mentioned young drivers in particular is that this legislation has been aimed particularly at young drivers. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe if you get 6 points during your first two years of holding a license you have to resit your test. Which means any new drivers caught doing it will be banned immediately. Totally agree though that regardless of the age group this is an atrocious thing to do on the road, and punishment should be severe across the board.

[Jordie]

I don't think 6 points in your first 2 years is a ban as such. I believe your license is revoked, you need to resit both theory and practical tests.

 

But yes, I can see how the government and media portray it as mainly young drivers, but its not the young drivers who are behind the wheel of up to 36tonnes and killing multiple victims in collisions due to them texting/distracted in another way for example.

[SecretSugar]

What I would like to know is...will this be extended to other forms of distraction such as smokers, people who eat and drink etc? 

 

I did watch a program the other night whereby a cyclist got cut up by a car so he started flipping the bird and police fined the cyclist £80. 

Edited by SecretSugar, 06 March 2017 - 09:19 PM.

[nicklouse]

 
I did watch a program the other night whereby a cyclist got cut up by a car so he started flipping the bird and police fined the cyclist £80.

Sounds steep. Kill a cyclist and get fined £80. Or if you are really unlucky £200.

You are getting into sticky ground.

[JBW]

As far as I know its illegal to eat whilst driving.

 

I had an accident last year that was my fault, distracted by the radio, it was at traffic lights, the cars in front started to move, but one of the ones in front braked for no apparent reason, resulting in me going in the back of the car in front of me, luckily it was a slow speed accident  & no one was injured.

It wasn't a crash for cash thing. The insurance company wanted to write of my car, so I finished up buying a really rough example for the parts to fix mine, it wasn't my Mini or shopping car, as that would have been easily repaired.

Lesson  learnt the hard way !

[Cooperman]

Nowhere in law is it stated that it is illegal to eat or smoke whilst driving. What is illegal is to drive without due care and attention and you might be doing this if eating or smoking, but then again you might not be. It depends on the way you are driving and whether it appears that you are not exercising proper control over your vehicle. It is hard to prove in court unless there is an accident.

[sonikk4]

Nowhere in law is it stated that it is illegal to eat or smoke whilst driving. What is illegal is to drive without due care and attention and you might be doing this if eating or smoking, but then again you might not be. It depends on the way you are driving and whether it appears that you are not exercising proper control over your vehicle. It is hard to prove in court unless there is an accident.

 

Mmm smoking at the wheel. There you are having a tab when the end just happens to drop in your lap. The next thing you are doing is frantically trying to leap around in your seat trying to put it out. Now if that is not a distraction at the wheel while driving i don't know what is. 

 

Oh and that was speaking from experience when i used to partake in the filthy habit. So having a tab while driving really does fall into the same category as using a mobile in my eyes. You could go onto drinking a hot beverage as well. Scalding coffee or tea spilt on the family jewels will make you leap around like a demented idiot.