Mobile phone use crackdown
Discussion
Corpulent Tosser said:
yonex said:
The fact is it is allowed for a driver to use a handset if he or she is behind the wheel of a Police car, but the general public are prosecuted. The law is an ass.
That is not a fact.Use of a mobile is illegal while driving, with a couple of exceptions, and that stands for everyone.
Using a hand held radio is not illegal, so long as you remain in full control of the vehicle, that too stands for everyone.
I am not getting why your knickers are knotted over this.
So.... you can get done for holding a phone. You can get done for scoofing a McD's, you can get done for swigging a Costa Coffee, you can get done for eating a Mars Bar.... You can't get done for using a hand held CB radio???????
The Law is an ass for allowing exceptions like hand held radios to that rule.....
In a high speed pursuit, as the one on C5's Police Interceptors was, is it really reasonable to say your in "FULL" control, steering with one hand???
Corpulent Tosser said:
yonex said:
The fact is it is allowed for a driver to use a handset if he or she is behind the wheel of a Police car, but the general public are prosecuted. The law is an ass.
That is not a fact.Use of a mobile is illegal while driving.
Also highlighted : Illegal at any time the engine is running, moving or stationary. No exceptions.
Corpulent Tosser said:
yonex said:
The fact is it is allowed for a driver to use a handset if he or she is behind the wheel of a Police car, but the general public are prosecuted. The law is an ass.
That is not a fact.Use of a mobile is illegal while driving, with a couple of exceptions, and that stands for everyone.
Using a hand held radio is not illegal, so long as you remain in full control of the vehicle, that too stands for everyone.
I am not getting why your knickers are knotted over this.
Apart from what constitutes an emergency, which I felt it was, I am not aware of any other exceptional,
super7 said:
I'm surprised it's even legal to use a Handsfree device to be honest. Looking for that phone button on the steering wheel is a right pain in the arse when you steering round a roundabout.....
This is all about concentration and having your eyes on the road....
I'm surprised it's not illegal to lift yourself up in the seat and let rip....
You can be sure that if they could find a way to easily fine you for it then it would be. At the moment no-one has invented a camera that can detect a fart in a car, so it's "safe".This is all about concentration and having your eyes on the road....
I'm surprised it's not illegal to lift yourself up in the seat and let rip....
nonsequitur said:
200 people killed or seriously injured in mobile phone incidents in 2015. Why are we still discussing this?
And, more disturbingly, ways to get around the mobile phone laws.
Thread was started due to the hypocrisy of those who are meant to police us, not as an argument that it is safe to use a mobile phone.And, more disturbingly, ways to get around the mobile phone laws.
My opinion is that unless you are a ham fisted moron, then it isn't the act of holding a phone that is distracting... it's the conversation itself.
Or even worse, looking at the phone to press buttons/screen.
Personally, I avoid all phone use in the car, even hands free. I only take/make calls I really need to, and keep them brief.
spookly said:
nonsequitur said:
200 people killed or seriously injured in mobile phone incidents in 2015. Why are we still discussing this?
And, more disturbingly, ways to get around the mobile phone laws.
Thread was started due to the hypocrisy of those who are meant to police us, not as an argument that it is safe to use a mobile phone.And, more disturbingly, ways to get around the mobile phone laws.
My opinion is that unless you are a ham fisted moron, then it isn't the act of holding a phone that is distracting... it's the conversation itself.
Or even worse, looking at the phone to press buttons/screen.
Personally, I avoid all phone use in the car, even hands free. I only take/make calls I really need to, and keep them brief.
You dont see so much of this amongst the mature people.
spookly said:
Thread was started due to the hypocrisy of those who are meant to police us, not as an argument that it is safe to use a mobile phone.
My opinion is that unless you are a ham fisted moron, then it isn't the act of holding a phone that is distracting... it's the conversation itself.
Or even worse, looking at the phone to press buttons/screen.
Personally, I avoid all phone use in the car, even hands free. I only take/make calls I really need to, and keep them brief.
It's the looking at the phone to press the keys..... My opinion is that unless you are a ham fisted moron, then it isn't the act of holding a phone that is distracting... it's the conversation itself.
Or even worse, looking at the phone to press buttons/screen.
Personally, I avoid all phone use in the car, even hands free. I only take/make calls I really need to, and keep them brief.
but how is that different to getting and reading a TXT on the big glossy LCD display stuck in front of you, or changing the DAB channel on the touchscreen, or searching through the menu's on the dashboard, or even taking a bloody selfie on these new citroens and posting it immediately to social (unsocial??) media?
In-Car-Entertainment used to be a radio/CD player, now it's full blown internet, information feeds, bulls
t.... All designed to take your attention away from what your supposed to be doing.....Everyone should go back to driving Caterhams..... all the information you need in one of those is through your arse :-)
Gosh we are a gutless feeble lot in this country when it comes to imposing road laws. Lots of guff about 'educating drivers', expensive TV adverts, focus groups & MP's & senior Plods padding out their days before retiring with endless meetings & consultations on the subject. Be just as useless but cheaper to give out a few leaflets at filling stations.
The are ONLY 2 ways to stop, not just curb, the use of phones while driving:
1. Phones become automatically disabled when in a vehicle with the engine running. Surely the technology is available & could be applied almost immediately.
2. Caught using a phone while driving results in INSTANT suspension of licence & thus illegal to continue driving (i.e. same as if stopped without a valid driving licence/MOT). A hefty £500 minimum fine follows & licence NOT renewed for 12 months & only when the driving test is re-taken.
Apply 2 & mobile phone usage will become a rare thing & better still it will take lots of vehicles off the road leaving more space for drivers with something called a brain between their ears.
In the meantime a few slapped wrists & the occasional & meagre change to the penalties - pathetic.
The are ONLY 2 ways to stop, not just curb, the use of phones while driving:
1. Phones become automatically disabled when in a vehicle with the engine running. Surely the technology is available & could be applied almost immediately.
2. Caught using a phone while driving results in INSTANT suspension of licence & thus illegal to continue driving (i.e. same as if stopped without a valid driving licence/MOT). A hefty £500 minimum fine follows & licence NOT renewed for 12 months & only when the driving test is re-taken.
Apply 2 & mobile phone usage will become a rare thing & better still it will take lots of vehicles off the road leaving more space for drivers with something called a brain between their ears.
In the meantime a few slapped wrists & the occasional & meagre change to the penalties - pathetic.
WJNB said:
The are ONLY 2 ways to stop, not just curb, the use of phones while driving:
1. Phones become automatically disabled when in a vehicle with the engine running. Surely the technology is available & could be applied almost immediately.
2. Caught using a phone while driving results in INSTANT suspension of licence & thus illegal to continue driving (i.e. same as if stopped without a valid driving licence/MOT). A hefty £500 minimum fine....
Point two, I have always said £1000 first time. £500 would be a start.
Not sure what you meant when you mentioned INSTANT suspension, if stoped, I don't think the police have the power to suspend a licence. They may well stop you continuing though.
Hope you don't mind me deleting some of your post, just wanter d to centre on two points.
Edited by Vipers on Tuesday 31st January 16:20
nonsequitur said:
200 people killed or seriously injured in mobile phone incidents in 2015. Why are we still discussing this?
And, more disturbingly, ways to get around the mobile phone laws.
Because once the imbeciles that haven't got the intelligence to be able to conduct a conversation whilst driving are wiped out of the gene pool the rest of us can get on without having to kowtow to the lowest common denominator.And, more disturbingly, ways to get around the mobile phone laws.
cb1965 said:
nonsequitur said:
200 people killed or seriously injured in mobile phone incidents in 2015. Why are we still discussing this?
And, more disturbingly, ways to get around the mobile phone laws.
Because once the imbeciles that haven't got the intelligence to be able to conduct a conversation whilst driving are wiped out of the gene pool the rest of us can get on without having to kowtow to the lowest common denominator.And, more disturbingly, ways to get around the mobile phone laws.
And those who have the intelligence to just purchase a hands free kit and be done with it.
Who is going to enforce it? Had a meeting in London today hate trains and the cost at peak so drove.
350 odd miles and a dozen people on their phones, half of the, came to my attention by erractic acts like under taking! Wondering around lanes.
Enough speed cameras with cyclops app!
No police seen other than divisional met officers in Camden.
Another thing that irritates is the number who have decent enough cars that they have hands free! Seems to be a 4x4 fav, got a decent spec sub 5 year old car with hands free but don't use it
350 odd miles and a dozen people on their phones, half of the, came to my attention by erractic acts like under taking! Wondering around lanes.
Enough speed cameras with cyclops app!
No police seen other than divisional met officers in Camden.
Another thing that irritates is the number who have decent enough cars that they have hands free! Seems to be a 4x4 fav, got a decent spec sub 5 year old car with hands free but don't use it
Edited by surveyor_101 on Tuesday 31st January 20:41
Edited by surveyor_101 on Tuesday 31st January 21:10
yonex said:
herewego said:
It's a lot more important that the Police stay in communication than that you or I do.
If you say so. I am sure that nobody else has a responsible job, which in some cases requires urgent communication, and every Police officer who makes a call involves convicted felons on a rampage through the streets.Back in the real world standard Police drivers are surely no more, and in some cases less competent than members of the public. Why the exemption to use communication via a handset, it could cause injury and death if concentration is broken, as we are being reminded?
Tell all those with responsible jobs whose communications are equally as important as the emergency services to set up a two-way radio network themselves.
The standard course has the same fundamentals of the advanced course. Car control is taught to take priority over communication and is assessed throughout.
Vipers said:
Been thrashed to death before, there are (apparently) some driving gods who can hold a conversation and drive with a hand held with no problems, and those who can't, but think they are also driving gods, so it doesn't matter.
And those who have the intelligence to just purchase a hands free kit and be done with it.
Those with the real intelligence don't make or receive calls when driving, hands free or not.And those who have the intelligence to just purchase a hands free kit and be done with it.
My phone has a mount and a hands free kit but I will not make/receive calls when driving. I use it as a Sat Nav and nothing else when moving.
No call (except to 999) can't wait until you arrive, or at least pull over.
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