So who is going to admit to 6 points, or knowing someone....

[dojo]

So previously you could get put on an awareness course for using a phone and not get points - Is this still going to be the case??

[Gavia]

dojo said:

So previously you could get put on an awareness course for using a phone and not get points - Is this still going to be the case??

Already been answered in the thread as well as being one of the key messages in the media coverage

Snails said:

Mr GrimNasty said:

I expect in the vast majority of cases, unless the offender is an arse or a repeat offender, they will be offered a 'course' instead - the increased punishment just increases the money making opportunity.

Taking a course is no longer an option if you are caught using a mobile.

[ukaskew]

I posted this in the original thread. But in Dorset on Wednesday they caught 42 drivers in 6 hours, one within the first few minutes of setting up.

I'm not sure how visible they are, but presumably in clear view of drivers if they need to check for this sort of offence (I got the impression they were checking from a static position, not patrolling in cars). If so, double stupidity on behalf of those 42 for actually managing to be unaware enough to get caught.

In Hampshire they caught one with a newish licence (hello retest) and another who was already on 27 points. They were averaging similar numbers, roughly one caught every ten minutes.

In Wiltshire they caught a van driver, turns out he also didn't have a licence or insurance...and his van was 26% over the weight limit.

Hoofy said:

many people don't have a clean licence so it'd push many people close to the limit meaning they'd have to drive squeakily clean for a couple of years.

The stats are lower than you may think, last data I could find was around 4m out of 36m licence holders.

Edited by ukaskew on Friday 3rd March 16:07

[rash_decision]

There's no doubt they are dangerous to be used in a moving vehicle, but are accidents happening more due to the smart phone era and how they are being used? I remember my first phone, an old Panasonic J series. Extendable ariel and all! Nowhere as near a distraction having a quick blether back in the day, as it is now to be posting on Facebook or reading the latest blog from someone! you at least had your head upright holding the phone at your ear rather than trying to be discreet, and staring at your lap!!!

[Hoofy]

ukaskew said:

The stats are lower than you may think, last data I could find was around 4m out of 36m licence holders.

Edited by ukaskew on Friday 3rd March 16:07

I said many, not most.

[TTmonkey]

rash_decision said:

There's no doubt they are dangerous to be used in a moving vehicle, but are accidents happening more due to the smart phone era and how they are being used? I remember my first phone, an old Panasonic J series. Extendable ariel and all! Nowhere as near a distraction having a quick blether back in the day, as it is now to be posting on Facebook or reading the latest blog from someone! you at least had your head upright holding the phone at your ear rather than trying to be discreet, and staring at your lap!!!

SO the issue is really the people who take their eyes and minds off the road. Most cars these days have Bluetooth connectivity or the easy ability to have it. 'Head dippers' do my head in. One second eyes on the road, 3 seconds looking a the phone.... and repeat..... Young women are a hazard at this as they will have group chat sessions by text. But I see a lot of men now doing FB and the like whilst driving.

The accidents themselves, are they being caused by people looking at their phones? Well, maybe. The important thing is the accidents that do happen, how many could be avoided by just concentrating on the job in hand? That extra second or two, the wider understanding of whats around you etc..

[TTmonkey]

OOOppps, replied with a starting 'SO.....' sorry.

[Hoofy]

rash_decision said:

Hoofy said:

In a way, 6 points means it doesn't matter too much if it's mean tested or not - many people don't have a clean licence so it'd push many people close to the limit meaning they'd have to drive squeakily clean for a couple of years. I suppose the argument against this is that if a plumber needs to be mobile for his work and to remove his licence would kill his business, would he avoid a ban?

I don't see why he should avoid a ban. Harsh, but my opinion. We're all governed by the same laws, so it should be one rule for all.

Where I think it is selfish, is where other folks livelihood relies on the person flouting the law. Over and above the safety aspect of it all, of course.

Pass.

The primary reason I stick to the speed limit (even if it's in the middle of the night and a clear, straight road) is because I rely on my car a lot for work purposes. Otherwise, I see no reason why many 30s are 30 zones etc.

[Taita]

Sat in crawling traffic on big A road / mway I can't see any issue with it, doing 30mph through town is a different story.

[shovelheadrob]

When will they make it a similar punishment for using a mobile phone while cycling, I see a similar percentage of cyclists texting while cycling "no hands" as I do in cars.

[sim72]

Still not enough IMO. It should be the same as drink-driving.

A drunk driver with their eyes on the road is still (unless they're utterly hammered) less likely to have an accident than a sober driver who's not looking where they're going.

[majordad]

I've used the Aircoach service between two cities linked by Motorway. The coach can legally do 60, and the lorries it passes out 56 mph. As you overtake the lorries you are looking down into their cabs, you'd be amazed at the number of lorry drivers texting and on tablets, or watching stuff on their laptops.

[Red Devil]

majordad said:

As you overtake the lorries you are looking down into their cabs, you'd be amazed at the number of lorry drivers texting and on tablets, or watching stuff on their laptops.

Seen any doing this? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIJ4yROg7Ng -

[jdw100]

Cold said:

They did well to find someone. During all of this recent publicity one BBC report I listened to said that 22 people were killed last year directly attributable to phone use while driving. Still 22 too many, but it doesn't seem to have the automatic widespread murder/death/kill effect that some might have you believe. Even this thread throws up numerous eyewitness accounts of phone use while driving. None mention a death.

That's though because it's illegal so most people don't do it.

I'm certain the death toll would be higher if you were allowed to check Facebook etc on the move. If there was no sanction more people would do it.

It's also a testament to the way cars are built these days - crashes are much more survivable.

[loafer123]

I think the answer is a fixed one week ban starting one week later - you are unlikely to lose your job, but have to waste a week of your holiday and explain yourself to your employer.

[SGirl]

I suspect all this wouldn't have been necessary if they'd policed the old laws properly in the first place. People think they can get away with using their phones at the wheel, that's why they do it. Do you think they'll go on policing mobile phone use to this extent once the media coverage has died down?

[agtlaw]

rxtx said:

I sit a bit higher up than most cars and do the A1/M25 every day. If I don't notice at least 5 people using their phone each way then that makes a change.

Should have made the fine means tested.

The fine is means tested. Up to £1000.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

HustleRussell said:

I’m glad they’re cracking down.

If I’m brutally honest I will very occasionally glance at my phone and / or answer it while driving (if only to tell the caller that I’m driving and will call them back). I know, I know- bad thing. I chastise myself for it when I catch myself doing it- but sharing the roads with so many road users who appear glued to their mobiles in my opinion sets up a bit of a subconscious ‘this must be socially acceptable’ attitude and without wishing to sound cocky I am confident that I can safely control the car while doing it. Perhaps I’ve a weakness for it- but it can’t be just me who sees other motorists do it and start to consider it basically normal / acceptable in a way it wasn’t several years ago. Human nature I reckon.

I have similar sentiments. With the risk of some perfect holier than tho PH types jumping on me there have been occasions when I have answered without hands free, checking who's on the road (IE no police) and quickly pressing hands-free.

However, I accept it's not safe, and I have on occasions found myself distracted by the phone. My hands-free kit has already been ordered, a call just isn't worth half my licence, which I need for work.

[4rephill]

rash_decision said:

I'm wondering who either has been given, or knows someone who has, gained 6 points since the change in the law the other day on mobile telephone/device usage whilst driving?.....

How fast do you think the legal system is?

The updated Law came in three days ago, and anybody caught on their phone whilst driving since Wednesday still have to go through the legal due process, so the answer to your question is, so far no one has gained 6 points for using their phone whilst driving - but they most likely will in the coming weeks!

As for the Law itself, whether you agree with it or not, the Law is perfectly clear on the subject, it's not some sort of hidden, unknown Law, and it's not exactly the hardest Law in the World to adhere to, so if you get caught - Tough st!

[mygoldfishbowl]

sim72 said:

Still not enough IMO. It should be the same as drink-driving.

A drunk driver with their eyes on the road is still (unless they're utterly hammered) less likely to have an accident than a sober driver who's not looking where they're going.

But people like the OP are just as bad. They drive around constantly looking at what other people are doing so obviously not concentrating on what they're doing or looking where they're going.