Was I being too Harsh? -Driving whilst using phone
Discussion
Cooperman said:
Cooperman said:
Let's be clear, one thing (mobile phone use) is not always dangerous and another thing (speeding) is not always safe.
You can make a judgement about the safety of your speed in the environment you are in.
If you are on the phone you are likely to be distracted to a degree from the environment you are in.
Can you not see the difference.
The issue is not and cannot be equated to "If its ok to break one law it is also ok to break another".
No, sorry, I can't see the difference, you are either driving safely or you are not, it's that simple. Using the phone, hands-free or not, is no more or less distracting than searching for a CD or tape, getting a chocolate bar out of the glove box and opening it, taking a cigarette from a packet and lighting it, etc.
This 'black-or-white' attitude is just so hypocritical. If I use a mobile whilst on a m'way at 02-00 hours how am I more dangerous than if I'm just doing 100 mph on a m'way at 15-00 hours, but not using the phone. It's not an absolute thing as dangerous or not dangerous, it depends on the circumstances, which is why the previous laws were quite sufficient.
Too much b****y hypocracy here. What right has anyone to gesticulate at another driver because their driving attitudes are different. All of us do things which might well annoy other drivers at times.
If someone almost crashes into me whilst on the phone, or almost crashes into me bexcause he is driving too fast, what is the difference, or is speeding the sacred cow here.
It's a matter of driving safely, that's all there is to it. It's not mobile phones which are the danger, nor speeding, nor eating or smoking whilst driving. It's just BAD DRIVING which causes accidents.
Errr, Yes and No
My original point was that driving down the motorway slip road whilst LOOKING down to dial a number on a phone whilst approaching the side of MY car at 70mph IS FCUKING DANGEROUS. FACT! If you don't like that fact, then drive well away from me.
I do agree that driving on the motorway when it is quiet at 60 mph and on the phone is not particularly dangerous. However, the case I was highlighting most certainly was. That is why there is law about phone use and that law can be used so that people like you can repremanded when they break it.
What annoys me is when you beep someone to make a point you get the two fingered salute in much the same way as you did in your post above.
Yes I do break the speed limit, but I try to do it as safely as possible. However, when I get stopped I will put my hands and say fair cop!
Cheers,
Steve
14 years driving inexcess of 300,000 miles, no points, and only one accident.
Wow what a thread !!
As an installer in the late 80s through to even the odd job today Hands Free is not the way forward It is as dangerous to a degree as using the phone normally. Before you all flame me I am not having a go just offering a view. Bought my first mobile in 1986 have travlled a couple miles here and there (250k in 3 years in a 205D van) and used car phones etc all that time. Everyone has a view, there is a time and a place for everything. some people are more skilled than others. Personally ask me to make something out of wood you have no chance ! Ask me to make a wiring loom for a car then no problem. The big factor is accidents whilst using a phone is texting. I personally condone the use of "proper hands free" car kits. I also think it is a good idea to conduct a conversation whilst stopped as you have greater concentration. But I too suffer from autopilot where I cannot tell you what I have passed on a road 30 mins after travelling on it. Does this make me a bad driver - no. If I run into the back of a parked car then yes it does. How you quantify this I do not know. There are alot of truths in everything said here. Police drivers are not the best because their car has stripes as it is down to the individual as they are human same as white van man and mondeoman also bmw man. We all have our faults, if you can recognise those and rectify/compensate for them then great.
When you go out in a vehicle you are taking your life and potentially someone else's in your hands, respect that and we will all be better off.
As an installer in the late 80s through to even the odd job today Hands Free is not the way forward It is as dangerous to a degree as using the phone normally. Before you all flame me I am not having a go just offering a view. Bought my first mobile in 1986 have travlled a couple miles here and there (250k in 3 years in a 205D van) and used car phones etc all that time. Everyone has a view, there is a time and a place for everything. some people are more skilled than others. Personally ask me to make something out of wood you have no chance ! Ask me to make a wiring loom for a car then no problem. The big factor is accidents whilst using a phone is texting. I personally condone the use of "proper hands free" car kits. I also think it is a good idea to conduct a conversation whilst stopped as you have greater concentration. But I too suffer from autopilot where I cannot tell you what I have passed on a road 30 mins after travelling on it. Does this make me a bad driver - no. If I run into the back of a parked car then yes it does. How you quantify this I do not know. There are alot of truths in everything said here. Police drivers are not the best because their car has stripes as it is down to the individual as they are human same as white van man and mondeoman also bmw man. We all have our faults, if you can recognise those and rectify/compensate for them then great.
When you go out in a vehicle you are taking your life and potentially someone else's in your hands, respect that and we will all be better off.
mobilecentre said:
Wow what a thread !!
As an installer in the late 80s through to even the odd job today Hands Free is not the way forward It is as dangerous to a degree as using the phone normally. Before you all flame me I am not having a go just offering a view. Bought my first mobile in 1986 have travlled a couple miles here and there (250k in 3 years in a 205D van) and used car phones etc all that time. Everyone has a view, there is a time and a place for everything. some people are more skilled than others. Personally ask me to make something out of wood you have no chance ! Ask me to make a wiring loom for a car then no problem. The big factor is accidents whilst using a phone is texting. I personally condone the use of "proper hands free" car kits. I also think it is a good idea to conduct a conversation whilst stopped as you have greater concentration. But I too suffer from autopilot where I cannot tell you what I have passed on a road 30 mins after travelling on it. Does this make me a bad driver - no. If I run into the back of a parked car then yes it does. How you quantify this I do not know. There are alot of truths in everything said here. Police drivers are not the best because their car has stripes as it is down to the individual as they are human same as white van man and mondeoman also bmw man. We all have our faults, if you can recognise those and rectify/compensate for them then great.
When you go out in a vehicle you are taking your life and potentially someone else's in your hands, respect that and we will all be better off.
Very true, we all have a slightly different take on life on the road, but I will say this:
When I am driving with a passenger I find it difficult to hold a complicated conversation and maintain full concentration. I certainly am not a fan of looking over at the passenger to make eye contact! Maybe I cannot multi task, or maybe I am giving driving the 100% attention that it deserves......
Raify said:
Streetcop said:
It's my job to deal with such people and boy, do I deal with them... ..
Discretion?...
Street
Presumably you're obliged to let them go, because you copied a cd of your mate last week
**Removed as posted while in bad mood**
>> Edited by gh0st on Friday 24th September 07:22
gh0st said:
Have you ever sped in your life?
Not your job to enforce the law. If they are not hurting you or doing anything actually DANGEROUS then leave them to it.
I picked up the phone the other day whilst in near-stationary traffic going into Torquay. Man in a royal mail van behind me decided to have what looked like some kind of fit in demonstrating his dismay at me using a telephone.
If you have never sped, never copied a cd and never broken any law no matter how silly in your entire life - go for it!
Gh0st
Sorry gh0st, it appears I've mis-understood this.
apologies
Apache said:
I don't give a rolling donut wether someone is on the phone or not, the point is are they driving safely?
This damn govt has got everyone thinking back to front, some of us can't drive in a straight line while changing gear others can do a multitude of tasks while remaining situationally aware. Everyones ability varies
Quite right. Drive your own vehicle to the best of your ability, and be thankful for your own skill in protecting yourself against mistakes by others.
Trying to interfere with the way somebody else is driving only adds to the overall hazard content of the situation.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Fat Audi 80 said:
When I am driving with a passenger I find it difficult to hold a complicated conversation and maintain full concentration.
I cannot comprehend this. I can hold a heated debate with a passenger if the road (which is always the priority) is free of surprises, if things get a bit more involving I'll say something like 'hang on a minute' and deal with it. This includes predicting and anticipating the improbable and bizarre antics of my fellow road user.
Is this our future, yes/no, black/white, we are complex and diverse creatures but we seem determined to dumb everything down to the lowest common denominator
>> Edited by Apache on Friday 24th September 00:18
Raify said:
Have you ever sped in your life?
Not your job to enforce the law. If they are not hurting you or doing anything actually DANGEROUS then leave them to it.
I picked up the phone the other day whilst in near-stationary traffic going into Torquay. Man in a royal mail van behind me decided to have what looked like some kind of fit in demonstrating his dismay at me using a telephone.
If you have never sped, never copied a cd and never broken any law no matter how silly in your entire life - go for it!
Gh0st
Sorry gh0st, it appears I've mis-understood this.
apologies
Previous quote removed as posted while in bad mood and serves no useful debate purpose other that to have a go.
Gh0st
Streetcop said:
Fat Audi 80...I've got to to your post...I agree with you wholeheartedly...
Street
Agree 100% with Street on this one....
I have just returned from Malta, where there is no mobile ban, and drivers were on the phone negotiating mini roundabouts, with traffic entering from all directions, it's just plain common sense....
Maybe ANSWERING the phone at 2am on a deserted motorway is OK, but where do you draw the line??....
Using a mobile when driving is ILLEGAL ffs!, and certainly DIALLING is ten times worse,
in fact I think they should take it FURTHER and ban smoking whilst driving, but of course they never will because it will be a vote looser... Give me five minutes whilst I put my flack jacket on..........
swilly said:Quite agree with you.
If you have never sped, never copied a cd and never broken any law no matter how silly in your entire life - go for it!
Gh0st
Ohhh damn I have sped in the past.
Does that mean it would be hypocritical of me to intervene in a road rage incident, or reprimand an idiot driver attempting to kill himself, myself and others by his idiot driving with a big hoot of the horn?
We all know that using a mobile phone is a distraction.
Anyways, I'm off to get pissed and drive home. So long as I don't speed I'll be OK.
Not really
In my experience changing CD's, opening and eating food on the move etc is the activity which gets my distracted attention whilst watching the road/environment/other motorists gets my full attention.
Hence why I more often than not spill/drop food and take ages to change the CD.
Chatting away on a mobile IMHO gets most peoples full attention while the act of driving gets their distracted attention (pretty much what the original post described).
Hence why I more often than not spill/drop food and take ages to change the CD.
Chatting away on a mobile IMHO gets most peoples full attention while the act of driving gets their distracted attention (pretty much what the original post described).
gh0st said:
Not your job to enforce the law. If they are not hurting you or doing anything actually DANGEROUS then leave them to it.
Gh0st
Well wrong again - its is yours and society's job
God sake if we all just stand back what will happen - or is it just some of the laws we should respect and the others ? well lets choose according to our own morale stance!
Get a grip - by letting him know he had a choice to think - yeh he's right, I'm wrong - maybe I should buy that expensive piece of £9.99 hands free kit and this might just save someones laife later on!
gemini said:
Not your job to enforce the law. If they are not hurting you or doing anything actually DANGEROUS then leave them to it.
Gh0st
Well wrong again - its is yours and society's job
God sake if we all just stand back what will happen - or is it just some of the laws we should respect and the others ? well lets choose according to our own morale stance!
Get a grip - by letting him know he had a choice to think - yeh he's right, I'm wrong - maybe I should buy that expensive piece of £9.99 hands free kit and this might just save someones laife later on!
I state again :
Last time you overtook someone at 85 on the motorway and someone flashed their lights becuase they think 60 is safe, did you suddenly think "OH MY GOD I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT - I WILL DRIVE AT NO MORE THAN 70 IN FUTURE" or when you overtook a numpty, safely, at 60 in a 60 zone when they are doing 35 and they flash because their tartan rug states that you should not do over 35 - did you think "what a twat" or did you go "I TOTALLY AGREE! I MUST NOT DO THE SPEED LIMIT DOWN ANY NSL ROADS BECAUSE THAT MAN IN THE METRO SAID SO"
If you are not a
no one will take notice, so there is no point really is there... unless you support people taking matters into their own hands Gemini? 
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff