Mobile phones - what law??
Discussion
Firstly, I hate the nanny state and all the laws they are throwing at us. Pre the new laws I always used a handset when driving- never got caught, never had an accident or even a dodgy moment.
When the laws came in I bought a bluetooth headset (about the same price as a ticket) and I use it all the time. It's easy to use, makes it much easier to drive and phone... and I've gained a free hand to have a ciggy! In fact, the few times I've forgotten the earpiece, I found it a pain in the arse to try and phone so I didn't bother.
When the laws came in I bought a bluetooth headset (about the same price as a ticket) and I use it all the time. It's easy to use, makes it much easier to drive and phone... and I've gained a free hand to have a ciggy! In fact, the few times I've forgotten the earpiece, I found it a pain in the arse to try and phone so I didn't bother.
pdV6 said:that's because the remaining trafpol are told to park at the side of the road and look at the numbers their speed gun is measuring
Its a matter of probability.
There's a very low chance that a BiB will be around to spot you on the 'phone, so it makes prosecution pretty unlikely. Therefore lots of people carry on doing it.
I can't believe anyone actually thinks that it is safe to drive with a mobile phone held in your hand.
This forum is aimed at people who are interested in performance cars and performance driving. There are rants every day about "numpty" drivers not concentrating and not being aware of their surroundings. Advanced driving techniques involve acute awareness of surroundings and concentrating completely on driving. As soon as you pick up a phone you reduce those faculties as part of your mind is now concentrated on the phone and then the conversation. Not to mention making a call and the time your eyes are off the road to watch the menu's or hit the buttons. Nearly every day I see someone make a stupid or dangerous manouvre with a phone clamped to their ear.
There is independent research (yes I know it can be abused) which shows that phone users have slower reaction times while driving than a driver who is over the drink drive limit.
I have used the car in the phone in the past and have had a near miss or two - I now never use the phone and have not gone to the trouble of having a hands free kit as I believe that the conversation you are having can be just as distracting as actually holding the phone.
There I'll get off my
now.
This forum is aimed at people who are interested in performance cars and performance driving. There are rants every day about "numpty" drivers not concentrating and not being aware of their surroundings. Advanced driving techniques involve acute awareness of surroundings and concentrating completely on driving. As soon as you pick up a phone you reduce those faculties as part of your mind is now concentrated on the phone and then the conversation. Not to mention making a call and the time your eyes are off the road to watch the menu's or hit the buttons. Nearly every day I see someone make a stupid or dangerous manouvre with a phone clamped to their ear.
There is independent research (yes I know it can be abused) which shows that phone users have slower reaction times while driving than a driver who is over the drink drive limit.
I have used the car in the phone in the past and have had a near miss or two - I now never use the phone and have not gone to the trouble of having a hands free kit as I believe that the conversation you are having can be just as distracting as actually holding the phone.
There I'll get off my
now.Shaun_E said:
I can't believe anyone actually thinks that it is safe to drive with a mobile phone held in your hand..
Is it any more dangerous than messing about with stereo/satnav/idrive etc. tho?
Or how about setting fire to an item & then holding it between your lips for a bit before (maybe) throwing still smouldering article from window?
juk said:
I can't believe anyone actually thinks that it is safe to drive with a mobile phone held in your hand..
Is it any more dangerous than messing about with stereo/satnav/idrive etc. tho?
Or how about setting fire to an item & then holding it between your lips for a bit before (maybe) throwing still smouldering article from window?
Probably only slightly less dangerous/distracting, so don't do any of them when in a situation that demands you don't. When driving that's most of the time.
someone I work with was caught last night. £30 Fixed Penalty.
She was stuck in a queue. Took a chance and got caught!
Policeman also read her her rights, despite her saying ok I did it.
Agree with previous post re danger of changing CD's/radio station, lighting up etc. Even having a row with the other half or the kids. All distractions!
Ellie
She was stuck in a queue. Took a chance and got caught!
Policeman also read her her rights, despite her saying ok I did it.
Agree with previous post re danger of changing CD's/radio station, lighting up etc. Even having a row with the other half or the kids. All distractions!
Ellie
A while ago I nearly ran into a pedestrian in my car ( actually, I knew what she was going to do, so I was never really going to hit her ) who walked across the road straight in front of me, with the little man on red, looking at her feet and talking on her mobile. She was totally oblivious to the fact that a car was going towards her ( green light for me, red for her ). Mind you, I suppose an orange Esprit is a bit tricky to spot when you are too busy to look at the road !!
destroyer said:
Shaun_E said:
I can't believe anyone actually thinks that it is safe to drive with a mobile phone held in your hand..
Is it any more dangerous than messing about with stereo/satnav/idrive etc. tho?
Or how about setting fire to an item & then holding it between your lips for a bit before (maybe) throwing still smouldering article from window?
Probably only slightly less dangerous/distracting, so don't do any of them when in a situation that demands you don't. When driving that's most of the time.
..& most people probably don't - so why demonize mobile phones & not smoking etc. Surely not because it's marginally easier to prove?
I don't like people talking on their phone and I always stop them and deal with them accordingly...
At the moment, the penalty is a minimum of £30 fixed ticket. In less than 18 months, the law will be changed so that it'll become endorsable; 3points/£60 fine. (Which is should have been from last December. IMO)
Street
At the moment, the penalty is a minimum of £30 fixed ticket. In less than 18 months, the law will be changed so that it'll become endorsable; 3points/£60 fine. (Which is should have been from last December. IMO)
Street
Shaun_E said:
I can't believe anyone actually thinks that it is safe to drive with a mobile phone held in your hand.
This forum is aimed at people who are interested in performance cars and performance driving. There are rants every day about "numpty" drivers not concentrating and not being aware of their surroundings. Advanced driving techniques involve acute awareness of surroundings and concentrating completely on driving. As soon as you pick up a phone you reduce those faculties as part of your mind is now concentrated on the phone and then the conversation. Not to mention making a call and the time your eyes are off the road to watch the menu's or hit the buttons. Nearly every day I see someone make a stupid or dangerous manouvre with a phone clamped to their ear.
There is independent research (yes I know it can be abused) which shows that phone users have slower reaction times while driving than a driver who is over the drink drive limit.
I have used the car in the phone in the past and have had a near miss or two - I now never use the phone and have not gone to the trouble of having a hands free kit as I believe that the conversation you are having can be just as distracting as actually holding the phone.
There I'll get off my
[soapbox]It's quite a typical attitude on this particular part of the forum.
Just look at threads mocking attempted police prosecutions for motoring offences or any offence for that matter. There are many threads that have this attitude running through them, "I've done it, now try and get me" type attitude.
It really takes away the credibility of otherwise sensible attitudes to other discussion on this particular section.[/soapbox]
destroyer said:
I can't believe anyone actually thinks that it is safe to drive with a mobile phone held in your hand.
This forum is aimed at people who are interested in performance cars and performance driving. There are rants every day about "numpty" drivers not concentrating and not being aware of their surroundings. Advanced driving techniques involve acute awareness of surroundings and concentrating completely on driving. As soon as you pick up a phone you reduce those faculties as part of your mind is now concentrated on the phone and then the conversation. Not to mention making a call and the time your eyes are off the road to watch the menu's or hit the buttons. Nearly every day I see someone make a stupid or dangerous manouvre with a phone clamped to their ear.
There is independent research (yes I know it can be abused) which shows that phone users have slower reaction times while driving than a driver who is over the drink drive limit.
I have used the car in the phone in the past and have had a near miss or two - I now never use the phone and have not gone to the trouble of having a hands free kit as I believe that the conversation you are having can be just as distracting as actually holding the phone.
There I'll get off my
[soapbox]It's quite a typical attitude on this particular part of the forum.
Just look at threads mocking attempted police prosecutions for motoring offences or any offence for that matter. There are many threads that have this attitude running through them, "I've done it, now try and get me" type attitude.
It really takes away the credibility of otherwise sensible attitudes to other discussion on this particular section.[/soapbox]
SEE
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/post.asp?r=1488885&t=90238&h=0&f=10&m=quoteReply&cb=163434
juk said:
juk said:
Shaun_E said:
I can't believe anyone actually thinks that it is safe to drive with a mobile phone held in your hand..
Is it any more dangerous than messing about with stereo/satnav/idrive etc. tho?
Or how about setting fire to an item & then holding it between your lips for a bit before (maybe) throwing still smouldering article from window?
Probably only slightly less dangerous/distracting, so don't do any of them when in a situation that demands you don't. When driving that's most of the time.
..& most people probably don't - so why demonize mobile phones & not smoking etc. Surely not because it's marginally easier to prove?
I've thought that smoking, fitting ash trays and lighters in cars has been mad for absolutely years and should be stopped exactly the same as using your telephone.
juk said:
Using a mobile phone IS very distracting to your driving....
Agree with that but is there any difference (distraction wise) between holding the phone whilst gassing or using hands free?
Absolutely......I have no probs with hands free and neither does the law...
The hand held business takes your hand off the wheel for long periods and also your concentration seems more intense listening into a little phone than when it's handsfree.
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