Why do lorry drivers use mobile phones whilst driving?
Discussion
Not only Lorry drivers, but white van men, builders wagons, Coach drivers etc, etc....I'm not talking about the average bod, but people who NEED their licence for their living.
I see it every day in heavily built up areas, and if I can see it so can any passing police patrol....I think they are taking a massive risk, penalty is around (£60...peanuts), but more importantly three penalty points....Usually get a ban at twelve points, so they are gambling with their livelihood, a quarter of their lives gone, just for the sake of pulling over for two or three minutes......I can possibly understand on a deserted road miles from anywhere....
No licence, probably no job in the current climate.
I see it every day in heavily built up areas, and if I can see it so can any passing police patrol....I think they are taking a massive risk, penalty is around (£60...peanuts), but more importantly three penalty points....Usually get a ban at twelve points, so they are gambling with their livelihood, a quarter of their lives gone, just for the sake of pulling over for two or three minutes......I can possibly understand on a deserted road miles from anywhere....
No licence, probably no job in the current climate.
tim2100 said:
I am so surprised that even now, all these professional drivers don't have Bluetooth kits. It is ~£100 to get a Bluetooth kit installed to a vehicle. If these people are in the vehicles everyday, why haven't they got them?
Because they're in a different vehicle every day of the week and their boss wont cough up in the middle of a recession to fit every vehicle with equipment that may well go against company policy of 'no phones' anyway?MJK 24 said:
Because they're in a different vehicle every day of the week and their boss wont cough up in the middle of a recession to fit every vehicle with equipment that may well go against company policy of 'no phones' anyway?
Fair comment but you can get decent kit from Parrott which clips to the sunvisor so can be transfered between vehicles.I see this lot but not just truckers but car drivers too.
If anything it's more dangerous in a big truck and they are supposed to be professional drivers. If there is not a handsfree kit in the truck then don't answer the phone. Quite simple.
Besides. If they haven't got the brains to buy a £20 earpiece, which they can carry vehicle to vehicle, then they deserve all they get.
If anything it's more dangerous in a big truck and they are supposed to be professional drivers. If there is not a handsfree kit in the truck then don't answer the phone. Quite simple.
Besides. If they haven't got the brains to buy a £20 earpiece, which they can carry vehicle to vehicle, then they deserve all they get.
ChrisRS said:
Fair comment but you can get decent kit from Parrott which clips to the sunvisor so can be transfered between vehicles.
I know the kits to which you refer but in a truck, you're up against maybe 15% more noise than a modern car and the fact that the sunvisor is much further away. I've not tried one myself, but I think that it'd be a struggle to hear and be heard.Also because they are more difficult to detect from behind, bulkheads, trailers etc.
Check out how many tinted window types use their phones in cars.
Not everyone believes it's that dangerous . People smoke, eat, drink and even read when driving.
Personally I think being on the phone on a motorway isn't dangerous. Texting is very dangerous.
Especially now people try to keep their phone out of sight whilst doing it. If the law hadn't changed and one could hold the mobile device in line with windscreen then that would be safer than what drivers do now.
Having said that the law overall has to make things safer. It just doesn't have much logic.
Eg - the computer system on my car distracts me ten times more than a mobile could ever do.
Check out how many tinted window types use their phones in cars.
Not everyone believes it's that dangerous . People smoke, eat, drink and even read when driving.
Personally I think being on the phone on a motorway isn't dangerous. Texting is very dangerous.
Especially now people try to keep their phone out of sight whilst doing it. If the law hadn't changed and one could hold the mobile device in line with windscreen then that would be safer than what drivers do now.
Having said that the law overall has to make things safer. It just doesn't have much logic.
Eg - the computer system on my car distracts me ten times more than a mobile could ever do.
MJK 24 said:
Because they're in a different vehicle every day of the week and their boss wont cough up in the middle of a recession to fit every vehicle with equipment that may well go against company policy of 'no phones' anyway?
if they have a fleet of vehicles, then the same kit in all vehicles which the driver pairs to their phone before setting off. If they have a company Policy of 'no phones' many are using phones anyway.
MJK 24 said:
Probably the same reason as car drivers I'd have thought.
No, my point was, if I lost my licence for six months it would be inconvenient...getting the bus/train/taxi etc, but these drivers need a valid licence, hence why I would suggest they are taking a gamble not worth the risk.Of course it's their choice.....
Wacky Racer said:
No, my point was, if I lost my licence for six months it would be inconvenient...getting the bus/train/taxi etc, but these drivers need a valid licence, hence why I would suggest they are taking a gamble not worth the risk.
Of course it's their choice.....
People think that they wont get caught. There's not many Traffic Police about these days so the visible deterant isn't there at the moment IMO. Also, the punishment isn't great. If it was an instant ban, you'd probably see a much more responsible attitude from people.Of course it's their choice.....
I put it down to humans being stupid, example
I run 4 merc sprinter mobile workshop vans, when I buy the van the first thing I do is have a Parrot bluetooth kit fitted, and make sure the lad who will be driving has a works bluetooth enabled phone, I even pair the phone-van for them.
Also pair their phone to all the other vans, so we are all able to drive each others vans and still have handsfree.
Does it work, does it balls, ive now had to write a clause in their contracts saying written warning if caught using phones in van, as they just turn it off, reasons being
Feels strange talking without holding phone
Dont like anybody else in van with me hearing what being said
Its much the same with PPE, all vans have it, do they use it, do they ever, once again I make them sign a form saying its all in the van to cover me.
Myself, I cant drive without wearing a belt, feels alien, same holding a phone. As for spraying without gloves and facemasks on, thats a no go too.
Sadly it seems im a minority, us humans really are a strange bunch.
I run 4 merc sprinter mobile workshop vans, when I buy the van the first thing I do is have a Parrot bluetooth kit fitted, and make sure the lad who will be driving has a works bluetooth enabled phone, I even pair the phone-van for them.
Also pair their phone to all the other vans, so we are all able to drive each others vans and still have handsfree.
Does it work, does it balls, ive now had to write a clause in their contracts saying written warning if caught using phones in van, as they just turn it off, reasons being
Feels strange talking without holding phone
Dont like anybody else in van with me hearing what being said
Its much the same with PPE, all vans have it, do they use it, do they ever, once again I make them sign a form saying its all in the van to cover me.
Myself, I cant drive without wearing a belt, feels alien, same holding a phone. As for spraying without gloves and facemasks on, thats a no go too.
Sadly it seems im a minority, us humans really are a strange bunch.
Wacky Racer said:
Not only Lorry drivers, but white van men, builders wagons, Coach drivers etc, etc....I'm not talking about the average bod, but people who NEED their licence for their living.
I see it every day in heavily built up areas, and if I can see it so can any passing police patrol....I think they are taking a massive risk, penalty is around (£60...peanuts), but more importantly three penalty points....Usually get a ban at twelve points, so they are gambling with their livelihood, a quarter of their lives gone, just for the sake of pulling over for two or three minutes......I can possibly understand on a deserted road miles from anywhere....
No licence, probably no job in the current climate.
Hi, i have a bluetooth earpiece and as such would never place a mobile to my ear in my car or lorry, although a daft chap (welsh)i used to know was on 9 points_6 for speeding and 3 for being daft_getting caught useing mobile, got caught again only 1 mile from the yard... he was stopped at level crossing when his wife called stupidly carried on call,got to roundabout turned left another half a mile and turns left into our yard_ only to have have silver mercedes estate police traffic car follow him from level crossing to yard... got him bang rights,I see it every day in heavily built up areas, and if I can see it so can any passing police patrol....I think they are taking a massive risk, penalty is around (£60...peanuts), but more importantly three penalty points....Usually get a ban at twelve points, so they are gambling with their livelihood, a quarter of their lives gone, just for the sake of pulling over for two or three minutes......I can possibly understand on a deserted road miles from anywhere....
No licence, probably no job in the current climate.
I saw him two days before his court appearance and wished him best of luck.. Result was never saw him again as he got 6 months ban and re-test, shame he was a funny chap just a bit daft.
THis really pisses me off - I see it every day.
I've had narrow misses with meandering commerical vechiles more times than I car to think about.
IMHO its a sign of the times, we are all too busy to apply abit of consideration and common sense.
The fines for mobile use in vechiles need to be higher and proportional to the risk from the vechile.
ie heavier fines for heavier vechiles.
I do 42k miles a year and NEVER use mine without the handsfree.
They would be the first to have rant it someone got them in to an accident because of it!
I've had narrow misses with meandering commerical vechiles more times than I car to think about.
IMHO its a sign of the times, we are all too busy to apply abit of consideration and common sense.
The fines for mobile use in vechiles need to be higher and proportional to the risk from the vechile.
ie heavier fines for heavier vechiles.
I do 42k miles a year and NEVER use mine without the handsfree.
They would be the first to have rant it someone got them in to an accident because of it!
Acheron said:
4Q said:
They're too busy catching easier targets...
I disagree. Over 90% of my issued tickets are for mobile phone use.Edited by Kong on Sunday 13th March 13:14
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