What can be done about the use of mobile phones?
Discussion
The Surveyor said:
Are you saying you don't see a problem with this:-
None whatsoever.V10leptoquark said:
OP - There is a simple 'win' for this..... simply offer a small reward to the public to send in video evidence of offenders using phones whilst driving.
Eyes everywhere instead of eyes only when a uniform is visible.
Many cars now have dashcams, many cars have passengers with phones - simply send the evidence in for the offender to be prosecuted.
Eyes everywhere instead of eyes only when a uniform is visible.
Many cars now have dashcams, many cars have passengers with phones - simply send the evidence in for the offender to be prosecuted.
austinsmirk said:
Jimmy Saville was telling us to clunk click in 1983- yet all these years later, I see a huge amount of drivers not bothering. Not a single thing will stop people using their phones behind the wheel..... maybe an instant 12 month ban, £5000 fine, seizure of phone, might make people think twice ??? I doubt it somehow.
More Police would, or lots more automated enforcement. Neither would be palatable to people who want to break other driving laws.People carry on using their mobiles in spite of the instant 6 points because - like pretty much every non-automated enforcement - the chances of encountering a cop on a given journey is vanishingly small, and the chances they can turn around to stop you even less so. The punishment is all but irrelevant when the chances of actually being caught are practically non-existant.
Edited by Durzel on Wednesday 14th August 15:39
funkyrobot said:
Was behind someone the other day in their car who was playing with a phone. They completely failed to notice the traffic moving not once, but twice in a row. Each time required a toot of the horn to get them to wake up and move. They simply didn't give a s
t.
I try and drive round people like that. They soon put their phone down then, as they busy ranting at you for "jumping the queue" t.
I have Apple CarPlay. It’s fab. I can listen and respond to text messages, email, WhatsApp. You can speak your message or use the touchscreen if you prefer. It works brilliant.
I hate it, it’s ste, I don’t need my apps to constantly message me. The interface is ste, it’s worse than the native bmw interface so it’s switched off.
I suppose it’s marginally better for those who simply must keep in touch but it’s a faff and distraction. The UI is awful.
Just ban phones in cars.
I hate it, it’s s
te, I don’t need my apps to constantly message me. The interface is ste, it’s worse than the native bmw interface so it’s switched off. I suppose it’s marginally better for those who simply must keep in touch but it’s a faff and distraction. The UI is awful.
Just ban phones in cars.
George Smiley said:
Just ban phones in cars.
Ban phones for the driver is what you mean.Why should a passenger not be able to do something perfectly legal and safe because a few (although too many) drivers are utter selfish w
kers who think their phone is more important than other people's safety.Is it not akin to banning all knives because some of them are used by utter w
kers to stab people.We need massively harsh sentences to anyone who is driving and using their phone, we have to stop the culture and not penalise innocence.
Kateg28 said:
We need massively harsh sentences to anyone who is driving and using their phone, we have to stop the culture and not penalise innocence.
i think the laws fine as is, maybe change it to actually mean holding a phone for any activity to get the 6 pointsFor anyone distracted and not driving to a reasonable standard be it by hands free phone, changing the infotainment, programming the AMG modes or watching netflix on a tesla (update coming next month) driving without due care covers that
enforcement seams to be the problem
To answer the question, do this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N1iw5Vdim8
(with better quality cameras #cough#).
Farm it out to private companies, pay them a small % of the money likely to be saved through less crashes as a retainer/seed capital; let them keep, say, half the fines.
No need to pull people over, make sure the person and phone are in shot and send it out to the RK just like speeding tickets. No need for confrontation etc.
It may be a slightly boom-and-bust business as I reckon people would learn quickly, but, as a cyclist and biker, I'd do it for bloody free if I knew all the idiots I see would be acted upon.
Oh, and Rangies or Barries with heavily tinted front windows: automatically assumed to be on the phone behind those tints and again down to the RK to say who was driving that illegal vehicle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N1iw5Vdim8
(with better quality cameras #cough#).
Farm it out to private companies, pay them a small % of the money likely to be saved through less crashes as a retainer/seed capital; let them keep, say, half the fines.
No need to pull people over, make sure the person and phone are in shot and send it out to the RK just like speeding tickets. No need for confrontation etc.
It may be a slightly boom-and-bust business as I reckon people would learn quickly, but, as a cyclist and biker, I'd do it for bloody free if I knew all the idiots I see would be acted upon.
Oh, and Rangies or Barries with heavily tinted front windows: automatically assumed to be on the phone behind those tints and again down to the RK to say who was driving that illegal vehicle.
defblade said:
To answer the question, do this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N1iw5Vdim8
(with better quality cameras #cough#).
Farm it out to private companies, pay them a small % of the money likely to be saved through less crashes as a retainer/seed capital; let them keep, say, half the fines.
No need to pull people over, make sure the person and phone are in shot and send it out to the RK just like speeding tickets. No need for confrontation etc.
It may be a slightly boom-and-bust business as I reckon people would learn quickly, but, as a cyclist and biker, I'd do it for bloody free if I knew all the idiots I see would be acted upon.
Oh, and Rangies or Barries with heavily tinted front windows: automatically assumed to be on the phone behind those tints and again down to the RK to say who was driving that illegal vehicle.
Assumed you were a cyclist before you said it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N1iw5Vdim8
(with better quality cameras #cough#).
Farm it out to private companies, pay them a small % of the money likely to be saved through less crashes as a retainer/seed capital; let them keep, say, half the fines.
No need to pull people over, make sure the person and phone are in shot and send it out to the RK just like speeding tickets. No need for confrontation etc.
It may be a slightly boom-and-bust business as I reckon people would learn quickly, but, as a cyclist and biker, I'd do it for bloody free if I knew all the idiots I see would be acted upon.
Oh, and Rangies or Barries with heavily tinted front windows: automatically assumed to be on the phone behind those tints and again down to the RK to say who was driving that illegal vehicle.
You do not want vigilantes sending in clips.
Trust.
xjay1337 said:
defblade said:
To answer the question, do this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N1iw5Vdim8
(with better quality cameras #cough#).
Farm it out to private companies, pay them a small % of the money likely to be saved through less crashes as a retainer/seed capital; let them keep, say, half the fines.
No need to pull people over, make sure the person and phone are in shot and send it out to the RK just like speeding tickets. No need for confrontation etc.
It may be a slightly boom-and-bust business as I reckon people would learn quickly, but, as a cyclist and biker, I'd do it for bloody free if I knew all the idiots I see would be acted upon.
Oh, and Rangies or Barries with heavily tinted front windows: automatically assumed to be on the phone behind those tints and again down to the RK to say who was driving that illegal vehicle.
Assumed you were a cyclist before you said it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N1iw5Vdim8
(with better quality cameras #cough#).
Farm it out to private companies, pay them a small % of the money likely to be saved through less crashes as a retainer/seed capital; let them keep, say, half the fines.
No need to pull people over, make sure the person and phone are in shot and send it out to the RK just like speeding tickets. No need for confrontation etc.
It may be a slightly boom-and-bust business as I reckon people would learn quickly, but, as a cyclist and biker, I'd do it for bloody free if I knew all the idiots I see would be acted upon.
Oh, and Rangies or Barries with heavily tinted front windows: automatically assumed to be on the phone behind those tints and again down to the RK to say who was driving that illegal vehicle.
You do not want vigilantes sending in clips.
Trust.
Of course, they'll be about as well loved as parking wardens by the self-entitled (who will be using exactly the same excuses about "only being a minute").
Being on a motorbike would probably help in getting away from angry ones... ...if any of those filmed looked up long enough to realise it had happened...
Steve Campbell said:
It's an endemic behaviour / culture that will be hard to stop.
I commute every few weeks into London then walk to our London offce ~25 mins.
The number of people walking and txting or typing is unbelievable. This morning, in that 1 * 25 minute walk (which is mainly down back streets) I saw one person almost run over as they crossed the road whilst txting and didn't look, and 3 people tried to walk through me as they had head down and happily txting away (they got a bit of a shock when I deliberately didn't step out of the way).
I still find most people cannot resist the ping of a notification from their phone. It's a form of madness !
Correct , the desperation for likes is now an epidemic.I commute every few weeks into London then walk to our London offce ~25 mins.
The number of people walking and txting or typing is unbelievable. This morning, in that 1 * 25 minute walk (which is mainly down back streets) I saw one person almost run over as they crossed the road whilst txting and didn't look, and 3 people tried to walk through me as they had head down and happily txting away (they got a bit of a shock when I deliberately didn't step out of the way).
I still find most people cannot resist the ping of a notification from their phone. It's a form of madness !
Someone I know records every run / walk / game of golf on strava , I’ve seen one walk of half a mile recorded with over twenty likes given by his followers.
I don’t know what’s more sad , him posting it or the folk giving it likes , or me for posting it on here.
Why would you ?
xjay1337 said:
I don't personally find that as you are the same when having a conversation with a passenger.
I'll get stick and I don't care, I occasionally use my phone while driving. If it's 11pm on an empty motorway and I just need to send a quick message to my Mrs to say I'm getting home at 11.30 and to not wait up then I will.
I will also quickly reply to an email (3 or 4 word response type thing) at traffic lights when my car is in N and handbrake on.
I don't even think about it in built up areas or busy roads etc
Call me a prick etc , I don't care really :-)
I'm sure many others are same boat as me but wouldn't care to admit it.
Enjoy roasting.
I agree, there is a huge difference in between people whom are been rather sensible as above and those whom are texting, checking the socials etc when driving, especially when the handset is in the hand or on their knee - you can see them looking down at it constantly, like driving is a distraction to their social media!I'll get stick and I don't care, I occasionally use my phone while driving. If it's 11pm on an empty motorway and I just need to send a quick message to my Mrs to say I'm getting home at 11.30 and to not wait up then I will.
I will also quickly reply to an email (3 or 4 word response type thing) at traffic lights when my car is in N and handbrake on.
I don't even think about it in built up areas or busy roads etc
Call me a prick etc , I don't care really :-)
I'm sure many others are same boat as me but wouldn't care to admit it.
Enjoy roasting.
For many years before any mobile phone laws I have purchased various handsfree kits and ensured that my phone is secure on the dash - not a wobbly el-cheapo holder, but in a dock that is mounted to the dash on a brodit bracket. Its powered and it stays there while I am driving or engine on. Similar set up for the satnav.
In the 20 years of driving 40 to 50k miles a year, with 18 of them having a mobile phone - I have never had a single incident caused by lack of concentration, lack of control etc caused when I was using the mobile phone - that's because I do use it sparingly and when appropriate. Not at 70mph, not on roundabouts, not in bad weather, not when its busy, not when the muppet driver count around me is high etc..... but I will touch the screen to check notifications etc now and again and then based on whom from / what the first line of the notification says, can decide to pull over at a services, or go back to it when stopped in traffic.
Many cars are moving to touch screens for some of the their basic functions - heating, volume is all on a touch screen - and its not just luxury cars, many PSA group cars have this - these in my opinion are far more distracting and dangerous than swiping a mobile to check if there are any messages.
But, we all know that if legislation does change, it will be a sledgehammer to crack a nut and will also limit the more sensible ones amongst us to capture all the social media addicts that are the real problem.
Just seen a women in an 18 plate x6 pulling in to a car park off a main road barely paying attention as she is using her phone, browsing something or texting rather than on a call.
She'd be parked up in two minutes but it's clearly that urgent.
I sincerely hope she has a cat and runs it over on her way home.
She'd be parked up in two minutes but it's clearly that urgent.
I sincerely hope she has a cat and runs it over on her way home.
TheFungle said:
My commute is 25 miles ea. way; for the vast majority of the year and when the weather gods are favourable, I try and ride my bicycle at least twice a week.
The roads I travel on are wide A-roads with traffic a steady 50mph for the most part, and although free flowing, there is very limited opportunities for overtaking.
Being a vulnerable road user I'm hyper aware of driving standards and the sheer volume of motorists on their phones is astounding, not just having a quick glance but looking at them as if they are sat on the couch browsing.
Interestingly, phone usage doesn't appear to be limited to any one user group.
What can be done to combat this? Instant 12 month ban? 5 year ban?
Nothing can be done people will not stop texting and using their phones whilst driving no matter what punishment is imposed.
These phones are a drug people cannot stop using them.
The only way to stop use it make it imposible by electronic or mechanical means.
That's it debate over.
The roads I travel on are wide A-roads with traffic a steady 50mph for the most part, and although free flowing, there is very limited opportunities for overtaking.
Being a vulnerable road user I'm hyper aware of driving standards and the sheer volume of motorists on their phones is astounding, not just having a quick glance but looking at them as if they are sat on the couch browsing.
Interestingly, phone usage doesn't appear to be limited to any one user group.
What can be done to combat this? Instant 12 month ban? 5 year ban?
Nothing can be done people will not stop texting and using their phones whilst driving no matter what punishment is imposed.
These phones are a drug people cannot stop using them.
The only way to stop use it make it imposible by electronic or mechanical means.
That's it debate over.
Surely the thing that will hurt is to immediately remove the offender's phone for say a week.
Yes I know that they can borrow a phone, or get a SIM, or have two phones in the first place. But that is inconvenient / expensive in itself. Also they have to reclaim it from the pound. And the fine still stands.
A lot, who don't back up their contacts / apps / photos etc., will find it very hard.
No doubt some phones will go unclaimed and can be sold to help finance the scheme.
Yes I know that they can borrow a phone, or get a SIM, or have two phones in the first place. But that is inconvenient / expensive in itself. Also they have to reclaim it from the pound. And the fine still stands.
A lot, who don't back up their contacts / apps / photos etc., will find it very hard.
No doubt some phones will go unclaimed and can be sold to help finance the scheme.
speedking31 said:
Surely the thing that will hurt is to immediately remove the offender's phone for say a week.
Yes I know that they can borrow a phone, or get a SIM, or have two phones in the first place. But that is inconvenient / expensive in itself. Also they have to reclaim it from the pound. And the fine still stands.
A lot, who don't back up their contacts / apps / photos etc., will find it very hard.
No doubt some phones will go unclaimed and can be sold to help finance the scheme.
Sounds good to me.Yes I know that they can borrow a phone, or get a SIM, or have two phones in the first place. But that is inconvenient / expensive in itself. Also they have to reclaim it from the pound. And the fine still stands.
A lot, who don't back up their contacts / apps / photos etc., will find it very hard.
No doubt some phones will go unclaimed and can be sold to help finance the scheme.
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