Mobile phone use whilst driving
Discussion
Using a mobile phone whilst driving seems to be endemic and I for one get really pi**ed off by it. Having nearly been wiped out by an HGV last year on my motorbike only to find the "professional" driver chatting away on his phone. On another occasion when I was on my bike an incredibly stupid woman in her people carrier (with very young child in front) swerved across lanes on a roundabout whilst texting.
Given a recent study concluded that using a mobile phone posed the same risks as driving under the influence, isn't it time the penalties were increased? Given that there are fewer police around and therefore less risk of getting caught I think the penalty should be increased to act as a meaningful deterrent - starting with 6-9 points for a first offence then a ban for a second, and an instant ban for professional drivers.
Discuss.
Given a recent study concluded that using a mobile phone posed the same risks as driving under the influence, isn't it time the penalties were increased? Given that there are fewer police around and therefore less risk of getting caught I think the penalty should be increased to act as a meaningful deterrent - starting with 6-9 points for a first offence then a ban for a second, and an instant ban for professional drivers.
Discuss.
An instant ban for professional drivers? Great, lets make people unemployed.
Should be done on a case by case basis. Long straight country lane, driver doing 40, picks up phone to say he's driving and will phone in a bit. Hangs up. Not a 9 point offence.
Don't get me wrong, my uncle was suprised in the rear (oh lol) by a driver on his phone when he was on his motorbike. Had to take a year off work and the bike was written off.
Should be done on a case by case basis. Long straight country lane, driver doing 40, picks up phone to say he's driving and will phone in a bit. Hangs up. Not a 9 point offence.
Don't get me wrong, my uncle was suprised in the rear (oh lol) by a driver on his phone when he was on his motorbike. Had to take a year off work and the bike was written off.
tim0409 said:
Given a recent study concluded that using a mobile phone posed the same risks as driving under the influence, isn't it time the penalties were increased?
Pointless, while the offence is about last on the priority listof most police forces.
Compare'n'contrast the number of folks on the mobile (most drivers
locally it seems) with the numbers successfully prosecuted for it.
If 10% of the effort that goes into speed control, went into
reducing the number of folks using their mobiles while driving,
then I'd be a lot happier.
I'd go as far as to say I'd be happy to put the coppers on commission
for each successful prosecution, if it meant safer roads and reduced
insurance premiums for us all.
I have noticed mobile phone use increase over the last 12 months quite significantly
But its not the biggest menace on the roads by far, pricks who wont use there mirrors and pull over need to focused on, instant £1000 fine and 6 points
even worse when its an emergency service vehicle behind them with blues and twos and the
s still wont pull over into the empty lane ... £5000 and 12 points for this when I am supreme galactic commander
But its not the biggest menace on the roads by far, pricks who wont use there mirrors and pull over need to focused on, instant £1000 fine and 6 points
even worse when its an emergency service vehicle behind them with blues and twos and the
s still wont pull over into the empty lane ... £5000 and 12 points for this when I am supreme galactic commander Totally agree - especially the texting bit. Actually talking on the phone whilst driving it pretty bad but texting is as bad as watching telly or reading a book whilst driving!! The police seem to be more interested in catching people speeding now than anything else!
Edited by cpas on Sunday 11th December 21:23
XitUp said:
All covered under driving without due care and attention.
It is an offence to touch a mobile phone while driving even if driving WITH due care and attention. This is a specific offence which carries 3 points and £60 fine.If you are using a hands-free phone you do not commit the specific mobile phone offence but CAN be nicked if driving WITHOUT due care and attention (now known as Careless Driving). There is a wide range of possible penalties, up to 9 points and heavy fines, but for a straightforward offence the penalty would be similar to the above.
matthias73 said:
An instant ban for professional drivers? Great, lets make people unemployed.
With all due respect I really don't care if they are unemployed - they should know better and spend £10 on a bluetooth headset. They are driving a large machine capable of doing a lot of damage.tim0409 said:
With all due respect I really don't care if they are unemployed - they should know better and spend £10 on a bluetooth headset. They are driving a large machine capable of doing a lot of damage.
Have some empathy-Losing a job could ruin his and his families life. It might have been an empty motorway and he thought a quick call would be fine.Furthermore, what makes you think that driving with one hand on the wheel and one hand on your phone is that much worse than driving with a bluetooth headset. Its not much diferent to driving with one hand on the wheel and one on the windowsill, and talking to a passenger.
I'm not by any means encouraging driving on the phone, but I am suggesting that extremely harsh, blanket rules that are a bit too daily mail orientated aren't a great idea.
matthias73 said:
tim0409 said:
With all due respect I really don't care if they are unemployed - they should know better and spend £10 on a bluetooth headset. They are driving a large machine capable of doing a lot of damage.
Have some empathy-Losing a job could ruin his and his families life.So in this hypothetical situation, I would have no sympathy whatsoever. If his job was that crucial to his, and his families' life, he shouldn't be using his phone whilst driving. No excuses.
Ozzie Osmond said:
It is an offence to touch a mobile phone while driving even if driving WITH due care and attention. This is a specific offence which carries 3 points and £60 fine.
If you are using a hands-free phone you do not commit the specific mobile phone offence but CAN be nicked if driving WITHOUT due care and attention (now known as Careless Driving). There is a wide range of possible penalties, up to 9 points and heavy fines, but for a straightforward offence the penalty would be similar to the above.
Not if it's in a proper cradle/holder.If you are using a hands-free phone you do not commit the specific mobile phone offence but CAN be nicked if driving WITHOUT due care and attention (now known as Careless Driving). There is a wide range of possible penalties, up to 9 points and heavy fines, but for a straightforward offence the penalty would be similar to the above.
rallycross said:
Its now illegal so thats' it - dont do it. Buy a hands free or switch your phone off when you drive.
But what if it was legal?
Lets imagine you are living outside the uk.
Are you saying you are too stupid to cope with driving and talking on a mobile at the same time?
As I said, a recent study has shown that using a mobile phone whilst driving is akin to drink driving - it does harm your concentration no matter how good a driver who think you are. But what if it was legal?
Lets imagine you are living outside the uk.
Are you saying you are too stupid to cope with driving and talking on a mobile at the same time?
matthias73 said:
Have some empathy-Losing a job could ruin his and his families life. It might have been an empty motorway and he thought a quick call would be fine.
Furthermore, what makes you think that driving with one hand on the wheel and one hand on your phone is that much worse than driving with a bluetooth headset. Its not much diferent to driving with one hand on the wheel and one on the windowsill, and talking to a passenger.
I'm not by any means encouraging driving on the phone, but I am suggesting that extremely harsh, blanket rules that are a bit too daily mail orientated aren't a great idea.
And when he ploughs into a stationary queue of traffic and wipes out an entire family in a car thats not ruining lives? Someone who does it and gets away with it will keep doing it.Furthermore, what makes you think that driving with one hand on the wheel and one hand on your phone is that much worse than driving with a bluetooth headset. Its not much diferent to driving with one hand on the wheel and one on the windowsill, and talking to a passenger.
I'm not by any means encouraging driving on the phone, but I am suggesting that extremely harsh, blanket rules that are a bit too daily mail orientated aren't a great idea.
Whilst being a passenger in a mates car Friday i was amazed just how many HGV drivers were chatting away with a phone to their ear. Why don't they have a handsfree kit installed, absolutely crazy and bloody dangerous. I'd have them banned for 3 months with a large fine to boot, get caught a second time and revoke their licence until a retest.I'd rather them be out of a job rather than killing someone, remember it's their choice.
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