Hanging on the Telephone
Many drivers still ignoring the ban
Recent research conducted by Green Flag Motoring Assistance indicates that one-in-ten British motorists are still using their mobile phone handsets while driving, despite last December's ban.
A survey of more than 700 motorists carried out for the roadside rescue provider showed that, despite widespread knowledge of the ban, ten per cent of drivers still admitted to flouting the law. Since December, it has been illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Anyone caught doing so risks a fixed penalty of £30 or, if convicted, a fine of up to £1,000, plus three points on their driving licence.
Green Flag spokesperson Melanie Denny said: "The survey shows that there are still a significant number of motorists prepared to risk a fine or even an accident by using a mobile phone handset when driving. Our research shows the majority of motorists are aware of the ban, and the dangers associated with mobile phone use, yet they are still prepared to take risks ."
Although some motorists do continue to use a hand-held mobile, over three-quarters agreed that it severely impaired their ability to drive safely.
More encouragingly, 64 per cent said they never use their hand-held mobile phone while driving and over a quarter of respondents (28 per cent) said they had made a conscious effort to use a hands-free kit since the ban. Just one per cent of those questioned was unaware of the ban.
Nearly half said they still make calls, but park up safely first, and almost 60 per cent said they didn't intend to change their behaviour following legislation as they never made calls using a hand-held mobile phone even before the ban. Few motorists reported being stopped by the police for using their hand-held mobiles since the law changed. Only two drivers had received a verbal warning and only one had received a formal caution.
Almost a third questioned said their employers had made no attempt to advise staff about mobile phone use when driving for work purposes since the ban. In fact, just one-in-four had been clearly updated on new company policy as a result of the ban. It is currently an offence for employers to encourage motorists to use their mobile phones for work purposes, and employers have a legal responsibility to include policy on mobile phone use that reflects the new laws.
The Police had sufficient powers before the new law was introduced.
Therefore a fair road safety point is ignored due to heavy handed enforcement.
... don't get me started on the new 'guilty until proven inocent' road tax adverts
Dan said:
I suspect the reason for this, is that more people than the government imagines are aware that the mobile phone law was a pointless and possibly damaging effort to placate the uninformed road safety brigade.
The Police had sufficient powers before the new law was introduced.
Therefore a fair road safety point is ignored due to heavy handed enforcement.
This is yet another all-embracing rule - like the NSL - that I completely disagree with.
Just as the law seeks to prevent me ever exceeding 60 mph on anything other than a DC, this phone law says we can not use a mobile phone at all while driving, regardless of the ability of the driver or the circumstances prevailing at any particular time.
According to the figures I have seen, use of mobile phones by drivers has been blamed for about 20 fatalities over a period of about fifteen years, and yet total road fatalities over the same period must have been about 50,000. In my view this law is not justified and I have no respect for it.
I really wonder just where it is all going to end. Are we in due course to be prevented from talking to passengers, adjusting the radio or CD player, adjusting the heating/AC system, removing a handkerchief from a pocket to wipe ones nose, and so on?
My rule book basically says:
1. Keep the car on the road.
2. Don't hit anything - or any body.
3. Be considerate to your fellow road users.
That's it. What more do we need?
Take care all.
Dave.
this law because I would venture so far to say that about 4 out of 5 police I see driving are on their cell phone. Good example - I was expecting a call, so left the phone on. Phone went off - I picked it up, just to ask them to call back in 10 mins.... and nearly didn't see the mobile gatso van.
Imagine, you could miss a van, so what if a person ran out?
Nah, sorry boys - gotta keep this law. You may be able to drive ok, but I doubt it from personal experience.
The way I see it, as long as I still have both hands on the wheel I am pretty safe, although I maybe agree that there can be some loss of concentration, but phones are by no means the only cause of this.
Andyps feels the need to have both hands on the steering wheel so far as possible, and if that makes him feel safer that also is fine.
If travelling at a moderate speed, out of town in quiet traffic conditions, and with plenty of space around me, I feel happy to press a couple of buttons to make a phone call or receive a call, so long as it does not involve difficult or complex subject matter, or arguments and disputes, which probably would divert too much attention from the driving process.
Some weeks ago I heard part of the test used to check on driver performance while involved in mobile phone use, and it seemed that the driver was being fed a series of questions of increasing complexity while he was driving. The extent of the distraction caused to a driver having to deal with questions of that nature was clearly excessive, and I would have put the phone down on them at a very early stage.
It comes back again to sensible behaviour according to all the conditions, and I still do not agree with an outright ban, which the accident statistics do not appear to justify.
Best regards all.
Dave.
If you think you are still driving well whilst using one - you are kidding yourself!
What's all the fuss about anyway? Personally I prefer to stop and natter away over a brew in a picnic area (with engine off!
). One rule I agree with!
Non-smoker - but what's betting driving whilst having fag dangling from mouth will be next!
(Though would not be too bothered - but then - am non-smoker!) What do y'all think about that!
The Police can of course use communications equipment as they have been trained to a very high standard of driving (a far far higher standard than anyone else on the road)
The real issue this law is trying to fix may be the vast numbers of people approaching the driving age who have forgotten how to speak and only "text"
PS. If anyone ran out of a mobile gatso van they deserve to be mowed down ;O)
WildCat said:
Seen some numpties with NO hands on steering wheel as they clutch beloved Handy with one hand and attempt to change gear with the other!
If you think you are still driving well whilst using one - you are kidding yourself!
What do y'all think about that!
No, sorry.
I agree that some people attempt to use mobile phones while driving, and as a result sometimes create additional risks for themselves and others, and I do not seek to excuse that.
Some people are fully occupied in the task of driving their car safely, and therefore have no capacity for doing other things at the same time.
Whether or not mobile phone usage can be combined with safe driving must depend on the ability of the driver and the circumstances at the time. I believe the existing laws were adequate.
Best wishes all.
Dave.
evocator said:
The real issue this law is trying to fix may be the vast numbers of people approaching the driving age who have forgotten how to speak and only "text"
I'm sure that someone will develop a voice recognition system that converts whatever you say into your hands free microphone into "txt spk" so "u can txt ur m8s when driving"
Of course, it would be far easier to just use not bother investing in the voice recognition software, and just call your mates and actually speak to them in the first place!
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