Brun

Years ago before the current laws i often used to use the phone at the wheel. On a couple of occasions i found that i'd lost huge chunks of a journey from my conscious due to the call. I've since got a hands free but am selective as to when i will use it. When i do use it i try and increase my awareness of what is going on around me and if i find my awareness is compromised i will end the call and save it for later.
As an ex smoker who liked nothing more than a *** at the wheel i don't feel there's anything wrong with it. Sparking a *** (i feel) is no different to changing the radio station (which is not without it's risks) but smoking it imo didn't take any concentration but i'm sure poeple will disagree

Leslie

Don't you have to cover for those who are of a lower standard of driving ability before they even pick up a mobile 'phone while driving and therefore have to be assumed of an even lower ability while using the 'phone?

Les

Leslie

Years ago when I was first licensed as a radio ham I used to have a mobile radio in the car so I could talk to friends etc. while driving. I realised that while using the microphone that it was a significant distraction while driving so I eventually removed the radio from my car.

I consider that using a 'phone in the car while driving is every bit as bad and when it comes to texting as well there is obviously no possible excuse for such actions.

Les

jef

iTrader: (13)

theres loads of other input that could be open to how influencial things are, raod side advertsing - its there to draw attention.

intentional or not from drivers, is open to debate, but it happens regardless. its designed to make everyone look at it.
and the net result is still the same, a time frame spent concentrating on something other than driving.
for most experienced drivers - its second nature, you dont need to think about what gear your in, how to change gear ect.
but what about changing from a manual to a paddle steel gear change system, itll take time to adjust, monitoring of gauges/lights ect to understand whats going on, all distractions. never mind changing radio sation, cd tracks, opening windows, setting air con ect

GlesgaKiss

Well that is what the aim of a ban is in this case. I just don't agree with punishing, or even interfering with, people who aren't doing anything wrong.

Those using a phone in a manner which makes car control and the safety of others still the primary concern, e.g. where someone is texting on a quiet country A road by feel, with an occasional glance in the same way you'd look at the instrument panel, would fit that description. In my opinion the offence should not be with phone use itself but with any resulting (noticeably) detrimental affect on car control: the sort that would come under careless or dangerous driving anyway. The offence would then be more appropriately in being likely to cause injury to others, not in the act of driving completely normally for all intents and purposes but happening to be using a phone at the time.

By all means take issue with those who let their mobile use while driving pose an actual danger to others, but why use force against people causing no harm?

Brun

Everyone bar none could be one the phone at the wheel and have one lapse of concentration as a result and the consequences could be devastating! No one is immune! Just imagine if that phone call brought you the news that a loved one had passed away - where is your head gonna be???

Fabioso

I don't use my phone whilst driving and the number of cars I see swerving about in their lane of the motorway and I know before I get up alongside them they are either on the phone/texting or reading something

The drivers that also boil my **** are the ones that do pull over to make a call but pull over somewhere stupid like a 2 lane 50 mph stretch of road (I kid you not!) blocking the first lane. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE ??? what made it worse was the fact not 1 minute further up the road there was a supermarket car park and this had been heavily signposted so they must have been aware of it (........may be not if they were already talking on their phone!! )

Seriously stupid to do either action. A car is a lethal weapon! It's crazy that some people seem to see it as an extension of their living room

RJM25R

iTrader: (1)

Make Bluetooth compulsory fitment in new cars as a safety feature, just like ABS.

Leslie

Its a matter of how you look at the possibilities when you think about it. I agree that it can be wrong to hammer someone who is not causing harm, but one has to look at the risks which are involved. It cannot be argued that having a phone conversation does not cause some distraction to the driver. Texting is obviously a considerably greater risk. Glancing at car instruments is one thing,not so difficult since the instruments are designed to be easily seen while a 'phone is not designed for that kind of activity and therefore needs a longer attention span to check it. The act of texting will cause a greater distraction to a driver as well. It is more difficult to transfer attention from the road to a phone used for texting and back to the road again as a check. Re-focusing the eyes and one's attention would take longer too.

The authorities have to take the risk factor into consideration and in this case, especially texting, it would be appreciably higher. They will therefore give penalties to deter people from doing it of course. Why do we have penalties for speeding? Is it not because of the risk factor of hammering along at very high speeds in certain areas? If you are caught at it even without having had an accident, you will get it in the neck naturally. Comes to the same thing with mobile 'phones in my book! If you have an accident by your own actions,then you will obviously have to answer for the consequences anyway.

Les

ScoobyWon't

You are actually allowed to use a mobile phone while driving on the condition that you are reporting an incident to the Police.

Police radios also double up as mobile phones, so it's possible for it to appear that officers/staff are using a phone. I point that out to educate the masses, not to defend the police.

GlesgaKiss

Very good reply, Les. Thank you.

I do understand your point of view and the comparison with speeding is a good one to illustrate it.

P600wrx

iTrader: (1)

Many arguments and jokes about his thread

My best mate was killed by a driver while on his phone, his punishment 1 year ban, my punishment I never get to see my mate again just a headstone, I don't say nothing to anyone I see on the phone because it has no affect on them, they don't care because they don't understand the problem, I have a parrot kit fitted in my car, was £99 took 5 mins to fit, I don't even need to take my hands off the wheel to answer if I get a call I just say 'hello', so to all of u whom think its ok to drive while holding your phone even on loudspeaker, shame on u, shame on U, I hope and prey u never kill anyone!!!!!!!

Bean1984

iTrader: (3)

I know how you feels matey. The public that are talking while driving will never understand how it feels until it happens. Me personally, if u seen anyone talking on their phone they get hell from me. Its not nice loosing someone how ever its tortue when you know your the only person who can even do anything.

What happens to them who cause the accident? Slap on the wrist n end off