View Full Version : Use a phone while driving?
Flamin_Squirrel
19-11-04, 09:04 AM
Penalties for driving while on the phone are set to increase. The fine is to be raised to £60, along with 3 penalty points.
If you ask me, about time too \:D/
Lets just hope its actualy enforced.
Does it allow me when I go past to smash there window take the phone and chuck the bloody thing down the road. :evil:
rictus01
19-11-04, 09:09 AM
Penalties for driving while on the phone are set to increase. The fine is to be raised to £60, along with 3 penalty points.
If you ask me, about time too \:D/
Lets just hope its actualy enforced.
Don't you mean, failure to drop it into their lap when seeing a cop car :!:
enforcement would be nice, don't you think, but then again speed cameras don't pickup that sort of thing.
cheers Mark
What is it about phones that gets peoples backs up sooooo much, with reatcions like Grinches. Far worse things are done on the roads!
Get real.
As Mark pointed out, thats what safety cameras are for...isnt it :? :lol:
Flamin_Squirrel
19-11-04, 09:15 AM
Penalties for driving while on the phone are set to increase. The fine is to be raised to £60, along with 3 penalty points.
If you ask me, about time too \:D/
Lets just hope its actualy enforced.
Don't you mean, failure to drop it into their lap when seeing a cop car :!:
enforcement would be nice, don't you think, but then again speed cameras don't pickup that sort of thing.
cheers Mark
I think the people who use mobiles while driving are so blinkered to whats going on around them I wouldnt be surprised if they never see the police coming :shock:
My hatred of speed cameras isnt exactly subtle, and I've not even been caught by one yet... but this is a seperate issue.
I think the people who use mobiles while driving are so blinkered to whats going on around them I wouldnt be surprised if they never see the police coming :shock:
We have been here before. At the end of the day driving/riding needs 100% of your concentration. What ever you are doing in the car, whether its talking to passengers, telling your kids from jumping up and down in the back, changing a tape/cd, looking at your gps, being on the phone. They are all the same. Just dont see why people get sooo angry that they would want to go down on an assult charge for it. Seems a bit extreme.
My hatred of speed cameras isnt exactly subtle, and I've not even been caught by one yet... but this is a seperate issue.
Thats cause you dont ride fast enough ;) ;)
Depends on the situation IMHO.
The number of clowns trying to drive around town whilst balancing a phone in one hand, holding a conversation, changing gear, steering and indicating (sic) with the other is frightening. Worse still the people that think it's not a problem to type out a text message in similar circumstances. These are the people who are failing to pay attention and driving dangerously and should be pursued and prosecuted.
I have some sympathy for people who're cruising on a motorway an using a phone as I see that as much less distractive.
Flamin_Squirrel
19-11-04, 09:33 AM
I think the people who use mobiles while driving are so blinkered to whats going on around them I wouldnt be surprised if they never see the police coming :shock:
We have been here before. At the end of the day driving/riding needs 100% of your concentration. What ever you are doing in the car, whether its talking to passengers, telling your kids from jumping up and down in the back, changing a tape/cd, looking at your gps, being on the phone. They are all the same. Just dont see why people get sooo angry that they would want to go down on an assult charge for it. Seems a bit extreme.
Who said anything about an assault charge?
Blimey. All I did was post a thread pointing out a change in the law that im in favour of :?
I have some sympathy for people who're cruising on a motorway an using a phone as I see that as much less distractive.
Nope gun them all down... :evil:
Or is that a tad over the top... but I have lost track of the number of times I've been carved up or almost knocked of by someone on the phone. It was only because I was paying attention I didn't end up as a smear on the road. I have enough trouble with drivers not seeing me, we don't need more distractions. And that includes on motorways changing lanes while not looking, the last thing I want is to be squished in to the barrier at 70!
:rant:
It just seems that drivers get let off with most things while they come down heavy on bikers, is this simply because we are a smaller group, and don't bring the govenment as much money?
Who said anything about an assault charge?
Blimey. All I did was post a thread pointing out a change in the law that im in favour of :?
I think that was my fault.. :?
rictus01
19-11-04, 09:43 AM
I think the people who use mobiles while driving are so blinkered to whats going on around them I wouldnt be surprised if they never see the police coming :shock:
Yesterday, phoned up a project manager, driving noise in the background, presumed he was on a hands free kit (as you can claim these on expences), "hang on mark just spotted the old bill", phone is still live but only background noise, so I hung up.
My hatred of speed cameras isnt exactly subtle, and I've not even been caught by one yet... but this is a seperate issue.
You will find cameras have replaced a good number of traffic cops, who could have enforced this, so not totally unrelated then.
Cheers Mark.
Flamin_Squirrel
19-11-04, 09:48 AM
My hatred of speed cameras isnt exactly subtle, and I've not even been caught by one yet... but this is a seperate issue.
You will find cameras have replaced a good number of traffic cops, who could have enforced this, so not totally unrelated then.
Cheers Mark.
Do you think they'd have kept more traffic police on just to catch speeders if cameras wernt around? Personaly, I dont think so.
Of course... motoring offenses are easy money!!
Flamin_Squirrel
19-11-04, 10:04 AM
Yes, but police are expensive.
So are speed cameras... probably more expensive in the short term than an individual copper.
... with the exception that the most effective speed camera will cover it's setup costs in the first day.
Even the best rozzer wouldn't be that efficient!
When I went to Leeds last month I overtook some pillock by J24 (Halifax) on the M62, it's a really hilly bit, he had phone to his left ear and was ticking off a list on a clipboard resting against the steering wheel. At 70mph.
When I went to Leeds last month I overtook some pillock by J24 (Halifax) on the M62, it's a really hilly bit, he had phone to his left ear and was ticking off a list on a clipboard resting against the steering wheel. At 70mph.
I've seen someone on the M11 at about 70mph reading a newspaper!!! :shock:
M3 Northbound last Tuesday - heavy traffic (speed varying between 20 and 50 mph - normal for that time of the morning). Green Ford Galaxy with the driver reading the paper :toss:
Jelster
20-11-04, 12:06 AM
I've come down the M4 of a morning (bus/taxi/bike lane) and seen a guy in an Audi A4 with his laptop on his lap, in lane 2 !!!
A can't think of a word low enough to describe such a pratt...
.
we need more traffic coppers and less speed cameras.Obvious point to us and to the police but for christ sake, make it happen. My dealings with traffic plod have been great, they have been sensible and human and just like us....give me that over a camera and a fine anytime. :shock:
fraser01
20-11-04, 09:49 AM
you probably know my thoughts about this, i will look forward to when they increase the charges, i normally issue between 2 and 6 tickets a day for mobiles (one taxi driver i have issued him about 4 tickets now), i make a point of sitting where motorists cannot see the car until its too late..if people want to be crafty then 'back at ya'
I am planning on running an operation in the City probably next year after all drink drive campaigns. Probably once the charges go up, i think people will then finally buy a £3 hands free kit...rather than face points.
:D :D
Bring it on....
Regards
Baldyman
20-11-04, 11:56 AM
I am planning on running an operation in the City probably next year after all drink drive campaigns. Probably once the charges go up, i think people will then finally buy a £3 hands free kit...rather than face points.
=D> that man :)
Garedio
20-11-04, 12:35 PM
It is very difficult to catch people on the phone if you are out in a marked car. They see you glowing in the distance (especially now that we are all battenburged up!!) well before you see them.
I like Fraser have a few places that I hide and it's great when you catch them out!! :D
The most dangerous people however are those that text on the move and believe me they do!!
In an unmarked car (like them or loath them but they're great fun to be in!!) it's like shelling peas.
Dicky Ticker
20-11-04, 01:01 PM
I,m not anti anybody but why is it O.K.for a police/ambulance to use two way radios while driving????? Please explain the difference,as is lighting a cigarette and smoking while driving ,or unwrapping a sweet
p.s. I know that there should be a driver and obsv/radio operator but I see
this offence being repeated day in day out by single manned public services i.e. paramadics/ police panda car drivers and this is whilst rushing to an emergency when the driver should be giving 100% and I ask the relevent people on this form to be honest and admit that if not them but their colleages are guilty of this WHICH IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS USING A PHONE
fraser01
20-11-04, 01:09 PM
My transmit button is on the gear stick...and there is a separate hand mic for the passenger?
At no time do i take my hands of the controls to speak into the radio....the mic sits above the driver so i do not need to hold anything to my mouth....
I think you jumped in feet first there....
:roll:
In an unmarked car (like them or loath them but they're great fun to be in!!) it's like shelling peas.
Keep shelling dude :lol:
Presumably, you chaps "pull" drivers for the newspaper or laptop trick. What are they charged with - DWDCA or DD?
Just a little curious.
rictus01
20-11-04, 04:05 PM
I,m not anti anybody but why is it O.K.for a police/ambulance to use two way radios while driving????? Please explain the difference,as is lighting a cigarette and smoking while driving ,or unwrapping a sweet
p.s. I know that there should be a driver and obsv/radio operator but I see
this offence being repeated day in day out by single manned public services i.e. paramadics/ police panda car drivers and this is whilst rushing to an emergency when the driver should be giving 100% and I ask the relevent people on this form to be honest and admit that if not them but their colleages are guilty of this WHICH IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS USING A PHONE
can't speak for now, but in my time on the Ambulances, it was the attendant who made the radio calls, the driver only use it before the ambulance pulled away to go to the hospital.
Cheers Mark.
Dicky Ticker
20-11-04, 08:34 PM
Maybe Ididn,t make myself clear but I am talking about single manning,
both replies give the circumstance of being double manned I did the job
as well and even if you are using duplex you still have to key your mike,so the gear knob or constant "on transmit" still entails the driver of a single manned vehicle to distract PLEASE don,t get me wrong I completely agree with the misuse of mobile phones,C.B.s,or two ways whilst driving,but how many times do you see a person using hands free gesticulating with their hands while driving Even answering a call distracts
Just to put the record straight my phone message in the truck is-----
"Sorry I maybe driving or otherwise engaged please leave a message and I,ll get back to you"
I reiterate that lighting a fag or tuning a radio/changing disc/cassette is every bit as distracting as speaking on the phone BUT IT IS NOT A CRIME.
Come on nothing takes longer than winding down a window[manual] so why has phone use become such a bandwagon offence
I don,t do it myself but [use the phone and drive]I just can,t see why we need new ,or updating legislation for not being in control of a vehicle when the phone user is being singled out this is just more easy pickings
for the coffers of H.M.C.s
If it is a contributary factor in an incident ,yes throw the book, but even to switch it off when it rings is an offence and maybe other people on this site only need their driving license for pleasure/commuting but mine is my living and if I CAN BE A BURDEN ON THE STATE FOR USING A PHONE I
think this is an ideal route to early retirement as most commercials can,t get insurance if you have nine points
SORRY RANT OVER but it seems so petty when more important issues are being left till we go and play nicking phone users
northwind
20-11-04, 11:04 PM
Well, it's easily preventable isn't it. X amount of effort will catch more mobile phone users than, say, unroadworthy vehicles, because it's a visible crime. It is bloody dangerous, since it not only distracts you but keeps a hand occupied (that's why it's worse than talking on 2-way, etc) into the bargain, so you're distracted and not in full control. I can't think of anything that's as easily picked up while still being so dangerous.
Some people say they're only cracking down on it because it's an easy hit, but I'm all in favour of going for the easy hits. If you can go out and catch 10 people being quite dangerous in an hour, that probably makes the roads safer than spending an hour and possibly catching one person being very dangerous.
Once the word gets around that the police are catching more people using mobiles and absolutely hammering people for it, then it should act as a deterrant. Like Fraser says, it doesn't cost much to get a hands free kit, so it'll take relatively little effort to encourage people to do this. And then they can crack on with the less visible offences.
amarko5
21-11-04, 04:55 AM
Dear god :!: whatever happened to using a call box when needed for phone calls.
how did the world ever survive without mobile phones :?:
maybe i am just an old fart, but we managed to do our work and keep in touch without becoming a hazzard on the roads by yapping away merilly into a much overused device.
for christ's sake the CALL can wait surely.
fraser01
21-11-04, 12:50 PM
justmacsv650,
What your talking about is distractions whilst driving and yes it can be an offence if what their doing affects their driving in the sense that their standard of driving falls below that expected or they crash, or cause another motorist to alter their direction and speed. Using a mobile has always been included in this, only now they have made a specific piece of legislation about it. I agree that even people who use hands free kit can be distracted but they can still commit the various motoring offences. As for emergency services,
I was talking about single manning, I am not sure about other services but I was taught when and how to use my car police radio whilst driving, its what we call follow commentaries, we spend hours practicing. As I said before my hands never leave the controls, and my concentration is on the road, the radio merely feeds update information to me…its not really an interesting conversation that I am getting rapped up in.
Dealing with mobiles is the same as any other offence that I see, If I see something and I am not on my way to another job then I will deal with it.
If you know something is an offence then if you knowingly commit that offence then if you get caught then it’s your own fault not anyone else’s. If you don’t want points then don’t take risks, the reason they intend to up the penalty for mobiles is simply that people choose to ignore it. I have found on a number of occasions that if you catch them on their mobile (with it to their ear) then they don’t have their seat belt on or their tax is out of date….so it can highlight other offences which they choose to ignore. (it has even led to arrests for serious offences)
The choice is yours…
Regards
Fraser
Dicky Ticker
21-11-04, 03:32 PM
Frazer---No bone of contention and I was only trying to put across the point that there are other things people do while driving which are as much a distraction but not considered an offence By the way its a LONG
time since I did my class one as was then and hopefully the coms have improved
Cheers Mac
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