Mobile Phones + Cars

[Captain Nemo]

is it just me or are there more numpty's than ever driving with their phone stuck to their cheek?

[Benji]

Yes and no.

The problem has kind of shifted. I see a bit less of it but the problem is now they understand they get knicked if they are moving and that they have to stop to answer a call so the problem is they do just that. They just stop. In the middle of the road.

I have seen them stop in all sorts of interesting and stupid places now and the worst was litterally in the middle of the road to answer his phone.

Benji

[Ceri JC]

I read (I think in MCN, but don't quote me on that), that the numbers of drivers using phones has actually increased since that came in.

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

It's worse when they're trying to text... at least when they're talking on it they're still vaguely looking in the direction of the road :roll:

Unless they bring in a "mobile use = reckless driving = loss of licence/jail" rule then people will still do it.

I've not seen any coppers pull people over for this, even when they're on the mobile right next to a cop car... :evil:

[wyrdness]

I commute every day on the North Circular and still see quite a lot of drivers using mobile phones. However, I do think that there are fewer than before, and I do see a lot more drivers now with bluetooth headsets. So I voted 'Yes', even though it's only a slight reduction.

Does anyone know when/if the proposed fine a 3 points for using a mobile is coming in?

I glare at them. Sometimes it works and they put the phone down.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Does anyone know when/if the proposed fine a 3 points for using a mobile is coming in?

Already is, I think?

[The Mass]

This is honestly one of my pet hates at the moment :x


The distance that I do down the M4 and the number of people I see with the bl()()dy phone stuck to the head, or even worse texting is just unbeleivable :shock:
Plus you can spot them a mile off, they start off in the righ hand lane GUNNING it like there's no tomorrow, and then all of a sudden the anchors come on !!! they shift 3 lanes into the **** of some truck, and merilly sit there gabbing away or texting, whilst to the following traffic, the car either looks like it's got a blow out cos it's all ove the lane, OR the driver looks as though he sooo pi$$ed.

It' makes me mad - idiots!

[creamerybutter]

It seems to be just as bad if not worse than before and the amount of people I see texting while driving is astounding.

I have been tempted to take them off people in the past but have resisted, as I will get done for it.

[Viney]

Nowts changed. Saw one bloke yesterday using his phone, whilst on the other ear was a bluetooth earpiece!

I laughed.

I brought a full hands free kit for my car when the law changed and thats about it really.

[Captain Nemo]

i use blue tooth and voice commands in the car, but a lot of phones dont have bluetooth, i see more people than ever using there phones whilst driving, and as for texting ive seen people using both hands on the phone and steering with there forearms.

[wyrdness]

Does anyone know when/if the proposed fine a 3 points for using a mobile is coming in?

Already is, I think?

Apparently not. I think that it was in the Road Safety Bill that was dropped because of the election. Can anyone confirm?

[Flamin_Squirrel]

:(

[Benji]

To be honest it depends a lot on the driver though. Yes I do answer my phone in the car but 9.9/10 I just say "i'm driving, will call you back" and that is enough. Yes I have driven along and held a conversation but usually its pointless having a conversation with me because my attention ISNT on the phone its still on the road so conversations end........up.........hav......................... .............ing.............. really.......long................................. .........pauses whilst I concentrate on the road.

It ends up being 5% phone, 95% road and when the road is becoming more demanding 2% phone or even 0% phone when I stop speaking entirely.

I avoid it as much as I can and when I go on long journeys I wear a head set.

Benji

[Flamin_Squirrel]

It ends up being 5% phone, 95% road and when the road is becoming more demanding 2% phone or even 0% phone when I stop speaking entirely.

You're right, but for most people who are dumb enough to use the phone, it's the other way round. :?

[Peter Henry]

Not wishing to promote "thought police" type tactics but we all are aware of the potential hazards and distraction mobile phone use can create when in control of a vehicle.
Perhaps it will not be long before every new vehicle has a universal type blue tooth as a standard item. In addition if they really wanted to Police it I am certain that the satellites could provide info as to where and when any mobile is being used.They would be able to confirm if a hands free device was being used or not.Thus fines automatically despatched in the post.
( Ducks ready to receive lots of abuse!) :? 8)

[T0mm0]

As well as mobile phones, i've seen some car drivers reading newspapers.

It made me laugh riding into work this morning, I saw a guy driving a Clio, who was swerving all over his lane like he was ****ed as i passed him with extreme care, he was reading Exchange & Mart :lol:. I thought if he carries on driving like that he'll need a new car.

Cheers
T0mm0

[Benji]

Not wishing to promote "thought police" type tactics but we all are aware of the potential hazards and distraction mobile phone use can create when in control of a vehicle.
Perhaps it will not be long before every new vehicle has a universal type blue tooth as a standard item. In addition if they really wanted to Police it I am certain that the satellites could provide info as to where and when any mobile is being used.They would be able to confirm if a hands free device was being used or not.Thus fines automatically despatched in the post.
( Ducks ready to receive lots of abuse!) :? 8)

BMW already has bluetooth as an option in their cars albeit a very expensive option but it will definitely catch on at some point.

Satellites won't be able to track mobile phones exact enough to say whether or not you are in the car or not (although working out that you are moving at 90mph is possible :wink: ) again nice idea but who to say you arent a passenger? And unless everything to do with headsets is standardised there would be no definite way of telling if one was being used or not.

Benji

[AlanSv]

I saw a guy using an electric shaver, and his sunguards mirror to shave while on the A3 doing about 80 the other day!

I tend to see more white vans drivers etc on the phone when I commute.

[Captain Nemo]

i once saw a lady in a repmobile working out her expenses on the crawl into oxford one morning, she had the calculator resting on the steering wheel and the sheet resting on her thigh, my colleague wound down her window and asked if she was a "bloody idiot"

she just wound her window up and carried on..


just when you think youve seen the worlds biggest idiot, another one comes along.....

[REEVESIE]

The law has not changed in regards to the points system on a mobile phone. It is still a non endorsable FPN.

I nearly had a crash on my bike yesterday with some woman. I was on a roundabout in West Wickham, when half way around it some woman drives straight onto the roundabout causing me to brake sharpish and test my waterproofs out from the inside. She looked at me with her phone stuck to her ear and carried on across. Although she did have the oh sh*t we are gonna hit look on her face as we made eye contact.

I personally would stick someone on for using there mobile phone whilst driving. However each ticket takes about 20 mins (at least) roadside writing and about 30 mins stuck in the station writing the statement to the effect, and there is only so much time in a shift amoungst all the other pressing emergency calls and paperwork. (It could even go to court if the driver wanted, bearing in mind court costs and processing fees using public money for a small non endorsable fine)
So there is that line of what does the public want me to do. enforce traffic, patrol a beat, answer emergency calls, annoy chavs, etc etc...

But as stated I would fine people I see using a mobile phone whilst driving, sorry about the lengthy text people.
](*,) ](*,) ](*,) :help: :help: (No more paper) :) :)

[Couerdelion]

This is one thing that really peeves me about drivers. We managed 15 years ago without urgent phone calls why can't yours ait 10 minutes for you to pull over somewhere safe?

Why not get motorcyclists to cruise up and around roads with cameras mounted to helmets taking pictures of phone users on the move. Split the fine 50/50 and I'll volunteer. I reckon I could easily make £150 an hour

[shutdown]

how many of you gesture these drivers if you see them on the phone?

I'm often seen giving the :toss: gesture at roundabouts etc.

don't think i've got the bottle to pull up next to them though and give them grief :oops:

[Godikus]

I usualy give them a wave. it really confuses them. enough so a couple of times they have hung up.

i remember being in the car with my ex driving down the M8 to glasgow. she answerd her phone and kept saying "can't talk i'm driving" for about 10 min. her driving instantly went out the widow, and i was tempted to follow it. she was all over the lane, undertaking cars at about 90. was scary stuff.