Driving whilst using mobile phone

[skeetly]

I've used mobiles while driving in the past
Both kinds. Packed it in when I realised I couldn't rememeber what I'd been doing while talking.
I think you are distracted by either type. Hands free or not you shouldn't be using them whilst driving.
I don't think listening to music or eating is not in the same ball park; talking on a phone just takes too much concentration.
Getting nicked when you are stationary is probably a bit harsh.
I did a driver awareness course recently where they showed survey results that had measured driers reaction speeds for various driver conditions. Talking on the phone (hands free or not) produced the slowest reaction. Being over the limit (I disremember how much) was included...............

Originally Posted by davepreston

but at 5mph worst case synario is he bumps the car/bike infront minimul damage and his insurance pays out

My brother in law fell off his bike when stationary on the driveway 'cos the bike rolled off the side stand when he was half way off. He broke his shoulder and still has problems with it 2 years later. How can getting knocked off a bike at any speed be acceptable? And just 'cos the driver on the phone is only doing 5mph, the bike that's filtering past him when he decides to change lane could be doing 25mph.

Originally Posted by metalangel

HAS TO answer the calls (in case there's an emergency) but this meant driving along using the handheld phone until I found someplace to turn it. Slightly unnerving.

"Hello! The bosses phone, MetalAngel speaking. The boss is driving just now, can I help or take a message?"

[Bluepete]

Originally Posted by orose

What worrys me more about it is that it isn't limited to "smaller" vehicles. I've not long since got back from a ride, and at one junction an articulated lorry turned across my nose while on the phone. I wouldn't even have a hope if that had turned in early.

HGV drivers do not get a ticket, they get a summons to court and the traffic comisionnaire gets an e-mail.

In Manchester, the comisionnaire usually hands out a short term vocational disqualification. This means he/she cannot drive HGV's for a short time, often 28 days. They can still drive cars, bikes etc. She is one tough, mean cookie.

Pete

[hindle8907]

With today's technology, blue tooth car kits and stuff people who still hold a phone while driving deserve a ticket imo .
if you wana talk while driving get a car kit if not dont answer the call . ..

and i know that even with a blue tooth your concentration is still not 100% but at least you can react quicker ... and its not braking the law ...

I hate speed scameras
My main gripe is that they have not discretion, cannot take into account the situation in which the ofence occoured
I really do not believe that 40 in a 30 at say 03:00 hrs is anything like a dangerous as 25 in a 30 through a busy shopping street at 13:00 hrs.

What we need is more police enforcing the law and using their common sence, and less mindless automation.

Now, I guess that that must apply to using mobiles as well.

Duck and cover!

Originally Posted by Bluepete

She is one tough, mean cookie.

Pete

Not the only one in Manchester

[Bluepete]

Originally Posted by Ed

Not the only one in Manchester

But you've never met Mrs BP!

Pete

[G]

I guess the rules are the rules, some discretion needed now and then. But you cant plead not guilty if you knows it wrong. He just shouldnt have got caught... how did he miss a great big X5

I do lots of things that I know I should not really be doing, I do them when I believe that I am putting no one else in danger... it still illegal and if I'm not on my guard and get caught then its tough luck for me.

This bloke in question, if he was truely aware of what was going on around him he would have spotted you and hung up, if thats what he did then MAYBE use discretion. If he was oblivious to you, and therefore what was going on around him then he may have missed something else like a bike filtering past, in which case I would have maybe booked him.

Originally Posted by Ed

I wonder how many on here have used a mobile when on the move...

Or...

I notice that some of the people posting "book 'em" have also posted their annoyance (in the past) at speed cameras because they do not offer the same discretion with regards to speeding that a police officer can. i.e if if the conditions allow the extra speed then a caution is all that is necessary, rather than an NIP in the post.

Smells of double standards if you ask me.

[G]

Originally Posted by Ed

I wonder how many on here have used a mobile when on the move...

All them time... When I consider it safe to do so.

Exactly the same as I make progress on my bike, just like no doubt everyone else on here... when I consider it safe to do so.