Mildy annoying driving

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

The phone can be used safely in the right way/time/place. Especially if you've been on a bike for a while and are aware of how distracting it can be! I use mine most days on the motorway (with a handsfree)

Hands free, fine...

But i can assure you, the driver is totally unaware on what they are doing if holding up a mobile phone. I can only class it as looking like a "drunk driver" as the person doesn't realise they are stearing all over the road. And that goes for EVERY single person i've seen using a phone on my commute home. There are no exceptions, peopel simply cannot drive whilst using a mobile phone (non bluetooth).

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

The phone can be used safely in the right way/time/place. Especially if you've been on a bike for a while and are aware of how distracting it can be! I use mine most days on the motorway (with a handsfree)

Not sure on that, the number I have seen take (or make?) a call in front of me on the matorway that suddenly slow down or swerve and are totally unware of the traffic around them on one occasion they slowed down so I went to overtake, I was about half a car ahead of them when they finished their call and put their foot down to undertake me. I don't do it cos I can't not even handsfree - but perhaps not a good example multi tasking isn't my thing!

Another exapmle was a lady in a beemer trying to negotiate two close together mini roundabouts, she was chaos and caused a number vehicles to swerve. She couldn't change gear or anything, hilarious to watch. I'm sorry to say that because she was in front of me doing about 10mph trying to drive that I blasted my horn... err once or twice. I then saw the phone go flying in the air and her arms following suit. the car was all over the road whilst she tried to see where it had gone. Eventually she gave up and drove on in a normal manner. Totally oblivious to everyone watching and peeing themselves laughing.

Originally Posted by Daimo

Hands free, fine...

But i can assure you, the driver is totally unaware on what they are doing if holding up a mobile phone. I can only class it as looking like a "drunk driver" as the person doesn't realise they are stearing all over the road. And that goes for EVERY single person i've seen using a phone on my commute home. There are no exceptions, peopel simply cannot drive whilst using a mobile phone (non bluetooth).

What I don't understand that often, though not exclusively, it is people in big flash cars using mobiles - you would think they could afford decent handsfree kit, particulary if they are so important that they need to take a call.

Yeah, I don't know maybe it's because I'm normally on a bike so have more respect for swerving drivers, or that I just call my gf for a chat about her day which involves minimal thinking from me I really find it no different to talking to a person next to me - but I have it on speakerphone, I'd rather crash than wear a bluetooth headset

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

Yeah, I don't know maybe it's because I'm normally on a bike so have more respect for swerving drivers, or that I just call my gf for a chat about her day which involves minimal thinking from me I really find it no different to talking to a person next to me - but I have it on speakerphone, I'd rather crash than wear a bluetooth headset

Ha ha, I can't even do that! My kids hate getting lift from me cos I don't say anything for the entire journey. I'll do a 3 hour or whatever journey and not say a word, drives the missus mad

[JediGoat]

I recall too amusing instances just after the phone law came in....I'm sure I must have posted them on here somewhere, but anyway, at the risk of repeating myself...

Both of these drivers were aware that the law had changed, and that for safety reasons it is dangerous to talk while holding a mobile phone, so alternative approaches must be used.

Driver 1.
Negotiating Old Street Roundabout during morning rush hour. Driver in outside lane, scooter in inside lane, me behind the scooter. Driver swerves into inside lane, almost hitting the scooter...twice! Driver slows down, I want to pass, but then she nearly takes me out. The reason, she was struggling to negotiate the bend in the road whiile plugging in her handsfree kit.

Driver 2.
Main road in a town, driver with a car full of kids (it was just after kicking out time at the nearby school). I'm cycling behind this car, when it indicates to pull in on the left, slows and moves over. Very acceptable method of dealing with a phone call when driving. Except she never actually pulled in to the kerb...was kind of 1.5 metres away from it. Oh, and she never quite stopped.....just kept dribbling along at about 10mph, meaning that all of us behind didn;t have a clue where she was planning to stop. Fair play to the pedestrians at the zebra crossing though, they were well on the ball...jumping out of the way looking utterly bemused, as the driver (now fully engrossed in her conversation) proceeded to coast straight over the crossing completely oblivious to all around her.

Ah well....at least they thought they were being safe

Jo

Those other road users that stand in judgement over all others due to the fact that their own every second passed on the highways of the UK are beyond any reproach at all.

[Bluepete]

Traffic cops doing 69mph on the motorway. *******s.

Originally Posted by BluePete

Traffic cops doing 69mph on the motorway. *******s.

he he he. I bet they must be laughing their ar*es off, watching everyone try and crawl past with enough speed to get past em, but no so as it's noticable. I would be miffed if they pulled me over for going past at 75 though.

I got one, the van that tried to attack me last night riding through Oxford with Wathog. Apparently a ZZR is invisible from more than 2 feet away, even with lights on.

Originally Posted by graemepaterson

You still have nuetral/park/handbrake.

I used to drive an automatic laguna didnt have to sit with my foot on the brake.

I actually had an MOT test station fail my car because when putting the gear shift into Park the reverse lights flickered on and off.

Regardless of me pointing out the fact that to get from drive to park you had to go through reverse, he insisted it was a malfunction and refused to pass it.

Back on topic. The only thing that bugs me are the rear fog light users who 'light up' with the slightest sign of mist AND THEN leave the lights on for the following two weeks.