A24 Accident

[Lady Whistledown]

Punishments are to weak in this country.

Now you see, here's the thing. People want outcomes to be stiffer on these matters, until the time comes when it involves them. Then they don't. In the same way that people complain regularly about speeding motorists in the vicinity of their home environments, and demand a police presence or cameras. The same people then get caught speeding elsewhere and complain that it's not fair and unnecessary.

Anyway- fines for getting caught using a mobile phone, or failing to wear your seatbelt, or forgetting to get the car MOTd etc are all going up from £60 to a hundred quid apiece from the end of this week. So, if you're going to do it, make sure it's before Friday

 

[bWize]

Anyway- fines for getting caught using a mobile phone, or failing to wear your seatbelt, or forgetting to get the car MOTd etc are all going up from £60 to a hundred quid apiece from the end of this week. So, if you're going to do it, make sure it's before Friday

Can't see a £40 increase being much of a deterrent. It should be a straight up ban for anyone using a mobile phone in my opinion. It may seem harsh, but would send a serious message out. Not sure on the figures and purely guessing here, but would imagine the death rate from mobile phone distractions must be fairly similar to drink driving related deaths? (If not higher)

 

[L'hampton Eagle]

Can't see a £40 increase being much of a deterrent. It should be a straight up ban for anyone using a mobile phone in my opinion. It may seem harsh, but would send a serious message out. Not sure on the figures and purely guessing here, but would imagine the death rate from mobile phone distractions must be fairly similar to drink driving related deaths? (If not higher)

Spot on, 1 year ban and car confiscated

 

[helipilot]

Hi Edna, maybe not the best thread to ask this question but I was wondering on your views on the difference between someone holding a mobile in their hand whilst making a call compared to someone using a handsfree but changing gear, or adjusting the volume etc. Both require you to listen, talk and only have one hand on the wheel. I am a military helicopter pilot and am frequently flying low level and doing other things with my hands rather than keeping both on the controls, things that need to be done such as changing radio frequencies, updating routes etc and this is expected.

 

[HAILSHAM SEAGULL]

Hi Edna, maybe not the best thread to ask this question but I was wondering on your views on the difference between someone holding a mobile in their hand whilst making a call compared to someone using a handsfree but changing gear, or adjusting the volume etc. Both require you to listen, talk and only have one hand on the wheel. I am a military helicopter pilot and am frequently flying low level and doing other things with my hands rather than keeping both on the controls, things that need to be done such as changing radio frequencies, updating routes etc and this is expected.

Dont get many pedestrians stepping out in front of you, or someone in front braking sharply though

 

[Bevendean Hillbilly]

I don't use my mobile whilst driving. It's too difficult to heavy breathe and ask what women are wearing whilst driving with my kecks round my ankles.

 

[Gazwag]

Hi Edna, maybe not the best thread to ask this question but I was wondering on your views on the difference between someone holding a mobile in their hand whilst making a call compared to someone using a handsfree but changing gear, or adjusting the volume etc. Both require you to listen, talk and only have one hand on the wheel. I am a military helicopter pilot and am frequently flying low level and doing other things with my hands rather than keeping both on the controls, things that need to be done such as changing radio frequencies, updating routes etc and this is expected.

Isn't the difference the fact you are highly trained to do those things, a normal everyday motorist isn't.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

It annoys me just how often you see punters speeding through road works, even when there are average speed cameras supposedly in use. Worse still compounded by punters tailgating or not concentrating and drifting across adjoining lanes. Ok you often see miles of road works with little or no work actually taking place which no doubt tempts punters into putting their foot down, but you can't be certain there isn't activity just around the next curve.

But at least on motorways workers often get the benefit of temporary barriers to protect them however on A and B roads it is often just a few warning signs, some cones, hi-vis clothing and a service vehicle fending off the traffic at the start of the restriction. It only takes a brief loss of concentration from a passing punter and the poor worker is toast.

Maybe we should follow the example of other countries where conspicuous signs state that speeding through road works 'when workers are present' attract double punishments. It won't cure the problem but might focus a few more minds. However I suspect there will always be those ignorant / arrogant drivers who don't care, it's the world we live in.

 

[Sergei's Celebration]

Isn't the difference the fact you are highly trained to do those things, a normal everyday motorist isn't.

You're assuming an Army pilot here. If he is RAF then he's just a civvy in a onesie.

 

[Hillian1]

You're assuming an Army pilot here. If he is RAF then he's just a civvy in a onesie.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Dont get many pedestrians stepping out in front of you, or someone in front braking sharply though

No, very true, but at low-level, hills, trees, pylons and other fixed objects come into play, sometimes quite quickly. The most dangerous is cumulo-granite, as pilots refer to ground of a mountainous nature [found in the air] ....

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Thee was a silly bint in an amg merc on the a23 this morning in the outside lane doing 40 mph...people were undertaking her and as I got behind her, I dived into the inside lane and the maniac was TEXTING on her phone using both hands...I kid you not...she must have been steering with her knees! There was no-one in front of her for about a mile.

It was so dangerous you just wanted a cop to be there!!!!! Edna?

Did you take the reg? if so you report it here as anti social driving
http://www.operationcrackdown.org/

 

[Gazwag]

Did you take the reg? if so you report it here as anti social driving
http://www.operationcrackdown.org/

He was too busy undertaking her to get out his smart phone to go to that website

 

[Dave the OAP]

He was too busy undertaking her to get out his smart phone to go to that website

Yes , me and the 200 other cars, trucks , busses etc that did the same.

No GF...all I remember was it was a black AMG Merc driven by an elderly woman.

 

[Vegas Seagull]

Went past Northbound about 4pm,looked very nasty.there seemed to be a couple of them lorrys with the big flashing arrow on the back present,I wonder if they were the cause of it?

Correct

 

[greyseagull]

Hi Edna, maybe not the best thread to ask this question but I was wondering on your views on the difference between someone holding a mobile in their hand whilst making a call compared to someone using a handsfree but changing gear, or adjusting the volume etc. Both require you to listen, talk and only have one hand on the wheel. I am a military helicopter pilot and am frequently flying low level and doing other things with my hands rather than keeping both on the controls, things that need to be done such as changing radio frequencies, updating routes etc and this is expected.

 

[Vegas Seagull]

View attachment 46034View attachment 46037

Yep, it happenes right infront of me it was due to the work being carried out despite the warnings

It was BECAUSE of the warnings more likely...as per your photo the signage indicated the outside lane was blocked off but at 10am the huge yellow arrow lorry was stationary in the inside lane causing everyone who rounded the bend at 50/60 mpg, having all moved to the inside lane to have to swerve into the outside lane with 100 yards notice.

 

[helipilot]

You're assuming an Army pilot here. If he is RAF then he's just a civvy in a onesie.

You'd be pleased to hear that I am indeed Army!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

It was BECAUSE of the warnings more likely...as per your photo the signage indicated the outside lane was blocked off but at 10am the huge yellow arrow lorry was stationary in the inside lane causing everyone who rounded the bend at 50/60 mpg, having all moved to the inside lane to have to swerve into the outside lane with 100 yards notice.

With all due respect, chaps, unless you directly witnessed it, I would suggest you don't know what you're talking about.