Mobile Phones and Driving.

[Deleted member 22389]

Unbelievable isn't it, yesterday someone pulled out at the roundabout, one hand on steering wheel the other on phone. People don't give a shit until they cause a massive accident, injuring somebody or even worse killing someone

Something has to give. It's not the first time either, a few months back a van cut right across me coming out at another roundabout as I was going straight across. I went absolutely mad as I got a glimpse of a mobile to his ear. Where are the fing police?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

In this age of Go Pro's, windscreen cameras etc. I wonder if footage of someone using their phone whilst driving would be enough for the police to prosecute?

Not on its own, no.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Not much use if you crash your car into a tree and need to urgently call an ambulance though, I guess.

OK, so the engine may still be running. Maybe it could be linked to car movement instead ?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Where are the fing police?

Best person to ask is the Home Secretary.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

OK, so the ignition may still be running. Maybe it could be linked to car movement instead ?

It won't happen, because there could, feasibly, be a time when somebody genuinely did need to dial 999 whilst they were driving.

Also, presumably such technology would impact on passengers. Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending these people. It's a bugbear of mine (handy, that). But I've yet to hear of a practical technological application that would prevent the drivers using their phones under normal circumstances.

 

[GT49er]

Not on its own, no.

Genuine question. Why not?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Genuine question. Why not?

Because there are legal defences to using a mobile phone whilst driving which would need to be negated first. Not saying it couldn't happen, but it's not nearly as simple as getting the footage and posting out a Notice of Intended Prosecution to the vehicle owner (who may not have been the driver).

Wish it was

 

[El Presidente]

Anyone found using a phone at the wheel should be made to go to work for 12 months using Southern Rail.

 

[GT49er]

Because there are legal defences to using a mobile phone whilst driving which would need to be negated first. Not saying it couldn't happen, but it's not nearly as simple as getting the footage and posting out a Notice of Intended Prosecution to the vehicle owner (who may not have been the driver).

Wish it was

Surely they could use something similar to the procedure for getting flashed by a speed camera? Send a letter requiring the registered owner to name the driver, and then ask the driver to decide whether to pay the fixed penalty (fine and three points) or go to court. A few might take the court option, but probably most would cough up, and the message would at least start to get through.

 

[Best Foot Forward]

I passed a van on the M25 earlier this week, and the driver was texting with both hands off the wheel.....at over 60mph.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Because there are legal defences to using a mobile phone whilst driving which would need to be negated first. Not saying it couldn't happen, but it's not nearly as simple as getting the footage and posting out a Notice of Intended Prosecution to the vehicle owner (who may not have been the driver).

Wish it was

What about other offences?
I have a dash cam installed, what about if a car overtook me and in doing so clearly crossed a double-white line on the centre of the road. Or maybe some other careless or reckless driving.
Is there a Crimestoppers email I could send my footage into for the police to follow up and prosecute, or are they just too busy?

 

[StonehamPark]

Why not just hire 5-10 road traffic police bikers to patrol the city?
They'd make the salary cost up by on the spot fines.

 

[carlzeiss]

Not on its own, no.

Would it be OK for a witness with dashcam evidence to pursue a driver , force them to stop and then carry out a citizen arrest ?

 

[Pavilionaire]

If you are in a long traffic jam and have been stationary for some time then I don't have a problem if people use their phones sensibly, i.e. a quick text or call to inform a friend / family of your delay.

Similarly, I don't have a problem if the lights have just turned red and someone quickly checks their messages.

Indeed, commons sense tells me it would be perverse if a driver was punished more severely for checking their phone while their car is on the road but stationary than, say, a driver who is moving and eating a sandwich or drinking out of a can.

However, using your phone while the car is moving clearly crosses the line.

 

[KingstonSeagull]

What's odd is most people I see driving on the phone are in cars that I am pretty sure come with bluetooth as standard....

 

[dazzer6666]

Compulsory In-car signal blocking device for every vehicle unless the ignition is off.

You'd see phones on selfie sticks poking out of windows....

 

[swindonseagull]

Should ban having conversations with passengers as well then.

Should also Ban changing CDs
Changing Radio Stations
Drinking a coffee
Eating
Smoking

etc etc

 

[swindonseagull]

What about other offences?
I have a dash cam installed, what about if a car overtook me and in doing so clearly crossed a double-white line on the centre of the road. Or maybe some other careless or reckless driving.
Is there a Crimestoppers email I could send my footage into for the police to follow up and prosecute, or are they just too busy?

Vigilante or super grass? better make sure your driving damn good.

 

[GT49er]

Should also Ban changing CDs
Changing Radio Stations
Drinking a coffee
Eating
Smoking

etc etc

I was actually comparing and contrasting having a conversation with someone on a hands-free mobile and a conversation with a live passenger. Both equally distracting.

Your suggestion appears to suggest banning all activities which involve taking one hand off the wheel, which is entirely impractical and unnecessary. There are numerous legitimate activities which involve removing one hand from the steering wheel.

 

[Notters]

Should ban having conversations with passengers as well then.

Except that is a completely different as has been shown by a number of scientific studies. It is not the holding the phone that makes it dangerous (although it obviously is if you're using both hands, texting, etc.). It is trying to have a conversation with someone who is not present.

You're not going to have the same trouble straining to hear people in the car, and most importantly people in the car are aware of the situation you're in, and if, for example, you're tackling a particularly busy junction or overtaking they'll be quiet for a minute if they have an sense.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...sing-hands-free-new-study-finds-a7070486.html

Should also Ban changing CDs
Changing Radio Stations
Drinking a coffee
Eating
Smoking

etc etc

I agree that smoking should be banned. Particularly as there have been a number of cases where ash from lit cigarettes has actually set fire to the upholstery in adjacent cars! Eating and drinking are a bit of a grey area. You can easily have a sip from a bottle of water or take a sweet out of a bag without taking your eyes off the road.