Texting while driving

[The Large One]

Am I missing something here?

Saw a report this morning on Breakfast 24 saying that in a survey, a quarter of 'young drivers' admitted to texting while driving. Some were even saying it was socially acceptable and perfectly safe to do so.

Is it me, or is this just about one of the most stupid dangerous things - in an everyday context - for anyone to do? Do they think that collision in Southampton where a cyclist died because some silly girl was texting her fella just to say she didn't want her dinner just a one-off?

I can't actually think of the words to describe how utterly brainless doing this is.

Or is it just me?

 

[Knotty]

Am I missing something here?

Saw a report this morning on Breakfast 24 saying that in a survey, a quarter of 'young drivers' admitted to texting while driving. Some were even saying it was socially acceptable and perfectly safe to do so.

Is it me, or is this just about one of the most stupid dangerous things - in an everyday context - for anyone to do? Do they think that collision in Southampton where a cyclist died because some silly girl was texting her fella just to say she didn't want her dinner just a one-off?

I can't actually think of the words to describe how utterly brainless doing this is.

Or is it just me?

You are right. I can't imagine what sort of brain thinks it's OK.

 

[clippedgull]

The penalties are far too low

 

[sten_super]

Dont' worry TLO I think you can rest safe in the knowledge that the rest of NSC will agree with you on this one. The level of stupidity is too high to comprehend.

On a side note, in the example you gave, didn't the cyclist also run a red light? Or was that a different case? Sorry don't mean to divert the topic.

 

[The Large One]

Dont' worry TLO I think you can rest safe in the knowledge that the rest of NSC will agree with you on this one. The level of stupidity is too high to comprehend.

On a side note, in the example you gave, didn't the cyclist also run a red light? Or was that a different case? Sorry don't mean to divert the topic.

I think the driver ran the red light.

 

[BensGrandad]

The police do not do enough, for whatever reason to curb this and the use of mobile phones whilest driving.

How many times do you see vehicles especially vans and lorries going around a roundabout with one hand and phone to the ear and steering with the other. I got caught nipping across a bus lane to joina queue to turn left on the way to QPR away and the photograph was so clear you could read and see the Seagulls badge on my Polo shirt. So why can cameras not pick out those offenders?

 

[Tooting Gull]

Have to agree with TLO on this one, incredibly dangerous - probably much more so than actually speaking to someone.

But there are so many inconsistencies about laws on the road. It never ceases to amaze me how cyclists (and motorists, for that matter), especially in London, are allowed to have the ipod headphones on. Being able to hear properly could quite easily save your life on a bike.

 

[Marc]

The police do not do enough, for whatever reason to curb this and the use of mobile phones whilest driving.

more like there is not enough Police on the roads to catch the drivers, I see on average 2-3 people on a mobile everyday.....yet only 2-3 police cars a week!

 

[Barrel of Fun]

A good friend of mine does it alll the time. I constantly tell him of the dangers, but he says he has to do it as he runs his own business and needs to keep in contact with people. He drove me back from Walsall (after the 2-1 win) and was motoring along at 90+ whilst texting. A few stern words and a threat of getting out stopped him, albeit temporarily. I guess it is the mindset of 'it won't happen to me'.

I wonder if Collar Feeler or Edna could clarify this. Does mobile phone usage now get checked after every accident or is it possible that it is a hidden cause for many accidents?

 

[Nemesis]

You are right. I can't imagine what sort of brain thinks it's OK.

The female one if the numbers I see texting are anything to go by....

 

[bhaexpress]

Every bit as bad as driving when way over the limit, should be an immediate three year ban and a heavy fine.

 

[BensGrandad]

more like there is not enough Police on the roads to catch the drivers, I see on average 2-3 people on a mobile everyday.....yet only 2-3 police cars a week!

And even less walking the streets who could note the reg no and time of the vehicle exactly as we can see it. I live in HH and if you stand at the rounabout which now has Carpet right on in place of the Sussex Pub you wil see numerous people go around that roundabout either texting on talking on a phone.
I see it so if there were more police on foot they would also.

 

[keaton]

I live near 3 schools and saw two lorry drivers the other day, absolutely bombing down Balfour Rd, both playing with their phones

 

[Easy 10]

It was the cyclist that ran the red and was killed by that bint who was texting (not that it excuses her). Can only echo the views on here, its a staggeringly stupid thing to do.

As an aside, I bought a satnav recently and sometimes find that can be quite distracting. There doesn't seem to be any laws (that I've heard of) governing their use. Can you be done for programming in a destination "on the move" ?

 

[Marc]

And even less walking the streets who could note the reg no and time of the vehicle exactly as we can see it. I live in HH and if you stand at the rounabout which now has Carpet right on in place of the Sussex Pub you wil see numerous people go around that roundabout either texting on talking on a phone.
I see it so if there were more police on foot they would also.

ok so we shift more police to foot patrolling car watchers.....then the burglarys shoot up and the muggings shoot up....you cant police everyone all the time!

 

[eastie]

They should be able with technology to fit a device into cars that stops you using your mobile whilst driving.

 

[Brovion]

Am I missing something here?

Saw a report this morning on Breakfast 24 saying that in a survey, a quarter of 'young drivers' admitted to texting while driving. Some were even saying it was socially acceptable and perfectly safe to do so.

Is it me, or is this just about one of the most stupid dangerous things - in an everyday context - for anyone to do? Do they think that collision in Southampton where a cyclist died because some silly girl was texting her fella just to say she didn't want her dinner just a one-off?

I can't actually think of the words to describe how utterly brainless doing this is.

Or is it just me?

Texting nothing. You should try posting on NSC whilst dri

 

[TSB]

From BBC website:

'Texting while driving impairs motorists more than being under the influence of drink or drugs, research suggests.

The RAC Foundation found average reaction times slowed by 35% when 17 to 24-year-olds drove in a simulator while writing or reading texts.

Nearly 50% of drivers aged between 18 and 24 texted while driving, it said.

Previous studies had found reactions were 21% slower among those who had taken cannabis and 12% slower among those who had drunk to the legal limit.

The texters also drifted out of lanes more and had poorer steering control.

The overall driving performance was poor among those tested by the Transport Research Laboratory, which also carried out the previous studies, the RAC Foundation said.

Steering control among drivers in the text test was 91% worse, compared with 35% worse for those under the influence of cannabis'

Worse than booze and skunk!!!!!!!!!

 

[fatbadger]

I probably see 4 or 5 people every day using their mobiles qwhen driving. What really annoys me is that the majority are clearly driving as part of their jobs - lorry drivers, salesmen, taxi drivers, van drivers etc (although I've not seen a bus driver yet). Ban them for a year.

 

[Easy 10]

I naffed up my Mario Kart online ranking the other night when I when my Diddy Kong kart got roasted by a magma geyser at Bowsers Castle while I was reading a text message. Finished 9th out of 12 and dropped about 80 points, bastard.