Using Mobile Phones While Driving - New Laws

[El Cid 214]

Yes that’s fine but what is really annoying to me is these new cars with low down lights at the front that shine on and off when cars turn corners that is distracting you thing he’s got a light out when there is only one on, ok it illuminates the road at night but are not indicators there for turning purposes.

 

I think the law needs to change, and it needs to be enforced. Some have four bright lights, others have none, because its not yet lighting up time.

 

What time is that?

[KieranRC 10]

Can only see positives coming from this, should have been done years ago!

[MEC176 10]

I think the law needs to change, and it needs to be enforced. Some have four bright lights, others have none, because its not yet lighting up time.

 

What time is that?

 

Well when I passed my test it was classed as dusk in Summer or in Winter as soon as it drops dark, I agree with you every one seem's to think I will drive with all my lights on because it look's good but Halogen lights are very annoying it's as if they are driving with full beam on.

Edited March 1, 2017 by MEC176

[Eater Sundae 12]

It has been suggested that all fines for this offence be used to increase the number of traffic police officers, but there is little point at present in increasing a penalty if you can't catch the miscreant.

I don't think that £200 and 6 points is enough.

Even the use of hands free takes away concentration on the road.

My wife waffles away and gets annoyed because I've switched off to concentrate on what's happening in front of the road ahead.

But that could me a man thing...one thing at a time!

 

There have been plenty of times I've told passengers to shut up. I've started with a request for them to be quiet which is usually enough, but not always.

[rudds1 102]

Some woman drove into the back of my girlfriend's Citroen C3 whilst she was waiting to pull out at a junction a few weeks back, severely damaging (beyond repair) the rear bumper. The woman admitted that she'd been on her mobile and not paying attention.

Against my advice, my girlfriend said that if the woman paid for the repair, she wouldn't contact the police or insurance fearing the woman may lose her license and all bad stuff that happens when you do. Also, my girlfriend didn't want it to affect her own insurance, which I'm pretty sure it shouldn't have anyway.

 

I sourced a new bumper, John Bee painted it, and I bolted it on last weekend (pain in the neck, involving removal of rear wheels and inner wheel arches among other things). Top marks to John Bee though for an excellent colour match/paint job

 

I think the woman got off extremely lightly. Not all girlfriends are so empathic.

 

If you are involved in a non blame accident most insurance companies now penalise you as they se you as a higher risk

[Penistone999 10]

I suppose an increase in the fine wouldnt be to raise extra revenue for the Government would it ?

 

Nah, they wouldnt use motorists as cash cows , would they ?

 

---------- Post added 01-03-2017 at 22:08 ----------

 

You don't hold the radio to your ear though. And changing gear is a part of driving. Talking on a mobile phone isn't. Try driving without changing gear. Then try driving without using a mobile phone. The latter is a lot easier.

 

Talking on the phone AND changing gear is awkward too .

[Justin Smith 10]

I suppose an increase in the fine wouldnt be to raise extra revenue for the Government would it ?

 

Nah, they wouldnt use motorists as cash cows , would they ?

 

Penny you`re just looking stupid now, and, in this case not just because you`ve got Trump as your Avatar. Are you seriously suggesting that fines for mobile phone use whilst driving are about raising more revenue for the Govt ? It`s a ridiculous thing to suggest, but, quite apart from anything else, 99% of drivers would be far more bothered about the points on their licence and the probable increased cost on insurance.

By the way, do you still speed through our village (Oughtibridge) ? If so kindly desist. After all, you`re putting all those English kids lives at increased risk, and as a "good" English Nationalist you wouldn`t want that would you......

[Guest sibon]

I suppose an increase in the fine wouldnt be to raise extra revenue for the Government would it ?

 

 

I think that taking money off stupid people, behaving dangerously in a heavy vehicle, is to be applauded.

 

The more money we raise from criminally dangerous motorists, the less we might have to raise from tax on baccy. Then people might stop supporting organised crime by buying knock off fags.

 

Are you in, Penny?

[tzijlstra 11]

Some woman drove into the back of my girlfriend's Citroen C3 whilst she was waiting to pull out at a junction a few weeks back, severely damaging (beyond repair) the rear bumper. The woman admitted that she'd been on her mobile and not paying attention.

Against my advice, my girlfriend said that if the woman paid for the repair, she wouldn't contact the police or insurance fearing the woman may lose her license and all bad stuff that happens when you do. Also, my girlfriend didn't want it to affect her own insurance, which I'm pretty sure it shouldn't have anyway.

I sourced a new bumper, John Bee painted it, and I bolted it on last weekend (pain in the neck, involving removal of rear wheels and inner wheel arches among other things). Top marks to John Bee though for an excellent colour match/paint job

 

I think the woman got off extremely lightly. Not all girlfriends are so empathic.

 

Astonishingly, it might well do. My car got stolen nearly a year ago. Insurance accepted the claim and then put my premium up... apparently it is quite normal practice.

[Alcoblog 10]

Astonishingly, it might well do. My car got stolen nearly a year ago. Insurance accepted the claim and then put my premium up... apparently it is quite normal practice.

 

Very astonishing! Someone causes you (doing nothing wrong whatsoever) to be involved in an accident, then you get penalised for it? Daylight robbery.

 

The trick is obviously not inform the police or insurance company if you're involved in an accident. In which case, why bother with insurance at all? (Don't worry, I am insured, and happily, my insurance has come down this year)

[Phanerothyme 12]

https://www.drivermetrics.com/2013/04/02/research-evidence-dangers-hands-free-mobile-phone-driving/

 

"Using a hands-free mobile phone is currently legal in the UK and many fleet-based companies allow drivers to take work-related hands-free phone calls. However, many studies show that hands-free mobile phone use does not reduce the level of risk when compared with handheld and makes little difference to the level of impairment in driving performance or crash involvement rates. This is because the mental distraction and divided attention involved in conducting a phone conversation is responsible for the increased risk. Many drivers consider that a hands-free phone call is just the same as talking to a passenger but research has shown that it is more dangerous (Charlton, 2009). Indeed, having a hands-free device in the vehicle may actually encourage drivers to use their mobile phone while driving more often (Gras et al., 2007)."

[carboy42 10]

In that case they should stop including more than 1 seat.

 

---------- Post added 01-03-2017 at 15:49 ----------

 

 

Out of 1732 people killed. That's pretty much what I was getting at. Down in a decade from 3201 people killed.

 

So deaths caused by mobile phone use, 1.2%

 

What are we doing to address the other 98.8% of deaths?

 

Looking at 2013 (which had a similar total number of deaths, 1754).

230 were down to drink drivers, 10 times that of phone drivers.

 

The most often recorded contributory factors are;

Loss of Control 35%

Failed to look 26%

Careless/reckless 20%

Speeding 16%

Poor turn/manoeuvre 15%

 

On the phone at 1.2% isn't the biggest problem is it.

 

 

Lots are been done to make cars safer and educate drivers. But mistakes happen because we are human.

 

Picking up a phone is a choice not a mistake for been human. So lets stamp out 1.2% and continue working on the rest.