Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#1
The government bodies have explained to us often enough how our concentration wavers while we are driving and talking on the phone at the same time. Research was so clear into the matter that it was made illegal to do it. Recently there have been heavy sentances in some cases where people were even killed while some guy chats away on the phone oblivious to whats going on around him.
Does that stop people doing it? not a bit.
Even today I saw a near accident all down to some guy chatting away and driving with one hand. It would not have been a serious accident but an accident none the less.
Guy in first car chatting away, driving with right hand while holding phone in right ear with left hand, and all the while checking some notes. This guy stops. All this time there is a very very large white van directly behind him. You couldnt miss it, its so big and large and very white.
The guy in the first car suddenly reverses, all the while chatting on the phone and checking his notes, and all the while still still oblivious to the white van behind him. The white van driver of course is not expecting some nut to reverse but reverse he does. He honks his horn like mad and the reverser stops within an inch of van.
No real harm would have been done, but it would have been an accident nonetheless with the resultant damage to said vehicles.
So despite it being illegal, despite heavy jail sentences and deaths, people are still doing it. It was quite clear watching this unfurl today that people most certainly do not concentrate on their driving while telephoning. It's lethal.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#2
This tea time in Dover.A white van man driving past Boots etc one hand on the wheel another holding the phone to his ear.He was also wearing one of those South American Andes explorer type wolly hats that seem to be in fashion these days.That in itself is an arrestable offence in my opinion.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#3
i face a road where drivers have to make a right turn onto a downhill speed track, once this is negotiated another right hand turn is then made into the folkestone road.
very many drivers are talking into their phones during both maneouvres.
the vast majority have young children in their cars.
#4
I drove past a truck driver on the Folkestone Road the other day - he was drinking out of a mug and talking, possibly on a hands free? I would like to bet on his concentration levels.......
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#5
Judging by the comments above the practice is clearly widespread. This is a real problem when new legislation is passed.. there is nobody on the ground to enforce it, so the law gets flouted. Its clearly there for a reason. The guy in that crash recently which killed 6 family members in a car was talking on the phone. He didnt realise the traffic had stopped in front of him. This was on a motorway as I remember.
The heavy penalties come then for the driver ( not to mention the victims!) but this is after the fact, prevention is the much better route.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#6
The penalities for the injured or killed family members certainly outweighed and were more life changing than those dished out by the courts to the driver.
Using a hand held mobile should be viewed as an offence in a similar manner and with the same type of punishment as a drink drive charge.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#7
I am surprised that no-one has mentioned that today is National No Smoking Day.
Or maybe that was a ploy to deflect any criticism.
SORRY I have no idea how I mis posted this comment but sometimes this computer has a mind of its own.A bit freaky.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 656- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,262
#8
On my way to and back from Folkestone today I noticed so many motorists chatting away on their mobiles, clearly not paying any attention to the law then. There were a number of truck drivers and coach drivers doing the same.
Gawd its an epidemic and one with very serious consequences of more road injuries and deaths. Agree, Marek, should carry same level of punishment as drink drive charge or maybe a Big Compulsory Switch Off whilst driving should now be seriously considered.
Guest 667- Registered: 6 Apr 2008
- Posts: 919
#9
The penalties need to be severe with immediate loss of car and licence.
As for buses and coaches take the vehicle number, the time you saw the vehicle and then phone the Company. As most modern buses and coaches carry CCTV so any such complaint can be investigated
Most if not all UK Bus and Coach Companies carry instant dismissal for the use of mobile phones while the vehicle is in motion. .
Again most modern coaches carry hands free phones and even then I know one, that has a rule you hear the call on hands free and only reply by ring back when stationary.
The use of mobiles in a vehicle appears to be harder to put over to some than the drink driving laws, yet the end result is so often the same.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
#10
Same as the rest of you, it really hacks me off to see idiots driving and using mobiles.
Before I started my present job my phone always stayed in my pocket whilst driving, never answered it. Now due to people ringing me at work or not and driving a mini bus I use a blutooth ear peice which you can pick up for as little as £5.
NO ONE has an excuse for talking on a mobile and driving.
BEEF up the penalties.
Ian
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#11
not to be forgotten either, pedestrians that are busy texting while crossing a busy road.
a very common sight, most worrying is when the texter is in charge of a baby buggy.
#12
And another thing that grates....when women with buggies push the buggy out in front of them into the road before looking. Hand on heart I never did that with any of mine and it is so thoughtless and could end in tragedy, and so many do it!!
#13
But harry, the penalties are not severe are they.They seem a joke to me,especially when a Labour peer is jailed for 12 weeks for causing the death of a driver whilst texting one week,and then having to serve only 12 days and gets released on appeal the next.To my mind that makes a mockery out of the judicial system.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#14
I agree Phil - it's insane and obscene.
Our judiciary is so out of touch with reality and adds to the problems in society. There's no thought of responsible sentencing.
Roger
Guest 667- Registered: 6 Apr 2008
- Posts: 919
#15
I also agree Phil the penalties are not severe enough.
Take the car and the license away straight away then take them to court where a prison sentence should be mandatory. It should not have to wait for an accident before prison becomes an option.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
#16
Have to say the latest fiasco of the Labour Peer being let out after 12 days of a 12 week sentence(that was to short anyway!!) beggars belief, and throws the legal system into a mockery.
Its about time this one rule for themn,and one for us plebs was stopped!!
If you or I went back to a judge to say a 12 week sentence would affect our community work(as it sounds the peer's solicitor did) we would get the sentence extended for the cheek.
Does money talk?
