Using Mobile Phones While Driving - New Laws

[willman]

IF it isn't safe to use hands free/bluetooth kits then why do almost all major car manufacturers have them pre installed ?

We now even have cars that read out text messages.

 

I have hands free in my car, i have installed hands free in all my privately owned cars. Its cheaper than the old £100 fine AND represents less risk of using the phone for anything more than taking an incoming call.

 

Anyone involved in an accident on the phone illegally should be banned from driving there is no excuse for it and if you're driving anything bigger than a car it should be for several years.

[davyboy]

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 ----------

 

 

Talking on the phone AND changing gear is awkward too .

 

I have travelled in a car where the driver did just that......worrying to say the least!

[Justin Smith]

IF it isn't safe to use hands free/bluetooth kits then why do almost all major car manufacturers have them pre installed ?

We now even have cars that read out text messages.

 

I have hands free in my car, i have installed hands free in all my privately owned cars. Its cheaper than the old £100 fine AND represents less risk of using the phone for anything more than taking an incoming call.

 

Anyone involved in an accident on the phone illegally should be banned from driving there is no excuse for it and if you're driving anything bigger than a car it should be for several years.

 

I agree with this. Punishments for any sort of dangerous driving should be even harsher for HGV drivers.

[alchemist]

A hands free phone call in no different from listening to the radio . Do you want that banned too ?

 

Maybe we should also ban manual vehicles ,as you have to take your hand off the wheel to change gear ?

 

Are you interacting with your radio and having a conversation with it? I dont know about you but I usually like to concentrate on a conversation im having with other people so that you can actually answer them correctly. The radio just drones on in the background and requires no concentration whatsoever, ditto music

[rudds1]

I agree with this. Punishments for any sort of dangerous driving should be even harsher for HGV drivers.

 

The fine for using a phone while driving a h g v is all ready supposed to be higher iirc it's up to £2500 if taken to court

[alchresearch]

If you think you can concentrate on the road while having a phone call, give this test a try:

 

http://think.direct.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/

 

Only 19% pass.

[Daven]

Police pulled a bus driver on Abbeydale Road recently for talking on his phone whilst driving. Well done SYP ! Hope many more get caught.

 

---------- Post added 02-03-2017 at 11:30 ----------

 

Indeed.

 

1.2% is not much, but it represents real people being alive, instead of dead -

 

 

so I would say it's pretty bloody mandatory to not use your phone at all when driving.

 

I agree. Pull over and use your phone !!!!!

[ihpb]

Just spoken to a woman about using her phone whilst stopped at a junction with the engine running. When people say they didn't know, you know they are lying.

[ivan edake]

about time should put fine up to a thousand and six points for every driver

 

No. £1000 and a 12 month ban.It really is about time drivers using a mobile phone were pursued with as much vigour as a speeding driver is,but,of course,speeding is a revenue earner.

[sgtkate]

No. £1000 and a 12 month ban.It really is about time drivers using a mobile phone were pursued with as much vigour as a speeding driver is,but,of course,speeding is a revenue earner.

 

But what about other offences? The police seem to target only the things that are 'easy' to identify but ignore the whole spectrum of other driving offences that cause more accidents than mobile phone and speed. However, I've no objections to the increased fine and points, just wish more was done to improve general driving standards across the board.