Mobile phones and driving....

[Fozzer]

...at long last.... ...!
In England, (as in California), it is to become illegal later this year to "use" a mobile phone whilst driving a vehicle.
I have lost count of the number of time I have nearly been knocked off my motor-bike by drivers carrying out long conversations while driving and changing gear one-handed, completely oblivious as to anyone around them.
Lorry drivers negotiating roundabouts and busy towns one handed while obtaining instructions from the boss back at base, etc...
It is already an offence here to be distracted and therefore not in full control of a  vehicle, but no-one seems to bother.
BUT....
After the law is finally passed it will incur a fixed fine of

[Craig.]

i have never understood why people dont just buy handsfree kits for their phones, A police officer brought me home from hospital when my mum had her car accident and i asked him after he had made a call about it and he basically said, using a handsfree kit is no differant than talking to people in the car or listening to the radio, the few pounds it would cost people to buy them could save them thousands in repairs and in alot of cases a life.
be glad to see that ban come into effect though

[Maccers]

I'm not going to lie, I've driven while using my phone before. This however was on the motorway cruising in a stright line, at night and very little traffic around. i only did it because there was nowhere to stop for about 30 miles and i had to call my dad and let him know what was going on (cant remember what it was about).
I've nearly been flatened from the anoying and deadly 'white Transit van driver'. Best case of it, believe it or not paul, was actually in Hereford! That anoying little roundabout near PC world and Pizza hut. He had to change gear and go all the way round at the same time, the only thing stopping him form going in a stright line was me, and he came within milimeters of my drivers door!
I'm glad this is becoming the law. hopefully there will be less accidents and might improve the traffic flow (a little)

[Hagar]

Jolly good job too & not before time. IMHO
Quite how they imagine this can be enforced is quite another matter. They keep telling me there's not enough cops to maintain law & order but seem to have plenty going spare for persecuting the poor old motorist.

Personally, I would like to see the hands-free variety included too (unless used while stationary of course). If you want proof these are equally as dangerous, take a ride with my ex-boss sometime.

[Fozzer]

Hi Craig, my old mate.....!

..there seems to be a psychological difference in having very short discussions with a passenger, who is often very careful not to talk to the driver if the situation outside the vehicle needs acute consentration by the driver.
Or listening to a radio in the background but still concentrating on the view outside the vehicle.
BUT...
Listening to a long conversation on a mobile phone at an in-appropriate time will lead to a complete lack of concentration by the driver and the inevitable accident.
...even using a "hands-free" mobile phone... ...!

Cheers mate... ...!
Paul.
(England).

P.S.

[Craig.]

fair enough Mr Fozzer, i can definatly see why bike riders like yourself are going to be the first to want this law introduced, i have seen a few near misses myself where a bike was almost wiped out by a van driver who was to busy nattering away on his phone, if there was something added to the driving tests which required learning better concetration in the car that would be a good idea, learning how to keep concentration, like cops in those situations, it would certainly cut down on accidents, as most are caused by people getting a little to lazy and loosing concentration.
Cheers mate:)
Craig

[Fly2e]

Well that is good to hear. We here in New York were the 1st state to have that law!! Still when driving you will see somwbody laughing and talking up a storm while juggling a phone, totally oblivious to everything and everyone around them.
It carries a fine here and still people do not use hands free accesories. They basically give you the hands free devices with the purchase of a phone. I myself have a little "ear piece" that you place in your ear and believe it or not....it is really very comfortable.
At first it was weird to see people with these "headsets" on while driving..now they are so small and comfortable, that the people who do not use them are the ones who stand out.

Dave

[Fozzer]

....I've nearly been flatened from the anoying and deadly 'white Transit van driver'. Best case of it, believe it or not paul, was actually in Hereford! That anoying little roundabout near PC world and Pizza hut. He had to change gear and go all the way round at the same time, the only thing stopping him form going in a stright line was me, and he came within milimeters of my drivers door!
color]

Hi Maccers.... ...!
I know the place well, and is a typical example of delivery drivers asking for instructions on the phone while trying to negitiate a complex roundabout....
...been there, had it happen to me, too many times.... ...!

Cheers mate...
Paul.
(Hereford. A very dangerous place, with mobile phone users)....LOL...!

[Hagar]

Listening to a long conversation on a mobile phone at an in-appropriate time will lead to a complete lack of concentration by the driver and the inevitable accident.
...even using a "hands-free" mobile phone... ...!

Cheers mate... ...!
Paul.
(England).

Not only listening but trying to answer. I can recall several occasions when I was almost knocked of my feet by some idiot pedestrian using a mobile phone.

[Fozzer]

Jolly good job too & not before time. IMHO...

Hagar... ...!
I am obviously biased.... ....!
I would personally like to see all mobile phone users transported to a Penal Colony in the outer reaches of Alpha Centauri...
...but that's just my opinion... ...!
LOL...LOL...LOL...!

Cheers mate... ...!
Paul.
(England).

[Jaffa]

Yep banned here in New York...

Very annoying to be cut off or having someone blow a stop light and see them on the phone.  People really do become completely abosrbed and don't pay attention.  And with one hand on the wheel reaction time is that much slower.  Still people don't use them and you can always show them the birdy for it!

[Blade]

I've jury-rigged my own system. I have a magnet on my dash. I put my phone on it (battery has magnetized capability) and plug in an adapted headset line. I have a microphone attached to the inside roof of my car, and a small speaker next to it. When someone calls I press send and just talk. I love it hehe. When I see someone on the phone in the car infront of me going crazy on the road I usually wake him or her up with a sustained blast of my horn  ::)

[Hagar]

I would personally like to see all mobile phone users transported to a Penal Colony in the outer reaches of Alpha Centauri...
...but that's just my opinion... ...!

Excellent idea Fozzer. I can think of a few offenders I would willingly escort to their seats. Any idea when the next shuttle is due?  ;D

[Fozzer]

[quote]
Excellent idea Fozzer. I can think of a few offenders I would willingly escort to their seats. Any idea when the next shuttle is due?

[Woodlouse2002]

Then us innocent bystanders wouldn't be subjected to the usual load of drivel we constantly have to put up with.

Such as "I'm on the train!"  :P

I thought this is supposed to be the ultimate in technology so why do they always need to shout down the things?  

This is a point I often make with my dad. You don't need to shout down phones no more!