using mobile phones whilst driving - Page 2

Neil · 10-02-2010, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by derekgas

I dont use bluetooth anymore, since i watched a programme that proved beyond doubt that, the mobile phone being held in the hand is NOT the primary reason for accidents occurring whilst talking on the phone, but is the CONVERSATION which distracts the driver from his surroundings and the fact that they are actually driving, in particular if the driver is having a heated debate/discussion, the danger is in the act of conversation, not necessarily holding the phone, texting or dialling numbers is a different argument.

I cant agree with you on that one. Holding a phone to your ear while trying to indicate and make a turn at a junction is not easy.

Yes I can inderstand your thoughts on the conversation but using the handsfree is just like talking to a passenger. Holding a phone is not.

Beside which I am usually drinking a brew and eating a bacon butty while driving to work on mid shifts which is when people tend to phone me.

Trying to hold a phone to my ear as well would leave me steering with my knee

accyman · 10-02-2010, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Trying to hold a phone to my ear as well would leave me steering with my knee

what is your other knee doing?

hanging out your car helping to scoot you along from what iv seen of your car

Neil · 10-02-2010, 23:52

hey leave her alone, she has done almost 219,000 miles and rapidly counting.

Eric · 11-02-2010, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by derekgas

I dont use bluetooth anymore, since i watched a programme that proved beyond doubt that, the mobile phone being held in the hand is NOT the primary reason for accidents occurring whilst talking on the phone, but is the CONVERSATION which distracts the driver from his surroundings and the fact that they are actually driving, in particular if the driver is having a heated debate/discussion, the danger is in the act of conversation, not necessarily holding the phone, texting or dialling numbers is a different argument.

I agree ... and studies over here have shown that it is the intensity of the conversation rather than the device itself which leads to problems ... if your phone rings and someone at the other end says "Hi, what's happening, eh" there isn't much distraction, lot's less say than if one has a long glance at that hot number with the gorgeous legs and rack. But if one's wife phones, and confesses to having had an affair with your best friend, it will probably grab much of your attention.

I wonder if it is possible to punish offenders by somehow taking their phones away ... not allowing them access to cell phone service for a long period, say six months for a first offense.

A problem that has cropped up here since the law banning cell phones has come into effect, is that folks are now trying to conceal their texting ... making them even more dangerous.

accyman · 11-02-2010, 01:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric

. But if one's wife phones, and confesses to having had an affair with your best friend, it will probably grab much of your attention.

surely this would encourage the bloke to keep his car in one peice until he makes it home and is able to then drive it through teh livingroom wall and run the sod over

Ossywarrior · 11-02-2010, 14:40

im guilty of this until work fix the handsfree in my car but i do try to wait till im stopped in traffic. i have meetings to attend in the morning and the people i need ain't in work when i set off and i dont have enough time to get all the info i need when i get there. doesn't make it right but it really can't be helped. maybe its a result of the lives we lead now.

Benipete · 11-02-2010, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ossywarrior

im guilty of this until work fix the handsfree in my car but i do try to wait till im stopped in traffic. i have meetings to attend in the morning and the people i need ain't in work when i set off and i dont have enough time to get all the info i need when i get there. doesn't make it right but it really can't be helped. maybe its a result of the lives we lead now.

Of course it can be helped in a number of ways;

1)Forward planning.
2)12 month ban.
3)£1000-00 fine.

Go for option (1) and all will be well.

Ossywarrior · 11-02-2010, 15:04

i forward plan enough thanks but im not setting off before 6am. like i said once work fix my handsfree all is good. i also like how we are all perfect drivers who do nothing wrong at least ill happily admit it. how many of you smoke while driving ?

Benipete · 11-02-2010, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ossywarrior

i forward plan enough thanks but im not setting off before 6am. like i said once work fix my handsfree all is good. i also like how we are all perfect drivers who do nothing wrong at least ill happily admit it. how many of you smoke while driving ?

Don't think very much of their Managers at this very large haulage firm do they.

Hope they are prepared to carry the can when you have an accident whilst breaking the law.
Is it an offense to smoke while driving?

Ken Moss · 11-02-2010, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benipete

Is it an offense to smoke while driving?

Yes, it was brought in sometime early last year although you'd never know to look at people.

If police are after easy pickings, spend a day outside the cash machine in Rishton. Not only do dozens of people park in the chevron zone creating an obstruction that everyone has to swerve around but it's almost as if people are queuing up to pull out of the adjoining street smoking whilst on the phone behind the wheel.

Having been fined for supposedly dangerous driving by telling someone to phone back as I was sat stationary at the lights this became my number one bugbear about other drivers. I wonder what the figures are for people being caught?

Benipete · 11-02-2010, 16:25

I can only find this from the AA Motoring Offences : Smoking and Driving - The AA

Neil · 11-02-2010, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benipete

Is it an offense to smoke while driving?

Not sure if there is a specific law like mobile phones.

If must be illegal if it is a company vehicle or possibly even if you are in your own vehicle while working.

accyman · 11-02-2010, 20:38

1 armed people drive with a knob thingy on the steering wheel yet us 2 handed folk arnt allowed to have one

change that law and then holding a fag or a phone wont matter

if anyone is wondering why a 2 handed person cant have one its because they claim if it spins around when teh car is straightening for example it could smash your wrist but this is an acceptable risk teh law will take regarding a one handed person but not a 2 handed person who would have a spare hand shoudl this event occur

oh and its ok to use one on a forklift truck where you are carrying tons of things on pallets around people.

dont mind me just throwing ideas out

mind you it would be rather disturbing seeing a 1 armed driver heading towards you holding a mobile phone lol

Neil · 11-02-2010, 20:44

How do one armed people indicate, wipe the windscreen, use the horn, change CD's, wind the window down to shout obscene comments at young ladies in short skirts and eat bacon butties while driving?

accyman · 11-02-2010, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

How do one armed people indicate, wipe the windscreen, use the horn, change CD's, wind the window down to shout obscene comments at young ladies in short skirts and eat bacon butties while driving?

must be clever dicks