R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

If you are caught using a mobile phone next month whilst driving you will have 3 points added to your licence and a £60 fine.

I wonder if the police are going to be stepping up their campaign to stop this as it hasn't worked since the law came in.

I do think it's also down the mobile phone companies to advertise using a mobile phone whilst driving is dangerous?

Toggy tea slurper · Guest

About time they done something about it, there's no doubt about it, it is very dangerous to use a mobile when driving.
Why can't people turn the wretched things off.

Cherskiy · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:33 am Post subject:

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3415 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

As I posted in another forum. For all mobile phones being a wonderful invention, they sadly have also created a culture of bad manners. There are times when people should remember how to switch them off. like when you are being served, be it in a shop or anywhere else. I am in a position where I have to serve the public and I'd guess that 90% have their phone next to them and, like a coiled spring, they're ready to pounce the second it goes off. Sadly a few come in yakking on it and expecting to be served, despite notices saying 'If you are using your mobile phone, please wait before asking for service'. In other words, finish your conversion first! I will not serve them, even calling the person behind forward in a few instances. Remembering phone kiosks (they still exist) I wonder how these people would react If I were to open the door and start listening intently to their conversation. I can imagine what it would be.

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

I mean hands free kits were around before the law came in.

MIKERAPHONE · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:22 pm Post subject:

I went for petrol the other week.The Asian man in the shop was on his mobile the whole time.
He pointed to the chip/pin machine and just gave me the receipt without a thanks.
I didn't even say goodbye as he never once acknowledged my presence.
I see a lot of this with Asian businesses.
Whatever happened to good manners?
Nothing racial in this but a general observation about good manners and customer skills
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gfloyd · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject:

But Mark, if I can post here while driving, why cant I use my mobile to talk?
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Peek · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:35 pm Post subject:

I'm afraid this is one of those problems that really bug me.

I only have to be out for 5/10 mins. (either walking or driving) and I see someone on their moby whilst driving. And it's not just workmen in their trucks, it's Mums ferrying their kids to school. The trouble is, if I told the police everytime I saw someone doing it, I'd be there with quite a long list of number plates...always assuming I could take a note of it, the speed some of them are driving whilst phoning is ridiculous.

It was a law that was needed, but for the life of me I don't know how they can enforce it with any effect.
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Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

The problem is that mobile phones are, like computers, IMHO, a necessary evil of modern life. I could not do my job effectively without a mobile phone, I do not have a hands free kit, or "Bluetooth", however, I will not use or answer my mobile while driving and will only pull in at a layby or where it is safe to then phone my "missed call" number. I personally do not think they have gone far enough and think the fine should be much higher than the £60 it is, say £250, as that with 3 points would be more of a deterrent. More effective policing of this law is imperative, IMHO.
BB Twisted Evil

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AndyAndy2 · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:24 pm Post subject:

My car has Bluetooth, so I can phone / speak whilst driving...except I look a numpty talking to myself and, sadly, i thing my phone is broke.....I never seem to receive any calls - what's that all about?!!
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Cherskiy · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:30 pm Post subject:

Drivers have bad enough habits without being distracted by mobiles. I've lost count of the number of times someone's pulled out in front of me whilst on the phone, or has suddenly ran over the white lines whilst I'm overtaking them and they're making a call.

As BB says, stiffer penalties are needed, but enforcement's the key. Traffic divisions need to have a zero tolerance attitude to it, before more people are hurt or killed unnecessarily.
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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Watching GMTV this morning and people still don't know the law has come into effect as from today.

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

I've had a hands free for nearly three years now, I didn't have to pay for the kit as it was a company car then, but I reckon it cost over 100 pounds. I don't have to touch the phone when it rings in the car. I don't feel I'm distracted dangerously while talking to it, and there is a mic fitted next to the interior light so I don't have to change my posture to speak.

When I changed my phone to a smaller model I was lucky to find an adaptor (25 quid). If I get a new phone this year it's likely NOT going to fit, the new models are wider it seems.

So MORE expense on hands-free.

This is what deters folk from getting hands-free, the kits cost more than the phone.

John W

AndyAndy2 · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 11:25 am Post subject:

However did we manage before mobile phones?
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Some say he once threw a microwave oven at a tramp and that all his potted plants are called 'Steve'.....all we know is, he's called 'The Stig!'.

Highlander · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 348 Location: Scotland

Before mobiles public call boxes were everywhere. Not always hygienic (!) but at least you were able to make contact when you wanted. Now the boss can always find you (!). I think people feel more under pressure and think less for themselves. Also it makes some souls feel important and must check their calls, text's and also their emails every 5 mins.

Obviously, the culture will continue to be invasive as kids become surgically attached to their "mobie".

It made me smile to see that the guy who has gone back in time (?) in the 70's "Life on Mars" programme has to carry the smallest walkie talkie they could find but all the other cops use the car phone (and its a real phone) Cool

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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Also how about smoking ban whilst driving behind the wheel? People get fined for eating?

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

Mark,

Many companies (who can afford it) do provide hands-free for company cars. If they can afford $25k lease cars then they can afford hands-free kits, but the majority of the white-van men do not have hands-free, and as I say not all kits will take new gen phones.

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject:

Don't most phones come with hands free kits, mine did. All I have to do is press 1 button and I'm in touch with home.
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Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:34 pm Post subject:

I had a problem getting the bluetooth to work with this phone, so I wire it up, put the ear buds in ( unfortunately they do not drown out the worst excesses of SW), and away I go before I hit the highway. On the way home I hit the button to ask Mrs G to get the tea on.
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Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

SantaFefan · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject:

In 1965, my mother got pulled over for eating an ice cream cone whilst driving about 10 mph from the ice cream van to the riverside - about 200 feet.
The Dixon asked " Do you think you are in control of this ve-hicle madam?"
Mum said " as much as you are when you're holding the microphone in your car"
He was not amused.

I don't think holding a mobile in the car is any worse than trying to see and adjust the rediculously small and complicated controls on modern stereos or, the crazy volume that some yobs turn them up to! if this isn't reducing their ability to concentrate on the road then I don't know what is.

Same old UK, skirt around the law, complicate the conditions, minimise the fine, ignore the real abusers and, not enough patrol cars on the roads.

It's all a matter of conscience nowadays isn't it? or lack of I should say. It doesn't really matter if I speed, talk on the phone, have no tax, mot or insurance! there's not many coppers around here anyway...

gfloyd · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject:

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Police_Using_laptop_caused_deadly_headon/Top_News/20070227-084424-1292r/

Driving whilst using a laptop is not recommended either.
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His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

Ella Sailyour · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 579 Location: Marbella, Spain

I think that turning a steering wheel and changing a manual gearbox is pretty dangerous, too. And looking in a rear-view mirror when you should be looking out front!

Ella
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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Ella Sailyour · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 579 Location: Marbella, Spain

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:35 am Post subject:

Does this also spell the end for the steering wheel Bongos? Shocked

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Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil