Whats your view on the new mobile/driving policy?

[Sippo]

3 points and £60 fine if caught.

I'm in two minds. We've all done it, and yes it is a bad thing to do. It can be dangerous and can cause accidents. I for one am guilty of doing it but does that make me a bad driver? I don't think. I was in control of the car.

Is this a case of the driver being punished again? Why do the police not be just as tough as the muggers, rapists and murderers instead? Is this another gererating money idea and that the police could be used better elsewhere instead of trying to catch people on there phone?

I try to use my phone as little as possible whilst driving and pull over as soon as I can. I don't condone it but I feel it could be policed better.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

I think the penalty should be harsher if anything. Just don't use the phone whilst driving. It's not difficult I promise you.

[Batch]

I am not sure ultimately it will make the roads safer.  Iguess there will be a massive crackdown, then over time the police will lose interest in rigerously enforcing the law and people will start doing it.

But it's a tough one. If statistically you really are 3 times more likely to crash when using your phone then I guess it is the right way to go. That's not to say I haven't done it mind.

Of course just because you use your phone while at the wheel in the car doen't mean you are dangerous. In a Traffic Jam for example. I guess the way they have written the law means there is no argument on interpretation.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

Let me expand somewhat.

There was a BBC traffic cop type programme on a few weeks ago where some total cunt driving a 7.5 tonne truck was pissing about with a mobile and no doubt he thought he was in control until he plouhed into the back of a queue of traffic at 50mph. The young girl in the car at the back of the queue did not stand a chance. She was 23, on her way to her first day in a new job. I bet he thought he was in control and that he was a good driver. Tell that to her family.

The cop who had to tell the dead girl's family I think would disagree with you. I have been guilty of using the phone whilst driving by the way. It is something I have only done once or twice and I don't intend to do it again. It is a very dumb thing to do though and if caught, I would hold my hands up and take the punishment with no complaints.

[Compo]

If this new law stops 1 person gettin killed, then its a good idea!

[Amir]

Is this a case of the driver being punished again? Why do the police not be just as tough as the muggers, rapists and murderers instead?

3 points and a £60 fine for murder then :shock:


The only reason they've made the penalty harsher is because absolutely no fucker stopped doing it when it became illegal.

[Sharky]

I am not sure ultimately it will make the roads safer.  Iguess there will be a massive crackdown, then over time the police will lose interest in rigerously enforcing the law and people will start doing it.

But it's a tough one. If statistically you really are 3 times more likely to crash when using your phone then I guess it is the right way to go. That's not to say I haven't done it mind.

Of course just because you use your phone while at the wheel in the car doen't mean you are dangerous. In a Traffic Jam for example. I guess the way they have written the law means there is no argument on interpretation.

Thats the only thing that makes me think it's just as much about money as safety unfortunately.

I completely agree with harsher punishment for those that continue to ignore the law as it is undoubtably unsafe to use the phone and drive without some form of handsfree, regardless of how in control you may be or feel you are.

It does beg the question though when it comes to the fine details of interpretation that it is daft to suggest that if you pulled over safely and made a call you can still be done for this if your keys are still in the ignition and the car is still on! (very much like drink driving - you can still be busted for simply sitting in your car with the keys on for the heater to work even if you haven't actually driven anywhere!)

It would not be hard to have interpretation built in to the new law so that there are times and places that there are exceptions however they have ignored this for only two reasons 1) more money can be made if there are no exceptions and 2) it wont have the same hard hitting impact on the public if they introduce a system that sometimes punishes but sometimes doesn't....they have to be being seen as harsh for the sake of safety in the community.

At the end of the day it's not much to buy a bluetooth or handsfree headset really is it...and if someone can't afford it then turn your phone off.....if thats too hard for someone then they shouldn't be entrusted with the privelige of driving in the first place!

[Sippo]

But will it be just a phase and then its not policed it as much? If its going to be policed it needs to be done in the right way- ie more patrol cars at rush hour perhaps?

It is a bad thing to do, don't get me wrong, and if you do get caught you should pay the consequences.

[Simon Pieman]

I don't see why people are getting upperty about it really. I don't think the fine or the punishment is overly harsh. I think if a phone call is important enough to take/make, you could easily park up and do it there. People often just use the phone when they're driving as a matter of convenience.

[TalkTalk]

The punishment should include instant confiscation of the phone as well (with the right to appeal).

FFS, IT'S THE LAW AND IT'S THERE FOR A REASON.

Why do a minority think that they are above it?

And before anybody says it...yes, speeding is illegal as well and I don't condone that either.

[timmyg]

I never really used my phone when driving even before the law was passed 3 years ago. Now I've got a bluetooth headset thing to answer calls, but I never make a call or read a text when driving and it really annoys me when people do.

I drive on the M4 quite a lot and almost always see dangerous driving as a result of using the phone. People goig at 50mph is unsafe, as are the lane-swervers while trying to write a text.

For the last year or so I've taken to flashing my lights at them. That'll learn 'em.

ANd I don't think the Police will stop people from doing it as there are so few police on the roads, I think the publicity will get more people to stop. That and my flashing lights when I see them.

[quinnismyhero]

The punishment should include instant confiscation of the phone as well (with the right to appeal).

FFS, IT'S THE LAW AND IT'S THERE FOR A REASON.

Why do a minority think that they are above it?

And before anybody says it...yes, speeding is illegal as well and I don't condone that either.

Agreed!  I am fed up of these idiots driving oblivious to other road users because they are on their mobiles.

Some arsehole on R4 this morning saying that because he has 42 yrs driving experience he can drive at 100mph on the motorway and use his phone "safely".  TWAT.

[herthab]

Hands free kit?

You can even buy them in petrol stations.

No excuse for using your phone when driving unless it's hands free.

Now, if they can clamp down on women using their rear view mirrors for touching up their make up and doing their hair...............................................................

[land_of_bo]

I think it should be a harsher penalty. Yes I've done it in the past, and no I don't do it now. I have bluetooth and if I need to take a call I use that. I never make a call whilst driving, nothing is that important, and if it is it surely requires you to pull over and concentrate on the call!

For the last year or so I've taken to flashing my lights at them. That'll learn 'em.

I stick my fist on the horn so they can't hear  

[Sippo]

Some people/organisations want a ban on hands-free aswell...