old - Fazer Owners Club - old
General => General => Topic started by: Dave48 on 22 December 2016, 07:08:35 am
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In spite of the generally accepted belief that using a phone while driving reduces concentration & the recent cases highlighted where drivers have caused fatal accidents due to using these at the wheel, I still see drivers daily using their phones.
There doesnt seem any point in government legislation that is practically unenforceable due to cut backs in police funding on the roads.
How about an automatic driving ban instead of some piddling fine or,at the very least, 11 points on licence.
As for the so-called professional drivers, lorry,coach,bus,van users-should be an automatic ban & compulsory retest
IMO phone use at wheel just as dangerous as drink/drug driving.
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There's a woman at my work, who in fairness is a shit driver anyway, we've all come to that conclusion watching her attempts at parking, but she will walk past me as i'm warming the bike up then start pulling away in her motor after just dialling someone up on the mobile AND then tries putting her seat belt on as well?
She looks like Harry Houdini trying to get out of a straitjacket in the front seat as she's swerving all over the place, it makes me quite mad.
The other day she's pulled up in front of a few of us, and the only space was next to my mates car.
As she pulled in i swiftly turned to look at my mate who's jaw just dropped when he realised the situation.
After she attempted the parking space at a 45 degree angle all you could hear was him growling "Don't you hit my car, don't you hit my car!!"
Then, after FOUR attempts, she gets the car in, then opens her door and hits his car. :rollin :rollin :rollin
I shouldn't laugh, but the disappointment/anger on his face was simply a picture. :lol
The point is, she can't even sense the fact there's another bloody car in the way when she's trying to leave her stationary one, so what makes her think her attention span is any better when she's on the phone AND trying to put her seat belt on?
I think the dents all over her car answer those questions, and she literally is a danger to all once on the road.
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You right Dave,(&Darrsi) there's no excuse. I think long term it won't be an issue as the technology is being integrated within the car. E.g. your phone will automatically link with the car and all calls will go to car speaker with the caller's details displayed on the dash. In the meantime it seems as if we need to suffer these idiots.
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You right Dave,(&Darrsi) there's no excuse. I think long term it won't be an issue as the technology is being integrated within the car. E.g. your phone will automatically link with the car and all calls will go to car speaker with the caller's details displayed on the dash. In the meantime it seems as if we need to suffer these idiots.
But do we really need to chat whilst driving? Is it really that important? It wasn't 20 odd years ago and we seemed to get by okay.
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You right Dave,(&Darrsi) there's no excuse. I think long term it won't be an issue as the technology is being integrated within the car. E.g. your phone will automatically link with the car and all calls will go to car speaker with the caller's details displayed on the dash. In the meantime it seems as if we need to suffer these idiots.
But do we really need to chat whilst driving? Is it really that important? It wasn't 20 odd years ago and we seemed to get by okay.
Now I am an old foccer but what gets me is how people cant even walk down the street without their phone on talking to someone. Young & not so young women pushing buggies into road without looking for traffic. Even so-called "intelligent" university students walking out from pavement without any awareness of danger. As celticdog says the vehicle technology is here or on the way-I had an onboard central console that functioned as satnav, phone display & audio centre with phone buttons on steering wheel in a Merc Sprinter 9 years ago.
I am not a "Luddite"but wonder if the technology is ahead of the average humans attention span. I see kids leaving primary school without basic literary/language skills but they know all about their smartphones/facebook/etc
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You right Dave,(&Darrsi) there's no excuse. I think long term it won't be an issue as the technology is being integrated within the car. E.g. your phone will automatically link with the car and all calls will go to car speaker with the caller's details displayed on the dash. In the meantime it seems as if we need to suffer these idiots.
But do we really need to chat whilst driving? Is it really that important? It wasn't 20 odd years ago and we seemed to get by okay.
And that is the real problem, too many people who cannot drive , walk, or even sit in a hospital waiting room without their phone clamped to their ear.
There should be a law that if a driver is on the phone anyone can reach in , take the phone off them and then smash the phone on the floor :)
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You right Dave,(&Darrsi) there's no excuse. I think long term it won't be an issue as the technology is being integrated within the car. E.g. your phone will automatically link with the car and all calls will go to car speaker with the caller's details displayed on the dash. In the meantime it seems as if we need to suffer these idiots.
But do we really need to chat whilst driving? Is it really that important? It wasn't 20 odd years ago and we seemed to get by okay.
Now I am an old foccer but what gets me is how people cant even walk down the street without their phone on talking to someone. Young & not so young women pushing buggies into road without looking for traffic. Even so-called "intelligent" university students walking out from pavement without any awareness of danger. As celticdog says the vehicle technology is here or on the way-I had an onboard central console that functioned as satnav, phone display & audio centre with phone buttons on steering wheel in a Merc Sprinter 9 years ago.
I am not a "Luddite"but wonder if the technology is ahead of the average humans attention span. I see kids leaving primary school without basic literary/language skills but they know all about their smartphones/facebook/etc
One thing i notice a lot when reading daily online news, is that reporters can't spell these days.
In fact they are so appalling at it, i make a point of making them aware of how shit their grammar has consistently been every day.
This must have something to do with not putting pen to paper, but even still they'll release stories that even their spellchecker hasn't resolved?
And now we have phone/laptop/tablet technology where you don't even need to type any more, you just speak to the gadget instead!
Yes, it is a very quick and brilliant concept, but i can't help feeling it's making people so lazy that they're not learning or refreshing their own skills as much as they really should be.
(typed with my own fingers)
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I think long term it won't be an issue as the technology is being integrated within the car. E.g. your phone will automatically link with the car and all calls will go to car speaker with the caller's details displayed on the dash.
I have a 16 plate car nothing special and very cheep and that has what you describe, the only time I have called anyone was when I sat in the dealers forcourt and tested it.
I have had a few calls come through it to me and find it strangely distracting when compared to talking to someone next to me in the car.
I think what happens is when I am talking to a person in the car and there is a particularly tricky junction or situation I shut up and concentrate and the person next to me can see the reason for my silence but I feel I have to keep talking when its to the person on the phone.
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It riles the foc out of me seeing cars covered in dents. My street is subject to onstreet parrallel parking on both sides. There are two cars regularly parked in my street that are covered in a rainbow of scuffs and scrapes, obviously because the owners either don't give a foc, can't park or both! Every couple of months either my car gets another scrape or my motorbike gets knocked over. I think part of the insurance quoting process should take into account the condition of the car and signs of crap driving!
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Meanwhile, back on topic...
Seeing people using phones while driving generally doesn't bother me... except when I am on my motorbike and then I find it infuriating!!
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I remember being on holiday some where and every car had dents and hooters were constantly going off and because all the cars seemed to have dents no one gave a foc which I think is the way to go, get a slight scuff on a TYRE here and its "right your insurance details please"
I have a new car and am fitter now that I ever was because I park miles away from the supermarket away from all the other cars in case I get a door ding.
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Meanwhile, back on topic...
Seeing people using phones while driving generally doesn't bother me... except when I am on my motorbike and then I find it infuriating!!
Just the fact that my bike can rumble up to their window while they're on the phone, and be totally oblivious that i'm even there, spitting feathers 'cos they just previously cut me up, then when i give them a quick blast of the air horn and they nearly jump into the passenger seat, this shows how unaware they are of their surroundings whilst on the phone.
And the other one that bugs me, is when they're texting, which is quite obvious as they look blatantly downwards, but then they miss the break when the lights go green. They get a special and personalised full length version of the air horn.
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I remember being on holiday some where and every car had dents and hooters were constantly going off and because all the cars seemed to have dents no one gave a foc which I think is the way to go, get a slight scuff on a TYRE here and its "right your insurance details please"
I have a new car and am fitter now that I ever was because I park miles away from the supermarket away from all the other cars in case I get a door ding.
You leave it in your driveway don't you! :lol
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I think the 'using phone while driving' fines and laws have made things more dangerous. In the olden days at least when sending a text you would hold the phone up near the windscreen. Now you have to have the phone hidden down on your lap. :rolleyes
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:agree
Do we really need mobile phones at all?
30 years ago we never had them and survived.
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:agree
Do we really need mobile phones at all?
30 years ago we never had them and survived.
I still manage without it on the bike!
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all very well disabling the mobile whilst in the car but what if you've crashed in the middle of no where and can't get out of the car?
yes by all means do it but once the motor is stopped then you should be able to use the mobile.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/mobile-phones-cars-block-ban-moving-vehicles-government-technology-a7483871.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/mobile-phones-cars-block-ban-moving-vehicles-government-technology-a7483871.html)
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all very well disabling the mobile whilst in the car but what if you've crashed in the middle of no where and can't get out of the car?
yes by all means do it but once the motor is stopped then you should be able to use the mobile.
[url]http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/mobile-phones-cars-block-ban-moving-vehicles-government-technology-a7483871.html[/url] ([url]http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/mobile-phones-cars-block-ban-moving-vehicles-government-technology-a7483871.html[/url])
What about passengers? They shouldn't be blocked from using their phones.
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all very well disabling the mobile whilst in the car but what if you've crashed in the middle of no where and can't get out of the car?
yes by all means do it but once the motor is stopped then you should be able to use the mobile.
[url]http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/mobile-phones-cars-block-ban-moving-vehicles-government-technology-a7483871.html[/url] ([url]http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/mobile-phones-cars-block-ban-moving-vehicles-government-technology-a7483871.html[/url])
I'm old school, i just scream like a girl.
And people need to realise, "stopping" does not count at traffic lights.
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I have a new car and am fitter now that I ever was because I park miles away from the supermarket away from all the other cars in case I get a door ding.
I've always done that, even with old cars.
I find that whole driving round and round to get a few feet closer to the door thing laughable :lol
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You right Dave,(&Darrsi) there's no excuse. I think long term it won't be an issue as the technology is being integrated within the car. E.g. your phone will automatically link with the car and all calls will go to car speaker with the caller's details displayed on the dash. In the meantime it seems as if we need to suffer these idiots.
But do we really need to chat whilst driving? Is it really that important? It wasn't 20 odd years ago and we seemed to get by okay.
Now I am an old foccer but what gets me is how people cant even walk down the street without their phone on talking to someone. Young & not so young women pushing buggies into road without looking for traffic. Even so-called "intelligent" university students walking out from pavement without any awareness of danger. As celticdog says the vehicle technology is here or on the way-I had an onboard central console that functioned as satnav, phone display & audio centre with phone buttons on steering wheel in a Merc Sprinter 9 years ago.
I am not a "Luddite"but wonder if the technology is ahead of the average humans attention span. I see kids leaving primary school without basic literary/language skills but they know all about their smartphones/facebook/etc
One thing i notice a lot when reading daily online news, is that reporters can't spell these days.
In fact they are so appalling at it, i make a point of making them aware of how shit their grammar has consistently been every day.
This must have something to do with not putting pen to paper, but even still they'll release stories that even their spellchecker hasn't resolved?
And now we have phone/laptop/tablet technology where you don't even need to type any more, you just speak to the gadget instead!
Yes, it is a very quick and brilliant concept, but i can't help feeling it's making people so lazy that they're not learning or refreshing their own skills as much as they really should be.
(typed with my own fingers)
Here's a perfect example of more embarrassing reporting. I'm looking at it wondering what he'd be retrained in, then realise it's meant to be "restrained", and this is a headline as well so they should easily spot the error. I see this so often, and although it's general laziness by not checking it before releasing it, it is also people becoming more reliant on technology. :rolleyes
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An old survey suggested that up to two million drivers fall asleep at the wheel, maybe if they had been texting this number could have been reduced..................ahem
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You right Dave,(&Darrsi) there's no excuse. I think long term it won't be an issue as the technology is being integrated within the car. E.g. your phone will automatically link with the car and all calls will go to car speaker with the caller's details displayed on the dash. In the meantime it seems as if we need to suffer these idiots.
I love this!
Back in the summer I was filtering through a jam and stopped by this guy in a big Audi with his window open, his stereo blasting out some, like, well wicked bass innit, when his phone went off through his speakers.
I heard him say hello, then a woman's voice came booming out "Oh don't forget you need Canesten!"
His windows went straight up and I couldn't ride for the tears in my eyes.
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interesting.....those who advocate bans etc...
do you talk to your passenger, do you have the radio on etc.......all of these plus others come under the term "distraction"
I see the Police on hand held radios whilst driving, do you think that's a distraction or are they barley?
driving when tired probably causes more accidents/deaths
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interesting.....those who advocate bans etc...
do you talk to your passenger, do you have the radio on etc.......all of these plus others come under the term "distraction"
I see the Police on hand held radios whilst driving, do you think that's a distraction or are they barley?
driving when tired probably causes more accidents/deaths
Police are exempt if on blues.
Don't need a seatbelt either.
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and that's the issue darrsi
the law says if you're distracted (e.g. using a mobile) then you're liable to be fined or worse if causing an accident, what makes the Police barley....other than legislation.....they're still human and can be distracted (not having a pop at the Police here......but this shows how out of touch the judiciary/Gvnt are)
there's no if and buts in law.....its black and white (before you start I know there's grey areas in law) you're either distracted or you're not
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and that's the issue darrsi
the law says if you're distracted (e.g. using a mobile) then you're liable to be fined or worse if causing an accident, what makes the Police barley....other than legislation.....they're still human and can be distracted (not having a pop at the Police here......but this shows how out of touch the judiciary/Gvnt are)
there's no if and buts in law.....its black and white (before you start I know there's grey areas in law) you're either distracted or you're not
I don't disagree with you at all.
The police make mistakes, and will in a lot of cases take full responsibility instantly.
More so with things like driving on the the wrong side of the road, going through red lights, etc.
They still need to drive with absolute due care and and attention, and sometimes they get it wrong, and whoever they cause issues to need to be rightfully compensated without question.
It IS a grey area to the point where if it was you in trouble you'd like to think that any services would go all out to get to you asap though.
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interesting.....those who advocate bans etc...
do you talk to your passenger, do you have the radio on etc.......all of these plus others come under the term "distraction"
Not quite in the same arena though I fear to say! Talking to someone and/ listening to the radio isn't quite the same as having one hand off the wheel or looking downwards whilst texting!
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I wonder is there a business opportunity here. Being retired and the sad bastard that I am, what if I stood at a road junction with a Camera and photographed every car, van , lorry driver I observed using a mobile phone. Good clear photo of them and in the same photo got the reg number. Must be some way you could get them prosecuted and get cut of the money they were fined? Failing that you could find out were the fecker lived and just black mail them, thoughts please. ;)
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I wonder is there a business opportunity here. Being retired and the sad bastard that I am, what if I stood at a road junction with a Camera and photographed every car, van , lorry driver I observed using a mobile phone. Good clear photo of them and in the same photo got the reg number. Must be some way you could get them prosecuted and get cut of the money they were fined? Failing that you could find out were the fecker lived and just black mail them, thoughts please. ;)
Ah nice idea but I do fear it would only take around a week for you to have no knee caps left haha
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I wonder is there a business opportunity here. Being retired and the sad bastard that I am, what if I stood at a road junction with a Camera and photographed every car, van , lorry driver I observed using a mobile phone. Good clear photo of them and in the same photo got the reg number. Must be some way you could get them prosecuted and get cut of the money they were fined? Failing that you could find out were the fecker lived and just black mail them, thoughts please. ;)
You'd eventually be "accidentally" run over by a skip lorry i'd imagine!
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All this talk about using mobiles whilst driving, I'm just hoping that the laws recently passed in France about the compulsory wearing of motorcycle gloves do not get implemented over here. I mean its difficult enough texting whilst riding along on the Fazer without have to manage it with thick motorcycle gloves on :lol
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:lol
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I wonder is there a business opportunity here. Being retired and the sad bastard that I am, what if I stood at a road junction with a Camera and photographed every car, van , lorry driver I observed using a mobile phone. Good clear photo of them and in the same photo got the reg number. Must be some way you could get them prosecuted and get cut of the money they were fined? Failing that you could find out were the fecker lived and just black mail them, thoughts please. ;)
Ah nice idea but I do fear it would only take around a week for you to have no knee caps left haha
Think I will give it a go , sure me knees are knackered anyway, could be a way to jump the queue.
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All this talk about using mobiles whilst driving, I'm just hoping that the laws recently passed in France about the compulsory wearing of motorcycle gloves do not get implemented over here. I mean its difficult enough texting whilst riding along on the Fazer without have to manage it with thick motorcycle gloves on :lol
You may be joking but I have genuinely seen a teenager driving a moped while texting. It beggars belief, especially when he was only wearing a tracksuit and trainers (no socks) and the cheapest lid money can buy.
I suppose on the upside he wouldn't have survived long enough to make it to a cage and hurt someone else 🤔
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interesting.....those who advocate bans etc...
do you talk to your passenger, do you have the radio on etc.......all of these plus others come under the term "distraction"
Not quite in the same arena though I fear to say! Talking to someone and/ listening to the radio isn't quite the same as having one hand off the wheel or looking downwards whilst texting!
It's without doubt an individual thing, i see plenty of drivers with both hands on the wheel, probably no radio on, and no passengers in the car for any distraction yet they still drive like a total moron.
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I wonder is there a business opportunity here. Being retired and the sad bastard that I am, what if I stood at a road junction with a Camera and photographed every car, van , lorry driver I observed using a mobile phone. Good clear photo of them and in the same photo got the reg number. Must be some way you could get them prosecuted and get cut of the money they were fined? Failing that you could find out were the fecker lived and just black mail them, thoughts please. ;)
I've been thinking similar thoughts myself for some years now, but not 'diy'. Two police officers, one plain clothed and equipped with a decent digital camera standing at the side of a busy road, the second in a pull-in area a hundred yards further on to book and ticket 'phone/device using drivers. The revenue would be massive. The only problem I can foresee is the queue of caught drivers backing up onto the road...
It is my opinion that the fine should be £1000 and six points, no more, no less, no ecxceptions i.e. a decent deterrent.
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:agree it may work
One of the issues is the morrows in the cars and their complete misunderstanding of what the law actually is.
To them, using a phone is holding it to your ear when the actual offence is "complete" just by holding the phone. The number of people I see driving and holding the phone in front of their face to use as they think this is allowed is incredible. More money needs to be spent on advertising what the law actually is to make people understand.
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you can get done for being parked up and using your moby. They write the laws in black and white which doesn't help (see previous sentence)
I've got some background in Road safety and you wouldn't believe some peoples ideas ....then again.....
people adamant that 1mph over the limit is a heinous crime and when you explain its more dangerous to keep checking the speedo, they don't want to know.
I know of someone who smoked a joint and 12 hours later got pulled driving, awaiting test results that will criminalise the person for life and probably see them lose their job due to losing licence (apparently magistrates have no option but to ban and hardship cannot be factored in)
if we're writing rules stating certain things are illegal then you can't have Police using hand held radios whilst driving. no difference to using a moby...Its either dangerous or it isn't
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Police have exemption from ALL traffic laws when driving on emergencies only. However, if their actions cause an accident it is investigated by the police complaints people and if they are BELIEVED to be guilty then they still get done.
You cannot expect PC Plod to abide by the law at all times or they would not be able to catch anyone speeding etc through fear of being done for speeding themselves.
I don't think Plod can use mobiles, but they can use their radios. Traffic cars have buttons on the steering wheel and voice activation on the radios to allow the driver to concentrate on driving with both hands though the local Pandas don't and the drivers of these (Panda cars not traffic) have not a lot more training than the average driver on the road though the internal driving test is a little harder to pass than the standard DVSA one.
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BB.....exempt from ALL traffic laws?
do you know that for certain?......I only ask as being in Fire our drivers are barley to an extent. Red lights HAVE to be driven as Give Ways... ie Fire slows down but if some idiot decides they have right of way on their green light and an accident follows, then Fire is in the wrong....
likewise if Joe public ONLY just pulls over through a red to allow an emergency vehicle thru and gets flashed then the magistrate HAS to do Joe as there's no leeway in law.
WE CANNOT GO THROUGH A "NO ENTRY" SIGN
I agree Police drive to higher standards especially those above panda cars....Police Cat 1 is the highest you'll get....but their radios double as mobile phones too. I watched a panda driver making a sharp 90 degree turn with one hand steering whilst talking into his radio on his lapel & thought....ummm!
I'd love to hear a Judge make a call on an advanced driver on a moby. A good brief defending that V a panda driver on the radio ...coz tbh, I cannot see any difference and this is where I'm coming from when I say its all or nothing
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:agree Maddog
Your drivers are exempt too and their training to allow them to do that allows them to go through thpse red lights etc. You treat them as give way because you know someone may not hear/see you and they actually have the right of way.
Regarding the public getting done for red light jumping, IF people actually got done for it there would be an outcry. As far as I am aware, nobody has actually had the charges stick on that one because the magistrates throw it out.
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BB
"exempt" until the accident then the Brigade and the Union say "sorry but your on your own"
its a fine line for emergency drivers as they put their jobs on the line each time they proceed to a job, there doesn't seem to be an appetite by the courts to punish as I think there'd be a mass throwing in of licences across all emergency services if it happened. Having said that, I recall a fire engine a few years back passing a herd of cows with the two tones on (idiotic driver should've used a bit of nous and killed them for a few minutes) and it made the cows stampede which in turn seriously injured or killed the farmer. (the OIC also gets done by the brigade as ultimately he is in charge of the appliance....he can order a driver to slow down but cannot order a driver to drive faster)
The CPS were looking to do the appliance driver....I do not know the outcome of the case but one has to be accountable for ones actions.
I'm all for emergency drivers doing whats needed but must confess if one of my family was injured or killed then I'd be looking into it.
as for the jumping red lights by Joe public......the case I mentioned was a car at a red light with a camera to stop red light jumpers. The lead car just pulled through and to the side to allow an ambo or fire engine through and got flashed. Judge said he had every sympathy with Joe but his hands were tied in law and he had to do the driver. It made the National papers
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you can get done for being parked up and using your moby. They write the laws in black and white which doesn't help (see previous sentence)
I've got some background in Road safety and you wouldn't believe some peoples ideas ....then again.....
people adamant that 1mph over the limit is a heinous crime and when you explain its more dangerous to keep checking the speedo, they don't want to know.
I know of someone who smoked a joint and 12 hours later got pulled driving, awaiting test results that will criminalise the person for life and probably see them lose their job due to losing licence (apparently magistrates have no option but to ban and hardship cannot be factored in)
if we're writing rules stating certain things are illegal then you can't have Police using hand held radios whilst driving. no difference to using a moby...Its either dangerous or it isn't
Handheld radio's are used for short neccessary to the point transmissions not long distracting conversations.
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you can get done for being parked up and using your moby. They write the laws in black and white which doesn't help (see previous sentence)
I've got some background in Road safety and you wouldn't believe some peoples ideas ....then again.....
people adamant that 1mph over the limit is a heinous crime and when you explain its more dangerous to keep checking the speedo, they don't want to know.
I know of someone who smoked a joint and 12 hours later got pulled driving, awaiting test results that will criminalise the person for life and probably see them lose their job due to losing licence (apparently magistrates have no option but to ban and hardship cannot be factored in)
if we're writing rules stating certain things are illegal then you can't have Police using hand held radios whilst driving. no difference to using a moby...Its either dangerous or it isn't
Handheld radio's are used for short neccessary to the point transmissions not long distracting conversations.
BUT really it's not long conversations that people have on their mobiles while driving, with the exception of white van men I've rarely seen anyone actually talking with the phone to their ear, it's texting that's the main problem.
Having to look down and away from the road and then concentrate on doing abother task. That's where the majority of the accidents happen.
It's not overly difficult to talk on a phone and drive as you still get to concentrate on the road so essentially as long as you can drive with 1 hand then you shouldn't be too much of a danger, but taking your eyes off the road for varying amounts of time is what's stupidly dangerous.
It's not even just phones, I know people who have had accidents while trying to change cds/radio stations or 1 girl that had a head one because her bag fell off the passenger seat and she bent down to pick it up!!
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I quite often see drivers with their phone in their hand, waiting at traffic.
They're not using it, they simply cannot bear to put it down.
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Midden.....so if I have a short and to the point one sided phone call, I'm barley?
"been a bad crash, be at least an hour before I'm home"
I don't think I'd win that one
BTW, I nearly wrapped up driving home today.....full of flu and out all night with a jumper on a bridge, coming home and I felt shit. must've dozed for a nano second and I was over the other side of the road, very very lucky that no cars/bikes were on the oppo carriageway
Tiredness.....there's one that we hear a lot about
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I quite often see drivers with their phone in their hand, waiting at traffic.
They're not using it, they simply cannot bear to put it down.
I think this is the crux of the matter-its "device addiction". So many users feel unhappy/insecure unless permanently "connected". It was only 30 years ago we all managed pretty well. They have their uses & I wouldnt want to be without mine but I quite happily put it in my pocket when Im driving/riding.
My granddaughters aged 5 & 9 cant be without their ipads/whatever unless I take them out somewhere & we do old fashioned things like talking to each other face to face!
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I quite often see drivers with their phone in their hand, waiting at traffic.
They're not using it, they simply cannot bear to put it down.
I think this is the crux of the matter-its "device addiction". So many users feel unhappy/insecure unless permanently "connected". It was only 30 years ago we all managed pretty well. They have their uses & I wouldnt want to be without mine but I quite happily put it in my pocket when Im driving/riding.
My granddaughters aged 5 & 9 cant be without their ipads/whatever unless I take them out somewhere & we do old fashioned things like talking to each other face to face!
A perfect example of device addiction.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/573213/fishing-ipad-drop-video-russia (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/573213/fishing-ipad-drop-video-russia)
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My granddaughters aged 5 & 9 cant be without their ipads/whatever unless I take them out somewhere & we do old fashioned things like talking to each other face to face!
What I would of given back in the day for an ipad when our kids were young and we would try to go out for a nice meal and they would be right little shits, now when we are out I see very well behaved kids on their ipads
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I think we all agree that the average motorist is in fact far below average in ability. So if you take a below par ability then further reduce that ability with the distraction of phones, satnags, radios, coffee cup holders, make-up mirrors, mp3 players, pie eating etc. etc. then the result can be a really bad driver with 0% attention to the road ahead.
Technology to deactivate mobiles while the ignition is turned on gets my vote.
PS. I recently watched a horrific video on Youtube where a guy wipes out two pedestrians and hits a tree in his car. He ends up hanging out of the rear passenger window BUT CARRIES ON WITH THE PHONE CALL HE WAS MAKING. Easy to see where his priorities lay.
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Technology to deactivate mobiles while the ignition is turned on gets my vote.
A suggestion that keeps turning up, but how do you do this without disabling passenger's phones too? And how do you stop it interfering with phones of passers by?
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you can get done for being parked up and using your moby. They write the laws in black and white which doesn't help (see previous sentence)
I've got some background in Road safety and you wouldn't believe some peoples ideas ....then again.....
people adamant that 1mph over the limit is a heinous crime and when you explain its more dangerous to keep checking the speedo, they don't want to know.
I know of someone who smoked a joint and 12 hours later got pulled driving, awaiting test results that will criminalise the person for life and probably see them lose their job due to losing licence (apparently magistrates have no option but to ban and hardship cannot be factored in)
if we're writing rules stating certain things are illegal then you can't have Police using hand held radios whilst driving. no difference to using a moby...Its either dangerous or it isn't
Is that statement picked out in red true, I'm sure it would be if you are waiting at traffic lights or at a junction, but be parked up? maybe if illegally parked causing a hazard to other motorists, maybe with engine running, but being parked up.
I understand that if you have the ignition keys to a car or bike on your person whilst being drunk, you are still classed as being in charge of the vehicle, but even then distances must come into play, because some people have their front door key on the same key ring as the car keys.
If I am am in Manchester pissed up and my car is in Ketttering am I still in charge of that vehicle, my Mrs might have keys to it and have driven it shopping in Bond Street (The Bitch spending all my beer money) :rolleyes
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ye its true as far as I can remember.....the charge is something like using a moby in a vehicle (where's all the site cops when we need them?) and again the law is written in black and white that throws up grey areas that we tend to lose!
as for keys, your right but distance does come into it......you in Manchester and the car in the Midlands but I'd personally gaol you just for being in Manchester :lol
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you can get done for being parked up and using your moby. They write the laws in black and white which doesn't help (see previous sentence)
Is that statement picked out in red true,
No:
When you can use a phone in your vehicle
If you’re the driver, you can only use your phone in a vehicle if you:
* need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop
* are safely parked
https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law (https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law)
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ye its true as far as I can remember.....the charge is something like using a moby in a vehicle (where's all the site cops when we need them?) and again the law is written in black and white that throws up grey areas that we tend to lose!
as for keys, your right but distance does come into it......you in Manchester and the car in the Midlands but I'd personally gaol you just for being in Manchester :lol
Quite right to. Actually as just used Manchester & Kettering as they are two places I have never been. And to be honest why would you?
Me personally I'm a southern bastard. Born in London live in Hampshire. 25 min bike run to the coast.
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As per usual, the technology isn't at fault and should not be blamed - attitudes like that would leave us in the dark ages
Unfortunately, it's the prevailing stupidity of the general populace that can fuel both sides. Technology is fantastic and can do amazing things, but at the same time should be respected and used appropriately.
I'll admit to not having read this entire thread, but I did see a few comments regarding why even bother having mobile phones since we managed without them before. But those comments are based solely on all the worst things and the negativity. Mobile phones provide a huge amount of access to emergency services should they be required, potentially saving valuable time in the event they are required.
Bringing it a little closer to home, bikers have benefited from mobile phones by being able to call for help when completely out in the sticks after having an accident. Even more so there is further developments that will allow a modern smart phone to potentially detect a crash and provide details such as your location to an emergency contact.
I'm not going to argue that technology doesn't have it's limitations or that it is faultless, but every day people are working to improve those limitations and repair those faults. It's never static, it's always going to continue moving and developing. Sure, you'll sometimes take some steps back, but ever continuing motion is forward.
Blaming technology for the downfall of society, or for idiots being idiots, is tantamount to blaming the gun for killing someone; it's not the tech, it's the person behind it.
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I think that if someone caught using a mobile while driving should be treated in the same way as drink drivers , minimum ban period or plod can take the cars from the offenders on the spot like no insurance or tax offenders.
Unfortunately the way I see it is that there are not enough plod to enforce road laws nowadays and that's why driving standards have gone to shit all over the country and a fine and a few points is an inconvenience not a deterrent.
I agree it's not the fault of the mobile it's the dickheads that can't survive without talking on it or face tubing or sexting and sending twats on twatter or instanob selfies.
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As per usual, the technology isn't at fault and should not be blamed - attitudes like that would leave us in the dark ages
Unfortunately, it's the prevailing stupidity of the general populace that can fuel both sides. Technology is fantastic and can do amazing things, but at the same time should be respected and used appropriately.
I'll admit to not having read this entire thread, but I did see a few comments regarding why even bother having mobile phones since we managed without them before. But those comments are based solely on all the worst things and the negativity. Mobile phones provide a huge amount of access to emergency services should they be required, potentially saving valuable time in the event they are required.
Bringing it a little closer to home, bikers have benefited from mobile phones by being able to call for help when completely out in the sticks after having an accident. Even more so there is further developments that will allow a modern smart phone to potentially detect a crash and provide details such as your location to an emergency contact.
I'm not going to argue that technology doesn't have it's limitations or that it is faultless, but every day people are working to improve those limitations and repair those faults. It's never static, it's always going to continue moving and developing. Sure, you'll sometimes take some steps back, but ever continuing motion is forward.
Blaming technology for the downfall of society, or for idiots being idiots, is tantamount to blaming the gun for killing someone; it's not the tech, it's the person behind it.
Good write up Dead Eye :thumbup
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Thanks, I appreciate the comment :)
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thanks for the clarification Gray, sorry folks.......was told that years ago as Gospel by someone in the know....should've checked my facts :rolleyes
BTW, driving standards are shite coz of the way ppl are being taught/tested these days.....its compounded by a lack of Police so ppl think they can drive/act like a tw*t and get away with it
there's a difference between driving like a tw*t coz you're a poor driver and acting the tw*t behind the wheel
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That's a good point and definitely true - if marked police cars were spotted on patrol more often, people would be much less inclined to driver poorly or creep over speed limits. Increasing the penalty will do very little if people believe they can get away with it imo
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I have a 250 mile drive from Gatwick to Plymouth to do this weekend and I can probably count on one finger (or less) how many marked plod vehicles I will see from leaving home, travelling the M23, M25, M3, A303, A30 and A38 until I get into Plymouth.
The only reason I will see any is my sons flat is next door to Plymouth plod station and there will be a few cars parked in their yard I will see.
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True. It's like that stupid law about not hogging the middle lane. I drive about 100 miles daily on the M5 and rarely ever see a marked police car, a few unmarked ones but almost never marked ones. Not unless there's an accident, then suddenly they're like wasps round a jam pot.