Using mobile phone when driving

[maddog04]

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

[BBROWN1664]

: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.

[maddog04]

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

[midden]

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.

[Dudeofrude]

[quote author=maddog04 link=topic=21570.msg248553#msg248553 date=1482922917]
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.
[/quote]

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!!

[darrsi]

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.

[maddog04]

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

[Dave48]

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!

[darrsi]

[quote author=darrsi link=topic=21570.msg248624#msg248624 date=1483021442]
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!
[/quote]


A perfect example of device addiction.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-n...deo-russia

[fazersharp]

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

[DILLIGAFF]

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.

[Grahamm]

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?

[tommyardin]

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

[maddog04]

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

[Grahamm]

[quote author=maddog04 link=topic=21570.msg248553#msg248553 date=1482922917]
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, [/quote]

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-w...ng-the-law

[tommyardin]

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.

[Dead Eye]

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.

[Graham53]

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.

[tommyardin]

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

[Dead Eye]

Thanks, I appreciate the comment