Mobile Phone Use In Cars

[cassa333]

I have always said the "powers that be" should have a HUGE advertising campaign on the use of mobile phones while driving. A bit like they did with seat belts years ago.

There would then be no excuse when they are caught.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37643994

Some people said they didn't realise it was illegal and some didn't care.

[youngmafbog]

Well it would not hurt, but ignorance of the law is not an excuse and to be honest anyone using tech like a mobile claiming they didnt know after all the publicity on it is clearly lying anyway.

The most effective way is for plod to have campaign (like the annual drink drive campaign) and for Magistrates (if goes to court) pass maximum sentences.

Once a few people have lost their licenses (which are a privilege not a right) then it might sink in to even the thickest brain.

[bhg481]

Despite all the advertising I don't think people believe how distracting using a phone whilst driving is. Perhaps the equivalence of the "speed awareness" courses should be compulsory (as well as the fine etc) for anyone caught using a phone whilst driving. The course would involve using a simulator and make two "journeys", one using and one not using a phone and show how many hazards were spotted in both cases. It's a long time now since I took my driving test - does the current test involve hazard-spotting on a simulator? If so, the mechanism already exists for the courses.

[mikey4444]

I saw this earlier this morning Cassa. I think its a case of technology racing ahead of the law. Mobiles can't be disinvented, so the powers to be need to up their game when dealing with this huge problem. I see illegal use of phones every day I go out the door.

[naomi24]

//I have always said the "powers that be" should have a HUGE advertising campaign on the use of mobile phones while driving.//

Maybe they should have a HUGE advertising campaign on the availability of 'hands-free' kits for use in cars that don't have built in technology. There's no excuse these days.

[webbo3]

The problem is they are too lenient, an instant on the spot £500 fine and 6 points.

But, ............But this needs to be sensibly done, i.e not fining someone sat in 5 miles of stationary traffic or at he side of the road.



Dave.

[ToraToraTora]

my usual response is that it's worse than DD and should be treated as such. Ie minimum 12 month ban etc.

[Baldric]

When we collected Mrs B's new car a couple of weeks ago the Saleswoman said 'Give me your mobiles' and in less than two minutes both 'phones were linked to the in-car system before we had even started it up.
There really is no excuse imo.

[TWR]

1 year ban, £1000 fine, end of.

[vulcan42]

There's a very simple solution but for some reason the government is reluctant to use it, make hands free kits fitted to cars compulsory. Over the years many safety devices have been retrofitted, flashing indicators, seat belts, tachographs etc, so why not jammers or a hands free kit?

[Baldric]

I really don't think a 'Jammer' is a good idea.

[vulcan42]

Baldric, may I ask why?

[naomi24]

Baldric, my car has a built in system - but if it didn't I'd buy a hands free kit. I really don't understand why people don't.

[Baldric]

Tink about it, somewhere remote, one vehicle accident, swerve to avoid an animal maybe, trapped in car and your 'phone is jammed, not helpful.

[Baldric]

Think ^^^ even %$£$%!

[Hopkirk]

Hands free is not the solution, because people are too tempted to do things on screen nowadays - which is even more dangerous than talking.

I have a high vantage point in my lorry, and you would be amazed how many people I see checking Facebook or whatever while driving.

The only way to stop it is if people believe they will actually be caught.

[ToraToraTora]

well a jammer would jam the passengers too.

[Hopkirk]

Encouraging hands free is also not wise.

There is ample evidence that thinking about the conversation is a big distraction, not the fact that one hand is holding the phone.

The part of your brain used in the conversation is the same part that assesses hazards and makes decisions.

[vulcan42]

Some cars are already fitted with an accident alert system, following a crash it automatically alerts the emergency services, giving locations etc, perhaps these could be made compulsory fitted as well. Cost, I hear you say but when the government made tachograph's compulsory a lot of owners complained about the costs involved, an average kit was about £500, this was forty years ago, and it cost fleet owners many thousands of pounds but it was made compulsory to save lives.
fitting a hands free kit/ jammer.
Inconvenient? yes, costly? certainly but which is more important, saving money or saving lives? Bigger fines might work but as most drivers have a built in "it won't happen to me" syndrome, how long will it be and how many lives lost before being fined finally works.

[chrissa1]

While I think a Huge, advertising campaign would be a good idea, the youth of today don't sit and watch television like they did before mobile phones came on the scene. They are sitting on their phones or tablets.

[Gromit]

Ignorance is not a defence.
If someone says they don't know the road rules, they should be made to take their driving test again on top of any fine.
Of course everyone know they shouldn't do it, so no need for a costly advertising campaign.