Will A Ban Now Come In?

[TWR]

I hope it does for driving using a mobile phone, 6pm tonight's news.

[New Judge]

Type Your Answer Here...The proposal (which will not come into effect until next year) is to double the current 3 points for the offence to six.

[TWR]

I disagree with further points NJ, that does not work, an instant 1 year ban with a £1000 Fine, the only way in my opinion.

[Prudie]

Points haven't worked because most people know the chance of being stopped and charged is minimal.

[mightymouse]

How will the law be able to enforce this? Wish they could!

[mikey4444]

I see this sort of all the time, and I can't see that it would be that hard to police. All they have to do is stand by any roundabout or traffic lights.

I'm a bit peeded off by the Police constantly saying that they don't have the men-power to do what they are paid for.

Yes....mandatory 1 years ban for the first offence and then 3 years after that.

[New Judge]

Yes I agree, Mikey (and TWR). Same as excess alcohol: 12 month ban for the first offence, 3 years for a second within ten years. I'm afraid people who faff about with phones whilst driving are so stupid as to be unbelievable and it's the only language they understand.

[jourdain2]

I saw two on the phone today. One was in a crawling tractor (which I don't think is any real threat) but the other was going at about 50 in a 30 area. The second should be banned - not sure about the first.

[granny grump]

How come the punishment for driving while using a mobile phone is so low when fly tipping carries a much higher penalty
'Fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates' Court. The offence can attract an unlimited fine and up to 5 years imprisonment if convicted in a Crown Court'
Surely the penalty for driving while using a mobile phone should at least be on a par with flytipping?

[ToraToraTora]

I hope so, it should be treated as DD, more dangerous in my opinion, especially texting.

[New Judge]

“'Fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates' Court.”

Don’t know where you read that, granny. The maximum prison sentence for any single offence that Magistrates can impose is 6 months. They can go up to twelve months only if sentencing two or more “either way” offences. In fact their powers for “fly tipping” are an unlimited fine and/or six months custody. Full details here:

http://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/item/individuals-unauthorised-or-harmful-deposit-treatment-or-disposal-etc-of-waste-illegal-discharges-to-air-land-and-water/

It is often not helpful to compare maximum sentences. Few people are sent to prison for fly tipping and the offence can cover a wide range of seriousness. To understand this consider theft. The maximum sentence for theft is seven years but people nicking a bottle of vodka from Sainsbury’s are very unlikely to go to prison at all.

[ToraToraTora]

makes no difference jordain, a slow moving vehicle can still cause carnage.

[granny grump]

Sorry New judge - was on 'Dom on the spot' perhaps not the best reference to quote ha ha

[douglas9401]

With Bluetooth earpieces starting at less than a tenner there's no reason to be touching your phone in the car at all.
Of course, many people see themselves as extraordinary and deserving of special treatment, to wit, above the law.
I blame the parents. And MTV.

[baza]

Just think of all those white vans and reps cars with no drivers because they are banned, what a great thought.

[Lunol]

The ban won't make a difference bar a few token convictions.

How many people have been arrested/convicted for smoking with their kids since the smoking ban with children in the vehicle again?

[ToraToraTora]

you cannot legislate based on the performance of plod. Thousands get away with loads of things each day. When they get caught they get punished. This is no different.