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Texting Drivers: Penalty Points And Fines To Double

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mikey4444 | 06:59 Sat 17th Sep 2016 | News
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37389800

Too little and too late. An increase from £100 to £200 is neither here nor there....ditto for the 6 points.

"Earlier this week, a survey by the RAC suggested nearly a third of UK motorists text, make calls and use apps while at the wheel, with the number having risen since 2014"

If the above is true, then I am hugely surprised that there aren't more accidents.
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It will make no difference as no one expects to get caught. The only way is to make it an automatic ban as drink driving is.
07:02 Sat 17th Sep 2016
It will make no difference as no one expects to get caught. The only way is to make it an automatic ban as drink driving is.
I'd have thought that six points in one go was hardly irrelevant. And many are not as well off as yourself and £200 is no chickenfeed them. I still think that the answer is not around increasing punishment for the few caught. It's education, and pragmatically/sensibly better hands free tech as sstandard. Another example of authorities tackling an issue the wrong way.
You only have to listen to the radio during the day "accident" after "accident" great swathes of roads closed off, thousands of other drivers delayed or inconvenienced. At least spend a few pounds on a handfree kit.
ditto Eddie..BAN BAN BAN !!
It's a bad as drink driving, only a ban will suffice.
I agree Eddie.
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OG...I can assure you that I am not well off !

Yes, an immediate ban would go a long way to make people think twice.

I am old enough to remember when it was considered OK to drink and drive.
But it has now become very much not OK, and rightly so. The immediate 1 year ban and the resulting insurance problems in the years following is a major factor in controlling the drink-drive problem. We need to apply the same criteria to texting when driving.
using a phone in any way, handless included , diverts the drivers concentration....in car phone doodahs ought to be removed ..stopped..made illegal also..
I agree minty. Although I think the in car phone setup is OK, but should not be able to answer it while on the move.
Mikey, the current penalties for drink driving are in now way controlling it. You might like to read this:
http://www.drinkdrivingfacts.com/drinkdriving/drink_driving_facts.aspx

No way
step in the right direction but I'm with racoon, it should be treated like DD, instant 12 month ban and big fine.
I agree with an instant ban for anyone caught using hand held phone whilst driving. The main problem who is going to catch them? We don't see too many police round our neck of the woods.
^ Yes catching them is a problem, I can go a week without seeing a police car. But then Drink driving is much the same re getting caught.
Bet you can't do a week though without seeing someone driving while on a hand held phone. I can't go a day!
Where do you live EDDIE? I see Police cars every day.
“…and pragmatically/sensibly better hands free tech as sstandard.”

“At least spend a few pounds on a handfree kit.”

Leaving aside texting (of which more below) it is NOT the physical act of fannying about with phones that is the real problem. Making a phone call – even the inane variety - uses brain processing power. This reduces the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and to react to changing situations. Various studies have proved that this is at least as hazardous as driving with excess alcohol. This proposal (six points) is a step in the right direction but as I said in another answer yesterday, the offence should carry the same penalties as drink-driving (which, incidentally, carries a six month custodial option). That said, six points will see “New Drivers” (those who passed their test less than six months previously) having their licence revoked and reverting to provisional status. This is actually a powerful deterrent and many appearing in court facing six points often plead with the court to disqualify them for a short period instead (the “New Drivers” regulations do not apply to disqualifications).

Texting at the wheel is worse than reading a book and should be charged as dangerous driving, no question. This carries a maximum of two years custody, a mandatory minimum 12 month ban and a compulsory extended re-test.
fines and bans aren't a deterrent but i bet having to retake your driving test would be
In a car worth Thousands,using a Fone worth hundreds ,at least, and fined 200 quid ! Yeah that'll stop 'em OK .
Another success for the Daily Mail. This was their latest campaign!

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