�1000 fine for using your mobile in the car

[skelly]

Is this serious? I do it all the time and I bet most of you do the same. I've started using my hands free kit but sometimes I can't be bothered untangling the wire and sticking it in my ear. I take it you're still allowed to use the phone hands free? �1000 seems a bit steep, do you think they'll really do it?

[andy hughes]

It is - and opinions vary about the validity of the fines. Expert opinion dictates that having one hand off the wheel for extended periods is unsafe, but I feel that the artr of conversation by phone in a car is the dangerous bit. I used to have a mobile handset for my phone at work, and got into the habit of ambling around our large open-plan office when on calls. I stopped because I kept banging into people and furniture when concentrating on the phone call - my spacial awareness went out of the window in direct proportion to the concentration I was putting into my phone call. No pronblem walking around -I got a few bruises, and made several apologies, but if I was driving, it may have been different, My rule is, pull over and anwer your mobile, and if that's not possible, it will take a message - nothing is that important it won't wait until you can stop.

[treaclefight]

my understanding is that it will eventually be equivalent to a speeding ticket, strict liability, 3 points and �40 fine, the �1k fine and driving ban being reserved for repeat offenders. yes i'm sure they'll do it and i the hand free kit will be just as bad, it being the conversation that's affecting your concentration rather than holding the phone.:-)

[answerbok]

agree with Andy Hughes, completely.

[Squirrel]

Is it equally annoying and dangerous if the passenger talks to the driver? I don't want to cause an accident or something.

[mikewith]

Squirrel - another factor making the mobile more dangerous is that the person on the other end can't see what's happening in and around the car -- a passenger won't say anything distracting or surprising as the driver has to concentrate on a manoeuvre or another vehicle, for example.

As for the substantive question - I say ban anyone who drives with a mobile in their hand for life. Fine them �10,000. It has been demonstrably shown to be more more dangerous than drink-driving. You are not in control and I don't want you to kill me!

[Squirrel]

Ah, that didn't occur to me...so, all in all, it's best to take the bus, then?

[LeMarchand]

I thought that they were thinking of making those "earphone" type kits illegal, but still allowing "fitted" hands-free kits. Surely if one is dangerous, then the other must be too?

[DavidUK]

I hope it's serious and I hope they enforce it. I get very angry when I see idiots trying to drive and negotiate junctions etc whilst completely absorbed by their phone conversations. It is claimed that using a phone while driving is more dangerous than drink-driving. I can't believe, skelly, that you think it's OK to do it and that we all do it. If you continue, I hope you get a �1000 fine - it might save your life (or someone elses).

[Cetti]

Thankfully, my husband has quick reactions or we would both have been in very serious trouble yesterday. We were just coming up to a busy road junction, when a car turned in front of us, slicing off the corner and missing us my a hair's breadth. The idiot in this car still had a mobile phone clamped to his right ear, while holding it with his left one!! He was still talking, even after this near miss!!

I'd still like to know how this law will be enforced - taking down registration numbers after a shock will not be easy.

[skelly]

Einstein is spot on, �1000 is nothing compared to a persons life. Daviduk, I asked the question in a way to try and provoke a bit of reaction. However I would still be sure that most people who have read this question have been guilty before. Personally I never used to bother about it, I didn't see the problem, but I changed jobs a while back and I am on the phone alot more while driving, and I do make a point of using my hands free now! (although my question might not have led you to believe it) So having confirmed my true opinion, will I still be fined for using the hands free kit? Is it any worse than singing along to the radio, or as squirrel said, talking to the passenger?

[skelly]

cetti, I assume it would have to be the police who caught the culprit. Say you reported the driver who nearly crashed into you, it's your word against his.

[kendunlop]

I suppose I'm as gulity as anyone for using mobile, but on quiet roads I don't see the problem. What irritates me is that I see no similar legislation for taxi drivers who answer their radios all the time and have to record or memorise their next address and names, usually in cities or busy streets. So what's the difference. If the answer is, "irt's their job" why is talking to a customer on my mobile not "my job". I appreciate it may save lives but I drive 60000 miles a year and have seen some drivers who haven't a clue where they are sometimes. Middle lane hoggers and those who won't pull back in after overtaking to me are totally oblivious to the traffic around them.

[hal]

I once overtook someone on the motorway who was eating a yoghurt with a spoon whist driving!

[gilf]

We got an e-mail at work yesterday from our phone company. It is as said before a �1000 fine for repeat offenders and 3 points �40 for the one off. The issue with hands free and ear pieces etc is that with a fixed in kit all you need to do is briefly touch the answer button, you may use an ear piece but only if you just press the answer button you are not allowed to touch or hold the phone at any time during the call.

[skelly]

I was in Edinburgh last night and witnessed a guy on his mobile, turning onto Princess street, while riding a mountain bike! He was almost hit by a number of double decker buses. I think there should be a �1000 fine for stupidity.

[Bert]

I agree with most of the comments above, i.e using a mobile, hands-free or not, is dangerous. I suppose it is the lack of concentration on driving that makes it so bad, otherwise they would be wanting to ban drivers from smoking (why not? some might ask). I usually listen to Radio 4 while driving, which is usually interesting and often needs concentration (try listening to Money Box). Do you remember the furore that was caused when someone was fined for eating a Kit Kat while driving, even though his passenger had peeled off the silver foil? And wasn't someone else prosecuted for eating an apple while driving? I saw one of those TV shows made up of accidents caught on police car video cameras, and there was one that showed a car driving straight into the back of a parked car, which was alleged to have been caused by the driver changing a cassette tape. I was driving around a roundabout when I saw another car nearby, also negotiating the roundabout. I noticed the driver was on his mobile phone, holding it with his right hand. I was amazed when he threw a cigarette-end out of the window with his left hand! He must have been steering with his knees!