Mobile Phones

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:49 pm

tut wrote:Lawrence

The problem with a law is that it has to apply to everybody. Although the majority of us can safely carry out a mobile phone conversation whilst driving, there are many that can not, and this is where the accidents happen.

The police presented the figures the other day on a TV program, ranging from lack of concentration from lorry drivers and ploughing into the back of a car, to just downright stupidity. Many of these resulted in the death of the people in the other cars, or sometimes pedestrians.

However I think this will lead on to a complete ban on the use of mobile phones in vehicles in the near future, but if this is done, how can they then let the use of Nav systems carry on. Very often drivers will be re-routing these whilst driving requiring several key presses and looking at the screen, which is far more dangerous than holding a phone against your ear and looking straight ahead.

As I rarely use a mobile outside a car, never mind in one, it really does not affect me, and thankfully, the ones that would, road useage charging, and satellite speed monitoring, are around ten years in the future, and though I would love to think that I would still be kicking 4mm's ass in an Elise, it is not too likely<BG>

tut

Tut there's a similar law requiring adherence to the national speed limit. how do you feel about those that transgress it?

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:01 pm

Well there was an unmarked Volvo giving out 3 points and £60 in Broxburn today

We can all sleep safe tonight now

If there really is a need to stop the use of hand held phones, why are car phone kits not a statutory requirement? They could go in the place of the ashtrays

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:03 pm

Lawrence wrote:Well there was an unmarked Volvo giving out 3 points and £60 in Broxburn today

We can all sleep safe tonight now

If there really is a need to stop the use of hand held phones, why are car phone kits not a statutory requirement? They could go in the place of the ashtrays

Lots of coverage on the radio today, talking about the big crack down they are having on mobile phone users in cars. Also radio advertising campaign.

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:10 pm

does anyone else find those Bluetooth in ear things fall off all the time! I'm more of a hazrd trying to keep that on my ear than I was with the phone!

And you've got to pair it.........FFS.

Just discovered it will no auto-pair. TF

tut · Post by **tut** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:14 pm

Funny enough Lawrence, I thought of that just after I posted.

I think most of us feel the same about the speed limit, we know it is law, we know what it is, and we invariably exceed it, outwith the obvious 30 limit.

We know the risk, so if we get caught then it is our own fault, and there is no point in whingeing. The morality question can of course come into it, are we risking injuring others by using our own limits?

However I am still in favour of a blanket ban on hand held mobiles, simply because nearly everyone has one, and there are enough bad drivers out there even when they have both hands on the wheel.

So I think the bottom line is similar to speeding, if you do, don't get caught.

tut

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:23 pm

tut wrote: However I am still in favour of a blanket ban on hand held mobiles, simply because nearly everyone has one, and there are enough bad drivers out there even when they have both hands on the wheel.

tut

But Tut, wouldnt it be better if they just targetted the people who are causing the problems??

Same with speeding. An elise, with a good driver, is much safer at 100mph on the motorway than a 20 year old maestro with rusty brake pipes at 70mph. if there werent blanket rules to cover speeding, we would have a much better time of it.

Skyenet · Post by **Skyenet** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:11 pm

mckeann wrote: wouldnt it be better if they just targetted the people who are causing the problems??
.

In my experience the Police aren't really interested unless it is something that is easy to hand out a fine for. I saw the guy on the mobile phone who rear ended me as I was sitting at traffic lights. I said to the police that he was on the phone but they never even bothered checking his phone which would have proved my story and could have lead to a charge. Had to mess about with insurance companies and nearly ended up in a knock for knock situation. Luckily I had taken photographs of the vehicle position within seconds of the accident and his insurance company ended up covering the claim.

Maybe its because i have experienced so many problems caused by mobile phone users that I can spot them easily, including quite a few on hands free kits and therefore welcome this increased penalty . Can't say I have personally experienced problems caused by other drivers speeding though, and that is in over 30 odd years of driving (with clean licence). So I know what I would rather see Police target

Based on our individual life experiences we all have different values and opinions and therefore some will welcome some laws and others will think each is another example of liberties being taken away from us.

p.s. Neil, what the hell would you want to drive an Elise on a motorway for, even at 100 mph

james · Post by **james** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:51 pm

Skyenet wrote:

p.s. Neil, what the hell would you want to drive an Elise on a motorway for, even at 100 mph

Any faster than 40mph and its too noisy for the handsfree phone anyway so I only makes calls when going slow - a safety feature built in

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:23 pm

corners on motorways are a challenge at 160mph

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:33 pm

mckeann wrote:corners on motorways are a challenge at 160mph

especially with a Cerbera in hot pursuit...........allegedly

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:39 pm

sccchhhhhhhhhhhh.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:05 pm

Andy G wrote:
mckeann wrote:corners on motorways are a challenge at 160mph
especially with a Cerbera in hot pursuit...........allegedly

Disgracefull behavior!

Nothing to be proud of!

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:21 pm

its only allegedly

. Andy was too far back to see the shenanigans

somehow i think he'll be a bit closer in his soon to be new steed

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:56 pm

mckeann wrote:its only allegedly . Andy was too far back to see the shenanigans somehow i think he'll be a bit closer in his soon to be new steed

Would never catch me up to such tomfoolery

... allegedly

Skyenet · Post by **Skyenet** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:29 pm

I see a Chief Superintendent in the Strathclyde Police was stopped on the M74 for using a mobile phone just days after the new law came in.

Also didn't realise that the police don't actually have to stop you to prosecute you. They can take a note of your number and inform you by post that you have broken the law.