Using Mobile whilst driving

Using hands-free devices when driving

You can use hands-free phones, sat navs and 2-way radios when you’re driving or riding. But if the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle you could still get stopped and penalised.

From personal experience and having used mobiles in vehicles for over 20yrs, (back in the days of the brick!)  It is Dangerous to use any device that takes your mind off the task of driving whilst mobile. I have frequently in the past while on a phone call suddenly found that i had no real recollection of the journey i had just driven. (and I have taken numerous safe driving courses including those required to drive emergency vehicles)

How anyone can say it is not a distraction to use your mobile hands free or not is kidding themselves on their capabilities. Surely people’s lives including your own are far more valuable than any phone call you think you Must make.

Which is why my phone is now on silent in the car and only check it when stopped. Peoples lives are worth far more than any phone call!!

I saw in the paper the other day someone suggesting making available some sort of technology which would block the use of mobile phones while driving. Maybe the boffins could come up with something of that sort which would block the use of phones while the car engine is switched on.

This has been suggested before but how would such a protocol differentiate between a driver and a passenger.

I saw in the paper the other day someone suggesting making available some sort of technology which would block the use of mobile phones while driving. Maybe the boffins could come up with something of that sort which would block the use of phones while the car engine is switched on.

This has been suggested before but how would such a protocol differentiate between a driver and a passenger.

...Even if a passenger is on the phone it is a distraction for the person driving,as it is only a one ended conversation that is being carried out,

There is something already in existance to stop the use of mobiles while driving:-

Common Sense

This is not going to go down well but I do think that we have look at this a bit more carefully.

I have no reservation in stating categorically that I believe the use of hand held mobile phones whilst driving is dangerous and anti social. I also agree with the member who suggested that the Police should be able to seize and crush the phones of those found using them.  The act of Txting is even worse as it takes eyes of the road for even longer.

BUT I do have reservations about also condeming drivers who have fully automatic hands free systems built into their car.  I have read the contra views but I still remain unconvinced that they are more dangerous than talking to a passenger or driving with unruly kids etc.  Remember too that whatever is decided, it has to be enforceable and there is almost no-one to do that today.

I think we have to look at what is acheviable and what will whatever we legislate for, will be ignored by many as unreasonable etc.

Perhaps we should look outside the box and strive to make such communications better, - to build hands free systems that are even better, cause less distraction and require less effort to initiate etc.   Recognise that in this day & age people will always require the ability to be in touch, and to find ways of making it better and safer!

TF

Good post, TF.

This is not going to go down well but I do think that we have look at this a bit more carefully.

I have no reservation in stating categorically that I believe the use of hand held mobile phones whilst driving is dangerous and anti social. I also agree with the member who suggested that the Police should be able to seize and crush the phones of those found using them.  The act of Txting is even worse as it takes eyes of the road for even longer.

BUT I do have reservations about also condeming drivers who have fully automatic hands free systems built into their car.  I have read the contra views but I still remain unconvinced that they are more dangerous than talking to a passenger or driving with unruly kids etc.  Remember too that whatever is decided, it has to be enforceable and there is almost no-one to do that today.

I think we have to look at what is acheviable and what will whatever we legislate for, will be ignored by many as unreasonable etc.

Perhaps we should look outside the box and strive to make such communications better, - to build hands free systems that are even better, cause less distraction and require less effort to initiate etc.   Recognise that in this day & age people will always require the ability to be in touch, and to find ways of making it better and safer!

TF

Write your comments here... Yes, good post. - Brian, I agree that hands free systems are safer- no doubt about it BUT it really is up to the individual driver to sort out in his head if even using a hands free system is safe or if there is an element of distraction - therefore danger even when using such a system. Driving down a straight country road at 50 miles an hour is far safer than say 20 mph around Hyde Park Corner. I have the answer and hang up button (same button) on my steering wheel and I can't imagine anything easier but I have in the past answered the phone when in a stressful situation on the road. The net result was that I was concentrating so hard on the road that I had completely forgotten what control had told me and I found myself in the embarrassing position of having to park up and ask them what they had said!! That's why I now ignore it when necessary. The driver is the only one that can make the decision- that's where the problems start!! 

 ..... I have frequently in the past while on a phone call suddenly found that i had no real recollection of the journey i had just driven.  .....

I used to have the same recollection of journies I made to Rosyth in the early hours of the morning ...... but that was in the early/mid 80s when the idea of a mobile phone was pie in the sky.

.... There's a world of difference between using a 2 way radio handset,....

My point was that there are some that try to say it's the conversation itself, so what difference would it make whether that was by a radio or phone?

Or by talking to the person next to you?

TF