[Dave1963]

About time?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39118523

[evdok]

Confiscate the car too would be a good idea.

[Dave1963]

Originally Posted by evdok

Confiscate the car too would be a good idea.

That is also mentioned in the article, but only for new drivers.

[Torque of the Devil]

Teenage girls texting are the biggest menace, one drove off the road and into a tree killing herself not far from where I live recently.

[GEP77]

Ideally this should be extended to other forms of distraction when driving. I'd quite happily advocate a total ban on smoking in vehicles for instance. I can't see how a driver holding a cigarette can be in the same level of control as someone who isn't for instance.

The one thing that bothers me though is that while there are significant penalties for using a phone while driving the sheer number of people I see using phones while driving is unbelieveable. I'd be interested to see if it was possible to use forward facing cameras to automate detection and prosecution.

[ajfoggy]

Immediate crushing of phone at road side.

[GEP77]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Immediate crushing of phone at road side.

That seems like an excellent idea.

[creepy coupe]

Don't get me wrong, these tougher laws can't come soon enough.

How long before integrated systems are banned. What's the difference between pressing a button on a smart phone to look at nav. To fumbling through idrive?

[JLR1969]

The police will catch a few people to make a point then go back to their old ways, I read yesterday that being a paedophile is ok so long as you don't hurt children

It's just a disgrace

[Dave1963]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Don't get me wrong, these tougher laws can't come soon enough.

How long before integrated systems are banned. What's the difference between pressing a button on a smart phone to look at nav. To fumbling through idrive?

Good point, but iDrive can be used totally hands free and if you have HUD, is just amazing.

[ajfoggy]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Don't get me wrong, these tougher laws can't come soon enough.

How long before integrated systems are banned. What's the difference between pressing a button on a smart phone to look at nav. To fumbling through idrive?

By that point we won't be driving the cars anyway?

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by Dave1963

Good point, but iDrive can be used totally hands free and if you have HUD, is just amazing.

The future is 'Garlic Bread' now that's amazing garlic and bread!

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Dave1963

Good point, but iDrive can be used totally hands free and if you have HUD, is just amazing.

I have HUD. But could still read news and weather report while on the move. it won't show on the HUD though.

[Edinburra]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

The future is 'Garlic Bread' now that's amazing garlic and bread!

Brilliant.

[Danny Fireblade]

There are no excuses for using a mobile while driving, however police officers have discretion if and when they issue a ticket for traffic offences.

I like to point out that there is that element of discretion available, and then issue the ticket, and this will continue to be the case, as I don't want to tell someone their loved ones will not be returning home again, as someone thought using their phone was more important than someone's life.

Sounds harsh, but seeing as my wife has been hit by a drunk driver using their phone, and is still suffering the medical issues after 6 years, I have zero sympathy, even if that means they lose their licence.

[Tengocity]

At what point are you allowed to use your phone in the car?

By that I mean:

1. Waiting at traffic lights with handbrake on?
2. Parked at side of the road?
3. Is hand brake on sufficient to be 'not driving' or is it 'engine running'.

Or is it like drink driving where being over the limit, with your keys, even in a parked car with the engine off is enough to get done for Drink driving? (Or is that urban myth)

[willjames]

Just last week I attended a 'What's driving us course'. I did this to avoid points and was guilty of running a red light early morning and was caught on camera. No problem, bang to rights and the course was really informative.

However, others were on the course because they had been caught using their mobile. The course tutors explained that any phone call either hands free or not is distracting. Although hands free is still legal. He said that generally a person cannot do two 'high order thinking tasks' at once. I.e. Driving and making a phone call that's why they recommend you don't even use hands free. They also explained that when we are calling someone (as opposed to having a conversation with someone in the car) we have to concentrate much harder to convey the same message because the other person can't see or read your body language....I wonder how many new drivers lost their license today?

[Danny Fireblade]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

At what point are you allowed to use your phone in the car?

By that I mean:

1. Waiting at traffic lights with handbrake on? Not allowed
2. Parked at side of the road? Allowed
3. Is hand brake on sufficient to be 'not driving' or is it 'engine running'. Depends on situation really.

Or is it like drink driving where being over the limit, with your keys, even in a parked car with the engine off is enough to get done for Drink driving? (Or is that urban myth)

(1) If a person -

(a) drives or attempts to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, or

(b) is in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place,

after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit he is guilty of an offence.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by GEP77

Ideally this should be extended to other forms of distraction when driving. I'd quite happily advocate a total ban on smoking in vehicles for instance. I can't see how a driver holding a cigarette can be in the same level of control as someone who isn't for instance.

I Agree smoking should be banned anywhere outside as well as in cars. Filthy habit.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by GEP77

Ideally this should be extended to other forms of distraction when driving. I'd quite happily advocate a total ban on smoking in vehicles for instance. I can't see how a driver holding a cigarette can be in the same level of control as someone who isn't for instance.

Indeed we could also ban listening to the radio or singing along to a song, talking to your passengers or even perhaps having a bad day and having something praying on your mind?

The good looking woman on the pavement? She needs banning or at least a fine levied on the person who was distracted by her charms.

Drivers are distracted by many things all the time, we need to be able to cope with these distractions not put silly unenforceable bans in place.

I don't smoke before you ask.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Danny Fireblade

(1) If a person -

(a) drives or attempts to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, or

(b) is in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place,

after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit he is guilty of an offence.

So potentially a bit vague... but what is the wording for mobile phone use?

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Indeed we could also ban listening to the radio or singing along to a song, talking to your passengers or even perhaps having a bad day and having something praying on your mind?

The good looking woman on the pavement? She needs banning or at least a fine levied on the person who was distracted by her charms.

Drivers are distracted by many things all the time, we need to be able to cope with these distractions not put silly unenforceable bans in place.

I don't smoke before you ask.

I don't think Smoking or using a mobile in car's is Silly in any way.
Both a real danger IMO.