Driving while using a mobile versus drink driving

[Hammy02]

Is it just me or are other people disgusted when they see people using a mobile phone while driving? There still doesn't seem to be the same level of disgust levied at someone using a mobile while driving as there is at drink-drivers. Studies have shown that it can be as dangerous as drink-driving. I can never understand how a call can be so important that it can't wait???

[2blessed2bstressed]

Or drug driving?? Like the complete wanker who shattered our lives when he smashed into our car?

[Kaloki]

It really annoys me, such a stupid thing to do!

[Diamondback]

I've been lucky enough not to encounter any drunk/drugged drivers when out, but EVERY time someone has pulled something stupid on the road and nearly caused an accident (and only not smashed into me because I saw them driving erratically and slowed down) it's been someone on a fecking mobile phone!

[Hammy02]

I just hope that in time, public perception of someone on their mobile will be considered as abhorent as someone holding a can of lager whilst at the wheel. I'm just venting as an idiot nearly knocked me off my bike this morning whilst on his mobile. If I hadn't quickly moved onto the pavement he'd have knocked me down.

[wukter]

Unacceptable. Of course, the driver is only impaired while the call lasts, and they suppose it's worth the risk.

[JaniceSoprano]

lot of people do both though
you are all outraged but i bet you all have done one or the otehr
even if onyl slightly over the limit

( ready for onslaught of denial)

[LaurieScaryCake]

I have driven while over the limit and I was much 'safer' than the time I took a phone call as I was concentrating so hard.

[JaniceSoprano]

i know in my youth i drove over the limit
stupidly but hey i did it.

[Ormirian]

It's not quite the same though. If you are drunk, you are drunk the entire drive. A phone is only causing a problem when you are using it.

Having said that it is selfishness personified. I think that mobile phones do tend to make people a little selfish. When DS2 was about 2 and I was pushing him in a buggy, we nearly got mowed down on a pedestrian crossing by a woman in a BMW using her fucking phone! SHe missed the front of the buggy by inches. I was too shocked to do anything but a cyclist chased after her and banged on her window!

[wombly]

A MN campaign about it might save some lives.

I agree with others that most of the aberrant driving you see on the roads is caused by the driver being on a mobile.

I haven't ever driven while over the limit, or on a mobile.



I particularly object to politicians who get ddone for driving while on a mobile. They seem to think it can't be helped, they are so fecking important.

[JaniceSoprano]

oprah got there first

[mousymouse]

annoys me big time. had quite a few near misses because of it. white van drivers seem to be the worst offenders multitasking texting and smoking at the same time as driving through a 4 lane roundabout...

[BigWelt]

Also, smoking, eating or drinking, fiddling with your sat nav, looking over at your passenger while you talk to them...

[wombly]

I don't think they are comparable.

[Sidge]

I think people that use mobile phones whilst driving (ie not hands free) are twats who deserve lots of points and large fines.

Tell this family that using a mobile whilst driving isn't a big deal

[BigWelt]

And sneezing. I had a sneeze yesterday while turning right at a junction and blew out my hernia.

[BigWelt]

Oh they are wombly

[Kaloki]

JaniceSoprano I have never done those things, partly as it's been drummed into me from a very young age that they are not worth the risk (father is a driving instructor) and partly because common sense says that when you are in charge of something like a car that has the potential to kill then you need to concentrate on it and be able to react quickly. And anyone that cannot grasp this simple fact shouldn't be on the roads.

[PlanetEarth]

I hate people using their mobiles while driving!

(Wish I could do something about my sneezing mind you .)

[Rannaldini]

i'm not disgusted by it and i don't think it is as dangerous a dd

i have both driven whilst drunk and whilst using the phone
but not, i think, whilst drunk and using the phone

it's not as bad a dd as far as i am concerned

[Hassled]

DH fannying around with his bleeding Sat Nav, especially when it's on a route I know he knows, is probably as bad. After the tantrum I threw the last time he did it I think he's got the message.

[Kaloki]

Why not Rannaldini?

[Rannaldini]

drink driving is a more deliberate act imo also one that lasts for the entirety of the journey and may worsen during the journey

answering the phone can be distracting but not as dangerous imo

so i'm really not at all disgusted by people using their phone
inadvisable but disgusting? not imo

[Ormirian]

But no-one has to answer a phone. It can be left until the journey is over.

[Kaloki]

I'd say answering the phone or making calls, even sending texts is fairly deliberate. Does anyone do any of these things by accident?

Also, how can something that is distracting while driving not dangerous? Say a child steps into the road, if you are distracted and don't react in time, is that not dangerous?