On phone in stationary traffic

You lose your license instantly if you are caught doing this in the two years after you pass your test.

License gone, straight away, no second chances.

My phone is in the boot.

Well done that man. Break the law, take the penalty to warn you to keep others safe.

where harm is very unlikely to occur.

Have you never seen a situation where a driver is so interested in their phone that they are completely unaware of their surroundings?

Another slant on this -

You didn't feel intimidated, you felt guilt and shock at being seen/caught using your phone so now you're trying to justify your actions (using the phone) to make it seem like the guy on the bike was the one who was in the wrong.

Why on earth would you be wanting to open your door when stopped at lights anyway

I doubt the Police will give a monkeys about this alleged intimidating behaviour. They've heard it all before and it doesn't alter the fact that you was using your phone whilst driving - I can't imagine it would reduce the fine or points and could possibly cost you more money in legal fees if you did want to take it further (prosecute him for intimidating behaviour).

Whilst I agree that the OP did break the law and people should most definitely not be using their phones whilst driving, I really don’t agree with intimidating vigilante cyclists like this who are just looking to score points when ultimately in a situation where harm is very unlikely to occur.

I think by accidentally the PP meant more of a reflex. I’ve done it before, we are all just so used to picking up and checking phones that when you’re stationary in traffic you just pick it up to check as an automatic reaction.

Solution is to have it out of touching distance. Assume OP will be doing this from now on anyway.

I wonder if it was that Cycling Mikey (I think that’s the name) who’s always doing this.

The driver is meant to be paying attention to the traffic situation at all times, including when stopped.

For example, say the lights start to change and the driver misses them going from red to red-and-amber, thus also missing the chance to get mentally prepared for them to go green. She looks up, sees the lights are now green (maybe under even more pressure after just being honked from behind), jettisons her phone, and sets off. But some pedestrian coming from the right decided to try and scuttle across the road just after the pedestrian light went red. The driver's complete lack of situational awareness means she is a thousand times more likely to hit that pedestrian. Had she been watching the road, the pedestrian would just have received a muttered FFS from the driver, not a broken pelvis.

So send a letter to court lying about the circumstances. Fabulous advice considering the guy has probably sent in a recording from his helmet camera which will clearly show she had her phone in her hand when he turned to her car

Bottom line is SHE BROKE THE LAW

Yab very u.

Precisely.

Don’t be ridiculous. She broke the law and you are suggesting she add to this offence by lying about it!
@Marmiteontoastgirlie

😂😂😂 “accidentally” check your phone as if. 6 points is a good little insurance policy to ensure you don’t do it again, or you lose your licence.

It’s never safe to check your phone while driving- simple :)

What will that achieve? He had evidence of her committing an offence.
The fact she felt intimidated etc will not come into it. If she was not looking at her phone, then he would not have filmed her.
And if she was not calling the police to report him, then you are telling her to lie... which is just as bad.

This
Also cars have doors that lock. You can lock yourself in if you feel intimidated.

I also don't think that 6 points is disproportionate.
It means you can't do it again or you will lose your license.

Which lives are in danger if a person looks at their phone when stationary at traffic lights?

How would the police officer know if you were a) female or b) had a baby with you without looking into your car.

Being a woman and/ or having a baby in the car doesn't give you a get out of jail free car. You've still broken the law

What a prick! Could you perhaps write in an irate message saying you were intimidated by this man and had picked up your phone to call the police before he cycled off? Could be worth a shot.

PS this is AIBU so be prepared for everyone to flame you. But I occasionally accidentally check my phone if I’ve been sitting at lights for ages in traffic (and then freak out and look around to see if there is a camera watching me and wait for the fine in the post). It’s definitely not worth the worry for me but I do sometimes itch to briefly check a message if I’m very bored and not moving.

Good on him, more people should do the same.

You’ve not got a leg to stand on, you broke the law. Learn from that.

They had to jack the points up as there was too many people using their phone whilst driving. It was also impact your insurance as you will need to declare them on renewal. Just keep your phone in the glove box if you are tempted to look at it.

@Wolfpinkola
No he doesn’t.
He sounds like someone who is fed up to the back teeth of selfish fuckers who break the law and risk the lives of other road users.
Good on him.

You’re in the wrong, hopefully his actions have prevented you from doing this again and putting lives in danger

From gov.uk

*It’s illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle.
This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline.
For example, you must not text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web.
The law still applies to you if you’re:

• stopped at traffic lights
• queuing in traffic
• supervising a learner driver
• driving a car that turns off the engine when you stop moving
• holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode*

He sounds like a little prick