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Original poster

Be honest! Do you use the phone while driving?

196 replies

SaturdayGiraffe · 29/10/2023 16:02

I’ve noticed sooooo many more drivers in London using their phones while driving post-Covid.

They are making calls (holding phone to ear), texting/typing at lights, and checking phone while moving. First hand I have seen this behaviour.

I do not, but I’m curious, do you do this?

Please be honest, I am curious if anyone gets caught TBH.

OP posts:
Pritipoll · 29/10/2023 16:04

Never

Gnomegnomegnome · 29/10/2023 16:04

No, my phone is in my bag on the back seat or boot if in the car.

Uncomfortablynumbagain · 29/10/2023 16:05

No and detest people that do

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Driving & parking
VeridicalVagabond · 29/10/2023 16:05

Mine's in the dock on the dashboard because I use it as sat nav and for music, but I don't touch it once I've started moving no. If I must talk or reply to a text I'll either pull over or use Google assistant to do it with voice.

CormorantStrikesBack · 29/10/2023 16:06

Nope, never.

I have Apple Car Play in my car. I have a button on my steering wheel which activates the mic and I can talk to the system…..so ask it for directions, or to play a certain artist or ring someone. It will play any messages which come through if I accept them and will let me dictate a response if I want to.

Though to be honest I don’t bother ringing people or sending messages even via that and will often decline calls when driving. A friends brother was killed by a motorist on a hands free call who drifted over the centre line. The police said in court being on a hands free call was still a massive distraction, apparently more so than having a conversation with someone in the car. No idea if it’s true but it stuck with me.

Smurfmurf · 29/10/2023 16:06

No. I have hands free through the car. Unless it’s school, DS or the DC calling, I don’t answer it.

ThirdDressStress · 29/10/2023 16:07

I never ever do, I feel very strongly about it.

I know my DP does when he's not with me though. I refuse to answer any texts he sends me when I know he is driving.

Longma · 29/10/2023 16:07

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

Kryten1958 · 29/10/2023 16:07

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto do the job. I never touch my phone.

AutumnCrow · 29/10/2023 16:07

No, never.

Doingmybest12 · 29/10/2023 16:09

In gridlocked in traffic I may have sent the odd brief text to say 'I'll be late' or 'stuck in traffic' . Other than that no, I would find it really hard to do. I can't even talk on handsfree while moving.

Poontangle · 29/10/2023 16:11

No, never. When I'm driving I concentrate on driving.

adriftinadenofvipers · 29/10/2023 16:14

Only handsfree.

FortunataTagnips · 29/10/2023 16:14

Absolutely not.

Cognacsoft · 29/10/2023 16:16

No. Never.
But I admit that up until 8 years ago I have glanced down at my phone to see who is ringing and decided if to pull over and ring back.
Then a woman on the motorway veered in front of our car at 70 mph whilst she was on her phone. Dh just managed to brake enough to stop a crash. Really scary. After that I’ve since kept my phone in my bag on silent.

Original poster
SaturdayGiraffe · 29/10/2023 16:17

Is this a London thing then?

OP posts:
PTSDBarbiegirl · 29/10/2023 16:19

No and I got rid of phone holder on dash as its too distracting even when empty.

DoYouAgree · 29/10/2023 16:20

You're not going to get true answers here OP as no one is going to want to admit to doing it as they know it's an illegal and unsafe thing to do.

Lots of people do it though.

ElleCapitaine · 29/10/2023 16:21

Nope, it’s in my handbag on the back seat.

darksoya · 29/10/2023 16:22

Absolutely not and people that do are selfish, ignorant and dangerous.

Original poster
SaturdayGiraffe · 29/10/2023 16:22

Thanks @DoYouAgree I’m literally sitting in a cafe at a junction in London right now and witnessing it. Horns are blaring.

It would be great if people could be honest but I don’t expect much.

Personally, I watched a film about texting while driving a few years ago, a man who killed an Amish family but was ‘forgiven’ by the remaining father and it never left me.

OP posts:
itsallnewnow · 29/10/2023 16:23

Honestly I live in a big city and have looked while totally stationary. Once we got caught in an accident on the motorway, the type where the delay is so long people get out and wander around chatting to the police. I did then too! I'm astonished by how often I see it though and when people are actually moving too
!! I cycle to work and think it's really really common

caringcarer · 29/10/2023 16:24

Smurfmurf · 29/10/2023 16:06

No. I have hands free through the car. Unless it’s school, DS or the DC calling, I don’t answer it.

This for me too. Before I got a new car I used to put my mobile in the boot so I could never be tempted. My sister's friend had her 6 weeks old baby crushed to death and her friend was literally crushed to pieces by a lorry driver texting on his mobile phone. She had a broken shoulder, collar bone, arm, hip and leg broken in 2 places. After the accident caused by texting she had severe depression for about 3 years.

gamerchick · 29/10/2023 16:24

No, not even hands free. No phonecall is that important.. My brain boggles at people who eat while driving. I just think, what if an accident happens and you choke or something.

Wolfen · 29/10/2023 16:25

Only hands free. Would never dream of texting or reading a text. Even stuck in traffic.
The person in front of me got caught using their phone by a policeman on a bike, who looked like he was specifically looking out for that.