To think that most people would agree that driving on the phone is stupid

[PseudoBadger]

Why then, do I see so very many people doing it on every journey I take? Does no one actually give a shit?

no dialled the number and hit call

I personally wouldn't take down details whilst driving. I would if walking, but I'm usually wrestling 2 dog leads and a pushchair.

so what is the point of signs on motorways advertising the lo call number for dangerous driving? or the "how is my driving?" on the back of lorries?

one morning on a busy motorway I rang the number to report dangerous driving as a guy was weaving across 3 lanes of traffic at an awful speed. the guards didn't ask if I was driving. no point in ringing when I got to my destination another half hour away. and I saw the guards waiting for him at the lights at the end of motorway so I think I did right.

I saw a woman do this at traffic lights as I was waiting to cross the road. I glared at her as I was waiting and she spotted me and gestured "what?" I did that old fashioned fingers/hand mime for putting the phone down and she pointed to the traffic lights basically suggesting as they were red it was OK for her to be talking on the phone. Of course I couldn't really mime "well you weren't sat at a red light when I saw you driving up to the lights talking on the phone" so I gestured for her to put the phone down again as I was crossing and shook my head in that patronising teacher/parent kind of way. Let's say her final gesture was not one of agreeing with me! As a passenger I see this all the time and if stuck in traffic I do glare at them and gesture them to put the phone down. I can't say I'm thanked for being a busy body but hopefully they'll think twice in future.

Are you in Ireland Fluckered?

so what is the point of signs on motorways advertising the lo call number for dangerous driving? or the "how is my driving?" on the back of lorries?

If there's a passenger they can ring it, obviously.

and if no passenger? am mostly on my own.

Then don't do it!

About time a short ban was introduced for driving whilst using a mobile phone,imo opinion its the only thing that will stop people.

You can buy a bluetooth hands free kit that sits on your dash for about £20 so there is no excuse.

You can buy a bluetooth hands free kit that sits on your dash for about £20 so there is no excuse.

Although studies do show that it's not just the use of hands that is an issue, but the concentration on something external to the vehicle. At least if someone is in the car with you they see you're negotiating a junction and keep quiet unless it's my DD who can't stop talking for 5 seconds. I'm not sure why hands-free kits are legal given the evidence against them.

This drives me absolutely insane - I see it all the time . 2 of my neighbours do it, and one is a police officer (a bit of a dickhead regardless of his job). My son used to be picked up from school and taken to his afterschool club in a taxi, and the driver once used his mobile phone - when I called the taxi firm they were not really that interested, so I called the police. Their reaction? There were no witnesses, it was my son's word against his, and they couldn't really do anything other than 'have a word'.

I really think it's become so widespread - a bit like speeding - that people don't take it seriously anymore. Hopefully the new traffic regs will start forcing people to think about not picking up the phone when they're driving. One of the sensible things this Govt has done.

Using mobile phones when driving: the law

It?s illegal to ride a motorcycle or drive using hand-held phones or similar devices.

The rules are the same if you?re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.

It?s also illegal to use a hand-held phone or similar device when supervising a learner driver or rider.

Penalties for using your phone while driving

If you?re caught using a hand-held phone while driving or riding, you can get an automatic fixed penalty notice. You?ll get 3 penalty points on your licence and a fine of £60.

Your case could also go to court and you could be disqualified from driving or riding and get a maximum fine of £1,000. Drivers of buses or goods vehicles could get a maximum fine of £2,500.

New drivers

If you get 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing your test, you?ll lose your licence.

When you can use a phone in your vehicle

If you?re the driver, you can only use your phone in a vehicle if you:

need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it?s unsafe or impractical to stop

are safely parked

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.

I think they are raising the penalty to £100

Yes, penalties for using a mobile whilst driving, middle lane hogging, tailgating etc are all set to incur higher fines and number of points - BBC article here

The fact is though, that unless there are more police on the road to enforce the new laws people will still get away with it.

Ok. I think for some of us we need a way of coping with certain situations, so that on the rare occasions we feel we should use our phones, we can go 'Ah I know how to deal with this'.

Because probably the less often it happens, the less equipped we are to deal with it.

I resent people driving on the phone. It makes me angry - especially when they do it a lot.

But I have been stuck in traffic while going to collect my children and then what? you're stationary - I think I turned my engine off while I rang the school. But I wasn't parked as I couldn't park. There had been an accident and I was going to be very late despite setting off early.

I felt obliged to let them know. So...I think next time I'll rationalise a bit more...what will happen if I don't call? They will try and call me, they won't get an answer, they'll then call my mother. Who will panic and start out on her bicycle from 10 miles away.

But then, at least I won't get a fine. Obviously if the traffic is moving, I'll be able to pull over and park but then I'll be even later.

Do you see the issue? I'd never do it while racing along. Occasionally to pick up and say 'I'll call back' - the benefit being that then they know I am alive and on my way. But in that instance I could generally stop within a few minutes anyway.

Buy a hands free kit?

Yes. Good plan, but I'm not sure how you fit them? Or if it's worth it for like two calls a year. I'm rubbish with phones, I very rarely use the mobile.

I will look at hands free kits. Thankyou.

Halfords do all sorts of minor fittings eg headlight bulbs, that type of thing. I'm sure they would be able to do it for you. Even if you only make 2 calls a year, that could potentially be a £200 fine - I can't imagine Halfords (or any other garage for that matter) would charge anything like that for fitting a hands free kit.

Thankyou very much, I will go in and ask.