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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mobile use while driving

261 replies

FarAwayHills · 31/10/2016 16:35

I am so cross and fed up of seeing people using their phones while driving Angry I counted 5 today on a pretty short journey. Having read the news today regarding the tragic death of a mum and her 3 children due the a lorry driver using his phone, I am insensed that people continue to do this. What the hell can be that important.

I am not a technical person but could there be some way that devices could be automatically disabled while a vehicle is being driven. It seems like the only way because people just can't help themselves and fines and penalties are clearly not working.

AIBU to think more needs to be done about this?

OP posts:
Matchingbluesocks · 31/10/2016 19:03

You couldn't prevent people using them in a moving car because then passengers couldn't use them?

Coconutty · 31/10/2016 19:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Matchingbluesocks · 31/10/2016 19:05

A police officer would have to witness mobile phone use- you don't seriously expect them to do anything about a member of public reporting it surely?

TisConfusion · 31/10/2016 19:08

YANBU it's incredibly dangerous and selfish. I see it ALL the time. I think maybe there should be some Ads to shock people into thinking twice about doing it. They used to have the Think Bike ones, that's the sort of thing I mean. Not nice to watch but the consequences need to be highlighted. Obviously it's not a cure but at least it would raise some awareness.

LikeDylanInTheMovies · 31/10/2016 19:10

You couldn't prevent people using them in a moving car because then passengers couldn't use them?

Presumably the only way it could be done would be the phone detecting if it was moving at a speed over a certain speed. That would also stop mobile phones being used by passengers on coaches or buses or trains too. That makes it a complete non-starter of an idea.

Matchingbluesocks · 31/10/2016 19:13

If you try to use waze (sat nav app) at speed it tells you to stop, however if you confirm you're the passenger it allows you to continue setting it.

However, it does allow anyone to use it stopped but by law you can't use a mobile if stopped in traffic either

SheldonCRules · 31/10/2016 19:16

Penalties aren't steep enough, anybody caught using their phone or driving under the influence of drink or drugs should automatically lose their licence for two years and then have to retake their test and theory.

Dontpanicpyke · 31/10/2016 19:16

Thing is this technology is still new in relative terms. I had my first phone aged 30 that was 20 years ago.

We had the drink drive campaigns and 'clunk click every trip' and these campaigns actually changed people's mindsets. A change in the law would be a good first step but changing people's perceptions that it's bad and selfish change attitudes.

I have to say the people I see on mobiles driving are not teenagers but older post 30 to be fair.

MalcolmTuckersEyebrows · 31/10/2016 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheCompanyOfCats · 31/10/2016 19:19

I hate it. My DH does it all the time. I've shown him pictures of crashes, shouted at him, talked sensibly to him but still, if he gets a text whilst driving he cant help himself. I'd be happy for him to be arrested for it, it might drum some sense into him. Police should definitely be more aggressive about this.

graphista · 31/10/2016 19:21

Hmm a passengers 'right' to use a device which is really quite new, not essential vs saving lives - know what I'd prefer!

My brothers a copper and while this is no longer his main responsibility he does still have occasion to stop drivers on their phones, he gets dogs abuse! 'go after some real criminal's etc which frustrates him thoroughly as he's also attended some truly distressing accidents caused by such behaviour. I've also a relative who was left permanently in pain and disabled as a result of a drunk driver. As a family we are of the opinion that certain behaviours should automatically result in a lifelong ban.

10 years is pathetic that would have been down to the judge which is a WHOLE other issue

Matchingbluesocks · 31/10/2016 19:25

its not about a "right"- it's perfectly legal for a passenger to use a phone in the car. So who can stop them?
What kind of Weird nanny state do you want to live in?

PortiaCastis · 31/10/2016 19:27

I want to live in a state where people aren't killed by other's selfishness

LadyFannyOfOmaha · 31/10/2016 19:28

YANBU. I see countless people on phones whilst driving. Last week I was stopping due to traffic as I went round a bend, looked in my rear mirror and could see the driver behind me looking down, not ahead. I was shitting myself that they wouldn't stop in time. Driver looked up, with a look of panic as they jammed brakes on. Saw the same car in more traffic a bit further up the road, and driver was texting again, so a near miss made not a jot of difference.
There needs to be a shift in thinking that makes phone use by drivers as unacceptable as drink driving.
Today's news was awful, can't get the image of the crushed car out of my head and feel so sorry for the victims and their loved ones.

myfavouritecolourispurple · 31/10/2016 19:29

are you saying it shouldn't be legal people to use hands free kits while driving

I am.

However, I am not in favour of a complete block while driving. If you are in a slow-moving queue, or stopped at traffic lights with your handbrake on, you're not going to kill anyone. I never use my phone when driving, but I did phone my husband when stuck in a stationary queue last week to tell him I could not get to the station to collect him. There was nowhere to pull over. But I did have my engine on, so I was committing an offence. And being not very eco-friendly too (using petrol when stationery).

And yes, texting is particularly crazy. But the car manufacturers are not helping - they are installing screens in new cars that you can Facebook on and the like. What can you do?

My mum puts her phone in the boot.

I flat out refused to do any telephone work from my car, and it was always a point of contention.

I had this years ago when my horrible boss' horrible PA tried to call me during my lunch-hour? Where were you, I was trying to contact you urgently. I was driving, I don't answer the phone when driving (I had no hands-free at the time). She was so annoyed. So was I!

LeggyLinda · 31/10/2016 19:38

Couldn't agree more.
I can't remember the last time I took a journey and didn't see at least one person using their mobile while driving. I think it is shocking in this day and age where most cars come with hands free systems.
I think 6 point penalty is about right, but as someone has already pointed out, it's catching people which is the difficult bit.

Andrewofgg · 31/10/2016 19:46

I never use my phone when driving, but I did phone my husband when stuck in a stationary queue last week to tell him I could not get to the station to collect him.

The second part of that sentence contradicts the first seven words, doesn't it?

The maximum for causing death by dangerous driving is fourteen, and the judge is bound by guidelines.. She could have given twelve which would also be inadequate, but it's no use having a go at a judge for abiding by the law.

Loafingaround · 31/10/2016 19:48

I also watched that video just now, just so terrifying and tragic. I see multiple people in Surrey/London driving along on phone and texting every day. Yesterday I saw a tipper truck driver driving while looking down at his phone in hands, and these are widely known to be the biggest cause of cyclist deaths each year in London. Made me sick.

Original poster
FarAwayHills · 31/10/2016 19:59

Personally as a passenger I would have no objection to a car being a phone free zone if that's what needs to happen to make it safer. However, I can see it would be difficult to enforce- so how about just lorries? They are capable of the most destruction and often carry heavy and dangerous loads. They should just concentrate on just driving - not texting, phoning or playing music.

OP posts:
yellowfrog · 31/10/2016 20:01

TheCompanyOfCats - please report your DH to the police yourself. You know he is doing something that could kill people, please don't let that continue

Sixweekstowait · 31/10/2016 20:01

6 points is rubbish. It should be an automatic ban and I'd have the car crushed as well. And prison.

Undersmile · 31/10/2016 20:06

Who are we supposed to report it to? I see people doing it all the time.
How can I prove they were doing it? Confused

Matchingbluesocks · 31/10/2016 20:07

Surely posters can see the police can't do anything about you reporting people you've seen? How could they prove it?

MiddleAgeMiddleEngland · 31/10/2016 20:18

The police were stopping people near here a couple of weeks ago. I saw a man pulled in, he was looking down at his phone coming up to a busy junction Angry

I don't live very far from where the A34 crash was and know someone who was in the ensuing traffic jam. Horrific, it should be life not a mere 10 years. A neighbour works for a major national company. He says that all their drivers are warned not to use phones and it's instant dismissal if anyone is caught.

I agree that private cars should be crushed, on the first offence. No exceptions, no leniency. Once people see that happening they might think again. The crushed cars could then be exhibited in town centres, along with the name of the driver. Harsh but so is killing people.

Ineverpromisedyouarosegarden · 31/10/2016 20:21

Last week a guy in NI was jailed for browsing Gumtree on his phone when he crashed and killed someone. ShockShock