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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

People using mobile phone whilst driving

93 replies

CouldIBeAnymoreHungry · 12/12/2018 16:24

What is the mentality behind people still using their mobile phones whilst driving despite the dangers & the fact it's illegal?

Casually chit chatting without any thought that they are putting other road users lives in danger.

AIBU to wish these people a slow painful death?

OP posts:
clockworklime · 12/12/2018 16:25

Driving while using mobiles is dangerous

AIBU to wish these people a slow painful death?

Yes

Harry2006 · 12/12/2018 16:34

I saw one today texting while driving round an island. Cant believe how thoughless ( for want of a stronger word) are.

Hannnnnnnxo · 12/12/2018 16:41

I’m young (22) and I am still shocked at the amount of people my age that upload Instagram or snapchat stories whilst clearly driving. It’s absolutely ridiculous. So many people do it too - like someone’s life isn’t worth you stunting on social media and causing a collision!

Hannnnnnnxo · 12/12/2018 16:42

People are even on their phones whilst on the motorway at high speeds, like come on??

Berimbolo · 12/12/2018 16:56

YANBU

I'm left with permanent damage because someone couldn't wait til they were home to have their conversation, instead smashing in to me whilst I was on my motorbike. They are selfish POS

BoswellandForshort · 12/12/2018 16:59

I’m young (22) and I am still shocked at the amount of people my age that upload Instagram or snapchat stories whilst clearly driving. It’s absolutely ridiculous. So many people do it too - like someone’s life isn’t worth you stunting on social media and causing a collision!

My teenage brother sent me a video this week that he’d filmed while driving. I gave him a right bollocking for it.

AnotherPidgey · 12/12/2018 17:00

It became a specific offence around 2003, so fairly early in the days of mass mobile useage, so it is disappointing that 15 years on use of phones while driving is more prolific than ever.

Aquamarine1029 · 12/12/2018 17:06

Gives me the absolute RAGE. How dare anyone be so reckless and stupid?

CouldIBeAnymoreHungry · 12/12/2018 17:16

I can't get my head round someone being so selfish that they think their conversation is more important than someones life. You can bet that someone who clearly thinks that they are above the law will not show any remorse if they did hurt/kill someone because someone so stupidly selfish wouldn't care that their actions had consequences.

I can't help but send evil thoughts their way when I'm driving & spot these idiots.

We know it's illegal, we know it's dangerous so why do it? What conversation is so important it can't wait til you're parked up.

OP posts:
Hannnnnnnxo · 12/12/2018 17:29

The thing is, I don’t think that people casually use their phones whilst driving because they think that they’re above the law - it’s worse, they do it because they’re just naive and won’t think anything bad (crashes etc) will happen as they have done it before with no issue/all their mates do it etc. They literally won’t stop until it’s too late and they crash, or until one of their loved ones get hurt by someone else!

The amount of videos/photos on social media with the poster flashing their steering wheel/shit music/fresh manicure etc whilst driving is ridiculous. Even popular people on YouTube do it during vlogs, it’s such a reckless and bad example to their impressionable viewers

JustABetterPlayer · 12/12/2018 17:34

Yep, but I’ll include people on hands free as well, they too can burn in hellfire for all I care.

DGRossetti · 12/12/2018 17:34

Not really sure why people get so lenient about this ?

for myself, using a car and/or a phone is a privilege, not a right. If you abuse that then be prepared to lose it. Either the car or the phone - your choice.

There was a thread here a while back, and when I noted that at the very least people should use bluetooth (although studies show that it's just as dangerous) ... wow the excuses people found ...

NoShelfElf · 12/12/2018 17:36

I don't get the mentality of the mums who collect their children from nursery (in car) then make a phone call on their way off the car park, whilst many mums are walking their toddlers out AngryAngryAngry.
But yes, it seems so socially acceptable to be on your phone, texting or social media while driving. There's no excuse, especially with voice commands etc now. The school run mums make me mad. Just because their kids are safely in the car, show some bloody respect for the others!!

Sarcelle · 12/12/2018 17:37

I was on a motorway and saw a woman driving with one hand because she was holding a phone to her ear. The hand on the wheel had a cigarette in it. All very casual, all very dangerous.

People are addicted to their phones to the point of foolishness and selfishness. I work in central London. The amount of people looking at their phones and walking on the street is very high now, a norm. They step out into the road without looking. If they bump into me because they are not paying attention invariably they tut at me. Or say ffs. Rarely apologise. It reminds me of kids on Playstations who refuse to stop playing, or wet themselves because they don't want to stop. It also seems normal (but not in my eyes) to be on the phone on the loo.

Bigonesmallone3 · 12/12/2018 17:43

Grinds my gears!!
And I saw a nan pic up grandchild from school the other day get into the car with GC and light a fag 😱

ApocalypseNowt · 12/12/2018 17:46

I saw one twat with an iPad propped up on the steering wheel once. Shock

Mobiles + driving needs to become as socially unacceptable as drink driving.

DeathyMcDeathStarFace · 12/12/2018 18:03

It's disgusting and should be clamped down on even more, unfortunately there's not the resources out there to police it more.

An ex colleague of dh killed a motorcyclist when they didn't see them and pulled out of a junction into the motorbike. The police found they had been texting on their mobile around the time of the accident, but ex colleague said they had sent a text beforehand, put the mobile down and then pulled out. The police couldn't prove they were using the mobile at the time of the accident so they got off scott free. They had used their mobile while driving before so wouldn't be surprised if they were that time, but it couldn't be proven.

anniehm · 12/12/2018 18:05

So irresponsible. Over took a guy doing 50 in middle lane of m40 the other day, yes he was chatting on the phone!

DGRossetti · 12/12/2018 18:07

It's disgusting and should be clamped down on even more,

As I said, I'd confiscate - and crush - a few cars.

thenightsky · 12/12/2018 18:16

I've been rear ended twice by women texting. Dd got her car written off in Sept by a young lass who'd only had her licence 3 months and was texting.

Arnoldthecat · 12/12/2018 18:27

Well if i had a two way radio be it a hand held microphone or walkie talkie, i could use it perfectly legally so whats the difference?

There are also plenty of other distractions i.e kids in car, dog in car, eating in car, smoking in car,doing make up etc etc etc..

kitchenemergency · 12/12/2018 18:33

I regularly see drivers round here holding their phones to their ear while driving, texting in slow moving traffic etc. What bugs me most is they are mainly in cars less than 5 years old (often super expensive Audi, BMWs etc) so why the fuck aren't they at the very least using the Bluetooth their car must certainly have?

It beggars belief.

MsAwesomeDragon · 12/12/2018 18:34

A young woman I know was killed a few weeks ago near us. No other car involved. She was texting her mum to say she was on the way home :( That's been a very sobering outcome for a lot of young people around here, as they all knew her.

megletthesecond · 12/12/2018 18:37

There should be a lifetime ban and crushed car for anyone caught holding a phone while driving.

There isn't a single excuse for it, ever. Even life or death. Wait for a place to park safely.

whatsthecomingoverthehill · 12/12/2018 18:40
(and scary that there are people like that). I counted 20 people on their phones in a mile.ling stretch the other day.