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Original poster

Have you ever looked at your phone whilst driving?

88 replies

bibbitybobbityyhat · 12/04/2019 20:31

Just that.

I see it daily, multiple times of the day. I live on a quiet residential street that has two nurseries and a primary school and many of the people I witness on their phones are driving with little children in the car.

I have never ever done it myself because there is no need. So who are the people who do? Where are you parents in my postcode who drive and look at your phones? Some of you will be regular posters on MN. Why do you do it?

I'm not expecting anyone to fess up tbh.

OP posts:
Theninjawhinger · 12/04/2019 21:04

I used to a lot in the days before it became illegal (so maybe 20 ish years ago?)

And, being honest, I used to read messages that came through in my old job. I was in field sales and it was very much expected that even on the road we would respond.

These days I will glance at it if it rings, but wouldn’t answer it. I use it as a satnav too.

I know, I know, i could def do better on this one 😬

museumum · 12/04/2019 21:08

In stationery traffic trying to get to nursery pick up I have called nursery and my emergency contacts to pick up instead.
Not sure what would have happened if I hadn’t called or answered when they called me for not turning up? Police? Social services?

Bluntness100 · 12/04/2019 21:13

Yes, My car connects to it so I can make calls, but if someone called me I will glance at it, before I click answer or not on the steering wheel.

If I wish to call someone, and stuck in traffic I will still find the person on my phone but speak to them via my car.

And if someone texts and I feel it's safe, I glance over to see who it is.

MsAwesomeDragon · 12/04/2019 21:16

I have. I use it as a sat nav, and also use it to listen to audiobooks while driving. So I look at the sat nav screen all the time when on a new route. The route and my book are set up before I start driving and I would always park up if I needed to change either.

But, I was stuck in a traffic jam a couple of weeks ago, for 2.5 hours on the motorway. In those 2.5 hours I used my phone. It was very stop start driving, so stationary for 10 mins, then drive very slowly for 2-3 mins, stop again, etc. I texted DH to let him know I would be late. I googled to see what the problem was (Google said 20 min delay, ha!) I even played a game on my phone. Each time the traffic started I put the phone away, but I don't feel guilty at all for using it when not moving, particularly as I had my engine off a lot of the time as well, I just happened to be on a motorway rather than parked in a car park. I was never in any danger of causing an accident because there was no way anything or anyone was going to be moving in front of me. The worst thing I could possibly have done would have been to let a gap open up between me and the car in front.

I haven't ever used it when I'm moving.

megletthesecond · 12/04/2019 21:17

Never.
I didn't even check it when it was ringing and my dad was literally dying. I waited to park before I looked.

I see people on their phones all the bloody time Angry. Youngsters and adults.

ThePlaceToVent · 12/04/2019 21:20

Yes

Duckee · 12/04/2019 21:38

Since having my dc I always keep my phone in my bag when I drive to avoid distractions whilst driving.

On a slightly different note, my dh is a truck driver and he has seen all sorts of craziness over the years. I went out with him in his truck one day a number of years ago. We'd been on the M1 for a while when he said "look at that twat". No word of a lie, I looked out and I saw a man driving whilst reading a book! A fucking book! WTAF?!? He said that wasn't the first time he'd witnessed that in his years of driving.

AllesAusLiebe · 12/04/2019 21:40

I have and I’m quite ashamed to say it. Years ago, I genuinely didn’t see it as an issue to answer a call and put the phone in hands free mode, or skip a song on Spotify.

I now keep my phone completely out of sight. One of the best things to have happened to road safety are the campaigns and increase in awareness about using mobile phones behind the wheel. I genuinely don’t understand why that message hasn’t got through to everyone.

BlueSkiesLies · 12/04/2019 21:42

Well I use it as a sat nav, so I look at the map on screen on the dash holder

Might occasionally use voice commands to make a call

MeredithGrey1 · 12/04/2019 21:42

When I was stuck in a totally standstill traffic jam for 2 hours, I emailed my boss to say I’d be late. But to be fair, it wasn’t stop and start, we were completely stopped and people in cars around me were getting out and wandering around we were stuck so long.

meow1989 · 12/04/2019 21:42

Yes, I've looked at it if I've had a message through when I've been stopped at lights, I'm not proud of it at all.

The amount of people texting or talking on their phones whilst driving is ludicrous and theres no excuse, not even for me (don't do it now).

BlueSkiesLies · 12/04/2019 21:43

On a slightly different note, my dh is a truck driver and he has seen all sorts of craziness over the years. I went out with him in his truck one day a number of years ago. We'd been on the M1 for a while when he said "look at that twat". No word of a lie, I looked out and I saw a man driving whilst reading a book! A fucking book! WTAF?!? He said that wasn't the first time he'd witnessed that in his years of driving.

A book? Wow.

I knew of an acquaintance who used to watch films on his iPad when driving on long journeys. How bad is that?!

ASauvignonADay · 12/04/2019 21:43

Yes as sat nav. Occasionally to skip a song (on lock screen) when in the holder, or to answer a call then speak hands free (if in holder).
Never otherwise.

Fazackerley · 12/04/2019 21:44

Yes in traffic jams or waiting at a red light. I never type on it, just look at it.

HoraceCope · 12/04/2019 21:46

a woman pulled out in front of me yesterday, and then picked her phone and was on it!
shockingly bad.
i do occasionally text, on my way, or something, with predictive text, but it takes ages, and scares me

HoraceCope · 12/04/2019 21:47

i might answer, with the sound on loud, shouting into the direction of the phone

HoraceCope · 12/04/2019 21:48

oh and yes, i use it as a sat nav, glance at it

HotChocolateLover · 12/04/2019 21:49

We saw someone watching TV whilst driving the other day!! It was on the dashboard and there was definitely no-one else in the car as I had a good nosy because I was so shocked. They were watching This Morning in case you’re interested.

claraschu · 12/04/2019 21:50

If you are sitting still, I don't see what the problem is if you quickly glance down.

I am the last person on earth not to own a phone though.

Faster · 12/04/2019 21:51

I use it as a sat nav approx 4 times a week. In a holder on the dash.
The rest of the journeys it lives in my bag in the boot as normal.

stucknoue · 12/04/2019 21:58

I use it hands free and have sorted out music stopped at lights (not moving)

mrssunshinexxx · 12/04/2019 22:05

No I have it on do not disturb setting whenever I am in a vehicle it turns this on so texts don't come through - calls do then I can press to accept or reject on the car screen Not the phone

Timewarpdancer · 12/04/2019 23:39

Yes, years ago when it was still legal. But never now

Joebloggswazere · 12/04/2019 23:42

I did when I was young and a twat, many moons ago. Wouldn’t even dream of it now.

badlydrawnperson · 12/04/2019 23:46

Used to, gave it up 10+ years ago.

See people every single time I go out either looking at phone or with one in hand jammed to their ear - often in swish new cars that undoubtedly have hands free bluetooth.