Have you ever looked at your phone whilst driving?

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

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.

My car links to my phone so phone calls come up on the dash and texts can be read out. I never look at my phone, though, because it's always chucked into my bag in the back of the car.

I did it once or twice at first and am ashamed i did it. Unless I'm using it for a satnav, it stays in the gap in the door and doesn't come out until at a full stop in a safe place

I have Car Play so texts are read out, Spotify songs are listed on car screen as is Waze. This is perfectly legal. I would love to know the difference between selecting a song on my car screen and doing same on my mobile- they are both screens.

My phone is usually in my handbag while I'm driving, so never look at it.

I remember, many years ago, sitting in the traffic leaving my DCs school after the morning school run. In my rear view mirror I saw one of the mothers behind me with her mobile held to her ear with one hand while she was smoking a cigarette that she held in the other - she was in an open top car so easy to see and this was in moving traffic, albeit slow, at that point.

Must admit I was rather impressed at her dexterity, although at the same time thinking what an idiot she was.

Yes if I have been in a traffic queue. Once when it was snowing to let my husband know I was safe but in a big queue and another time to let him I know I was stuck in a queue but was on my way to collect him.

Not when driving along. Generally it is in my bag or the glove compartment while I am driving.

If you can't resist looking, lock it in the boot.

I would love to know the difference between selecting a song on my car screen and doing same on my mobile- they are both screens

The car screen is a lot less of a distraction - although not entirely uncontroversial.

Yes. However the last time I did it was 3 years ago today. The reason I know this was because 3 years ago today one of my closest friends husband was killed by someone talking on his mobile (hands free so legal). He had been talking on his phone for around 10 minutes before he drove into my friend who was on a motorbike and had stopped to turn into a side road (across the traffic). The driver didn’t see him until it was too late. He was jailed.

The devastation he has caused can never be underestimated.

Back in the day, I remember a friend having an accident while changing tapes over in the car.
Or people trying to look at a map while driving. There have always been things that distract us.

I've nearly rear ended someone while turning the demister on. Phones are definitely more of a distraction though.

havingtochangeusernameagain My car screen is as equally distracting as my phone, because anything that happens on my phone goes to the screen!

Not condoning either but think the issue of CarPlay has slipped through the net

I’m afraid that I do sometimes, yes. To put a podcast on, skip a song on Spotify and of course satnav. I don’t text or speak on the phone unless I’m in stationary traffic.

I mustn’t get complacent about my phone use I know.

I have a driving playlist so never need to change songs or pick one.