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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked at the number of people driving whilst on phones

42 replies

Ilovepastafortea · 19/09/2025 16:25

DH & me recently took the coach to London. Being in a coach we were higher up and were shocked at the number of people with phones to their ears whilst driving. We started counting, then lost interest as there were so many.

We also saw people driving with their elbows while eating & drinking.

I have a friend who's son was killed as a result of someone driving into the back of them whilst on the phone.

Surely there's no excuse for it.

I have Bluetooth in my car so can talk to people whilst driving, but I don't unless it's a family call with a possible emergency in which case I will say 'hello <name> I'm driving ATM, is everything ok?' if it's not urgent, I will tell them that I will call them back. I wouldn't answer just for anyone, just family, just in case it's urgent.

So AIBU that more steps should be taken to make sure people aren't on their phones?

OP posts:
InMyHealthyEra · 19/09/2025 16:29

Completely agree, I see so many. The worst for it seems to be parents on the school run.

OverlyFragrant · 19/09/2025 16:29

But cyclists....

Redpeach · 19/09/2025 16:30

I know, its awful, but people who do it don't think its wrong

PegDope · 19/09/2025 16:31

I see it all the time. I commented on another thread about the number of cars that go through just gone red lights.

The quality of driving has tanked in recent years.

childofthe607080s · 19/09/2025 16:31

They know they are so much better than the average motorist

Treesarenotforeating · 19/09/2025 16:33

@PegDope i agree , there not even amber gamblers , it’s blatantly red and they just sail through, I sit there and wait for the smash but they always get away with it

LizzieSiddal · 19/09/2025 16:35

Agree, I did a long journey though England as a passenger this week and was so shocked at the number of drivers on mobiles. We were mainly on dual carriage ways and motorways so they were going really fast but not driving carefully at all. I’m beginning to believe they should install some kind of cameras to detect people on phones and there should be instant fines of £200.

PoliteRaven · 19/09/2025 16:36

People's driving has deteriorated a lot in the last few years. I've seen some appalling behaviour on the roads, but regarding phones, I can't tell if that's why as you say, as another car driver you don't necessarily have the vantage point.

Earlier this year I did actually see a couple in a car stop another car to pull the driver up for being on the phone, they seemed to have two verbal interactions with him/ her, the second time held the traffic up very briefly which I didn't mind, as they did it safely, and sadly people will do what they can get away with - maybe it will make the phone user think twice.

landlordhell · 19/09/2025 16:36

See it every day while driving g to and from work. Idiots.

LizzieSiddal · 19/09/2025 16:36

Treesarenotforeating · 19/09/2025 16:33

@PegDope i agree , there not even amber gamblers , it’s blatantly red and they just sail through, I sit there and wait for the smash but they always get away with it

Yes they usually do because safe drivers are aware of the idiots and slow down. I always told my dds when they were learning to drive that they should assume everyone else on the roads is an incompetent idiot. It’s certainly served me well for 35 years.

TheNightingalesStarling · 19/09/2025 16:39

Its six points if you get caught. And people do get caught. Anyone can submit camera footage of it.

TartanTwit · 19/09/2025 16:41

I got 6 points and a 300 fine for holding my phone (using Google maps but irrelevant shouldn't have) and was caught on one of those front facing yellow gantry cameras. fortunately was offered a course in return for a smaller fine and no points but I certainly learned my lesson and never touch it now. I similarly see people doing it everywhere still. There's a thing called the WhatsApp Gap which is when people in traffic queues are too busy on phone to see traffic has started to move again and so there's a gap in front of them. Worth knowing there are lots of people documenting phone use by drivers and passing details to police, it's simply not worth risking lives to check a bloody text.

Thissickbeat · 19/09/2025 16:43

Yanbu. 1 in 10 are doing it. When I'm walking I can never count more than 10 cars without seeing someone on a phone.

I am seriously wondering whether I can get some kind of mini body cam to catch them all on video and report to the police. I have yelled at a neighbour for being on her phone as she was pulling off. Never saw her do it again. Win.

TowerOfWashing · 19/09/2025 16:47

My DH walks a short distance to work in a suburban area and he sees it all the time.

Original poster
Ilovepastafortea · 19/09/2025 16:48

OverlyFragrant · 19/09/2025 16:29

But cyclists....

Don't get me started on cyclists 😡

DGC aged 8 was run over by one on a crossing when they ran a red light & she had a green light & it was bleeping. Didn't stop to check that she was OK. Luckily enough her mum was with her & she only had a fractured wrist & a few cuts & bruises. All the same....😡

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 19/09/2025 16:50

I agree, you can spot them a mile off with their erratic driving or constant looking down. As a passenger I've even seen HGV drivers watching what looked suspiciously like a video on their phone on the motorway. They need more of those cameras which can catch people.....and when they are using them they shouldn't be promoting it for half a mile before hand. Instant ban and confiscate the car. It's so dangerous.

Spanador · 19/09/2025 16:51

It absolutely infuriates me. I see people posting videos on tiktok all the time where they’re blatantly recording with their phone in their hand while they’re driving

One of my friends has literally just posted a photo on Facebook of a selfie with her 8 year old nephew in the front seat next to her. You can clearly see in the surroundings and the reflection in her glasses that she did it whilst she’s driving. She does it all the time. I just don’t know what goes through people’s minds. I would report it if I thought anything would actually be done, but I’m not sure the police would take a Facebook selfie as proof

Original poster
Ilovepastafortea · 19/09/2025 17:04

Treesarenotforeating · 19/09/2025 16:33

@PegDope i agree , there not even amber gamblers , it’s blatantly red and they just sail through, I sit there and wait for the smash but they always get away with it

I live close to a Mway junction. In order to get into town (well, anywhere really) I have to negotiate this junction. So many times people jump the lights, so I've learned to wait until I'm sure that no-one is going to do that & then I get hooted from cars behind as soon as my light goes to amber, obviously I ignore them, giving them a mental finger 😉. Then there are the people go into the <clear> outside lane & then decide that they're in the wrong lane & move across 3 lanes without indicating to get to the one that they want. I've had so many near misses as a result of being cut off & feel safer now that DH has now fitted cameras to my car. I do think that people see an old lady (me!) driving my Mini & think that they need to get ahead of me as I may slow them down. TBH I may do, but at least they will get to where they want to get in one piece.

I'm also concerned about the electric bikes that move at such a speed, are so heavy and often ridden by idiots who have no concern for pedestrians or other road/pavement users.

Oh I'm on my Bandwagon now - what about adults on scooters (motorised or other) and skateboards whizzing around on roads and pavements?

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 19/09/2025 17:07

I'm not surprised, as people are not caught often enough. The penalty should be a driving ban, say for a year, and people able to submit video evidence of others (if a passenger) that would be enough for a conviction.

Taking away the phone and phone number could be another option, however it would not mean someone without a phone.

Original poster
Ilovepastafortea · 19/09/2025 17:08

One of my friends has literally just posted a photo on Facebook of a selfie with her 8 year old nephew in the front seat next to her. You can clearly see in the surroundings and the reflection in her glasses that she did it whilst she’s driving. She does it all the time. I just don’t know what goes through people’s minds. I would report it if I thought anything would actually be done, but I’m not sure the police would take a Facebook selfie as proof

OMG Spanador That makes my blood run cold. 8 year old in front passenger seat (the most dangerous place in a car) presumably without a booster seat AND THEN SHE'S POSTING A PHOTO WHILST DRIVING?!!!! 😱There is no way on Earth I'd allow her to drive with my children again. 😡

OP posts:
landlordhell · 19/09/2025 17:12

When I teach primary aged chn about safety and risk this topic often comes up. So many chn look shocked when I tell them it is illegal to use your phone while driving. They openly say their parents do it.

OhMyGiddyAnt · 19/09/2025 17:15

The thing I don’t understand is why people don’t get a phone holder and use handfree. It’s so cheap and easy. If I wanted to Siri would read out messages and send messages for me. I’ve no reason to ever touch my phone.

I think it would be good to promote areas where you can pull in and make calls. (Otherwise known as a layby). Sometimes I could do with somewhere to pull over so that I can sort out my navigation.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 19/09/2025 17:16

PegDope · 19/09/2025 16:31

I see it all the time. I commented on another thread about the number of cars that go through just gone red lights.

The quality of driving has tanked in recent years.

Agree with this, it’s ridiculous these days. I wonder if it’s partly to do with modern cars being a bit nippier, and/or the increase in 20 mph zones, giving people the confidence that they can get away with it. (Not complaining about the zones/improvement in cars, just wonder if it is a factor).

Rainbow1901 · 19/09/2025 17:17

DH got done for taking his phone out his top pocket of his shirt and dropping it into his hands free unit in his van. He was stationery at traffic lights next to an unmarked police car.
He got points and had to do a speed awareness course!!

MikeRafone · 19/09/2025 17:18

These drives are in incredible, they kill others in their wake but never get banned from driving for life and rarely spend more than 5 years behind bars - so clearly it’s not that bad a crime