People are STILL using their phones whilst driving and at traffic lights!

[notmoredirtywashing]

I’m sick and tired of nearly having car crashes on my busy commute because some idiot is on their phone.

I had a near miss on Friday when the lights changed and the car in front tried to pull away whilst still on their phone and nearly crashed into me. Then yesterday, I was on a two lane road with traffic lights every 250 yards or so, and every time I stopped at a red the car next to me were looking at their phone.

If I did it ( obviously I wouldn’t) you can bet I’d get caught!

Speed cameras are standard, so why not catching people on their phones? Obviously the law doesn’t apply to them

AMIBU?

I wish police were as hot on this as speeding. Actually, I wish there were more out there generally, looking for speeders (so many near me) and dangerous driving. They could issue fines and this would pay for the extra resourcing needed.

It makes me so angry at the lack of effort put into making roads safe from idiots.

I see this too.
And even worse, people texting!
It would be unbelievable if it weren't so common.
Hope they all get caught before they hurt someone.

I had to phone to book a speed awareness course the other day 😳 and the recorded bit at the beginning said “if you are making this call while driving please hang up now” so it’s obviously still a problem.

Me too! I’m tempted to open my window and shout at them to put the phone down. I don’t because I’d probably just get a mouthful

That is awful!

I live on a house on a hill so I’m above the traffic of a busy road near some traffic lights and a roundabout. At rush hour 50% of people have a phone in their hand.

I take video and report them. They deserve 6 points and a fine. it’s my child they are rolling through a red light at while she crosses the road when the Green man is on. I’m not going to apologise for giving dangerous drivers something to think about.

I have never driven with my phone in my hand and I never will. It’s not necessary. Your text can wait.

how can the car in front of you nearly crash into you?

Yes, I'm amazed as well. And if can add to that, seeing toddlers in buggies holding tablets! I mean, WHY??? Why can't kids look at things around them like it's been done since time began? Who deforms their kids' minds that way?

It didn’t pull away when the lights changed and when he did he veered into my lane. He was in the next lane over. Hope that makes sense!

@Illegally18
100% agree! My dc’s are adults now and I can’t understand why the toddler can’t look at the world around them.

I saw this the other day.

Not the same at all as using your phone whilst driving! 🙄

I hate people using their phone whilst driving! They’re not even subtle about it. Saw a man doing it on a busy residential road we walk down to take DD to school. It’s the closest road to the school so of course there are loads of kids about. 🤬

YANBU I don’t know why they’re not making more use of cameras to stop this.

My DH reports at least one driver a month submitting dash cam via Op Snap. Without exception they’ve all received 6 points and a fine.

@BeingATwatItsABingThing

surely we have the technology to police this? There are cameras on lots of traffic lights, so it would make sense to use this.

it’s the arrogance that makes me mad.

I’ve just had a dashcam fitted. ( only yesterday). Now you’ve given me an idea!

Operation snap is being used for this.

But apparently people are busy bodies for submitting footage...

The problem is the kack of common sense. I was on the M1 yesterday... and someone opened the door and got out of their (broken down) car into the live lane of traffic, causing a car to have to swerve. Missed them by inches. Luckily didnt hit a vehicle in the next lane.

I agree OP. And yet Cycling Mikey who is basically saying the same thing, films and reports (fair enough) is vilified.

I know. We need more cycling mikeys

Cycling Mickey is antagonistic and confrontational. The more views he gets the more money he makes. He claims it’s for road safety but I’m sure his bank manager isn’t complaining.

Yet on these new modern cars they put a big 6 inch square if not bigger on the dash board and then drivers are entering post codes etc, etc when lost or even fiddling with their radios, a lot of drivers even use phones to navigate and play music on, maybe drivers are doing that and not actually texting!!

Agreed, being caught driving with your phone in hand should be punished much more harshly.

I was following a van driver on Thursday who was either on his phone or pissed. Drifting into oncoming lanes, erratic braking and speeding up...

Too many people are complacent on the road and overestimate their skill. Driving is a privilege and not a right, and it's about time a lot of people remembered that.

@VivIsBlonde
i have a modern car with a screen and set up my phone before I go anywhere.
I also visit homes for my job and if I need to say, change the postcode, I pull over and stop.

it’s not difficult

If the mobile phone is in a holder, or is being used handsfree, that's ok, although advice is to set up the sat nav before leaving home (or wherever).

Using the excuse that you're using it as a navigational aid, if the phone is in your hand, is not going to stop you getting points and a fine if caught. It's illegal in the UK to have a phone in your hand while driving (and that includes stopped at traffic lights.)

Dropping it to the side of you, or pretending you were only holding the case, or not holding it to your ear but in front of you, or any other excuse won't get you out of the points and fine either (all very common excuses given to traffic cop DP).

Edited for clarity!

@Shodan

That’s what I understand the law to mean. Pity other people don’t ( or just ignore it)