to think using phone for 2 seconds at traffic lights is hardly the crime of the century

[MitchyInge]

it was ringing and ringing and ringing, from home, and am in borrowed (poss to become permanent) vehicle so when in long queue at red light I picked up the phone to see what the emergency was (it was a 10yo in a panic about dance class)

I had about 18 missed calls from home, wouldn't you assume it was a some sort of actual crisis too?

think it was really excessive to be followed by police car with flashing lights, have every bit of car examined for defects and have my identity checked and be compelled to mend an only slightly dodgy brake light and produce my documents etc

the officer was really suspicious of the fact that the car isn't registered to me (am borrowing it with view to keeping it) and seemed surprised when it checked out that I was insured and that it had an MOT and tax - as if use of phone placed me in some highly criminal driving category? grrrrrr

want my old land rover back, was totally invisible in that

agree with all of you - it's serious and dangerous.

spotted this a while back (trying something new here........)petitions.number10.gov.uk/mobilemenaceban/

a petition to the Gov to consfiscate phone and/or car(!!!!) of people who use phone whilst drivin. that'll learn them.

but OP hope that in your case the book wouldn't have been thrown at you in the future if this petition comes to fruitition. (slighty concerned about tense in last sentence apologies)

i shouldnt but kind of agree with OP
that it isnt crime of the century

your phone rang 18 times and you didnt think of stopping car and checking

get a handsfree bluetooth (portable car to car or even in home )

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/phone-accessories/bluetooth/bluetooth-headsets/buy/UNIVERSAL-BTOOTH -HEADSET less than £10

you were lucky,you could have had 3points and £60 fine

I always have handsfree kits fitted in my cars if they don't come with them already, have only had this one for about 5 minutes with an option to keep it if it works out ok for work - but I do fail to see how I could have hit someone in neutral gear, bumper to bumper stationary traffic, with handbrake on. Actually, knowing me, I probably could.

Anyway looks like we all agree it is not crime of century even if we disagree on the degree of naughtiness.

www.carphonewarehouse.com/phone-accessories/bluetooth/bluetooth-headsets/buy/UNIVERSAL-BTOOTH-HEADSE T

grrrrrrrrrr useless at links

I don't think I could cope with one of those head things, I usually get the phone wired in properly so it's charging all the time and the thing mutes the radio automatically when a call comes in.

handy to have as i swap cars a lot for my job - sometimes drive 4 different cars a week

having one wired in car through radio is fab-my perm job works car is like that