Mobile Phone Use.

[Michael1954]

In addition, I mentioned earlier about members of the public reporting these incidents. If the police could follow up on these complaints it might be a step forward in vigorous enforcement. Too often you see people blatantly using their phones when they know they are in full view of the public but out of sight of the police. If they knew the public could report them and subsequently receive a visit from the police, they might just think twice.

[shillelagh]

I see drivers using their mobile phones quite often ... even seen HGV drivers using them .. coming along the road ... and its not just men using them either .. its women as well ... best is ive stood there taking photos of the sunset .. and all of a sudden the drivers slow down .. a lot ... all because they saw me taking photos ..

[Barrie Yates]

I don't think it would take many motorists to be banned, with a fine and points to be added when the ban is completed, and a re-test, for the message to get through. The ban could even result in termination of employment so the dipsticks really get hammered, but if it saves just one life or one serious injury then it will be worthwhile.

[accyman]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Yes, you are right Michael...a police officer has to witness the event.
They don't act on members of the public reporting such offences because there is no evidence.
I am not sure how this would stand up if you had video evidence. Our car has a camera in it......it faces forward, but could be adjusted to capture evidence of a driver using a phone whilst driving.

i was told that wheni offered footage when reporting a local bus jumping red lights

yet on idiot drivers facebook page footage recorded by a member of the public was used to arrest someone driving dangerously while towing a trailer so either the law is different around the country or somones making a mistake somewhere

i wonder how the defense of a copper didnt see the crime been committed would go down when caught by a speed camera ?

personally i think those cameras at dill hall lane should be reviewed daily and every single one of them jumping red sent a fine and 6 points or the option to go to court and have dangerous and reckless driving added to the list so they can loose their license completely

sick to death of near misses because people jump red and the council and police's lack of willingness to tackle the issue

BUT

the council will be putting bus lane cameras in the area so we know where their priority is over safety ££££££££

make the penine reach a success no matter what the cost or inconvenience to everyone else

[cashman]

I agree yon, there will be no difference regarding enforcing, the difference lies in the fear of the ban for many in my view.

[accyman]

anyone who has a child at school or lives near a school will tell you the booster seat law isnt even enforced

when a new law is brought in the police spend a few weeks enforcing it to show willing and then forget about it

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Michael1954

..... Can I also add that hands-free equipment in a car can be distracting; I know from my own experience, which is why I no longer use one. I now always switch my phone off before driving.

Do you also ask all passengers to refrain from talking while you're driving? Personally I think using a full hands free system is less distracting than passengers talking. I see so many drivers taking their eyes off the road to look at the passenger they are talking to.

[Michael1954]

Originally Posted by Neil

Do you also ask all passengers to refrain from talking while you're driving? Personally I think using a full hands free system is less distracting than passengers talking. I see so many drivers taking their eyes off the road to look at the passenger they are talking to.

This is also a valid point, as is using in-car entertainment such as fiddling with CD and cassette players, radios and Bluetooth voice messaging while driving. Smoking in cars must also be a distraction, especially when lighting up.

[maxthecollie]

Originally Posted by accyman

anyone who has a child at school or lives near a school will tell you the booster seat law isnt even enforced

when a new law is brought in the police spend a few weeks enforcing it to show willing and then forget about it

I've seen parents putting 4 small children on the back seat of their cars when picking them up from school with no booster seats and obviously no seat belts. When reported to police with video evidence, they did not want to know

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Michael1954

This is also a valid point, as is using in-car entertainment such as fiddling with CD and cassette players, radios and Bluetooth voice messaging while driving. Smoking in cars must also be a distraction, especially when lighting up.

So is operating the heater and other car controls. To answer hands free call is a button press, same as turning heating windscreen on if it starts to mist up. You have to be sensible and take responsibility for what you are doing as a driver.

[Michael1954]

My problem with hands-free calls is I find the actual talking a distraction, especially if I am answering questions. The police once phoned me on my hands-free about an attempted burglary I had reported. Questions were coming fast and I was concentrating to give details, so I told the policeman to wait until I had parked up.

[Michael1954]

Originally Posted by Neil

You have to be sensible and take responsibility for what you are doing as a driver.

Agreed, which is why I now switch my phone off when driving.

[RainbowSix]

I often tell my wife to shutup when driving, her constant waffling makes me miss junctions, go the wrong way etc...
It's certainly not my fault

Bah Humbug.....

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by RainbowSix

I often tell my wife to shutup when driving, her constant waffling makes me miss junctions, go the wrong way etc...
It's certainly not my fault

Bah Humbug.....

(Looks disbelievingly) yeah Bob!
Cherchez la femme!.....then you have found someone to blame.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by RainbowSix

I often tell my wife to shutup when driving, her constant waffling makes me miss junctions, go the wrong way etc...
It's certainly not my fault

Bah Humbug.....

Haha I'm far to polite for that. I'm married so have selective hearing