General Chat

see below...

Don’t pay the penalty – use a hands-free kit Most of us have a car. Most of us have a mobile phone. But, when they’re used at the same time it could get you in trouble. This week (8 November), the penalties for using a mobile phone while driving have been increased to include 3 penalty points on your driving license and a £60 fixed penalty fine. You've been warned!!

BBC1's traffic cops program on Wednesday showed an accident on the M3 where a lorry drive smashed into the back of a car killing the occupant, a young girl. The car was smashed beyond recognition, it looked as though it had been in a crusher. The driver later admitted under questioning that he had been using a hands free mobile for several minutes before the crash. There is no need to use a telephone of any sort whilst driving. Just ban the use altogether. Now, will there be more traffic cops on the road to enforce the new regs?

Did anyone see the police programme the other night about a young 23 year girl who was on her way to the first day of her new job when she was killed by a lorry driver. She was on the M3 )I think it was), and stationary in a queue of traffic when the lorry hit her from behind wrecking the car completely. The young girl stood no chance. The lorry driver was messing about with a mobile phone the seconds before he hit her car. Such a waste of a young life! I think it is right that people should be punished for using phones whilst driving, I also don't think that smoking, eating or drinking whilst driving is appropriate either.

About time, if my phone goes off while I'm in the car I dont answer it, hubby knows that if I dont answer it must mean I am driving so doesn't keep trying

A bit of a pointless change - the existing rules are widely flouted as there are fewer and fewer traffic police to enforce them. I drive in London each weekday and can guarantee to spot two or three trangressors every day.

Has anyone ever heard of someone being prosecuted? I think it would be a good idea if there was something in the phones to prevent them being used while the car engine was running. No phone call could be that important, however did people manage before?? Pat

From the opposite side... Why is talking on a hands free any different to talking to a passenger or listening to the radio? if they are acceptable,then why not tlking on a hands free ( no, not dailling while driving, or searching the phone book function, just talking?) Quote : think it would be a good idea if there was something in the phones to prevent them being used while the car engine was running. WHY? why should we all be penalised for others stupidity?

I think it about time,how can anyone hold a conversation and drive at the same time. Im still not convinced about the hands free either,its still a huge distraction from your driving.

Hi Everyone Personally I would liked to have seen a much heavier penalty with the use of the mobile phones in vehicles. I watched Traffic Cops the other night and felt for both the family and friends of the 23 year old who died unnecessary and also all of those who involved in clearing up the aftermath. The comment made by the sister regarding people do not think it could happen to anyone of us until the police officer knocks the door and delivers the news hopefully had an impact on many people and brought a much needed message home. Both my daughter and my future son in law are police officers so I have also seen the psychological impact their day to day jobs have on them also. Colin

Sorry, Jess but I still maintain that no phone call is so important that one cannot pull to the side of the road to make/receive it. If saving people from others' stupidity means that that would be necessary I think it a small price to pay. Pat

Colin, when I watched the programme all I could think about was that that could have been my daughter as she is of a similar age. Like you I feel very sorry for everyone involved in the incident. Maybe people who are caught using their mobile phones should be shown that programme and then they might have a better understanding as to what can happen when using one whilst driving.

Depends on the road Patricia. I can slap my ear, which is about what it ammounts to ( funny looks from other motorists!) and then talk, just the same as I could scratch my nose and talk to a passenger. I dont need to stop to dial someone either - I have voice commands and dont even need to touch the handset. I say ''TWO'' in a clear voice and it dials my OH. jess

Makes you wonder how folks managed before mobile phones. I used to hate them but then realised they did have a use. But only take it with me when going out - walking or shopping - I do not drive- Hubby wont answer his if driving - he pulls off the road and answers it. Penalties also exist here in Spain - but you still see loads talking on phones and doing stupid things whilst driving. Mary in Spain

If its really Essential to have a Telephone in the car or other vehicle,there are proper ones available.I have one fitted which works through the radio with a mike just to the right of the driving seat.Even so, if it rings I put it on hold (Press Button) and pull over then take the call.So simple to do with no danger to anyone. Hal.

Hi Jean :):) Hi All :) I have children around the same age to, I even ask them not to use the phones in the car when I am driving. Rob my future son in law is a traffic cop and accident investigator who is on call to deal with events immediately after they happen. , I have seen some of the photographs he carries and shows on occassions, of course not the actual bodies but the aftermath and they are not pretty to see. A car is in theory a lethal object, something we have control over and an obligation to use in a manner that has an affect on everyone that comes within contact of it. When I think of speaking to another person in a car and most of us do it. We have an ability to ask the person to keep still, be quiet for a while because we are concentrating etc. When I think mobile phones I think of sudden distraction, something that takes our mind away all of a sudden. Imagine cutting something with a sharp knife, something takes your mind off it for just a split second and ouch your fingers are cut. With a vehicle travelling at any speed and with every other road user being unpredictable also that certainly needs full concentration. Colin

I think the penalties should be stiffer still. I also agree that any way of using a mobile whilst driving should be banned.

Jess, I disagree: they are different. If you and I are having a conversation in the car, there will be two pairs of eyes on the road. If we talk by phone I would be distracting you from giving your full concentration to the road. Is a phone call worth the risk of someone's life? On similar grounds I think there should be zero tolerance on alcohol for drivers. Nice to see you back on the boards again. Janice

About time! Someone almost ran me off the road because they were sending a text. It isn't worth risking someones life to send a text.