IMHO some people a more compitent that others, and on a long road that have a clear view ahead it would be ok talk on one and i am sure most people will carry on in these circumstances.

But when driving in a built up area especially if you dont know the roads there it would be safer not to chose to use one.

Whats a killer for me though is sneezing whilst driving.

 

First person to get stopped in Scotland was a woman in Dundee. But she's not being prosecuted for using a hand-held phone because she's being done for drunk driving instead!

 

Again the law has decided to cater for the lowest common denominator!
It's about time we sorted out the cause and not just put in place a cure!
Admittedly I don't mulitask well when driving, I'd rather concentrate on just driving as there is too many idiots on the road today!


Andy

 

This one will never ever be reconciled.Because everybody has their own idea of what their skills or capabilities are & will not face the fact that they are fallible.How many times do we hear those fatefull words "I thought I could handle it"?

Everybody thinks they can handle situation "X" at any time & in any place,otherwise they would not do it.The biggest problem comes from them having "handled it" or "got away with it" in the past.They see this then as a God given right to carry on doing it.

Why do people even need to be told,let alone be legislated,to be sensible?

Just when is it safe to be fumbling with text buttons?Unscrewing the top of a water bottle?Pulling the ring pull off your can?Chomping on a burger?Slurping a strawfull of thick shake?Searching for your **** or sweets in the glove box?

The answer is,unless you have a crystal ball & your name is Megg,never.

Sure you can be bumbling along in perfect daylight with a dry road & little or no traffic at a steady 5 mph within the speed limit.You calculate that its safe to do any one or more of the above.You have done it loads of times before,no sweat,a walk in the park.

Then the unexpected happens,a blow out,a mechanical problem,a animal(cat,dog,deer,bird,rabbit)strike,a stone strike,debris in the road.Just as you have one hand & good percentage of processing power otherwise engaged.

Commonsense says you would deal with it better with both hands on the wheel & your wits about you.

When you get in your car it is your responsibility to use it as a means of transport.Not to use it as an offic *** restaurant *** multi entertainment venue *** gossip mobile.

When you took your driving tests did you have a quick chat with the boss on your mobile?Or ask the examiner to pass you your water?I think not.So why not if you can drive quite safely doing so?

 

******* Nanny State [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

TONY

 

There are some interesting comments at The Register

Including...

"Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), knows for sure that since 1998, there have been 20 deaths on Britain’s roads involving mobile phones. Of these, two involved hands-free phones. Neither figure sounds particularly high, does it, considering the numbers of people who use their mobile phones while driving? But a RoSPA spokeswoman says the numbers could be the "tip of the iceberg" as the cause of accidents isn't systematically recorded.

Hmm. It is able to tell us that 3,400 deaths a year in the UK are attributable to road accidents. Many hundreds of these, of course, are pedestrians, some of whom may have been talking on a mobile phone, when they were hit by a car. So perhaps this is the sensible next step, banning the use of mobile phones while crossing the road. Or maybe, as British drivers wise up to speed cameras and revenues come under pressure, the government has unlocked another useful stealth tax."

Yup, it's a nanny state, for sure!

mb

 

What's the point in bringing in new legislation and hyping it for months to then tell us we can't use it for 8 weeks? SSSHHEEEESSHHH!!!

Why not just lay me down and have you all drive over me! Sometimes i despair!! Actually told on parade today not to do anyone for it, just advise!! Is it not a law?

 

I've seen the first potential problem with this new law.

Was driving along this morning, in a line of traffic when without warning the bloke infront (in a white van) slams on his brakes and wobbles off to the side of the road, without indicating of course. As I drive around him, I spot that he's fumbling with his mobile phone.

So now some drivers have got it into their heads that as soon as the phone rings they have to (panic,) brake and pull over in order to answer it safely. Can't be long before someone crashes into the back of someone doing this.

And before anyone starts... yes I know you're supposed to leave ample distance between yourself and the vehicle infront at all times...

 

i agree with chris 29 whats the point of a law if its not a law