Mobile phones and drivers

[Anonymous]

I'd be interested to hear what people's opinions are about the new law which has come into force today in the UK, forbidding the use of mobile phones whilst driving unless they're 'hands free' sets.

For what it's worth I think the new law has been framed by people who have the best possible intentions but it is essentially flawed. My belief is that road accidents happen more often than not because people aren't concentrating properly on the road, NOT because they're holding the steering wheel with one hand and a mobile with the other. It would be good to have other people's thoughts on this though and especially have feedback from people outside the UK in places where different regulations (if there are any) apply.

:wink:

[bspider]

Speaking as a mobile-phone hater, I think it's a good thing. Now I have to find the off-switch for the back-seat driver and we'll be fine...

I suspect that if I can patent that it'll be worth a fortune! ;)

[afkaWestcountryboy]

If it stops accidents then I guess it's a good thing, but I am confused by the rational behind the law.
Is it the combination of holding the phone and the distraction of talking that is the problem. If you're on a hands free kit then there is still the distraction of talking.
It's not illegal to take a hand off the wheel to re-tune a radio, which can be deadly, i nearly caused an accident doing this when i first learnt to drive!!!
What has annoyed me more is that lots of the UK media seem not to understand the new law at all and are creating much more confusion, trying to persuade people that they need voice activated hands free kits and the like, which is a lot of nonsense.
If anyone would like the defintive guide to the new law check out the Department For Transport FAQ http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/page/dft_rdsafety_025216.hcsp

This might help clear some things up

afka WCB

I can't speak for the UK since I am in the USA. I don't condone driving while on a cell phone. It definitely takes your concentration off the road. It really doesn't have much to do with one handed driving. I drive with one hand often.

There have been numerous accidents on America's highways because people were reaching for or looking for their ringing cell phone. I see far to many drivers talking on cell phones that are not head sets even though the law has been in effect here for quite some time.

[Estelle]

I'm absolutely in favour of the ban. I was nearly knocked off my bicycle not so long ago by a driver who was holding a phone in one hand, changing gear with the other and had half his attention on a street map. He was obviously trying to follow someone's route instructions. When I yelled at him he looked straight through me as if I wasn't there. I suspect that, as far as he was concerned, I wasn't.

I am a driver as well as a cyclist. Anything that distracts me from attention to the road or that impairs my concentration or judgement, makes me a potential death threat to other road users. I just do not have the right to be a death threat to others.

When will we learn, as a society, that driving a motor vehicle is a privelege, not a right. Motor vehicles are as lethal as guns and kill far more people every year (in this country, at least). If you can't drive responsibly, then you shouldn't be allowed to drive at all.

That said, I will admit to bias, being a fully paid up member of the Mobile Phones Are A Social Menace Society. I've got one, but it's switched off most of the time. I hate the bastard things!

Estelle

I only use mine to call my kids if I need to (and I never call them while driving). To tell you the truth, I don't even know my cell phone number. I haven't given it out and I always keep it off unless I want to make a call home.

We have customers coming into the store while talking on their cell phones. They come up to the register, make their purchase, and never miss a beat with the phone conversation they are having. I for one, don't want to hear their dumb ass conversations. Geez, what did we do before cell phones? Do we have such a desire to be important that we must be on the phone even while shopping?

[Anonymous]

Estelle. Like you I've got a mobile - not from choice but because some kind person wished it on to me. Thus far I've hardly used the damn thing and never in public. Years ago when mobile phones were the size of bricks and only ever carried by travelling businessmen/women they weren't too bad. Nowadays seeming eyeryone's got one and they're so small that it's often not a first obvious what's happening if someone waiting to be served in a shop or a bank suddenly starts talking for no apparent reason.

MoonSpirit. What's the exact legal position in the States? Is it just a ban on using hand held mobiles while driving or does it extend to hands free sets as well?

It is only a ban on the hand held kind. But, no body listens!

[Lynn]

I'm from the US and I use a cell a lot with my job. I do try to pull over whenever possible, but at times, I'd probably pose more of a threat to other drivers if I tried to pull over to talk (like on the freeway during rush hour). Overall, however, I do think they are a distraction while driving, especially during busy times or during bad weather. I do often turn my cell off if road conditions are bad, regardless of whether I'm anticipating a call or not. I know there are bans on using cells while driving, at least in my area, but no one abides by those.