Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

Its more a deterrent and is meant to put people off, or make them think twice.

Drive??? I thought you cycle to work??

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

The argument goes that it distracts you and makes you more likely to have an accident.

Fine.

It should be illegal for ALL people behind a wheel, especially INCLUDING the police. Even those little radios on their lapels as they have to take a hand off the wheel to use them.

There can be no exceptions, the police are human beings and get distracted as much as anyone else.

If they try the "we're professional drivers" stuff, well, so am I, doing over 4,000 miles a month, more than many police I suspect, so I should be exempt as well by their argument...

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

Arthur contradicts himself spectacularly once again.

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

clearly the answer is to allow the public to use camera phones to catch people in the act plus numberplate, say a £10 reward each time.

It'd stop overnight.

Use Technology to stop people abusing technology.


The only thing yuo need to consider is - Am I joking?

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

Hopefully not whilst they too are driving. It would also be classed as "using a mobile phone". :confused:

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

I'm all for the penalties being the same as drink driving as many tests have shown it to be as detrimental to the ability to safely drive.

If we want a technical solution: Most smart phones have GPS and so can detect if they are moving. Block the calls/texts/browsing etc if the phone is moving too fast. I realise this would impact passengers and those using public transport but a bit of disconnected time would be good for many.

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

That is true, we used to have radios in our cars and I was a whole lot more dangerous using them than I would be a phone. Wonder why they aren't going after cyclists on the phone or with headphones on, that's got to be a more dangerous potentially.

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

They are one-way radios and exempt, same as CB radios and similar.

Besides unless you make double crewed cars mandatory for Police and paramedics then you need to find some way to be able to talk to them as they blue light to an emergency call.

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

Vox & throat mic or similar.

Arguably the radios are just as distracting as a phone, you're still holding a piece of plastic you talk into on a radio as a phone. It's a stupid exemption and we do now have the technology to make the exemption obsolete.

I'm not condoning the mobile phone law - I think it's sensible, I do however also believe there's no real difference between a radio or a phone on loudspeaker and both should be banned.

I'm reasonably sure as Jo Public if I was to drive about holding a walkie talkie or some such, I'd be done for undue care or similar.

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

Some Sat Nav's now link to phones to get extra data so if stopping the phone "working" when moving would then stop that function working unless there are exceptions in the coding then how would you make the exceptions.

With hand held phones it's also easy to police. You do not need to make that call while driving, especially on hand held unit. You don't need to receive that call either. My work phone uses the SatNav as hands free and if I get called I just tell the person I'm driving and when I can focus on their call. If it's simple I may give an answer but else the other person just has to wait.

With the police the exemption you do have to remember that unlike normal callers the other end is likely to be aware of the driver situation and the conversation is often linked to the situation. The police driver is also trained for the situation and likely would not reply immediately if unsafe.

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

You're making the assumption that 'Jo Public' is as well trained in the art of driving as a police officer.....

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

You are also making the assuption that all police officers have completed the advanced driving course.

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

Radio or not, you still have to take your hands off the wheel to use them. If it's unsafe when I do it it's just as unsafe when they do it. In fact it's worse, at least I have a hands free kit....

..if it needs double crewed that's the way that it is.

I think I'll get a walkie-talkie then when I get pulled I can simply say "tough luck mate, they're exempt", wonder how far that will get me?

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

AFAIK (Derek will be able to confirm if I'm right or wrong) any driver blue lighting has to have undertaken an advanced driver course. I'm sure the college of policing sets the framework/standards.

My memory is hazy as it's a long time since i worked for the police !!

Re: Tougher penalties for using mobile phones when driving
 

Advanced courses aren't mandatory, apparently...

http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/blue-light-use/