Police above the law ?

[Chimaera]

Originally Posted by bopdude

Ok, so not completely on the same topic....ish, if its now illegal for us to use mobile phones whilst driving is it therefore illegal to use walkie talkies

I drove past a copper the other day ( he was driving and moving ) and was talking away on his, so ok, I know its work \ comunication but whats the difference, its still taking up one hand and creating " lack of concentration "

Its so unfair, one law for them and another for us

I think police radios are exempt from the current law - so let's all go out and buy walkie talkies!

The police in general are good, Its sad to see people trying to look for injustice all the time

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by Chimaera

I think police radios are exempt from the current law - so let's all go out and buy walkie talkies!

My point exactly, whats the difference between walkie talkies and phones NOTHING, its the them and us bit all over again

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by Damien

The police in general are good, Its sad to see people trying to look for injustice all the time

Granted, but as this thread is about them being above the law in certain cases ( or so it seems ) it not a case of us looking for " injustice " just one law for all

Police have far more advanced training with cars

Originally Posted by bopdude

My point exactly, whats the difference between walkie talkies and phones NOTHING, its the them and us bit all over again

It has nothing to do with us/them - the mobile phone law simply does not apply to two-way radios (whoever is using them).

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by Damien

Police have far more advanced training with cars

True, but does that make it right \ ok ( don't think so )
What about an advanced driving instructer, is it ok for him to use the phone on the move as he has " advanced training " and as I've said previously, it not about individual things but the differences in penaltys dished out, if any at all

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by Pem

It has nothing to do with us/them - the mobile phone law simply does not apply to two-way radios (whoever is using them).

So it ok for me to drive down the road talking away on walkie talkie but not a phone, now that makes a lot of sense, not surely theres just as much chance of that causing a distraction, now I know the worlds gone mad :pp

[Charlie_Bubble]

Originally Posted by bopdude

My point exactly, whats the difference between walkie talkies and phones NOTHING, its the them and us bit all over again

Not quite. The current law means you're not allowed to use a handheld phone. It allows for handsfree kit use. Now, if you were using your mobile (as I still see so many people doing) you theoretically have to hold it to your ear with either your hand or your shoulder, meaning you don't have complete control over the car. You also have a continuous connection with the other person, which in typical human behaviour means they must try and keep in contact (ie talking/listening) as much as possible to chat with your friend. If you suddenly stop talking or listening they are going to wonder where you are. You can't talk into the phone without it being near your mouth and you can't hear without it being near your ear. You also have to dial the number, or navigate to it through the menu system by looking at the screen.

A police 2-way radio doesn't need the user to hold it always near their face/ear. It has a speaker so you don't need to have it by your ear to listen, leaving your hands free. To talk you press a button and you are immediately connected to the person you want to speak to. To stop, you release the button. There's no navigating through a menu system to find the person, or pressing buttons to redial. You don't have to necessarily have it right next to your mouth to be heard down it either. The person at the other end has a speaker and can hear you clearly. It's also only going to be used for short bursts of conversation to report something, or listen to the speaker for something. They're not having 20 minute chats with their mates instead of concentrating on driving.

Besides which, if you need to, CB is still legal so get your mates to all buy one and you can happily chat/crash to your hearts content!

I'm always very annoyed when I see people still chatting on mobiles even after the law has been passed. The number of people trying to steer one-handed around roundabouts at 2 miles an hour while chatting away into the phone!! I also notice it mainly seems to be younger drivers chatting on the phone too. I would have thought any young driver would be much better advised to use their limited driving skills/experience to concentrate on the road rather than risk other peoples lives just so that they can arrange their night out 20 minutes sooner than if they left it until they got home. (rant over)

The use of mobile phones in cars is a bit off topic for this thread - please use this one - and get this thread back on topic

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by bopdude

Ok, so not completely on the same topic....ish, if its now illegal for us to use mobile phones whilst driving is it therefore illegal to use walkie talkies

I drove past a copper the other day ( he was driving and moving ) and was talking away on his, so ok, I know its work \ comunication but whats the difference, its still taking up one hand and creating " lack of concentration "

Its so unfair, one law for them and another for us

Thing is, joe public chats and has conversations on their mobiles, copper is relaying what he is concentrating on, ie where he's driving, what the car he's after is doing etc.
Also, they're trained to do it, ie when to talk and when to drop mic and concentrate on driving safe.

Its like why they can speed aslong as they have the lights going etc

[xaq141175]

I think the only people who are 'above the law' (as in engaging in illegal activity and getting off scot-free) are people who drag thier knuckle's along the pavements (usually at night and near pubs) and periodically apply the totality of thier 75 IQ to use them and inflict damage on passers by.

See if you can get the government and courts to effectively deal with these proto-homoniods. Fat chance !