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[mantahatch]

For those of you who missed it, this is the follow up bit.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbFJWDqc0C4&NR=1[/media]

[KillerWatt]

In my not very humble opinion, stupidity is what causes accidents.

Lack of attention is the number one cause, speed is right at the bottom.

[TheBoy]

Personally, I don't have too much of problem in principle with using a mobile for a conversation when driving, but then I drive an automatic and I reckon that 95% of the time I can control my car perfectly well with one hand.  I doubt if the distraction level is significantly greater than having your passengers arguing amongst themselves and with you.  A crap navigator can cause even more distraction.

BUT, having said that, I obey the law - I use the built in car phone if absolutely essential, and I have a simple hands-free amplifier for incoming calls on my regular mobile.  Apart from motorway or dual carriageway cruising, I can't understand how anyone can safely manage a manual car while using a phone.  Texting is just plain stupid.

It is often said that speed kills.  That's true, because if you are involved in an accident, the higher the impact velocity, the more severely you are likely to be injured and ultimately killed - its simple physics.  But it isn't necessarily speed that triggers accidents.  In my not very humble opinion, stupidity is what causes accidents.

Thats the problem

[TheBoy]

In my not very humble opinion, stupidity is what causes accidents.

Lack of attention is the number one cause, speed is right at the bottom.

Peoples beliefs in their abilities not matching their abilities is another major cause...

[Kevin Wood]

Yet another campaign will do damn all. Those who use mobiles at the wheel know it's illegal, think they are superhuman, as said, and believe (quite correctly, it seems) that they won't get caught.

The legal backing is there for them to get at least 3 points and a fine for even handling a phone at the wheel. It's blatantly obvious when they're doing it. Let's have the Police dealing out some justice!

Kevin

[Dishevelled Den]

I'm afraid that as far as I'm concerned the driver of any vehicle must demonstrate that they are doing so in a manner which shows they have full control of the vehicle.

A driver cannot give their full attention to the task in hand if;

They're looking at anything but the road space around them and what lies ahead - they are holding a conversation with their passengers or particularly on a cellular telephone - adjusting their own or someone else's garments - eating - drinking - looking at navigation devices or entertainment systems - fiddling about in places where they shouldn't or generally diverting their attention to something else rather than having full control of the vehicle.

It isn't too much to ask any driver to concentrate on driving the vehicle in such a way that does not pose a threat to others or themselves - or is it?

[Chris_H]

Personally, I don't have too much of problem in principle with using a mobile for a conversation when driving, but then I drive an automatic and I reckon that 95% of the time I can control my car perfectly well with one hand.  I doubt if the distraction level is significantly greater than having your passengers arguing amongst themselves and with you.  A crap navigator can cause even more distraction.

BUT, having said that, I obey the law - I use the built in car phone if absolutely essential, and I have a simple hands-free amplifier for incoming calls on my regular mobile.  Apart from motorway or dual carriageway cruising, I can't understand how anyone can safely manage a manual car while using a phone.  Texting is just plain stupid.

It is often said that speed kills.  That's true, because if you are involved in an accident, the higher the impact velocity, the more severely you are likely to be injured and ultimately killed - its simple physics.  But it isn't necessarily speed that triggers accidents.  In my not very humble opinion, stupidity is what causes accidents.

I'm afraid I have an issue with conducting any phone conversation while driving.  Too many of these conversations require switching to a different environment mentally, be it home, work, friend's house, pub etc.

Driving probably takes a very small part of our brain power on average, it's just the requirement to switch to maximum concentration with only milliseconds of warning that causes the problems.

Computers manage this context-switching very easily because they are designed to do it but for humans it is similar to coming out of a dream.

[Chris_H]

I'm afraid that as far as I'm concerned the driver of any vehicle must demonstrate that they are doing so in a manner that demonstrates that they have full control of the vehicle.

A driver cannot give their full attention to the task in hand if;

They're looking at anything but the road space around them and what lies ahead - they are holding a conversation with their passengers or particularly on a cellular telephone - adjusting their own or someone else's garments - eating - drinking - looking at navigation devices or entertainment systems - fiddling about in places where they shouldn't or generally diverting their attention to something else rather than having full control of the vehicle.

It isn't too much to ask any driver to concentrate on driving the vehicle in such a way that does not pose a threat to others or themselves - or is it?

I agree with you wholeheartedly Zulu77 but we have to remember that the deluge of restrictive regulations on the roads (particularly low speed limits) give rise the the idea that we are not making the important decisions any more and therefore that we don't need to concentrate.

[Dishevelled Den]

I agree with you wholeheartedly Zulu77 but we have to remember that the deluge of restrictive regulations on the roads (particularly low speed limits) give rise the the idea that we are not making the important decisions any more and therefore that we don't need to concentrate.

That is a very important point Chris.

The more this extraneous stimulus is touted as being installed for the purposes of road safety the driver, in particular, will be encouraged to leave things to the signs and that very technology.  Which is a bad thing

[Mr Skrunts]

Personally, I don't have too much of problem in principle with using a mobile for a conversation when driving, but then I drive an automatic and I reckon that 95% of the time I can control my car perfectly well with one hand.  I doubt if the distraction level is significantly greater than having your passengers arguing amongst themselves and with you.  A crap navigator can cause even more distraction.

BUT, having said that, I obey the law - I use the built in car phone if absolutely essential, and I have a simple hands-free amplifier for incoming calls on my regular mobile.  Apart from motorway or dual carriageway cruising, I can't understand how anyone can safely manage a manual car while using a phone.  Texting is just plain stupid.

It is often said that speed kills.  That's true, because if you are involved in an accident, the higher the impact velocity, the more severely you are likely to be injured and ultimately killed - its simple physics.  But it isn't necessarily speed that triggers accidents.  In my not very humble opinion, stupidity is what causes accidents.

I tend to agree as per my post, the problem is when people take thier eyes off the road to dial numbers and lose concentration.

EDIT :-  the above in comparison to texting.  I admit I cannot concentrate on the mobile and drive.  I do answer the phone and tell the caller to hang on as I pull over on the very rare occasion I recieve a call.  But wont answer at all when it is not possible or safe to pull over.

Todate I have never made a call or read or texted a message on the move.

[JamesV6CDX]

If you ride a motorbike you see everything that drivers do in their laps.  Sandwiches, drinks, phones, A-Z, newspaper... the list goes on.  Not seen a DS as far as I can recall!

I was a passenger in a works transit one evening, going up the motorway. We overtook this bloke who was 'pleasuring himself' whilst driving

  :-?

[JamesV6CDX]

  I do answer the phone and tell the caller to hang on as I pull over

This question doesn't relate to Skruntie specifically, but -

Purely out of interest - what views would people take, of a cop issuing an endorsable fixed penalty ticket (£60 and 3 points) if they saw a motorist doing what is described above?

Would you consider it harsh, or a fair cop?

[Andy B]

  I do answer the phone and tell the caller to hang on as I pull over

This question doesn't relate to Skruntie specifically, but -

Purely out of interest - what views would people take, of a cop issuing an endorsable fixed penalty ticket (£60 and 3 points) if they saw a motorist doing what is described above?

Would you consider it harsh, or a fair cop?

but what would you do when you see a copper texting at the wheel?

[JamesV6CDX]

  I do answer the phone and tell the caller to hang on as I pull over

This question doesn't relate to Skruntie specifically, but -

Purely out of interest - what views would people take, of a cop issuing an endorsable fixed penalty ticket (£60 and 3 points) if they saw a motorist doing what is described above?

Would you consider it harsh, or a fair cop?

but what would you do when you see a copper texting at the wheel?

Have you actually seen that?  :-?

[Andy B]

  I do answer the phone and tell the caller to hang on as I pull over

This question doesn't relate to Skruntie specifically, but -

Purely out of interest - what views would people take, of a cop issuing an endorsable fixed penalty ticket (£60 and 3 points) if they saw a motorist doing what is described above?

Would you consider it harsh, or a fair cop?

but what would you do when you see a copper texting at the wheel?

Have you actually seen that?  :-?

Yes! It was at the traffic lights  ..... but still illegal  :-?. A bloke was convicted of 'using' his phone at the wheel when he was transfering it from his shirt pocket to the dash if you remember!