Stasi tactics to stop mobile phone use

[Radar]

But there's surely going to be a high degree of overlap between these two groups of people? And if someone is dumb enough to drive whilst at speed, they're probably dumb enough to continue a call when the lights change

Yes, there could be an overlap, then there could also be not. I doubt T&P is the only driver capable of realising that phones and motion do not mix though often it seems he may be

So in the case of mobile phones and traffic lights I think the police & lawmakers should address the actual problem and nick the ones that are too stupid to finish the call when the lights go green, rather than nicking everyone on red on a presumption of what they're going to do.

 

[TopCat]

I think the old idea of placing a large spike on the steering wheel of every vehcle would best contribute to road safety.

 

[Radar]

I think the old idea of placing a large spike on the steering wheel of every vehcle would best contribute to road safety.

Yet the non-bikers never seem to go for it. I've got it designed and everything

Bah, it all started going pear-shaped when seatbelts came in. Bring back the geezer with the flag I say!

 

[stowpirate]

I think the old idea of placing a large spike on the steering wheel of every vehcle would best contribute to road safety.

 

[TopCat]

You know it would work.

 

[cybertect]

It is hypocritical for the police to nick people for mobile useage when they themselves use their radios whilst driving. It is like being nicked for smoking a spliff by a pig with track marks down his arms.

Well, here's the official answer [Hansard: 21 Oct 2004]

Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the use of two-way radios is not included in the legislation banning the use of hand-held mobile phones whilst driving. [192768]



21 Oct 2004 : Column 876W

Mr. Jamieson: The Department reported in June 2003 on the public consultation on mobile phones and driving. Responses to the consultation pointed out that the use of such radios over many years had not resulted in road safety concerns. We accepted that the use of a 'press-to-talk' two-way radio was likely to have a lower risk than a hand-held mobile phone because it permits a one-way conversation only while a button is pressed, keeping messages short.

The consultation document and decision letter are available on-line at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/grou...tentservertemplate/dft index.hcst?n=10199&1=2

[the link referred to seems now to be dead]

e2a: Updated link to the Consultation paper and report.

N.B. Money wasn't mentioned as a factor.

 

[TopCat]

I used to use a hand held radio on my courier motorbike and it was fucking dangerous I tell you.

 

[pogofish]

What is wrong with debating the law and suggesting you must catch the offender while the vehicle is in motion and not use tactics which just alienate the people caught. They may or may not have been using the mobile while the vehicle was in motion

From what I remember, the law does not actually require you to be moving for this offence. Simply being stationary on the public road, with the engine running (or maybe even just with the keys in the ignition?) is enough.

Simarly, even if you are using a hands free or a radio, they can still take action if your driving appears to be suffering from it.

Here is the C&V:

7) What counts as driving?
Driving is using a motor vehicle on the road and can include when a vehicle is stopped at traffic lights or during a traffic hold-up. Therefore you should not use that time to make or receive a call. Park safely and then use the phone (but not on the motorway hard shoulder). A road is legally defined as any road to which the public have access, this includes a car park.

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/mobilephones.htm

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

What next is going to be targeted, eating an apple, picking your nose, smoking, talking to your passengers?

I was nearly killed the other day by a twat on a phone driving top speed round a bend without indicating while I was crossing.

It's against the law, they are selfish cunts, tough shit.

 

[stowpirate]

 

[Dhimmi]

Stasi

Police

Separated at birth?

 

[nino_savatte]

Using phones when driving is illegal and dangerous.

Aye and I don't much care for cyclists who think it's okay to do likewise.

 

[SpookyFrank]

It's against the law, they are selfish cunts, tough shit.

^This. There are many pointless and unjust laws in this land, and many of them are enforced in a variety of excessive and unsporting ways. Requiring people who are hurtling around in large lumps of metal to devote their attention solely to what they are doing is neither pointless nor unjust; there can be no excuses for driving without due care and so anything done to catch the people who do it is alright by me.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Aye and I don't much care for cyclists who think it's okay to do likewise.

At least if the cyclist is on the road then the only person likely to die as a result of this behaviour is the cyclist himself...

 

[likesfish]

true still stupid and should be nicked unlikely to happen though
get caught tough

 

[bigbry]

I agree they are twats - I was getting at the OTT attitude of the Police and the dubious tactics they are now using to enforce the law. Catch them in motion at 30mph not at a dead stop. How can you be sure what you see through binoculars at a distance is actually mobile phone in use. You could be scratching your ear or picking your nose.

If you were NOT using your phone you could prove it with your phone companies records

 

[bigbry]

I don't know how many people would do that. I certainly never have. On the few occasions where I have received a phone call or text message whilst stopped at the light, if I have chosen to answer it was just to have a few brief words and then ring off. And in most cases I have been able to do this, put the phone on the seat next to me, and still have a few seconds to spare before the light goes drink.

Fining people based on presumption is not the way forward.

It's illegal to take a call while the engine is running - that's what the law says.

 

[rubbershoes]

Well the fact that they're holding a mobile phone would appear to be the giveaway.

Are you claiming that the police are misidentfying folks from a distance then, as in 'Sorry sir, I though it was a mobile phone but in fact you were holding your gearstick to your ear.'

they could be eating a cake

 

[UnderOpenSky]

What about skinning up whilst on the move?

Helps a lot if you have an automatic.

 

[nino_savatte]

At least if the cyclist is on the road then the only person likely to die as a result of this behaviour is the cyclist himself...

Are you sure about that?

 

[editor]

Are you sure about that?

Have you some FACTS?

 

[nino_savatte]

Have you some FACTS?

NO, but I would imagine that any road user, who is concentrating more on talking on their phone than paying attention to the road, is both a danger to themselves and others. I am a cyclist btw, a responsible cyclist.

 

[Radar]

Have you some FACTS?

There was that guy, Peter Messen, who collided with and killed a pedestrian a couple of years ago. The dead ped was loading his car and the cyclist, who apparently suffers from learning problems, hit him as the ped stepped back onto the pavement. The ped died in hospital a few days later.

The article also mentions that this is only the 2nd ped death caused by a cyclist since 1999. Its pretty obvious that a cyclist fucking up can have the potential to kill others, but it doesn't appear to happen that often.

As well as pedestrians, bikers are also vulnerable with regards to erratic cyclists. Hitting anything/anyone at speed has a very good chance of unseating the rider, once you're off the bike and on the road fatal shit can and does happen.