They are making a lot out of the fact he was on the phone (hands free), yet there seems to be no real details as to whether this contributed to the tragic events. The article says: “the content of the call prevented him from taking the necessary actions to avoid the crash, the force said.”
But what exactly does that mean■■? 
It’s the word ‘content’ that’s baffling me…
Also 50mph in a 8 legger is far to fast on parts of that road around the may fly pub for one
The hands-free thing really does seem odd, doesn’t it? I’ll ask the police if they are willing to give more information.
Here’s a summary of the evidence given:
"The court was told that investigations by the Joint Roads Policing Unit for Hampshire and the Thames Valley found that Woods was having a telephone conversation with his friend at the time of the collision.
He was using a set of headphones and his handset was attached to the dashboard, using it hands-free, which is legal.
However, he became so distracted by the conversation he was having that as the motorbikes ahead of him stopped at the turning for Leckford Golf Course, indicating to turn right, Woods failed to react in time, colliding with both vehicles.
Further examination of phone records and tachograph data showed that Woods had spent one hour and 46 minutes of the five hours he had driven that day having phone conversations.
A reconstruction of the scene also showed officers that the motorbikes would have been visible to Woods 100m prior to impact, yet the evidence showed that he used his breaks later than that, which was too late to avoid the collision."
Hants Police SIO said: “Woods was an experienced lorry driver who knew the road well but even with his capabilities, the distraction of a phone call resulted in this fatal collision.
“As the court heard, he was using his mobile phone hands-free, which is legal, but it was the telephone conversation that took his full attention from the road ahead and prevented him from taking the necessary actions to avoid this crash.
“His driving while speaking on the phone was a ticking time bomb and it was this distraction that caused him to drive dangerously.
“Had he waited to call his friend back when he was no longer behind the wheel, Mr Couper would be alive today and his family would not be faced with a future without him.
“This case acts as a tragic reminder as to why we advise motorists to leave their mobiles phones out of sight and out of reach. It is the only way you can guarantee that your driving will not be affected.
“It is not worth the risk.
“If we feel a motorist is being significantly distracted while driving, we will take action.”
Hands free is legal only when answering to say a quick “I’ll pull over and call you back”. Who really needs to spend over an hour on the phone? I’m glad the 6 point rule came in because my Mrs has stopped using her phone my policy.
I don’t bother with handsfree and I make sure the office knows it. Means I get left alone. If they want me, they send me a text and await a reply at a time that suits me.
iomex:
I don’t bother with handsfree and I make sure the office knows it. Means I get left alone. If they want me, they send me a text and await a reply at a time that suits me.
This, they still call though! Always ignored. Until a suitable time to respond.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Phones should be out of reach in the glove box ect, no one needs to take or make a call when driving hands free or not. Ignore the phone and call back when you stop somewhere, theres never need to answer immediately, that same person calling will still be there an hour later. The next step should be to ban using the phone altogether…
Same here when I drove a crane truck for a berk at a timber yard that thought I should have a chat while I was driving. No excuse.
To me it sounds like they’re desperately trying to find a way of blaming the phone
switchlogic:
To me it sounds like they’re desperately trying to find a way of blaming the phone
This. A simple “death by careless driving” would suffice.
switchlogic:
To me it sounds like they’re desperately trying to find a way of blaming the phone
agree. talking on a hands free is just as distracting as talking to a passenger next to you.
next will be banned talking to someone sat next to you 
By saying the content of the call was to blame, do we take it he was talking to a lady of horizontal refreshment? 
Phones should be banned in cars and trucks hands free or not, no excuses.
When driving put it on silent and put it somewhere not accessible until you’re stationary.
Sounds to me like it’s just another case of ‘let’s show the public what we will do to lorry drivers, irrespective of them being on the phone that is being used hands free’. Drive a car whilst on the phone but also killing a biker and it seems to be a case of ‘accidents happen’ (■■■■ happens, accidents are caused). This was a while back… tinyurl.com/mqa9ahh