Let’s have a further test that if you can prove you can drive safely whilst using a phone, away you go.
We could also have a snowflake test. If you feel the need to drive a hybrid or electric car or drive in lane one at 50-56 MPH in a car, you get a ■■■■■■■ bus pass instead.
Make part of the driving test a motorway, if you get overtaken by anything over 3.5t on a clear road, you fail for life.
robroy:
rambo19:
And yet people on here moan when the police go out in unmarked tractor units catching lorry drivers.Fair comment, but for every one phone user, ■■■■ watcher, or sausage fryer who are the real danger, there are 10 practicing the activities listed in my last post, but who are in full control (whether you or they like it or not,) funding their real agenda.
After saying that I got snooped on the other week by these [zb], just as I was checking my start time for all of literally 1 to 2 seconds in my note book, (
shock horror hang me now) despite my tactfullly placed side curtains.
I was chucking the book down just as he was snouting at me through his camera, he got the full hand gesture and lip read of F .off.
His mate in the BMW pulled me,
( the prick with the camera tried to goad me into having a pop at him, but [zb] ed off when I wouldn’t bite)
To be fair the one in the BM was an old fashioned type copper who used discretion and cautioned me.
Think he was impressed with my clean licence after such a long time driving …who knows.So despite some of my previous posts not all coppers are [zb] after all.
Bring on the puritans who say I should lose my licence for taking my eye off the road for 2 seconds or so.
Agree with you to a point Rob, and with diesel too even if he is on the wind up at times.
However in my opinion I think some of you are arguing over different issues. Phone calls versus smartphone use.
Here’s my thoughts, when you take a call on Bluetooth you are having a conversation in the same way you would with a passenger so therefore it should be allowed, it’s no worse than arguing kids for instance.
However getting caught leaves you with no where whatsoever to go as the argument of not being distracted is blown out of the water by the very fact you have been caught, if you weren’t distracted then you should have noticed the plod, therefore you’re bang to rights I guess?
As rob says, you could be taking a sip from a drink or a bite from a sandwich so how is that different to having a phone in your hand, not much really as I would also argue that smoking at the wheel involves just as much use of one handed driving. I know if I had a coffee on the go I could reach for it, drink it and put it back without taking my eyes of the road once but reaching for a cigarette, lighting it, smoking it and putting it out is apparently safe??
My line in the sand is using smartphones for other things, as is seen in this video and the one of the family getting killed by a driver scrolling through music last year.
As soon as you start thumbing your phone you are well and truly distracted, eyes off the road and concentration drawn into the screen activity. How many times have we all seen a car gradually slow down and weave then when we pass it the driver has a smartphone in hand but is not visually on a call but is scrolling away? That’s why you see references on these police twitter feeds about “using a handheld device” , not on a call but on faceache or some such social media rubbish.
I think you should get a more severe punishment for this as I feel it’s a different level of offence, way more deliberate and more dangerous than taking a call, Bluetooth or not…
Norfolkinclue1:
Agree with you to a point Rob, and with diesel too even if he is on the wind up at times.
However in my opinion I think some of you are arguing over different issues. Phone calls versus smartphone use.
Here’s my thoughts, when you take a call on Bluetooth you are having a conversation in the same way you would with a passenger so therefore it should be allowed, it’s no worse than arguing kids for instance.
However getting caught leaves you with no where whatsoever to go as the argument of not being distracted is blown out of the water by the very fact you have been caught, if you weren’t distracted then you should have noticed the plod, therefore you’re bang to rights I guess?
As rob says, you could be taking a sip from a drink or a bite from a sandwich so how is that different to having a phone in your hand, not much really as I would also argue that smoking at the wheel involves just as much use of one handed driving. I know if I had a coffee on the go I could reach for it, drink it and put it back without taking my eyes of the road once but reaching for a cigarette, lighting it, smoking it and putting it out is apparently safe??
My line in the sand is using smartphones for other things, as is seen in this video and the one of the family getting killed by a driver scrolling through music last year.
As soon as you start thumbing your phone you are well and truly distracted, eyes off the road and concentration drawn into the screen activity. How many times have we all seen a car gradually slow down and weave then when we pass it the driver has a smartphone in hand but is not visually on a call but is scrolling away? That’s why you see references on these police twitter feeds about “using a handheld device” , not on a call but on faceache or some such social media rubbish.
I think you should get a more severe punishment for this as I feel it’s a different level of offence, way more deliberate and more dangerous than taking a call, Bluetooth or not…
^ +1
I would bet the farm that this driver didn’t have a clue that there was a driver-facing camera pointed at him.
truckyboy:
Quote…Well in this instance the in cab camera proved he killed the woman … time to ban phones in cabs and cars all together.Why ban phones from cabs and cars ■■?..bluetooth works fine, and your eyes are still on the road…maybe the 5 year sentence should be obligatory, as thats what the driver got…so if found to have used a phone prior to an accident…expect the same…not all drivers are idiots…certainly this one was.
I am totally against Camera’s in cabs… it is a complete invasion of a persons privacy. However, daily and weekly we are seeing more and more imbeciles being charged with offences relating to mobile phones. Personally, I do not care for phones. If I could I wouldn’t have one.
But the modern day person can’t seem to function without a phone in their hand… so yes, ban phones from cars and cabs…
Harry Monk:
I would bet the farm that this driver didn’t have a clue that there was a driver-facing camera pointed at him.
So is there an argument that if he knew there was then he wouldn’t have done what he did?
Or, as has been mentioned, if you are terminally stupid then you’ll do it anyway no matter what the punishment for using but then cry like a baby if it leads to this kind of accident or the one that killed the Traffic officer where the driver lied through his teeth but by then its too late?
I think the penalties have got to far outweigh the crime to be honest, as I mentioned I do think that taking a call is a grey area for punishment when there are so many other equal distractions at the wheel but if you get caught scrolling then maybe a short ban that stays on your licence is the answer?
I agree the in cab camera is an invasion though, especially as in this case I’m sure they would have been able to prove phone use with out the camera. They have done in the traffic officer case, they could tell every tiny detail of his use on his journey without any camera in his car, smartphones work both ways these days…
dieseldog999:
simcor:
Cab camera or no cab camera, the police would easily be able to find out if he was using his phone at the wheel.^^^^^^^^^
ive said t beforeand il say it again,and again.
double sim smartphone. if required for any reason,bin or eat the sim you dont want seen…job done
Not that simple. Someone has mentioned IMEI numbers. The only real chance you MIGHT have of getting away with it, and even then it’s by no means certain is a completely seperate phone with an unregistered pay as you go sim in it. Or…just don’t use your phone whilst driving
switchlogic:
dieseldog999:
simcor:
Cab camera or no cab camera, the police would easily be able to find out if he was using his phone at the wheel.^^^^^^^^^
ive said t beforeand il say it again,and again.
double sim smartphone. if required for any reason,bin or eat the sim you dont want seen…job doneNot that simple. Someone has mentioned IMEI numbers. The only real chance you MIGHT have of getting away with it, and even then it’s by no means certain is a completely seperate phone with an unregistered pay as you go sim in it. Or…just don’t use your phone whilst driving
Simple enough innit.
Here’s my thoughts, when you take a call on Bluetooth you are having a conversation in the same way you would with a passenger so therefore it should be allowed, it’s no worse than arguing kids for instance.
Not entirely convinced about that.There is no doubt is takes away concentration from driving although some drivers may cope better than others.My wife for example talking on the phone and signals left instead of right! Unbelievable but true.Luckily no harm done that time.I have also heard drivers say,oh when things get hectic I stop talking and concentrate.Thats fine for the ones that have the sense to do that but we all know there are plenty of arrogant drivers that think they are more than capable at all times.Personally I think the day will come soon when it will be illegal to make any call when driving.Not saying it’s right but it will happen.
I can’t see why someone hasn’t developed a reverse faraday cage type thing.
The car is running moving, the phone doesn’t work, they manage it on trains [emoji4]
But seriously if people are getting killed, the phone needs to be in the boot or glovebox, hands free isn’t safe, you can see Bertie Bentley or Joe Jaguar drop speed to 40 mph and his lips moving, he way as well have a phone like Dom Jolley
It may take some time, but,surely technology will catch up and it will not matter.
Cars and trucks can almost drive themselves now.
So everyone will be doing this kind of thing and it won’t matter.
ROADRANGER:
It may take some time, but,surely technology will catch up and it will not matter.
Cars and trucks can almost drive themselves now.
So everyone will be doing this kind of thing and it won’t matter.
Almost never bulled a cow. Where is this going? Getting us all to waste more of our lives looking at screens?
Has anyone actually considered that he wasn’t using the phone as we perceive a phone to be used. He most definately was not making a phone call.
It could just as easily have been a sat nav, something in the glove box, or even an essential item in his bag.
The phone didn’t cause the accident & the phone didn’t kill Mrs. Blackman . . . Or did it?
A mate has just sent me a link to the video on faceache , which shows the interview with the woman’s husband , to say I’m shocked is an understatement !! I worked with this fella for 11 years till the company closed and lost touch with him .You couldn’t wish to meet a nicer fella who would always go out of his way to help u and was always happy in his work , actually met his wife a few times when we had works nites out , lovely woman r.i.p Yvonne and my sincere condolences to Ralph and the rest of his family
dieseldog999:
simcor:
Cab camera or no cab camera, the police would easily be able to find out if he was using his phone at the wheel.^^^^^^^^^
ive said t beforeand il say it again,and again.
double sim smartphone. if required for any reason,bin or eat the sim you dont want seen…job done
What about the text and call logs stored on the phone?
dieseldog999:
simcor:
Cab camera or no cab camera, the police would easily be able to find out if he was using his phone at the wheel.^^^^^^^^^
ive said t beforeand il say it again,and again.
I have absolutely no idea how phones work apparently…
Fixed that for you technowizard999 
Dork Lard:
Has anyone actually considered that he wasn’t using the phone as we perceive a phone to be used. He most definately was not making a phone call.It could just as easily have been a sat nav, something in the glove box, or even an essential item in his bag.
The phone didn’t cause the accident & the phone didn’t kill Mrs. Blackman . . . Or did it?
You are quite correct.The phone did not cause the accident. The distracted driver DID.
Wheel Nut:
I can’t see why someone hasn’t developed a reverse faraday cage type thing.The car is running moving, the phone doesn’t work, they manage it on trains [emoji4]
But seriously if people are getting killed, the phone needs to be in the boot or glovebox, hands free isn’t safe, you can see Bertie Bentley or Joe Jaguar drop speed to 40 mph and his lips moving, he way as well have a phone like Dom Jolley
I think it is the stopping whilst on the phone - that ends up doing all the damage though.
The only way to prevent a phone from ringing whilst in an “unauthorized area” for phone use - would be to have the actual Iphone operating system detect movement based on the proximity to three nearby cell masts - and block the phone whilst movement is evident. As an ex-coder, I suggest to the community that such a concept is quite feasible in terms of the software engineering involved. 
This would also force pedestrians making or receiving calls - to sit down on a park bench, or at least stand still for a few moments, rather than wander into fast moving traffic (whilst using the phone) by walking between parked cars, etc.
Either way - “Lives would be saved” I would have thought.
Apple etc. need to be lobbied to make their actual operating systems safer in the life and limb sense, rather than the current definition of “safe” which is “FBI cannot hack into ISIS phone traffic…” 
Reef:
dieseldog999:
simcor:
Cab camera or no cab camera, the police would easily be able to find out if he was using his phone at the wheel.^^^^^^^^^
ive said t beforeand il say it again,and again.
I have absolutely no idea how phones work apparently…Fixed that for you technowizard999
^^^^^^^ git…
though there is the option of binning your memory card with it and usung the button to select delete for the required info whilst waiting for the ensuing plod questions?
everything i can save on my mobile goes to external memory.
fortunately for me sofar,ive no idea what it tastes like. 
Winseer:
The only way to prevent a phone from ringing whilst in an “unauthorized area” for phone use - would be to have the actual Iphone operating system detect movement based on the proximity to three nearby cell masts - and block the phone whilst movement is evident. As an ex-coder, I suggest to the community that such a concept is quite feasible in terms of the software engineering involved.This would also force pedestrians making or receiving calls - to sit down on a park bench, or at least stand still for a few moments, rather than wander into fast moving traffic (whilst using the phone) by walking between parked cars, etc.
What about passengers in a car or bus, they are not allowed to use their phone either ?
