Government Announces Mobile Phone Driving Ban

Anonymous

It seems that the charge of 'not being in proper control of the vehicle' or 'driving without due care and attention' would cover all forms of potential distraction including fiddling with the radio or lighting a cigarette. As the police have already argued, this does not need a change in the law, just more enforcement. Although I agree with a ban, I can see why it would easier to get a prosecution if the police could submit a record of the phone call as evidence; much clearer than debating about whether it was safe to drive while shouting at the kids on the back seat. Let's face it, many drivers cannot even maintain a safe distance when they are fully in control. Even while talking on 'hands free' I have driven for over an hour without realising I was almost home and missed my turning. Well driven? I may as well have been hypnotised!

Anonymous

I do hope this will apply to the police force as well as us ordinary people.
I have seen police drivers talking on phones while driving at high speeds in busy traffic.
Surley, this is a danger to the public?

Anonymous

I agree with the last comment about police being included in this ban - They often use their personal radios whilst driving - I speak from personal experience having nearly been hit by one of them whilst he was talking on his PR - I don't think he even saw me

Anonymous

It is a shame that the goverment once again look at one matter in isolation. The act of smoking whilst in control of a motor vehicle is equally as dangerous, especially when lighting the cigerette from an in-car lighter. In addition people who have dogs in the car without restrainsts is also a huge distraction.
With the above said, I am still in favor of the ban.

Anonymous

I agree with Mr Curtis' comment about one topic in isolation. using a phone while driving is potentially dangerous, but so are many other activities.It must be equally so whilst talking to a passenger and taking your eyes off the road to look at them as you speak as many people do. I have also seen for example, smoking, especially when it gets in your eyes or it gets dropped onto the drivers seat, eating, drinking, map reading, reading the daily paper, men shaving and the best one of all, Ladies doing their hair,changing clothes, and applying make up etc using the rear view mirror!
All of these situations should be looked at from the view that if the car is stationary, and safely parked and engine off they are then not a problem, but whilst in motion equally distracting.

Anonymous

The next target could be in-car navigation systems. The Canadians are clamping down already. Let's not forget that many delivery drivers rely on these systems as well as mobile phones. This ban is almost certain to become a serious workplace issue when employees start refusing to switch their phones on while driving. And why should they risk a driving ban? If employers insist then are they aiding and abetting the offence?
I also suspect this ban could result in dozens of cases where drivers stop suddenly on the hard shoulder to take an important call and then get a ticket for stopping on the motorway! Maybe a 'Clunk - Click - Turn it off' approach is a lot safer.

Anonymous

Compliance with 'do not use your mobile whilst driving' is easy. Put it on voicemail and switch it off. There is nothing so urgent that it cannot wait until the journey has finished. Hands free should be included in the ban because driving demands full and total concentration