Motorists face jail over phone use

Falstaff

Motorists face jail over phone use - CNN.com

I knew this was coming a long time ago, but it appears that this may be a trend in all developed nations now, to rid the highways of the unattentive and careless driver by penalizing them for cell phone use. I have heard this is like trying to ban smoking and it will never work. What are your thoughts on this?

OmegaRED

If there's enough evidence to suggest cell phone usage while driving is a distraction and causes accidents then I support the law. It won't be easy to enforce but the fines alone will be enough for most drivers to stop doing it.

cozumel

Of course it reduces accidents. How many close shaves have you had while trying to change radio station, take drink from a can or eating you burger while driving. Don't see why evryone can't be hands free. Definitely sending an SMS is no-no and is dangerous/negligent.

Senor_Mota

Amen to that. I was driving to Salt Lake City this summer to see deftones for my birthday with one of my buddies and we almost got splattered by a semi-truck because he was eating a Whopper while driving 110 MPH. I've also almost died while my ex-wife was chatting with one of her dumb bitch friends on her Razr while driving down the highway in a Hyundai Tiburon going 90 MPH. The highways around here are windy and curvy, so you should probably be paying full attention to NOT DYING, rather than "who's sleeping with Trish's boyfriend".

I support the law - but good luck stopping everyone who does it - hands-free headsets will stop the physical interference with driving, but not the mental. Plus, how the hell would they notice you on it? They can barely see that you don't have your seatbelt on, much less see a small phone up to your ear.

It seems about as effective as the "No Spitting on the Street" Law they have here in Boise that was enstated in 1908 - it's something most people will actively ignore.

MIG-31

Another case in question that will be just as useful as the paper it is written on.There is simply no law enforcement in the uk (unless you are doing 3+ MPH over the speed limit of the road you are travelling on) in general...

It's been that long now and i have forgoten what a Police Officer looks like!!!!!!

I have seen many reports in the past where somebody have the shit kicked out of them for no apparent reason and the offender only got 2 months suspended sentence.In my opinion thats extrememly light.Just Compare that to the article jeff has posted...

The list could go one but i don't have the time.

Another useless law thats been introduced was a £30 on the spot fine for cyclists ridding the bike on the public pavements...Has anyone been issued this so called fine,I doubt it.I have seen many times someone cycling past police officers and they just turned a blind eye.

But also i have never understood why a judge will ban a person from driving when the offender has never held a full uk driving licence.I have also seen some one banned from driving eight times (non licence holder) in a row,and still failed to see a prison sentence.

Vikingod

Jail time? Kind of a waste of money, IMO.

Really, all you need to do is just enforce what laws are in place now and fine people out the ass for drving with cell phones. I guarantee once someone has to shell out $1000 for talking to their friend about who's playing at the bar tonight, they won't be answering their calls anymore.

OldBuzzard

I think it would be great if they had to option to just pull the offender over, mash the **** out of the cell phone, hand the twisted remains back to the driver, and say, "Have a nice day now, and please drive safely".

Falstaff

As Johnny Bravo mentioned, you have to prosecute someone if you see them, are we to report our fellow motorists and turn them in so to speak for cell phone use? I drove all the way to Gatwick in my Mercedes at 90 miles an hour and didnt slow down except for the toll booth, otherwise nobody was there to stop me.
I came to Texas to see my Liz and she uses her cell almost exclusively when she is driving it seems. I asked her if there was a law against it, she said YES!!!!! but she didnt care..LOL

Matth

Just wait, they will have mobile phone recognising cameras, then the prosecutions will flood in.

Seriously though, I would not even want to be using a handsfree while driving. What worries me, is how "stopped" you need to be - are you ok if you've pulled over (anywhere where you CAN park/wait) and turned off the engine.

cozumel

But I don't think that argument stands up. I mean, anyone can drive after a few drinks, be over the limit, with their judgement and faculties impaired but never-the-less manage to get home safely without any harm being done and without getting tugged the law. However, they could easily have killed themselves or a mother pushing a buggy. It is negligence to drink while driving the same as it is whilst using the phone. Now if the law enforcement agencies are unable to stop everyone commiting these types of crimes it does not make it right. I ring up my other half when she's on her way home from work or something just to tell her not to use the cell-phone while she's driving. Even though I ring her for a giggle I am serious at the same time and try and drum it in how dangerous it could be.

cozumel

Which reminds, a long time ago I had an argument with my gf and she told me to sleep in her car. I got a ticket for driving without insurance even though I was asleep and the car was on the on the street right outside the house. The engine was running but they (police) were just being assholes.

MIG-31

The same goes for using mobile phones whilst driving.This is now against the law.(Back in june or july of 2007)

The other day i phoned my niece form my home phone to ask her something about xmas (to her mobile).The first time no answer..

After giving it ten minutes i tried again,Also no answer.

A few minutes later i tried a third time and while the phone was ringing i received a text message on my mobile.

As i opened the text it was from my niece i was trying to contact.

Here is her reply!!!!

I was stunned to read that.I come from a close family and i intend to bring this up with her.For a reasonably intelligent girl to be so stupid at the same time is a surprise.

Text Messages is a greater risk to taking on the phone whilst driving..

Falstaff

true statement.