General Chat

Saw an HGV driver using mobile phone whilst driving a few days ago, nothing unusual in that, have seen many others do so. What I can't understand is why these persons don't have a hand free kit fitted if they MUST use a phone, they're not very expensive.

I followed a chap this afternoon who got slower & slower & then stopped in the road, he did'nt pull over he just stopped in the middle of the road, when i went by there he was phone clamped in one ear furiously waving the other arm about, not a clue what was happenng around him. Brian

You can also be guilty if you are using a mobile while supervising a learner and also if you are 'causing or permitting the driving of a motor vehicle by another person using such a telephone or other device' Employers can be liable etc. Smokers can also be prosecuted (and deserve to be) If you kill someone while using a mobile you are likely to be imprisoned. Hopefully you will kill yourself first. Bob

Doreen ....YOU may be a responsible smoker, but out there are many that are not!!! Many is the time as a youngish motorcyclist I was hit by a fagend tossed out of a window....... Bob

In my opinion anyone using a mobile phone whilst driving should be banned. Only if you are making a phone call to the emergency services to report an accident, crime, major illness, or being followed/attacked and where it would be foolish or dangerous to stop the car in those circumstances should you use your mobile phone.

Just by reading the replies I can see most are all for the new 'Law'!!!! Lets hope it really is implemented. including put lippy on and fiddling with the radio etc. etc. Perhaps anyone getting caught for Drinking and Driving should atomatically get a lifetime ban. Sorry dont think I should go there. But my Brother lost his leg at the age of 32 due to a DD and it took three amputation operations trying to save as much as possible. Jenny x

There is already an offence of 'Not being in proper control of a moving car/vehicle'' or ''driving without due care and attention''.......this covers mundane things like. using an electric razor, or touching up the lippy, fiddling with the Cassette player or consulting a map...etc. This Particular law was specifically for mobile phone usage while in charge of moving vehicles. I see that they are targetting erring drivers, quite rightly, But what about the panda driver. using his Mike/ radio? I dare say that their training entitles them to ignore laws that were introduced for the '' Ordinary'' motorist.. Bob

Personnally think it should be more! We were behind a car recently when it started to zigzag all over the place .........why the stupid so and so had dropped his mobile and he was bending down trying to get it off the floor !!.....enough said! Norah

I think it should be more but better than doing nothing. Hubby and I were stopped at traffic lights (yes they were on red), some stupid girl went right into the back of us. I turned my head and there she was talking on her stupid phone, I was so mad! We had our little one in the car she was 2 at the time and of course very upset, thankfully no one was hurt in our case. And to think we'd only had the car a week, brand new car and she went straight into the back of us!! Fiona. x

HI I hope it's an on the spot fine. It should be more. I saw a fella on the phone whilst going round a round about today. PRXXT Kate

The effect of increasing the Fixed Penalty from £30 to £60 is also that it becomes an endorsable offence, making it subject to three penalty points. This is seen as a bigger deterrent than the actual fine increase. Conviction in a court carries a max £1000 fine of £2500 for drivers of goods vehicles, buses or coaches.

All for it - but don't expect it will stop some people unless they get caught a few times. Kate

Quite right too and they should fine drivers who throw cigarette ends out of the window. think that is so dangerous . Germaine x

Quite right! And while they're at it, they should make smoking whilst driving an offence, too. If talking on your mobile is distracting, how much more distracting is it when someone accidentally drops a lighted cigarette in their lap? I guarantee that would distract anyone! Not to mention not being able to hold the steering wheel properly with cigarette in hand! Someone has to protect us from the idiots........

Could they extend it to folk who use them while in a queue and start paying the cashier while they're still on the phone? And while they're at it, those who really shout so the whole world can hear their conversation? LOL! Debby

All for it if they enforce it! Ann Glos

About time !!!! I am fed up of getting stuck behind drivers who are dawdling along well below the correct speed - or weaving all over the road cos they are messing with their phones *tuts* They should Fine them properly for Driving without Due Care and Attention !!!!!

Brilliant - about time! Will be pure luck if they catch anyone though! Debby

Just heard this on the news and think it comes into force in February. I am all for it, what do you think? Jenny.