New mobile phone laws

[spen666]

Oh dear, how on earth did people manage before this technology was available? Perhaps you'd have to be a bit more flexible, difficult I know, and do old-fashioned paperwork or background reading in your limo.

My conference call with New York is hard to do on paper in the back of the limo

 

[nickyboy]

Already exists, some cars can read texts to you and allow you to reply with voice-to-text conversion.

Unfortunately the younger generation don't use text. There are apps out there with which you can configure your phone and get your car hands free system to read to you. You can then use voice recognition to reply. However I don't think this technology is available integrated into the car yet. I'm for a system that blocks all non-voice activated communication whilst in a car for everyone in the car and that will require everyone to use these apps or have a car with some built in system

 

[numbnuts]

It looks like everybody is looking for away round the law as the RAC and AA said put the dam thing in the glove compartment end of, and if you want navigation buy a proper satnav so there is no argument with the police when using your phone as a satnav.

 

[marzjennings]

I honestly believe them to be a far greater danger than any past generation of distraction

Except the massive increase in roads deaths due to the introduction of cellphones never materialized...

Hey, I think people should be focused on the job in hand, but I also think there's a lot of BS regarding the impact of cell phone use by drivers, especially when 'just' making a phone call. What was distracting drivers in the 60's, too much weed and free sex?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

This shows how ingrained mobile use while driving is amongst the population.

"Journalist reportedly fined £200 for using phone at wheel while travelling to cover new crackdown" (Links to Telegraph report)

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Except the massive increase in roads deaths due to the introduction of cellphones never materialized...

View attachment 340432
Hey, I think people should be focused on the job in hand, but I also think there's a lot of BS regarding the impact of cell phone use by drivers, especially when 'just' making a phone call. What was distracting drivers in the 60's, too much weed and free sex?

That's showing deaths, do you have a graph of road collisions instead? (I'm searching for one in case you don't)
Not every mobile phone related collision results in death.

 

[nickyboy]

It looks like everybody is looking for away round the law as the RAC and AA said put the dam thing in the glove compartment end of, and if you want navigation buy a proper satnav so there is no argument with the police when using your phone as a satnav.

It's an admirable sentiment. However, old fogeys like me don't really appreciate how integral a "friend connection device" is to the younger generation. They live by it, whether older folk like it or not. The idea that they will put them in the glove compartment is naïve

We could try to enforce this of course. Make a car that would only work if the phone in the glove compartment was integral to it running for example. But maybe we have to accept that the world has moved on and what we need to do is accept that people will use their phones but we find ways to minimise the impact of the use?

 

[spen666]

Methinks it was a joke. However, my suggestion still holds water. Make all phones voice activated only whilst in a car. If you're a passenger you can still use your phone. If you're a driver you are somewhat less distracted than if you use your phone in the conventional way. Phones are part of people's lives now whether we like it or not. You won't get people to give them up when they're driving so best solution is to make them as non-invasive as possible

How about this scenario... you are in a car as a passenger and realise after journey starts that driver is drunk and want to secretly alert the police
or you are being held in car against your will by driver who is exhibiting violent signs ( eg domestic violence situation)

In your world, passenger will have to use voice activation to contact police...thus forcing victim to put themselves in more danger or decide not to contact police.

They could in current situation discreetly send a text

 

[Jody]

The police can barely stop people driving who are smashed off their face never mind stop mobile phone use.

 

[spen666]

You are using outliers to justify a norm.

So you tell the family of the drunk driver's victims or the family of a domestic violence victim you cared so little for their loved one that you prevented them being getting help

 

[jefmcg]

dam thing in the glove compartment end of

I've seen advice to teenagers to put the thing in the boot. Then you can't hear it beep, and thus you don't have to resist the temptation of reaching across into the glove box etc etc.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

So you tell the family of the drunk driver's victims or the family of a domestic violence victim you cared so little for their loved one that you prevented them being getting help

The other side of that is you get to tell all those bereaved in phone distraction collisions that it could've been prevented with technology but your conference call with New York was more important.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I could turn that around to question you about all the victims of distracted drivers. I won't though.

Sorry, I did.

 

[mjr]

maps are a bigger distraction but honestly how often did we use them

Not very often. We used them to figure out the route before we started driving and copied route numbers/names and waypoints onto post-it notes on the dash or visor. Then we actually looked at the signs and roads and didn't freak out if the magic box didn't have the latest road layout and suggested an incorrect lane on the approach to a junction!

People won't even brake when the car in front brakes because they can't see the reason.

Actually, I try to leave a bit of extra gap and decelerate first rather than brake immediately when the tailgater in front brakes, in the hope of smoothing out the red light wave and preventing a phantom jam from forming. Is that wrong?

Unfortunately the younger generation don't use text.

Doesn't matter: things like Voice Notify will read out any app which can generate a notification (basically, any which can make the phone ping), not only texts. I had to stop it reading my email, for example, as I really don't need to know the latest prices for enhancements (bike shop newsletters, of course) while I cycle

I think there is a good argument for putting the various phone-car connectors in the boot or glove box rather than the current fashion for the centre console.

... and if you want navigation buy a proper satnav so there is no argument with the police when using your phone as a satnav.

Yes! I'd love to give more money to the hardware companies for another device to do a task that my phone can already do!

 

[spen666]

I could turn that around to question you about all the victims of distracted drivers. I won't though.

You fail to see the huge and very significant distinction.

In this country you are free to do something, unless it is banned (illegal).

By your idea, you are taking a positive step and you are therefore directly responsible for the harm caused as a result of your banning phone.