Reporting people driving talking mobiles?

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There are a few spots on my commute, that I know if I stopped and videoed cars passing I would spot lots and lots of mobile using drivers (and a surprising number of drivers not wearing seatbelts). I'm sure there are spots like that all over the country. If someone had the time and energy, it would be interesting to see what the police would do if an hours worth of edited footage, showing them driver after driver on their mobile phone, would spur them into action. Copying, said video, to the local/national papers at the same time might up the ante a little. I'm sure the papers would be interested in this sort of 'action'.

So is anyone up for the challenge? ;)
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
The Government doesn't really want to clamp down on drivers using mobiles whilst driving as this would hit them in the treasury receipts ;). The larger the phone bill the greater the take from VAT. If police could in addition confiscate phones on the spot and then crush them that would be a step forward.
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
magnatom said:
There are a few spots on my commute, that I know if I stopped and videoed cars passing I would spot lots and lots of mobile using drivers (and a surprising number of drivers not wearing seatbelts). I'm sure there are spots like that all over the country. If someone had the time and energy, it would be interesting to see what the police would do if an hours worth of edited footage, showing them driver after driver on their mobile phone, would spur them into action. Copying, said video, to the local/national papers at the same time might up the ante a little. I'm sure the papers would be interested in this sort of 'action'.

So is anyone up for the challenge? ;)

How about changing the law or making the police/CPS consider photographic/film submitted by a witness as evidence showing drivers using mobiles whilst driving? Split any subsequent fine between State and the owner of the footage :biggrin:. I reckon one could retire after 3 years with several million in the bank :biggrin::biggrin:.
 
Crankarm said:
How about changing the law or making the police/CPS consider photographic/film submitted by a witness as evidence showing drivers using mobiles whilst driving? Split any subsequent fine between State and the owner of the footage ;). I reckon one could retire after 3 years with several million in the bank :biggrin::biggrin:.

I'd certainly be rich by now! It is difficult as you would need proof that the footage hadn't been tampered with, etc. There would also be issues surrounding surveillance etc (which others are in a better position than me to discuss).

However, the idea of rocking the boat with some footage is a good one, if only to get the debate reignited.
 

thomas

the tank engine
Location
Woking/Norwich
magnatom said:
Copying, said video, to the local/national papers at the same time might up the ante a little. I'm sure the papers would be interested in this sort of 'action'.

At the moment Absolute/Virgin radio are running campaigns to get people to stop texting while driving, which is a positive start. I'm sure they are getting paid for it though.

I'd have to say I don't really see that many people on mobiles and none without seatbelts. I guess I don't snoop as much ;).

I did once have a girl on her phone behind me, the road was massive and completely clear to overtake yet she didn't because she was distracted. The car behind gave her a bit of a honk and I made sure I knew where she was behind me.
 
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OP
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plank

New Member
ianrauk said:
It would take me all day to get to work if I started to report all the drivers using mobile phones.. and I would never get to work if I started to report those drivers who do not wear seatbelts


Where do you ride to from Bromley? I go from there to tower bridge every day. What bike do you ride, if I see you I will say hello.
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
thomas said:
I'd have to say I don't really see that many people on mobiles and none without seatbelts. I guess I don't snoop as much :biggrin:.

Just try standing by the side of a road wearing a hi-vis jacket and then watch car drivers as they see you reach for their seat belt .. take a second look and let it fall again and give you and embarrassed grin. I've even had that reaction when cycling along too occasionally. However in a few areas of town they don't react at all!!!:ohmy:
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
That's because you spend all your time looking for people to parp your horn at.. oooh eerr missus :biggrin:

thomas said:
I'd have to say I don't really see that many people on mobiles and none without seatbelts. I guess I don't snoop as much :biggrin:.
 
ianrauk said:
That's because you spend all your time looking for people to parp your horn at.. oooh eerr missus ;)

If they wern't such braindead ****ing morons I wouldn't have any need for the horns.

Why can't peds take some ****ing responsibility for a ****ing change?:biggrin:

41_13_68-green-traffic-light_web.jpg


Q.What does this mean to a pedestrian?

A.I must get across at any cost.
 

Bman

Guru
Location
Herts.
Frankly I cant see the difference in a police office witnessing a crime, or seeing a clear video of someone committing a crime.

I also couldnt care less about drivers not wearing their seat belts. Using a mobile phone however is endangering the innocent.

+1 for stiffer penalties. Throw the book at them.
 

Bman

Guru
Location
Herts.
Saying that, I just remembered: I did get my phone out of my pocket to look at the time on my way to work today. ;):blush:

But it was a long straight where I could see the next ~500m was clear (and had no junctions or other potential hazards). I would never ride along texting or with it stuck to my face.
 

thomas

the tank engine
Location
Woking/Norwich
Bongman said:
Saying that, I just remembered: I did get my phone out of my pocket to look at the time on my way to work today. ;):blush:

But it was a long straight where I could see the next ~500m was clear (and had no junctions or other potential hazards). I would never ride along texting or with it stuck to my face.

I think common sense just has to be used. In a traffic jam, not moving (handbrake on), it does't really matter. Driving past a school at 30/20mph in the morning...while texting/on the phone - really stupid. I know that potentially, even in traffic, you won't be paying as much attention, so might miss a cyclists filtering.

If they wern't such braindead ****ing morons I wouldn't have any need for the horns.

Why can't peds take some ****ing responsibility for a ****ing change?:biggrin:
I think he was suggesting I keep an eye out for nice young ladies to toot and whistle at :biggrin:...I think :smile:. I did blow a lady in a car a kiss, only because she was getting annoyed at me for travelling at the same speed as the rest of the traffic (while being in the middle of the road) so she started hooting...then she overtook into the gap. Then when we got to the roundabout 100 yards up the road I started tooting her back for 'slowing down'. I got some Vs so I thought I'd show her some love :tongue:
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
I have no idea whether the car infront of us yesterday was on a mobile or not... but they were clearly impatient and not looking/concentrating... there was a cyclist (reasonable speed) on the A38 with a lorry waiting patiently to overtake when safe, and the car pulled out to over take then realised there was a traffic island in the middle of the road, braked then pulled onto the wrong side of the road to overtake both lorry and cyclist. Lorry overtook the cyclist about 10 seconds later completely safely.
 
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