Using a mobile whilst driving - shocking police video

[Crankarm]

The maker of the film Peter Watkins-Hughes is interviewed. Gwent Police and Rescue services obviously co-operated and greatly enabled the production on the grounds of road safety and casualty reduction.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/jeremy-vine/

IMHO there will be initial outrage, but those who stick two fingers
up to the law and road safety young and old willl continue regardless.

I've seen numerous nurses (female), taxi drivers and even police officers phoning or texting whilst driving. A young female nurse in uniform and a Pug 106 told me to feck off and stuck her middle finger up at me. Mostly IME though it's fat women in 4x4s who are using their phones and tradesmen in vans. Have seen bus drivers as well texting while driving as well. Yesterday evening I was almost run over again by a fat c*w this time in a blue Pug 206 steaming round a car park with mobile glued to her right ear with her fat paw. Baby in front seat as well and kid in the back. As I walked further on she came around again for a second go at me, mobile still glued to her ear. So this time I shouted at her as I jumped out the way. Stupid b1tch.

 

[Crankarm]

The only way that there will be a major shift in attitude is to have the same sorts of penalties for using a mobile phone whilst driving - whether handsfree or not - that you have for drink-driving. And those rules would have to be rigorously enforced.

Drink-driving didn't start to go down until people started being jailed for it. My local magistrates court was the first court to jail someone over Christmas for drink-driving. I can remember the outcry against it ("poor children deprived of their father over the Christmas period") but it sent a very strong message and drink-driving rates dropped sharply in our area.

++1.

 

[Riverman]

I say outlaw mobile phones.

Ah yes, the old logic of 'something has the potential to cause harm so lets ban it'.

The only way that there will be a major shift in attitude is to have the same sorts of penalties for using a mobile phone whilst driving - whether handsfree or not - that you have for drink-driving.

Indeed. It's not like we ban people from drinking because some people decide to act irresponsibly.

 

[Archie_tect]

Ah yes, the old logic of 'something has the potential to cause harm so lets ban it'.

Indeed. It's not like we ban people from drinking because some people decide to act irresponsibly.

True. Public need educating about mobile phone use while driving- worked with seatbelts... just making it illegal clearly doesn't work.

 

[numbnuts]

Anyone caught using a mobile phone should have their cars crushed or said car impounded for 3 months

 

[Archie_tect]

Anyone caught using a mobile phone should have their cars crushed or said car impounded for 3 months

....whether they are in the car at the time or not. [ie while phoning or being crushed]

 

[mr_cellophane]

Age prevents me texting while I am driving - I would need to keep changing my glasses.

 

[Crankarm]

Anyone caught using a mobile phone should have their cars crushed or said car impounded for 3 months

And the mobile phone.......?

 

[Blackandblue]

That's a harrowing video for sure. But sadly, as others have said, without proper enforcement it ain't really gonna do much good.

 

[thomas]

Though I wouldn't be opposed to a more serious punishent for mobile phone use while driving, I think it shoud be equal to a drink driving law.

Listened to the Vine raido bit...only in the last 15 minutes. Seems the video has made some people think, but it seemed to be only older drivers who it changed the mind off (but that's probably to do with who listens to radio 2 ).

For £10,000 though, the video only has to change a few people's minds to be cost effective. I'm sure a couple of accidents, with calling out all the different services adds up...obviously I'd rather it changed everyones mind.

I found watching it that the begining seemed a bit too "won't happen to me"...just because the car veering off the road didn't seem that realistic. However, if people watched it all the way through, then I think the aftermarth would make more of a difference.

 

[Blackandblue]

I found watching it that the begining seemed a bit too "won't happen to me"...just because the car veering off the road didn't seem that realistic. However, if people watched it all the way through, then I think the aftermarth would make more of a difference.

Agreed. Although I nearly stopped watching it after the accident. I thought to myself, how much worse can this get?

 

[thomas]

Agreed. Although I nearly stopped watching it after the accident. I thought to myself, how much worse can this get?

I might try to subtly send a copy of the video to a friend. I know he does at times. I don't think it would change his mind though but it is worth a try.

A lot of people will still have the attitude that it won't happen to me.

As a new driver I don't understand how people think texting while driving could be sensible. I can understand a phone call (one armed man listening to the radio/talking to a passenger style argument), but for me I'd have to read what I've said and taking your eyes of the road for that just seems stupid.

 

[cisamcgu]

Why don't mobile phones have an "unavailable" button. Pressing it would automatically silence the ringing, dim the screen and have an automatic response to any incoming call saying "Thanks you for calling ABC, but they are currently unavailable - your number has been noted and they will contact you soonish". This would be easier than turning off the mobile every time you got in the car (which is what you should do)

Just a thought
Andrew

 

[thomas]

Why don't mobile phones have an "unavailable" button. Pressing it would automatically silence the ringing, dim the screen and have an automatic response to any incoming call saying "Thanks you for calling ABC, but they are currently unavailable - your number has been noted and they will contact you soonish". This would be easier than turning off the mobile every time you got in the car (which is what you should do)

Silent mode?

 

[danphoto]

I've seen numerous nurses (female), taxi drivers and even police officers phoning or texting whilst driving. A young female nurse in uniform and a Pug 106 told me to feck off and stuck her middle finger up at me. Mostly IME though it's fat women in 4x4s who are using their phones and tradesmen in vans. Have seen bus drivers as well texting while driving as well. Yesterday evening I was almost run over again by a fat c*w this time in a blue Pug 206 steaming round a car park with mobile glued to her right ear with her fat paw. Baby in front seat as well and kid in the back. As I walked further on she came around again for a second go at me, mobile still glued to her ear. So this time I shouted at her as I jumped out the way. Stupid b1tch.

The only time I've been carved up by a car driver for a long time was this very morning when a yummy mummy on the school run cut in hellish close in her 4 x 4 Tonka toy as she came past me after misjudging the speed of the approaching WV. What amused me greatly was to see through the back window of it the heads of two kiddies in car seats, in the back window of it one of those stupid "Baby On Board" signs, and on the back bumper of it a "Keep Your Distance" sticker