Phones & Driving

[Parksy]

Re Parky's post: thank you. On the use of hands free whilst its not illegal the evidence is quite clear in that holding a conversation using hands free connection has a detrimental effect on the drivers ability.

You are right as I nearly found out the hard way. All our company cars had hands free sets as it was thought to be safe at that time. On one occasion I was on the Edinburgh by pass approaching a roundabout when the phone rang and in trying to talk and negotiate the roundabout I could easily have run off the road. After that I stopped driving and talking but many others do not. Some time after that all hands free sets were removed from the cars and taking a phone call when driving became a disciplinary offence.

When I drove lorries the early versions of 'hands free' phones were installed in the cabs during the 1980s.
The handset (Motorola if I remember correctly) wasn't exactly house brick sized but it was bigger than, say, a tv remote, and the hands free operation involved speaking toward a small microphone, a bit bigger than those on headsets now seen being used by actors in musical theatre.
The problem was that the microphone was mounted at the join of the roof lining and one had to direct speech toward it which meant trying to drive and raising the head toward the microphone which was very dangerous.
The drivers soon took a collective decision to switch the things off until parked, which was the safest option.
My Ford has a hands free Bluetooth set up but Herself handles comms and sat nav. from the passenger seat, I only drive and on the rare occasions when I go solo the phone is never on. I've also delegated the swearing and rude gestures to her, she's getting quite good at those :lol:

 

[Dustydog]

The reality is there is no one I need to speak to during a journey. Someones dead. They are going nowhere.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Looking at all the posts on this this subject, why not start to be honest with yourselves and just don't make an excuse about using a mobile phone in the car , :evil:

I don't understand this comment, can you explain please?

 

[Dustydog]

Looking at all the posts on this this subject, why not start to be honest with yourselves and just don't make an excuse about using a mobile phone in the car , :evil:

I don't understand this comment, can you explain please?

oh dear :silly:
Best see the mods comment :evil:

 

[Keefanmaxx]

I'm certainly not a fan of driving while using a mobile. Many years ago, I used to install them in cars ..... when a phone was fixed in! I remember some research carried out by Loughborough Uni who had a car with a phone in it fitted with cameras and wired to a data gathering box of tricks. They proved that talking on the phone increased reaction times by upto 40% which affected stopping distances..... and car control.
Now, my line of work means I deal with the consequences of those who think they can drive and use their phone which sometimes isn't pleasant.

I have bluetooth in my car and a provided phone so sometimes do have to take calls on the move, but only at the appropriate time.

I agree that the increase in penalty may act as a deterent .... large fine and points, but without the Police resources to enforce, people will take the chance. Considering the points are declarable, the insurers should increase the premiums of those caught as they clearly pose a higher risk. A similar approach to speeding too?

Just my thoughts and contribution!