Use Of Handheld Mobile Phones Whilst Driving

[Electrochem]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35141387

Good to see that they are considering increasing the penalties. Not enough in my view. Should be a £250 fine and six points in the first instance, rising to a £500 fine for subsequent offences. I almost had someone go into the back of me yesterday - she was texting and it was very obvious. How about setting up roadside cameras to catch the offenders?

[Zacs-Master]

Roadside cameras? And how would that work?

[Electrochem]

Should have said mobile camera linked to a monitor in a car/van parked out of sight.

[douglas9401]

I think the courts see that as entrapment, Electrochem.

[Zacs-Master]

How can it be entrapment? Entrapment is coercing someone into an illegal situation.

[ummmm]

Me and my son were knocked over by someone using a phone.

[Zacs-Master]

Must have been a big phone.

[douglas9401]

Maybe entrapment's the wrong word but whatever, speed cameras are painted yellow and camera vans are clearly marked to make it clear what's going on.
Even the stealthy grey cams on smart motorways may soon have to be made obvious to drivers.
The days of Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane hiding behind a bush with a speed gun to catch them Dukes is long gone.

[Zacs-Master]

Not all camera vans are clearly marked. I was 'done' by a dark blue one on a bridge over the A14. No 'markings' whatsoever.

[Old_Geezer]

The problem, as already identified above, isn't the penalty, it's the minimal risk of getting caught.

[douglas9401]

I'm seriously impressed by your powers of recall, Z-M, less so by your awareness of your surroundings.

[SlackAlice]

The penalties still not enough. In my view a 6 month disqualification and 'phone immediately confiscated and destroyed.

The main problem is catching them out using handheld mobiles whilst driving.

[Zacs-Master]

Never speeded the Douglas?

[Zacs-Master]

Then

[douglas9401]

What do my driving habits have to do with your hazard perception skills and empty wallet, Zacs-Master?

Anyway, since you ask, not since I was 19 and caught.

[retrocop]

Texting is, IMO, far worse than being slightly over the drink drive limit.
Bluetooth is relatively cheap and negates the need to hand hold a cell net .
Certainly cheaper than a fine and does not justify the needless ,potential killing of other road users. I see drivers doing it most days particularly van drivers I'm afraid. (Using their mobiles that is)

[New Judge]

Yes, retro is quite correct. Using a phone - particularly texting - poses a far greater threat to safety that somebody a point or two over the alcohol limit.

This increase is not sufficient as a deterrent. An additional point makes very little difference to most people. In view of the danger posed, the offence should attract a mandatory ban of at least six months, increasing considerably (as with Drink Driving) for a second or subsequent offence within ten years.

But the greatest problem of all, as mentioned, is enforcement. Prevalence of the offence is rife and probably even more so than speeding. I don’t think cameras would work. They need to be able to identify the driver unequivocally and not much of the kit around can do that. But covert detection is not, as suggested by douglas “entrapment” or even sneaky. No more sneaky than hiding in the bushes to catch a burglar.

[mushroom25]

in order for this to be a "crackdown", as suggested in all today's articles, there needs to be a will to enforce the law. round here, the police see and ignore transgressors, just the same as they see and ignore those HGV drivers that overtake in the restricted zones on the M42 and A14, and they see and ignore those who doctor their number plates.

when the law isn't enforced, it becomes widely ignored.

[bhg481]

Why can't we treat them like uninsured drivers; when caught their vehicle is immediately confiscated and must be collected from a pound the following day? Seriously inconveniencing them, as well as the pound fees, might make people think more about it. Perhaps confiscating their cellphone as well could be considered.

[paddywak]

Going back to the speed traps etc not only do they have to clearly marked but the sites of the mobile cameras have to be in the Public Domain,they don't have to tell you where abouts to find the info,but jt has to be there.FYI this is the site for Nottinghamshire.
http://www.nottspeed.com/camera_locations.php

[TWR]

Instant one year ban & a £1000, that's cheap compared to someone's life.