1 month ban for using nobile when driving ?

[LAW_DROP-OUT]

are there any here who agree with me , that instead, of three points , for any motorist prosecuted , for holding a mobile ,,,when driving , that a " mandatory 28 day ban " from driving wouild be a better deterent ? any opinions ( iwas banned for 8 weeks once for using ny licence in a crime , - driving licence i meant ...... slightly different from MOBILE PHONE usage etc ,,,,, ) any replies .

[Toureman]

No I don't agree, It should be a ban for using any phone including hands free in a moving vehicle.

[Ethel]

People who are prepared to break the law by using their mobile phones whilst driving are just as likely to break the law by driving whilst disqualified.

Hit them where it hurts - in their pockets.

[ChuckFickens]

for once I disagree with Ethel,

I don't think most people who use their phone whilst driving are more likely to commit other more serious offenses such as driving whilst disqualified. I think most people that use their phone whilst driving do so because they have gotten used to being able to do it and think "well it never caused me to have an accident before it was illegal"

To say that they are more likely to break other laws would imply that the day before the mobile phone law was passed they were good honest citizens yet the very next day they become master criminals just because one action they take has now become illegal.

That said I think it is a good law and should be enforced as driving while using a phone is undoubtedly dangerous and I do agree that the pocket is the best place to hit people to make them take notice of a fairly new law

[stargazy]

I absolutely agree, a months driving ban can be incredibly inconvenient, far more so than three points on your license

[whiffey]

I think that use of a handheld mobile while driving is one of those offences we just have to get used to (like motorcycles speeding). As a cyclist I am very aware of what is going on around me, and the number of people using handhelds is on the increase; with skip drivers and white van men it is nearly universal. I've even seen a bus driver on the phone while negotiating a roundabout.

I would fine them extremely heavily, at least �500, and 6 points on the licence. Also, if not already done, all mobile phones at the scene of an accident should be examined, and if found to be in use at the time - a month in prison.

[whiskeysheri]

My boyfriend had his phone seized for a month when he was involved in an accident, whiffey!

[Lakitu]

^ OMG!!

That's worse than a month ban!

[LAW_DROP-OUT]

whiffey...... �500 fine is un workable ...... a fine for assault is normally only �100-�200 ... so its unlikely �500 fine would be levied ..... remember �60 only is payable for SP30 "sppedin offence " ....... when it doesnt go thru court .... a ban is more of an obstruction than points , as i found out when i was banned for "8 weeks " , in 2005 ....... i would have preferd 6 points ..... rather than an "8 week ban " ... regards to u whiffey if u read this ..

[whiskeysheri]

They had his car for two weeks, too, Lakitu! He had to take it as holiday from work. Grrr...

[Ethel]

Don't know why you are insulted by a generalisation, redhelen.

But every caught law breaker I have ever met have always said 'but' and 'only' to justify their behaviour - even the drink drivers who have killed somebody 'only' had a couple 'but' were very careful.

[ashfordshe]

I agree with Whiffey - especially when you see lorry drivers on busy motorways using their mobiles - that is scary. There is no point in having a law if it is not going to be upheld. A friend recently had his car written off and sustained injuries by someone texting whilst driving a 4 x 4. What an idiot!!

[redcrx]

according to some research its the concentration on a conversation and not the act of holding a phone that causes the lack of concentration when driving.

So surely its better to ban all talking or singing in a car.

[Lakitu]

OMG! No car and no contact with the world!!

I'd just have to curl up in bed and mourn my loss for the whole time LOL!

[whiskeysheri]

No one could stop me singing in my car, red! :)

[whiffey]

Yes DROPOUT I suppose I am knee-jerking, but I had a very near miss on my bike one morning with some woman pulling out of a side turning, taking the kids to school, mobile held to ear, steering (barely) with one hand, and I keep my eyes peeled. If I see anybody using one, I shout "Get off that sodding phone". One woman told me to f--- off, so I got my own phone out and said, "fine, let's see how you argue when the police arrive"

On reflection, a month ban would be a lot more effective, that'd foul up a few white van men and skip drivers !

[redcrx]

me neither, its safer for the world as a whole if i contain it in a metal box :)