Why Can't Drivers Resist Using Their Phones?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38711931
This is the newest and most deadly traffic offence. Time to start banning for first offence?

[mushroom25]

the problem is that except in blitzes such as the one reported, it's very difficult to enforce. revenue collection sorry speed cameras were seen as the traffic enforcement measure of the future by many forces, who cut their establishment of officers accordingly. but cameras cannot detect bad driving, or phone use, like traffic officers can - or rather in a lot of places, could.

[douglas9401]

Drivers can't resist using their phones because they're ***.

[douglas9401]

Looks like Mr van Dyke won't be getting many mentions on here.

[naomi24]

With 'hands-free' kits so readily and cheaply available, there's no excuse.

[Cloverjo]

I think even hands-free phones are bad while driving. Your concentration is still on the phone and the person talking rather than the road.

[naomi24]

My car has built-in hands free. When I answer my phone it's no different to talking to a passenger.

[Cloverjo]

I think there is a difference, Naomi. With a passenger, they can see the road ahead and will shut up if you need to concentrate.

[douglas9401]

The main problem seems to be sticking to the actual task at hand.
A bit like going off on one and not answering the question on the screen in front of you but broadening out the discussion at the very start. :)

[naomi24]

Cloverjo, If necessary, I just tell my caller to 'hang on', the same as I would tell a passenger.

Douglas, :o)

[Old_Geezer]

No need to resist using their phones. Emergency services have coped for years. The real question should be why can't some drivers get around to having hands free kit installed ?

[Gromit]

It is not illegal to use a phone while driving. If ypo do, you are prosecuted under another offence.

Hand free are also dangerous.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-48664/Why-hands-free-phones-safer-car.html

[vortex]

Because many people have a warped sense of what a crisis is. Mostly trivial matters that they perceive as an emergency.

[Old_Geezer]

A hands-free call to me saved me a 300 mile round trip once. I'd not consider that trivial.
All distractions increase risk. Including taking one's eyes off the road to look in rear view mirrors, to check speed, to look at umpteen road signs and decypher them, or change a radio station, or speak to a passenger, or look at/listen to the sat nav. One needs a sense of proportion.

[gulliver1]

cloverjo, you are wasting your time !

[youngmafbog]

That pretty much sums it up OG, everything about motoring is dangerous, just try sneezing!

Hands free is the compromise, a pretty good one. i've had hands free for donkeys years it is much better than answering my 'brick' in 1990 I can assure you.

We need to start somewhere, it needs more of these blitzes and as TTT suggests harsher penalties that bite. I'd suggest trying max fines first with points (no cautions) then if that fails to work bans.

As with most things it will take time and education just like drunk driving and seat belts did so I would like to see the blitzes backed up with hard hitting ad campaigns (paid for with the fines!)

[Hopkirk]

Making calls is probably not the most dangerous thing, it's checking Facebook while driving.

I see people looking at phones all the time.

[naomi24]

... and fiddling about with satnavs, CDs, and radios.

[youngmafbog]

lighting cigarettes. The list is endless.

[mibn2cweus]

Probably just a coincidence but the cop behind me just turned on his lights and siren.

[andy-hughes]

Old_Geezer - //All distractions increase risk. Including taking one's eyes off the road to look in rear view mirrors, to check speed, to look at umpteen road signs and decypher them, or change a radio station, or speak to a passenger, or look at/listen to the sat nav. One needs a sense of proportion.//

This is not actually the same.

In my previous job, I received a large number of daily calls, and I would often walk around the office while talking on the phone. Times without number I have bumped into desks or almost collided with colleagues because your spatial awareness distorts when you are on the phone in a way that does not happen with face-to-face conversations.