Using Mobile Phones Whilst Driving

The UK government introduced a law that bans people from using a cell phone whilst driving – unless it’s ‘hands free’.

Woman_Mobile_Phone

From 1st March 2017, you’ll get 6 points and a £200 fine for picking up your phone whilst at the wheel, moving or not. Another very badly thought out rule by the powers that be.

The reason most people have continued to use their mobile phones whilst driving is because it’s easy.

Mobile phones or ‘car phones’ as they were originally known were invented to allow you to continue with business and be accessible whilst on the move. When stuck on the UK’s congested motorways for hours each day, it was a blessing. Not now though – not even if you’re stationary.

I agree that trying to type text messages whilst on the move is a recipe for disaster, but the simple art of talking isn’t rocket science – I’ve been doing it non-stop for years.
Which bit of using a phone whilst driving is the dangerous bit and which bit is the law aiming to stop?

What’s the difference between my having a conversation with someone on the phone as opposed to the same conversation with someone sitting behind me in the car that I can’t see? – None.

The government obviously don’t mind you talking to people you can’t see either as they still allow ‘hands free’ mobiles and car passengers!

This leaves me to believe the problem must therefore be people holding the phone and not the steering wheel. How long can you take a hand off the wheel before you commit an offense? Are people still allowed to change gear, re-tune the radio or adjust their sunglasses. Surely if we are to have both hands on the wheel at all times manual gears must soon be phased out and voice commands introduced for all other driving activities – if you’re going to sneeze or a wasp lands on the end of your nose, you’re in trouble.

People will respond with the argument that ‘It’s distracting and people aren’t concentrating on the road’.
Personally I feel that if people can’t concentrate on driving and simultaneously talk on a phone they probably shouldn’t be driving at all.

My solution to this problem is to change the driving test – During the practical driving test the participant could take the theory test simultaneously with questions being read out by another examiner on the entrant’s mobile phone – If you fail, you’ll no longer be allowed to drive or use a mobile phone.

5 thoughts to “Using Mobile Phones Whilst Driving”

  1. Government have to ban on all that people who have no understanding what they are doing!! Driving and mobile talk is increase 40% chance for accident and it will also cause to any one else life also.

  2. ‘Cheap’ who has left the comment above is a perfect example of why we need to remove incapable drivers from our roads. This would also give ‘Cheap’ time to brush up on his / her English!

  3. The law on careless driving should be sufficient. If you cannot drive in a straight line or turn a corner whilst speaking on the phone then you should be convicted of careless driving.

  4. This post reminds me of when I was a kid growing up in Mississippi. My pappy used to say “When life give you lemons, make lemonade”. But he was a hopeless drunk who never made much sense so I never paid much attention to him. Have a great day!

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  5. Reading this reminds me of my old room mate. That guy was one of the smartest human beings I know, but he was a little outlandish for my tastes though. Anyways I loved reading this, thanks. Will give me something to argue about when I see him.

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