Law change - Daytime headlights and ban on handheld devices

**Stirts** · 14th August 2009, 11:20

Originally Posted by jafar

New law to come into effect 1st November is for motorcyclists to be fined $100.00 for riding without their headlights on

No demerit points though.

I find it hard to believe that any rider doesn't ride with their beams on

EDIT: now read Metalors post again

**Hitcher** · 14th August 2009, 11:31

The evils of texting or using a cellphone whilst driving are unchallenged by me. The science on this is largely unequivocal. My beef is about unenforceable law and law that is highly unlikely to change the behaviours of the general public, bless them.

**Leyton** · 14th August 2009, 11:31

There should be a ban on rolling smokes or eating a pie while riding, Anyone do that ?

**Badjelly** · 14th August 2009, 11:37

Originally Posted by Hitcher

My beef is about unenforceable law...

Cop sees someone driving in a somewhat dopey way and notices (as I do quite often) driver is holding cellphone to ear. Cop stops car and issues ticket.

In a few cases, later on, recipient of ticket challenges it saying, "I wasn't using a cell phone." Cop says, "Yes he was." Judge believes cop.

Unenforceable?

**Leyton** · 14th August 2009, 11:42

**Genestho** · 14th August 2009, 12:42

Originally Posted by Hitcher

My beef is about unenforceable law and law that is highly unlikely to change the behaviours of the general public, bless them.

Agreed, but you're assuming everyone with their scratch n win weetbix card license, is of the same level of intelligence, maturity and skill, or actually care about other people on the roads! And we both know that's not true.

I do like your idea of technology addressing this in the car and WOFs, if there's Alcohol Interlocking Devices, then there will be technology to address this too.

Not sure if it's researched anywhere else in the world. (I shall do a Google!)
How it works is, you need proven research and trials that are successful, and successfully implemented. We usually follow Australia, at least.

**CookMySock** · 14th August 2009, 12:52

Originally Posted by Hitcher

[trimmed irrelevant LOL] My beef is about unenforceable law and law that is highly unlikely to change the behaviours of the general public, bless them.

Many people are resistant to this approach, I agree, but for quite a few it does work. They might be lemmings for this to work, but hey some people are!

In addition, what other approach could be taken? Do you have a suggestion?

I submit, it would not be hard to legislate that all new mobile phones sold not show recieved txts until they were stationary, or allow incoming calls unless they were connected to a proper hands-free unit.

Steve

**Disco Dan** · 14th August 2009, 12:53

I thought it was quite interesting that the news segment showed someone driving using a handfree kit - but actually using one hand to hold the mic closer to their mouth....

Last time I used my handsfree kit (PM me if you want a bluetooth one, I have heaps) I had to search through the menu on my phone, turn on bluetooth, switch on the ear piece, pair them both (requuired both hands to hold down buttons on both devices at same time) them put thing in my ear, find somewhere to put phone.... all while driving???

**CookMySock** · 14th August 2009, 13:01

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

I thought it was quite interesting that the news segment showed someone driving using a handfree kit - but actually using one hand to hold the mic closer to their mouth....

That is because they cant hear the person on the other end. The natural reaction is to speak louder into the microphone or draw it closer. Of course the person at the far end gets shouted at, so they move their microphone away from their mouth, and the person at the other end can't hear them, so they....

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

I had to search through the menu on my phone, turn on bluetooth, switch on the ear piece, pair them both (requuired both hands to hold down buttons on both devices at same time) them put thing in my ear, find somewhere to put phone.... all while driving???

My bluetooth is always on, already paired, and powers on and connects when I remove it from the charger (where it lives when not in use.)

Steve

**The Stranger:Me** · 14th August 2009, 14:12

Originally Posted by T.G.W

I found it interesting they say "Disturbingly, forthcoming research will show that talking on a cell phone (even hands-free) hurts driving even more than driving with blood alcohol at the legal limit (.08 wt/vol). When talking on a cell phone, drivers using a high-fidelity simulator were slower to brake and had more “accidents” than when they weren't on the phone. Their impairment level was actually a little higher than that of people intoxicated by ethanol (alcohol)."

Do the statistics show this. Cellphone usage in a vehicle, at least around Auckland is rampant, yet anecdotally at least, we don't seem to se anywhere near the accident stats we see associated with alcohol.

**scumdog** · 14th August 2009, 14:16

Originally Posted by The Stranger

Do the statistics show this. Cellphone usage in a vehicle, at least around Auckland is rampant, yet anecdotally at least, we don't seem to se anywhere near the accident stats we see associated with alcohol.

A lot of 'oops' are never reported as cell-phone related.

**Genestho** · 14th August 2009, 15:10

Originally Posted by The Stranger

Do the statistics show this. Cellphone usage in a vehicle, at least around Auckland is rampant, yet anecdotally at least, we don't seem to se anywhere near the accident stats we see associated with alcohol.

That's a very good question!

I've never found crash stats available in the public arena relating to cell phone usage.

But, neither have I looked too hard, or asked for them, anybody can under the Information Act Request. Also there will be a consultation paper in September that people can have a look at and submit to.

Looking at media reports I found these stats

In New Zealand - 2005
10 people were killed and over 90 people were injured in crashes where distraction due to cellphone use was a factor.

In 2007, six Kiwis died and 96 were injured in similar circumstances
"This is compared to two cellphone-related fatalities in 2000."

In New Zealand - 2008
one person died and 116 were injured in crashes in which a driver’s attention was diverted by a cellphone or other communication device.

Just that looking at that info, there is no comparison in the crash rates between cellphone usage and drink driving in NZ

The way it looks to me is that the evidence is anecdotal (Could be wrong

) and mounting. I am sure somewhere the data will be available, perhaps it will be released with the consultation paper.

Have a look at this though, indicates to me that cell phone data is not officially shared.

As I understand, it's only a recent development to have police searching cars for phones at crashes, and it looks like police have to obtain warrants to gain access to the cellphone. So perhaps the evidence is lower and not available publically due to these two points? And the point SD made above? (SD?)

Just out of interest, I note labour led this iniative with a $50 fine and 25 demerits.

**Swoop** · 14th August 2009, 15:23

Originally Posted by Goblin

So how about *555? Will cops still tell drivers to stay on the phone and follow an alledged offender til they arrive? How will this work for concerned drivers who see a possible drunk driver weaving through traffic?

Bonus points for the plod. One ticket for the drunk and another for the member of the public on the cellphone.
Donut time arrives early that day!

**Genestho** · 14th August 2009, 15:29

Originally Posted by Swoop

Bonus points for the plod. One ticket for the drunk and another for the member of the public on the cellphone.
Donut time arrives early that day!

Yea funny one eh.
I had a friend who called *555, when a car burned past on the left of him, dangerously weaving in and out of traffic with the license plate wired on around the towbar.

"Are you on a handheld device??"
"Oh, is it Illegal?"
"No, but pull over please, and can you please give us the location of the car?"
(As it burned off into the horizon....

)

People will just have to pull over