Car phone fines soar

**Bob** · 5th April 2006, 21:15

The number of people caught using a mobile phone while driving in the UK- one of the major problems facing bikers as the car driver's attention is diverted - has risen from 80,000 in 2004 to 140,000 last year – an increase of nearly 75%.

Some forces are using speed camera images for evidence. From next year, the penalty for using a hand-held mobile whilst driving will be increased to £60 (around NZ$ 170) and the offence will carry a three-point licence endorsement (12 points and you're banned).

**u4ea** · 5th April 2006, 21:24

thanks for that bob,am kinda guilty of that from time to time.........a nice reminder of the ignorance .i know full well we dont have the stopping time or handling of cars and will be evermore vigilent!!!!!!!!

**Big Dave** · 6th April 2006, 08:38

So why does ACC and LTNZ have their heads in the sand with this one.
It's still open slather here. Shits me.
dc

**Lou Girardin** · 6th April 2006, 11:16

Originally Posted by Big Dave

So why does ACC and LTNZ have their heads in the sand with this one.
It's still open slather here. Shits me.
dc

It's too hard to consider safety options other than speeding and seatbelts. That's one for each brain cell.

**MisterD** · 6th April 2006, 11:38

Originally Posted by Big Dave

So why does ACC and LTNZ have their heads in the sand with this one.
It's still open slather here. Shits me.
dc

Perhaps one of our resident cops can answer these questions for me:

Do we have an offence of "Driving without due care and attention" or similar?

If we do, why can't this be used to deal with people driving whilst using a phone?

**ZeroIndex** · 6th April 2006, 11:41

...now that's a good idea... the worst is people texting while they drive... that's even worse...

**Buster** · 6th April 2006, 11:44

We need some sort of law change. Especially when drivers text.

**Drunken Monkey** · 6th April 2006, 13:01

Originally Posted by Big Dave

So why does ACC and LTNZ have their heads in the sand with this one.
It's still open slather here. Shits me.
dc

Because talking on the cellphone while driving is no less distracting than eating while driving, changing CDs while driving and various other actions. It doesn't make sense to ban one without the others.

Originally Posted by Buster

We need some sort of law change. Especially when drivers text.

Yes, texting is even worse than talking on the phone - at least you've got your eyes on the road while talking. When people text, they're not even watching the road.

**ZeroIndex** · 6th April 2006, 13:26

Originally Posted by Drunken Monkey

Because talking on the cellphone while driving is no less distracting than eating while driving, changing CDs while driving and various other actions. It doesn't make sense to ban one without the others.

Yes, texting is even worse than talking on the phone - at least you've got your eyes on the road while talking. When people text, they're not even watching the road.

I wrote about drivers texting first!!! ...not Buster

In all conclusion though, driver's should have their hands attached to the steering wheel the whole time, and get fined if they moves their hands unless its to indicate, or pick their nose (cars come in auto, therefore all cars should be auto... no boy-racer wants a loud exhaust on an auto...)

**Sniper** · 6th April 2006, 14:30

Easy ZI.

Yea, this cellphone usage while driving a car pissing me right off. Surely there is a way to block cell activity while moving? For example, placing a device inside the phone that switches it off if it moves faster than 30kph?

**ZeroIndex** · 6th April 2006, 14:36

Originally Posted by Sniper

Easy ZI.

Yea, this cellphone usage while driving a car pissing me right off. Surely there is a way to block cell activity while moving? For example, placing a device inside the phone that switches it off if it moves faster than 30kph?

...or the cell phone signal (when in use) disengages the accelerator on the car, turns the left indicator on, and forces the driver to pull over...

**The Stranger:Me** · 6th April 2006, 14:49

Originally Posted by Big Dave

So why does ACC and LTNZ have their heads in the sand with this one.
It's still open slather here. Shits me.
dc

Ah dave, you miss the big picture here.

Being able to use a cell phone whilst driving is important, how else could all the rats and snitches report speeders so promptly.
And we all know that speeding is the worst crime anyone can commit right.