Phone drivers

**Big Dave** · 22nd April 2007, 09:06

Phone linked to South Island bus crash

The driver of a tourist bus that plunged down a bank on the South Island's west coast yesterday - with 44 people on board - may have fallen from his seat as he reached for a cellphone before the crash, according to witnesses.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...ectid=10435520

Is it time we started to demand that ACC/police/transit etc do something instead of saying 'there is no proof that phones cause accidents.'
What planet are they on??

How many times has a driver nearly hit you/changed lanes on you because he was distracted by a phone?'

It's happened to me plenty I'm going to start making some noise.
I want hands free made compulsory like Aus.

Agree - disagree?

**Robbo** · 22nd April 2007, 09:44

Yep. I,ve had more close calls than i care to remember involving f/wits who are either talking or texting on a cellphone. Ban the use of cellphones while driving.
The idiots who can't see the problem either have their heads up their arses or don't use the roads.

**SlashWylde** · 22nd April 2007, 09:45

Agree, hands free would be a good (and realistic) start. Though I doubt it would stop most people from talking and typing text messages whilst driving. Might be simpler to say "no operating a cell phone in a motor vehicle whilst vehicle is in motion".

It's a sad state of affairs when we have to introduce yet another piece of legislation to enforce common sense on the populace.

**Donor** · 22nd April 2007, 09:48

Though I do agree with you, it begs the question...

If phones are such an issue with regard to road safety/accident stats, then do we look at removing other 'distractions' such as:

Radios/Stereos
Heater Controls
Cigarette lighters
Centre consoles
Ceiling mounted rear view mirrors

All these things are able to be utilised/adjusted by the car driver, taking their attention away from the journey, how is a cellphone any more dangerous than these things?

Do we ban passengers, as apparently conversation removes a great deal of awareness of the environment.

Not out to argue for or against, just thought I'd throw another line of thought in the thread.

**pritch** · 22nd April 2007, 09:53

Absolutely! Cellphone use while driving is banned where I work but I suspect that this is pretty much ignored. I understand Shell have a slogan "Ignition on, cellphone off." It seems that reality is starting to dawn on everybody except politicians.

Nothing new there...

Harry Dynhoven is the the Minister involved I think. You could check out Parliament's website for contact details or you could take a punt and email:
Harry.Duynhoven@parliament.govt.nz

**Babelfish** · 22nd April 2007, 09:54

Yep, time and again, when I see some dumbass antics by a cage there's usually a phone stuck to their head. I was in the UK when they enforced hands free, and that had to be wireless I think.

It'll make a bit of difference, but most pricks using a phone in any form while driving are inept at multitasking well enough to keep from smacking you off your bike.

Common sense isnt hands free, its pulling over, or to a lesser degree simply telling someone they'll call back when finished driving. Unfortunately cages are devoid of common sense, at least thats what I always assume they are.

**Trudes** · 22nd April 2007, 09:57

Agreed!! I wonder if some of it is arrogance? I certainly don't think I'm so important that someone has to speak to me immediately. if I'm driving and the phone rings, I have an answering service, leave a message, I may get back to you when I'm not in charge of a death machine.

**jahrasti** · 22nd April 2007, 10:00

Originally Posted by Donor

Though I do agree with you, it begs the question...

If phones are such an issue with regard to road safety/accident stats, then do we look at removing other 'distractions' such as:

Radios/Stereos
Heater Controls
Cigarette lighters
Centre consoles
Ceiling mounted rear view mirrors

All these things are able to be utilised/adjusted by the car driver, taking their attention away from the journey, how is a cellphone any more dangerous than these things?

Do we ban passengers, as apparently conversation removes a great deal of awareness of the environment.

Not out to argue for or against, just thought I'd throw another line of thought in the thread.

I saw an article which stated that when on the phone you are as distracted as a drunk driver.
It also stated that when there are occupants in the car, they are engaged in the ride so if something was to happen e.g. going into the corner to fast, then everyone would shut up and the driver would then concentrate on what they were doing. On a cell phone if the same was to happen the person on the phone has no idea what the driver is doing so will not know to stop talking.

**Big Dave** · 22nd April 2007, 10:01

Originally Posted by Donor

All these things are able to be utilised/adjusted by the car driver, taking their attention away from the journey, how is a cellphone any more dangerous than these things?

Frequency/duration of use and introduction of divergent thought process.

**Big Dave** · 22nd April 2007, 10:13

Originally Posted by pritch008

Absolutely! Cellphone use while driving is banned where I work but I suspect that this is pretty much ignored. I understand Shell have a slogan "Ignition on, cellphone off." It seems that reality is starting to dawn on everybody except politicians.

Nothing new there...

Harry Dynhoven is the the Minister involved I think. You could check out Parliament's website for contact details or you could take a punt and email:
Harry.Duynhoven@parliament.govt.nz

If someone will tell me when the next BRONZ meeting is (like I keep asking!) I will table a motion.

i wonder if vodaphone and telecom etc have a policy? If you are looking for something to surf - lets see if we can get some quotes from the telecos on the issue. They'll want to sell some accessories - lets use 'em.

What about a petition. Mr Ixion - know how that works?

ideas ideas ideas???

**MotoGirl** · 22nd April 2007, 10:22

Originally Posted by Robbo

The idiots who can't see the problem either have their heads up their arses or don't use the roads.

Or, they're notorious users of their cellphone while driving!
I totally agree though - drivers talking on cellphones are freakin' dangerous and (in my opinion) cause unnecessary carnage on our roads.

**Flatcap** · 22nd April 2007, 11:39

Originally Posted by MotoGirl

...drivers talking on cellphones are freakin' dangerous and (in my opinion) cause unnecessary carnage on our roads.

I think we should also target those causing necessary carnage...

**Ixion** · 22nd April 2007, 11:42

Originally Posted by Big Dave

If someone will tell me when the next BRONZ meeting is (like I keep asking!) I will table a motion.

i wonder if vodaphone and telecom etc have a policy? If you are looking for something to surf - lets see if we can get some quotes from the telecos on the issue. They'll want to sell some accessories - lets use 'em.

What about a petition. Mr Ixion - know how that works?

ideas ideas ideas???

Third Wednesday in every month. Except December. It's on the web site. C'mon I know you're an Ozzie, but y' can count to three , if y' try real hard.

Petitions are a waste of time, they are ignored.

**Dave Lobster** · 22nd April 2007, 11:50

Making it illegal will make no difference.

It is illegal in the UK. It has made no difference. You still see every fourth or fifth driver using their phone (not hands free).
The law is not enforceable. To catch people using their phones, you either need cameras on every street corner (not acceptable), or have a real policeman on every street corner (not practical).

On the up side, Kiwis tend to be far more adept at using their mobiles while driving than the UK.