Bastards on cell phones.

[swbarnett]

how about a life sentence http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/ne...=rss_4car_news

Complete and utter madness!

There but for the grace of (insert deity here...) go each and every one of us. The law today is turning every "butter wouldn't melt in their mouth" law abiding citizen into a criminal.

Makes me want to start my own country.

They're trying to make life so "safe" it's not worth living.

[Owl]

Complete and utter madness!

There but for the grace of (insert deity here...) go each and every one of us. The law today is turning every "butter wouldn't melt in their mouth" law abiding citizen into a criminal.

Makes me want to start my own country.

They're trying to make life so "safe" it's not worth living.

It's only madness in your opinion! I'd be , and if they introduced that here. I for one am sick of seeing shit drivers with cell phones.
You claim that 99% of your cornering is done with one hand and come across like it’s something to be proud of. It’s just another bad habit! I got a lecture about that from the MOT officer that took me for my driving test many years ago, which brings me to my next point. Would you consider it appropriate to talk on a cell phone while sitting a driving test? After all, if it’s a normal everyday driving practise, it should be ok right?

[BiK3RChiK]

It's only madness in your opinion! I'd be , and if they introduced that here. I for one am sick of seeing shit drivers with cell phones.
You claim that 99% of your cornering is done with one hand and come across like it’s something to be proud of. It’s just another bad habit! I got a lecture about that from the MOT officer that took me for my driving test many years ago, which brings me to my next point. Would you consider it appropriate to talk on a cell phone while sitting a driving test? After all, if it’s a normal everyday driving practise, it should be ok right?

Hahaha I'd like to see anyone pass a driving test with a cellphone clapped to their ear or while texting the whole time! It wouldn't happen!! Firstly, I don't think anyone would even consider trying this on while going for their driver/rider testing, and secondly, I don't think any testing officer worth their salt would pass anyone trying such a thing on!!

Cellphones and driving/riding do not mix, IMO! I've seen too much scary driving caused by inattention because of cellphones to convince me otherwise. Also, any other distraction whilst driving is just as dangerous. My kids get the message if they cause any distraction in the vehicle. In some situations, even adjusting the stereo could be hazardous!

Driving requires maturity and concentration! After all, we are driving lethal weapons which cause injury, maim and kill many people every year!

M

[swbarnett]

It's only madness in your opinion! I'd be , and if they introduced that here. I for one am sick of seeing shit drivers with cell phones.

Yes, they do exist. But to be given a life sentence for it is just going too far. If you kill someone as a result of your actions while driving you deserve to be dealt with severely, maybe have your license taken away for life but not your freedom.

You claim that 99% of your cornering is done with one hand and come across like it’s something to be proud of.

Let me be clear that I'm talking about car driving not bikes. And are you honestly telling me that you can't drive a car with one hand? (assuming that you do drive a car at times)

It’s just another bad habit!

One person's bad habit is another person's skill. It's all about context.

I got a lecture about that from the MOT officer that took me for my driving test many years ago,

Well, when I took my test I only had one hand on the wheel 99% of the time. The only comment that the officer made at all was that I rested my other hand on the gear lever and that would wear the gears faster. He was happy with the rest. It was only after that that I started to put both hands on the wheel.

which brings me to my next point. Would you consider it appropriate to talk on a cell phone while sitting a driving test? After all, if it’s a normal everyday driving practise, it should be ok right?

No, I wouldn't answer the phone during a test. Not because I think the officer would fail me but for the same reason that I don't answer the phone in a meeting at work - it's disrespectful to the people that are supposed to have your attention at the time.

[swbarnett]

Cellphones and driving/riding do not mix, IMO! I've seen too much scary driving caused by inattention because of cellphones to convince me otherwise.

Just because some people are incapable of performing a certain action doesn't mean others can't. Should we ban mountain climbing for everybody because some idiots do it unprepared and get themselves and others into trouble.

Also, any other distraction whilst driving is just as dangerous. My kids get the message if they cause any distraction in the vehicle. In some situations, even adjusting the stereo could be hazardous!

Agreed. It's a matter of having the discipline to not allow yourself to be distracted.

Driving requires maturity and concentration! After all, we are driving lethal weapons which cause injury, maim and kill many people every year!

Agreed. My only contention is that for some people answering a cell phone is not a distraction. (Just to be clear I would never dial out or text while driving).

[Ripperjon]

Holy shit, i didn't know about that.

Jail is probably going a bit far.

Maybe public lashing instead?

[swbarnett]

Holy shit, i didn't know about that.

Jail is probably going a bit far.

Maybe public lashing instead?

Actually, for some I'd be in favour of that.

[Mort]

There is no doubt in my mind that using a mobile phone is dangerous.

1. Reactions : There is proven evidence that everyones reactions are impaired when using a phone. If you are speaking on the phone you will not be able to react to an unexpected event as quickly as if you were not using the phone. This is scientifically proven and to illustrate the point see this simulator :HERE. If a child runs out from a behind a parked car you will lose that split second which will be the difference between hitting the child and stopping safely. It will have fuck all to do with the "skill" required to take a corner one-handed.
   
   
   
2. Mobile phones have caused deaths. FACT. Drivers have been distracted and have caused death and injury. This is ackowledged by the drivers themselves. Put it another way, there are people who would be walking around today if mobile phones were banned whilst driving.
   
   
   
3. SWBARNETT: You are without doubt a shallow minded, arrogant twat of the highest order. Its people like you who are the problem. People who think their "skill" will help them avoid all situations. People who think their phone call is more important than the life of someone they may kill on the road. People who think they have a right to risk other peoples lives because they are so stupid, arrogant and selfish.
   

[howdamnhard]

Yes its legal and the Fu#$wit Government won't make it illegal even though many people have been killed.But that would be common sense then wouldn't.

[swbarnett]

There is no doubt in my mind that using a mobile phone is dangerous.

Reactions : There is proven evidence that everyones reactions are impaired when using a phone.

Shit, that's a big study, 6billion participants! A population study can suggest or give evidence, it cannot prove anything.

If you are speaking on the phone you will not be able to react to an unexpected event as quickly as if you were not using the phone.

What about talking to the passenger? Besides, I have my own empirical evidence that this is not the case for all drivers.

This is scientifically proven

See above.

Mobile phones have caused deaths. FACT. Drivers have been distracted and have caused death and injury. This is ackowledged by the drivers themselves.

The driver is not always the best judge of this. Not that I'm disputing your point here. Yes, there are drivers that should not be doing anything else while driving (even driving). I have a colleague that won't even talk to the passenger.

Put it another way, there are people who would be walking around today if mobile phones were banned whilst driving.

Of this I am in no doubt. However, there are people who would be walking around today if cars were banned.

SWBARNETT: You are without doubt a shallow minded, arrogant twat of the highest order. Its people like you who are the problem. People who think their "skill" will help them avoid all situations. People who think their phone call is more important than the life of someone they may kill on the road. People who think they have a right to risk other peoples lives because they are so stupid, arrogant and selfish.

Until you know me personally you have no basis for this abuse (although I do respect your right to hold the opinion).

I definitely do not think the call is more important than someone else's life (just ask the person left dangling on the other end of the phone).

My skill will definitely help me avoid all situations. As will yours (this even applies to those with very little skill). That doesn't mean it will always be enough. I just don't accept that the cell phone is a factor in reducing every driver's skill any more than talking to the passenger.


As far as the law goes I'll say it again, you don't need to ban cell phone use while driving. Just use the laws that are already on the books against someone that is obviously not in control of their vehicle. This way you catch any distraction and don't need an extra law for each one (which is impossible to do as the list of possible distractions is endless).

[swbarnett]

I was wondering when it was going to happen. Nearly 600 posts and almost as much green rep and I finally get my first red. Simply for having an opinion that differs from his Mort has seen fit to add some colour to my rep list. Me, I'm happy to agree to differ at this point as I can see we're never going to agree. There simply isn't enough scientific evidence either way (and I don't mean population studies or anecdotal crash analysis).

I analyse my driving all the time (that's one reason I'm still alive). I've analysed my use of cell phones as well. I used to dial out but quickly came to the conclusion that this was not a good idea. Answering calls, however, I've not found a problem with.

The problem is not the cell phone/child/wife/scenery/[insert distraction here], it's the driving!

[Mort]

Well I'm sorry if you got all offended like the vicars wife at a tea party.

I posted a legitimate post up about car drivers on the phone being a danger to motorcyclists. Possibly one of the greatest dangers we, as bikers face. Its a new danger, one which didnt exist say, 15 years ago.

You on the other hand, use this post (on a motorcycle forum) as means to support this practice by claiming yourself as a super-skilled practitioner of car driving whilst on a mobile phone, claiming it has no affect on YOUR driving because, for some reason you are a better driver than everyone else.

[MaxB]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but I read somewhere (I think it was a TRL research report) that in-car risks are a function of the time over which the driver is distracted. Thee was also a bit about the difference between active and passive distractions.

The cellphone was considered the worst combination of the risky activities e.g. it is an "active" distraction over a long time period.

Playing with the iPod, radio or picking your nose are all over relatively quickly but these days cellphones, GPS units and DVD players take much more of the drivers time and attention. The complicated set up and menu systems don't help either. Ever tried the first BMW iDrive system?

[swbarnett]

Well I'm sorry if you got all offended like the vicars wife at a tea party. ...

No, not offended. Frustrated perhaps but that's all part of a good argument.

I thought you had taken offence. After all, it was you who gave the red rep.

Apologies if my tone was not always the best (tends to happen when I reply too quickly, my post count has been too high lately, gotta slow down and take a breath).

[Mort]

...well I don't know if you are a superb troll, thick skinned or just plain thick....

Do me a favour... when you are on the phone.... make sure you are parked on your driveway.

Mort