Using Mobiles in cars: Fines to double

[Cleoriff]

News out today that drivers caught texting whilst driving will face 'more severe fines'

These penalties will mean they have more points on licence (6) and fines will be increased to £200

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37389800

What a pathetic punishment! £200 to most people is 'peanuts' and who cares about 6 points?

This is hardly a deterrent.

Lives have been lost as a result of folk determined to use their phones and cars as a mobile office.

Earlier this month, a van driver was jailed for 9 years after he hit and killed cyclist Lee Martin while texting.

This van driver had at least six previous convictions for using a phone at the wheel.

[Cairdeas]

All great points above. My only accident in all my years driving was caused by a trucker texting behind me. Frightening experience, and they should throw the book at offenders x

[sheepdog]

---

@adamtemp64 wrote:

What is needed is for the police to start actively checking for this and publicizing the results in the same manner they do speed checking at the roadside, Police with video cameras zoomed in on the drivers like radar guns. For evidance.

I see it all day whilst out driving for my job

But without the resources it just will not be enforcable

---

Agree but these things are outsourced to a "safety camera partnership" whose sole aim is to avoid any complicated spots and go for the easier targets on a straight road.

Case in point, the Camera van that frequents a place near me sits in a car park pointing outwards as the cars go from 30mph to 60mph. Whilst 1/2 mile in the opposite direction is a busy 4 way junction that has seen no end of accidents over the years and its no joke when you see drivers turning the corner with a mobile against their ear. Ironically, the place they catch people speeding at 32mph has had one single accident in 10 years which was caused by impatience at the junction by where the camera van sits!

Must invest in a dash cam....

[sheepdog]

---

@Bambino wrote:

There's just no excuse for holding your phone while you're driving. Most phones now have the ability for you to listen to and reply to a text hands free, and Bluetooth headsets are cheap as chips to enable you to make and receive calls hands free. Not only that, you don't even need a headset if you have a new car. It's all built in. There have been too many needless deaths and serious injuries because of this, and with all the technology available, anyone still holding a phone when they're driving should pay a heavy penalty for doing so.

---

The other quite alarming trend is the number of people who drive with earphones in. Not just older cars but brand new models which dumbfounds me completely as its really does isolate you from noises you should be aware of especially in worsening conditions on road surfaces. 

[Cleoriff]

^^^^^ this again just enforces the point I made earlier. People are using their phones in a car the same way as if they were walking along a road. I have always hated seeing cyclists with headphones in. Bent low over their bikes, singing along with the music.... how the hell can they see and hear any dangers? 

With cars the worry is, people are driving a machine that is a weapon of 'destruction' if not under complete control.

Mind you if travelling with my other half and he is driving, he often turns to me and points at something out of the window. Have a look at that says he....Keep your eyes on the damn road, is always my reply...

[Anonymous]

How are they going to enforce this?

Rear Selt belt laws have been in for nearly 25 years and quite surprising how many people don't use them or carry way to many people for the number of seat belts. And I won't even mention Child seats!

[Cleoriff]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

How are they going to enforce this?

Rear Selt belt laws have been in for nearly 25 years and quite surprising how many people don't use them or carry way to many people for the number of seat belts. And I won't even mention Child seats!

---

I don't they can enforce it. It would require a lot more manpower and investment. As I said earlier, the increase in so called punishment hardly worries anyone. 6 points on a licence and £200 fine? Someone they interviewed yesterday stated cynically, 'Some drivers could afford to chuck 200 notes out of the window and they wouldn't miss it from their wallet'

[sheepdog]

---

@Cleoriff wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

How are they going to enforce this?

Rear Selt belt laws have been in for nearly 25 years and quite surprising how many people don't use them or carry way to many people for the number of seat belts. And I won't even mention Child seats!

---

I don't they can enforce it. It would require a lot more manpower and investment. As I said earlier, the increase in so called punishment hardly worries anyone. 6 points on a licence and £200 fine? Someone they interviewed yesterday stated cynically, 'Some drivers could afford to chuck 200 notes out of the window and they wouldn't miss it from their wallet'

---

Cynically yes but come insurance time, those 6 points will rack up the yearly premium for a good 6 years till it can be taken off. 3 points is just about accepted (speeding/camera) but 6 is a big jump if you have zero points already and 9 or more and you get the bonus prize of discovering public transport works out cheaper. Whilst we're on the subject of restraints....dogs. Just as dangerous as an unrestrained body. Perhaps there should be more emphasis in the driving tests on vehicle safety other than speed so its drilled into people from the start that a car isn't not as safe as the adverts tell you.

[Cleoriff]

Though those who trangress and break the rules probably won't give that a thought till it's too late @sheepdog

By too late, I mean after an accident causing life changing injuries to one or many.

As for insurance premiums increasing there is another train of thought  ..some wont bother with insurance....or alternatively will be so financially stable that any increase wont make a dent in their wallet. 

And yes thats me being cynical ....but I honestly feel the punishment does not fit the crime..