Using Mobile whilst driving

13

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  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #62

    I saw in the paper the other day someone suggesting making available some sort of technology which would block the use of mobile phones while driving. Maybe the boffins could come up with something of that sort which would block the use of phones while the
    car engine is switched on.

    This has been suggested before but how would such a protocol differentiate between a driver and a passenger.

    The technology has always been there, it's called the "off" switch. Smile

  • crown green bowler
    crown green bowler Forum Participant Posts: 407
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    edited November 2016 #63

    I walk our dogs for about 1 hour every day and because we live in a very built up area and the traffic is very heavy the amount of people I see useing phones is very worrying,  lots are texting while on the move. If a police officer in plane clothes stood
    on our main road he would take at least 10 or more vehicle reg in one hour. My only comment is they must be far better drivers than me because I'm not that sharp, but I did drive an HGV for 40 years without an accident.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited November 2016 #64

    Perhaps you could suggest this to the Police yourself?  I struggle to text at all - but while driving - as you say - but I still don't think the texting  generation are immune to lapses in concentration. 

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #65

    I saw in the paper the other day someone suggesting making available some sort of technology which would block the use of mobile phones while driving. Maybe the boffins could come up with something of that sort which would block the use of phones while the
    car engine is switched on.

    This has been suggested before but how would such a protocol differentiate between a driver and a passenger.

    The technology has always been there, it's called the "off" switch. Smile

    Spot on. The drivers phone switched off not affecting the passengers ability to use their phone.Happy

  • jeffcc
    jeffcc Forum Participant Posts: 430
    edited November 2016 #66

    This is not going to go down well but I do think that we have look at this a bit more carefully.

    I have no reservation in stating categorically that I believe the use of hand held mobile phones whilst driving is dangerous and anti social. I also agree with the member who suggested that the Police should be able to seize and crush the phones of those
    found using them.  The act of Txting is even worse as it takes eyes of the road for even longer.

    BUT I do have reservations about also condeming drivers who have fully automatic hands free systems built into their car.  I have read the contra views but I still remain unconvinced that they are more dangerous than talking to a passenger or driving with
    unruly kids etc.  Remember too that whatever is decided, it has to be enforceable and there is almost no-one to do that today.

    I think we have to look at what is acheviable and what will whatever we legislate for, will be ignored by many as unreasonable etc.

    Perhaps we should look outside the box and strive to make such communications better, - to build hands free systems that are even better, cause less distraction and require less effort to initiate etc.   Recognise that in this day & age people will always
    require the ability to be in touch, and to find ways of making it better and safer!

    TF

    Good post TF, However in my opinion it is the actual depth of the conversation that i used to find destracting not how easy it was to make it, for example if i had to describe a solution to  a technical problem to someone then i found this to be far more
    distracting than a simple social call as far more thought had to go into the call and then far less thought for the road?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2016 #67

     

    Good post TF, However in my opinion it is the actual depth of the conversation that i used to find destracting not how easy it was to make it, for example if i had to describe a solution to  a technical problem to someone then i found this to be far more
    distracting than a simple social call as far more thought had to go into the call and then far less thought for the road?

    I have to admit to once, completely missing my exit on a motorway while talking on the phone. Embarassed

  • crown green bowler
    crown green bowler Forum Participant Posts: 407
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    edited November 2016 #68

     

    Good post TF, However in my opinion it is the actual depth of the conversation that i used to find destracting not how easy it was to make it, for example if i had to describe a solution to  a technical problem to someone then i found this to be far more
    distracting than a simple social call as far more thought had to go into the call and then far less thought for the road?

    I have to admit to once, completely missing my exit on a motorway while talking on the phone. Embarassed

    Good of you to admit to useing a phone on the motorway, but did it stop you useing a phone while driving afterwards.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited November 2016 #69

    I've missed a motorway exit and that was without distractions. Embarassed

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2016 #70

     ...

    Good of you to admit to useing a phone on the motorway, but did it stop you useing a phone while driving afterwards.

    I rarely have need to use a phone behind the wheel these days, but my cars have bluetooth for hands free if I did (not as clever as the voice activated mentioned here). The above was many years ago before it was illegal to use a hand held phone behind the
    wheel.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2016 #71

    I've missed a motorway exit and that was without distractions. Embarassed

    Too fast and in the outside lane? Wink

    (I'm kidding ..... honest Laughing)

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited November 2016 #72

     So I guess that all of you who decry the use of proper hands free technology, totally ban your passengers from speaking whilst you are driving, and if they do you refuse to answer them?

    In addition you do not allow your car radio to be switched on whilst you are in motion?

    All of those activities require about the same amount of attention as a hands free system.  Once again, I totally condem the use of mobile phones which require being held to the ear or involve physical involvement.  Especially txting.

    TF

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #73

     So I guess that all of you who decry the use of proper hands free technology, totally ban your passengers from speaking whilst you are driving, and if they do you refuse to answer them?

    In addition you do not allow your car radio to be switched on whilst you are in motion?

    All of those activities require about the same amount of attention as a hands free system.  Once again, I totally condem the use of mobile phones which require being held to the ear or involve physical involvement.  Especially txting.

    TF

    I agree with all you've said TF.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited November 2016 #74

    I've missed a motorway exit and that was without distractions. Embarassed

    Too fast and in the outside lane? Wink

    (I'm kidding ..... honest Laughing)

    No, just trundling along at about 60 in the nearside lane. I only realised when I passed a junction sign saying "Princes Risborough" that I had overshot.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #75

    Is it still legal to use CB, 'ham' radios and walkietalkies when driving?

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #76

    Unless the law has changed very recently, I believe it is still legal to use CB, walkie talkies and the like whilst driving. Although through its use you can still be done for 'careless and/or dangerous driving'.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #77

    Unless the law has changed very recently, I believe it is still legal to use CB, walkie talkies and the like whilst driving. Although through its use you can still be done for 'careless and/or dangerous driving'.

    I think you're right too, mind you some just need to be behind the wheel of a vehicle to be guilty of careless or dangerous driving!

  • jeffcc
    jeffcc Forum Participant Posts: 430
    edited November 2016 #78

    If you look at my earlier post you will find you are correct Dave and Micky, it is legal but as stated you can still be prosecuted if it is believed to be interfering with your driving.

  • Paul Rainbow
    Paul Rainbow Forum Participant Posts: 129
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    edited November 2016 #79

     So I guess that all of you who decry the use of proper hands free technology, totally ban your passengers from speaking whilst you are driving, and if they do you refuse to answer them?

    In addition you do not allow your car radio to be switched on whilst you are in motion?

    All of those activities require about the same amount of attention as a hands free system.  Once again, I totally condem the use of mobile phones which require being held to the ear or involve physical involvement.  Especially txting.

    TF

    I agree with all you've said TF.

    Although studies have proven that talking on the mobile phone is significantly worse than radio or passenger distractions.

    Link from Google Scholar peer reviewed paper.

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #80

     So I guess that all of you who decry the use of proper hands free technology, totally ban your passengers from speaking whilst you are driving, and if they do you refuse to answer them?

    In addition you do not allow your car radio to be switched on whilst you are in motion?

    All of those activities require about the same amount of attention as a hands free system.  Once again, I totally condem the use of mobile phones which require being held to the ear or involve physical involvement.  Especially txting.

    TF

    I agree with all you've said TF.

    Although studies have proven that talking on the mobile phone is significantly worse than radio or passenger distractions.

    Link from Google Scholar peer reviewed paper.

    Hmmm. American study! It doesn't state if the "Cell" phone was hands free or hand held, and I doubt my 6 year old passenger would turn the discussion to the traffic conditions.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2016 #81

    Is it still legal to use CB, 'ham' radios and walkietalkies when driving?

    It's legal, otherwise plod wouldn't be able to use their radios while driving

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited November 2016 #82

    Before you can place much creedance on so called "Reports" you need to know who commisioned the report, and who was paying for the research!  Sadly 16 years of having to deal with such reports on an almost weekly basis has shown me that very few such reports
    are truly independant, and are almost always written by someone following the viewpoint of the body commissioning the report in the first place.

    TF

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #83

    Is it still legal to use CB, 'ham' radios and walkietalkies when driving?

    It's legal, otherwise plod wouldn't be able to use their radios while driving

    Yes they would, they are 'exempt' from several laws we mere mortals must adhere too at all times. 

  • David2115
    David2115 Forum Participant Posts: 547
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    edited November 2016 #84

    Is it still legal to use CB, 'ham' radios and walkietalkies when driving?

    It's legal, otherwise plod wouldn't be able to use their radios while driving

    Yes they would, they are 'exempt' from several laws we mere mortals must adhere too at all times. 

    Write your comments here...they are not exempt from using the radios whilst driving, the radios are also telephones and therefor should not be used. All police cars have hands free sets so they have no need to be used.

  • Paul Rainbow
    Paul Rainbow Forum Participant Posts: 129
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    edited November 2016 #85

     So I guess that all of you who decry the use of proper hands free technology, totally ban your passengers from speaking whilst you are driving, and if they do you refuse to answer them?

    In addition you do not allow your car radio to be switched on whilst you are in motion?

    All of those activities require about the same amount of attention as a hands free system.  Once again, I totally condem the use of mobile phones which require being held to the ear or involve physical involvement.  Especially txting.

    TF

    I agree with all you've said TF.

    Although studies have proven that talking on the mobile phone is significantly worse than radio or passenger distractions.

    Link from Google Scholar peer reviewed paper.

    Hmmm. American study! It doesn't state if the "Cell" phone was hands free or hand held, and I doubt my 6 year old passenger would turn the discussion to the traffic conditions.

    So you are dismissing a peer reviewed journal as 'An American study' therefore incorrect? There were plenty of other reports on hands free usage concluding that it is more distracting than a passenger.

    However, you are right abouts kids in the car. They can be the most distracting thing ever.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #86

    I see the Police are having a week long crackdown on drivers who use hand held mobile phones at the wheel.

    A WEEK!!  Yell

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #87

     So I guess that all of you who decry the use of proper hands free technology, totally ban your passengers from speaking whilst you are driving, and if they do you refuse to answer them?

    In addition you do not allow your car radio to be switched on whilst you are in motion?

    All of those activities require about the same amount of attention as a hands free system.  Once again, I totally condem the use of mobile phones which require being held to the ear or involve physical involvement.  Especially txting.

    TF

    I agree with all you've said TF.

    Although studies have proven that talking on the mobile phone is significantly worse than radio or passenger distractions.

    Link from Google Scholar peer reviewed paper.

    Hmmm. American study! It doesn't state if the "Cell" phone was hands free or hand held, and I doubt my 6 year old passenger would turn the discussion to the traffic conditions.

    So you are dismissing a peer reviewed journal as 'An American study' therefore incorrect? There were plenty of other reports on hands free usage concluding that it is more distracting than a passenger.

    However, you are right abouts kids in the car. They can be the most distracting thing ever.

    Not dismissing it, just stating its open to question. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited November 2016 #88

    I see the Police are having a week long crackdown on drivers who use hand held mobile phones at the wheel.

    A WEEK!!  Yell

    It wouldn't be hard to catch them on their phones ... drivers - not plod ... I was queueing traffic recenty & decided to make a point of looking at how many were on their phones. There were loads of them, either making calls hand held, or looking at them
    ... guessing social media etc

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,194 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2016 #89

    Delighted to say our police force have announced that it will prosecute their use and not offer course option. I'm disgusted it was offered in the first place!!!

    Heard on radio today now not often calls, because of blue tooth, but texting and social media

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited November 2016 #90

    Isn't "social .media" one of the biggest oxymorons of the decade??

  • Rubytuesday
    Rubytuesday Forum Participant Posts: 952
    edited November 2016 #91

    Here in south wales police have announced they are having a surge on drivers using mobiles for two weeks , shouldn't they do that without warning them, we have found recently it's the van drivers / delivery Vans the worst culprits, even if you pull up along
    side and wag your finger at them they give you two back Surprised