Bloody mobile users

220 · 07-02-2010, 11:35 AM

All the recent media talk about hoons, speeding, high power cars, drink driving etc, and no mention of what I feel is the biggest safety issue at present. Mobile phone useage.
How many times do you follow a car with the speed flucuating by 20-30kmh, wandering from their lane only to find they are on the phone.
When will authorities get serious and intoduce penalties that reflect the possable consequences of the crime.
Everyone is well aware if you drink drive you will loose your licence, if you speed excessively same story but every second car seems to driven by someone on the phone and it is viewed as acceptable.
Given research shows using a hands free setup your reaction times are similar to low range alcohol, how can useing a phone without hands free or texting be seen as acceptable and cop such a small penalty.
Something is seriously wrong with the present road safety message.

JC · 07-02-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220

All the recent media talk about hoons, speeding, high power cars, drink driving etc, and no mention of what I feel is the biggest safety issue at present. Mobile phone useage.
How many times do you follow a car with the speed flucuating by 20-30kmh, wandering from their lane only to find they are on the phone.
When will authorities get serious and intoduce penalties that reflect the possable consequences of the crime.
Everyone is well aware if you drink drive you will loose your licence, if you speed excessively same story but every second car seems to driven by someone on the phone and it is viewed as acceptable.
Given research shows using a hands free setup your reaction times are similar to low range alcohol, how can useing a phone without hands free or texting be seen as acceptable and cop such a small penalty.
Something is seriously wrong with the present road safety message.

Every time I see this behaviour - I let rip with a blast on the horn and a flash of the lights. Amazing how many suddenly have nothing to say and hang up, and then tailgait you once you've passed them. I don't mind that really, at least they're off the phone!

gcg2503 · 07-02-2010, 01:17 PM

Using a phone attracts a fine and 3 points off your licence in Victoria.

How much more serious do you suggest they make it?

220 · 07-02-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Using a phone attracts a fine and 3 points off your licence in Victoria.

How much more serious do you suggest they make it?

Same in NSW

Shouldn't the penalties reflect the seriousness of the offence. Drink driving will result in licence cancellation, excessive speeding will see you walking.
Using a phone should have the same result.
The current penalties send the wrong message,
How about a 30 day suspension for a first offence, with increased penalties for repeat offenders.

Maybe they could even use the 3 strikes policy and crush cars of 3 time offenders.

**Silver Ghia** · 07-02-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Using a phone attracts a fine and 3 points off your licence in Victoria.

How much more serious do you suggest they make it?

The only problem is that the offender needs to be pretty unlucky to get caught. I very rarely see a police car on the road. 'Safety' cameras dont help at all either.

GT290 · 08-02-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Using a phone attracts a fine and 3 points off your licence in Victoria.

How much more serious do you suggest they make it?

Maybe by being more serious about enforcing some of the other laws other than speeding.

deesun · 07-02-2010, 01:20 PM

^^^^^Double that. Or at least the same as high range PCA.

geckoGT · 07-02-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deesun

^^^^^Double that. Or at least the same as high range PCA.

Agreed, why not, it is a conscious decision to answer the phone even though it is against the law, they will learn or walk!

350125GO · 07-02-2010, 01:23 PM

Whenever I am being tailgated the person is usually on their mobile phone. I sometimes give em a bit of a scare by putting on the brakes for a second or two, helps em realise they are driving stupidly.

SEZ213 · 07-02-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350125GO

Whenever I am being tailgated the person is usually on their mobile phone. I sometimes give em a bit of a scare by putting on the brakes for a second or two, helps em realise they are driving stupidly.

That's just as dangerous, if someone is talking on their mobile, their concentration is not focused on the road ahead. You putting on the brakes for a second or two, for no adequate reason, but to give him a scare, leaves you wide open for a fine also when the police find out you just tapped your brakes to get an idiot off your rear end...not to mention the whiplash you will suffer when they don't see your brake lights because they aren't concentrating!

Perhaps just turning your lights on is a far safer option...gets a similar reaction, but only if the person tailgating you is concentrating in the first place!

jpd80 · 07-02-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350125GO

Whenever I am being tailgated the person is usually on their mobile phone. I sometimes give em a bit of a scare by putting on the brakes for a second or two, helps em realise they are driving stupidly.

My two pet hates, mobile phone use while driving and the guy up your butt too..
Even hands free is a worry because the person starts concentration on what's being said,
you can tell a passenger hang on and they see you're busy.

Anyone on a phone while driving should have a 3 months suspension immediately,
if people pull over and answer the phone in park/neutral and hand brake on, that should be allowed.

Make tailgating within 1-2 car lengths at 60 -100 kph = 4 points an $400 fine,
that way if drivers do it twice in 12 months they can walk for 3 months.

FGII-XR6 · 07-02-2010, 02:00 PM

in nsw a taxi or bus driver looses there public passenger authority if caught twice in 5 years. i agree handheld mobile use is dangerous but while we are on the subject of dangerous activity while driving high on the list is smoking while driving lighting up is a major distraction not to mention a dropped cigarette or hot ash . smoking while driving should be treated like drink driving
puts on flame suit:SaiyanSmi

220 · 07-02-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

dangerous activity while driving high on the list is smoking while driving lighting up is a major distraction not to mention a dropped cigarette or hot ash . smoking while driving should be treated like drink driving
puts on flame suit:SaiyanSmi

Little bit different as most smokers are addicts and the act of lighting up and smoking is more a reflex action, a bit like changing gears in a manual it just happens without much thought.
It is an offence to smoke in a vehical in NSW if any of the passangers are under 16 so they are already part of the way there to a total ban.

Outback · 09-02-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220

Little bit different as most smokers are addicts and the act of lighting up and smoking is more a reflex action, a bit like changing gears in a manual it just happens without much thought.
It is an offence to smoke in a vehical in NSW if any of the passangers are under 16 so they are already part of the way there to a total ban.

Its is an offence to smoke in a car in NSW with anyone under 13 years old, im so glad my daughter just turned 14 so i can smoke again in MY car.

deesun · 09-02-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outback

Its is an offence to smoke in a car in NSW with anyone under 13 years old, im so glad my daughter just turned 14 so i can smoke again in MY car.

You had better not

From 1 July 2009, smoking in a car with a child under the age of 16 is against the law. The Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 creates a new offence of smoking in a car with a child under 16 years of age in the vehicle. A $250 on the spot fine applies to the driver and any passenger who breaks the law and this will be enforced by NSW Police.

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publich..._free_cars.asp

Nice to know you care so much about your daughters health.

yetchh · 09-02-2010, 07:32 PM

i talk on my phone while driving, i also drive with one hand all the time, i eat while driving, drink while driving(water), used to smoke while driving, but i do all of this with my main concentration on the road.. having someones voice in my ear doesnt suddenly make my brain turn off like everybody seems to think it does, in fact when i'm in the car i'm acutely aware of whats going on around me unlike some others i share the road with.. as far as i'm concerned, having a conversation with the person beside you is far worse than being on a phone as theyre their in person and you can turn to look at them.. are they gonna ban that too? what about childern in the back seat? might as well ban that while we're at it huh... :SaiyanSmi (ready)

dannyhilton · 07-02-2010, 09:45 PM

Simple solution. If you absolutely need to talk on a phone, then use Bluetooth. At least both hands are on the wheel. I have Bluetooth on my Fiesta, but even still that's just as distracting, so is listening to music or if you have too much on your mind your driving suffers. Even the voice control unit on my car is distracting, the signs on the side of the road are distracting, I could go on. We all know talking on your mobile is illegal, but it's just common sense to not do it and while we can fine people till they are bankrupt, we can't give them a brain and tell them to use it...

Neeek · 08-02-2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

in nsw a taxi or bus driver looses there public passenger authority if caught twice in 5 years.

Didn't know that. I hope the cabbie I shopped in Sydney for doing just that when I was in the back of his cab hadn't been reported before (and hasn't been since) or he's out of a job then. Although to be frank, he deserved to lose his licence on the spot anyway.

Speaking of 'phones, I have a good solution which stops me from using my 'phone in my car - a loud exhaust. It's true, loud pipes save lives! Even if I wanted to I'd never be able to hear a damn thing on my 'phone in my car if I'm driving along. Works for me!

chrisfpv · 07-02-2010, 02:05 PM

It's 3 demerit points and a $234 fine here in Victoria.

**Giant Cranium** · 07-02-2010, 02:39 PM

i spend about 3 hours a day on the phone out of 8.
if i didnt drive whilst talking i would never get any work done.
most of my driving is only done on a doh housing estate so i know the roads better than my own street.
the cops all know me out there and i even get waved at whilst im on the phone.

FGII-XR6 · 07-02-2010, 02:48 PM

and you havent heard of bluetooth hands free or are you exempt from the law???
by your logic it would be ok to drink drive as long as you know you know the streets well, or if your job entails long business lunches it would be ok to drink drive as otherwise you wouldn't get any work done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you won't get much work done when you loose your licence for thinking you are above the law. morons like you should walk

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain awesome

i spend about 3 hours a day on the phone out of 8.
if i didnt drive whilst talking i would never get any work done.
most of my driving is only done on a doh housing estate so i know the roads better than my own street.
the cops all know me out there and i even get waved at whilst im on the phone.

pottery beige · 07-02-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220

All the recent media talk about hoons, speeding, high power cars, drink driving etc, and no mention of what I feel is the biggest safety issue at present. Mobile phone useage.
How many times do you follow a car with the speed flucuating by 20-30kmh, wandering from their lane only to find they are on the phone.
When will authorities get serious and intoduce penalties that reflect the possable consequences of the crime.
Everyone is well aware if you drink drive you will loose your licence, if you speed excessively same story but every second car seems to driven by someone on the phone and it is viewed as acceptable.
Given research shows using a hands free setup your reaction times are similar to low range alcohol, how can useing a phone without hands free or texting be seen as acceptable and cop such a small penalty.
Something is seriously wrong with the present road safety message.

I'm alway's talking and txt'ing when i drive.. Even RIGHT now.. Leave me alone..

:

pottery beige · 07-02-2010, 02:54 PM

And i love driving along reading my street directory cos i don't have a crappy GPS thingy either..

:

**Giant Cranium** · 07-02-2010, 02:53 PM

thought i would get that sort of reply.
just thought it would be fun to stir the pot.
i use bluetooth in the hilux as i made the boss install it at a cost of 800 bucks, police ended up calling my boss a yaer ago saying one more time that we catch him we will fine him. you need to relax mate.
but everyone has talked on the phone whist driving at one time

220 · 07-02-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain awesome

thought i would get that sort of reply.
just thought it would be fun to stir the pot.
i use bluetooth in the hilux as i made the boss install it at a cost of 800 bucks, police ended up calling my boss a yaer ago saying one more time that we catch him we will fine him. you need to relax mate.
but everyone has talked on the phone whist driving at one time

That is the point I was trying to make people don't view it as a serious offence. 25years ago you could still get away with driving ****ed not nowdays. People make a big fuss about someone driving at a low range alcohol level and remember P drivers are now a zero level but think its OK to use the phone why? Because the current penalties don't reflect the seriousness of the offence.
Loss of licence or jail time would soon get the message across.

left · 08-02-2010, 01:03 PM

A few weeks ago in outer Melbourne I was behind a little red car weaving all over the road. When I was finally able to pass her, I s*** you not, it turns out she had a mobile to her ear with one hand and the other hand had a large ceramic mug of (presumably) a hot drink of some sort

The funny thing is these sort of people have no idea how stupid they are!

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain awesome

but everyone has talked on the phone whist driving at one time

Um, no.

**Giant Cranium** · 08-02-2010, 08:25 PM

Um, no.[/QUOTE]
what? never? big ups to you.
just so people know im not for talking on the phone but sometimes you dont even think about it and you just answer it.
i found the best handsfree is my apprentice. every one should get one

left · 09-02-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain awesome

Um, no.
what? never? big ups to you.
just so people know im not for talking on the phone but sometimes you dont even think about it and you just answer it.
i found the best handsfree is my apprentice. every one should get one

I'll consider it but I might use him for other reasons

**Giant Cranium** · 09-02-2010, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by left

I'll consider it but I might use him for other reasons

apprentices are good for nothing. every thing they do i fix so the only thing i can trust him with is the phone. but hell learn

Smoke Pursuit · 07-02-2010, 03:13 PM

Without upseting any of our female members in my 30,000 kms of driving a year it seems young females are the worse for this behaviour, whether it be they are talking on the phone or txting.... I was on the freeway the other night heading into the city and there was a girl in the middle lane on the phone doing 80 all over the place.. Talk about a danger to themselves and every other poor human being who shares the same roads.

In saying that however I seen a young P plater male on the phone the other day too with the window down, did i blow him up!! LOL!! They are already inexperienced enough without having the distraction of a phone in their hand..

Disgraceful.