Reporting mobile use while driving

[Miquel In De Rain]

Driving a car like riding a bike requires thought and planning,unfortunately when I encounter mobile phone wielding motorists I find they have done neither.It may not matter about me but it does matter to some kid crossing the road.

 

[Davidsw8]

Personally dont agree with grassing people up for using mobile phones, i am a cyclist, but i also drive for a living and a few times me or my colleagues have been told tales on for various things (whether in the right or wrong) because the company number is plastered on the side of our vans. If somone driving is using a phone effects you personally at that time then by all means have it out with them, but i find telling tales behind people back cowardly and a bit pathetic really. Its not really solving anything either its like speeding fines, most people who get caught will continue to speed, perhaps a little more cautiously .

Let's not forget that mobile phone use while driving is against the law, it's not some harmless child's jape like scrumping apples - people die because of this selfish behaviour.

Here's one from last week:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/975...d-pedestrian-after-texting-escapes-jail.html#

This grandfather is now dead because this woman just had to send that text!

Cowardice is irrelevant here, I wouldn't stand by and watch an old lady getting mugged just because it didn't affect me personally, same as I won't stand by and watch someone run a red light or drive using their mobile if I can do something about it.

I have no qualms or guilty feelings about grassing some idiot up if they actively choose to break the law, either they are too stupid to realise the consequences of their behaviour or they simply don't care, either way they shouldn't be allowed to drive and I don't want them on the same roads as me or anyone I care about.

I'm not bothered if any of this sounds pompous or self-serving, this infuriates me and it's time for zero-tolerance here.

 

[Cycling Dan]

Actually I don't use my phone when driving at work because its 3 points and I need my licence. But that doesn't give me the right to tell tales on everyone doing something I disagree with. Being on the road every day I see it all, speeding, mobile phones, arguments, cutting up, jumping lights etc. If I were to report every incidentI've ever seen I'd be on the phone all the time! You just shrug your shoulders and get on with it, I tend to ignore idiots and the times I have felt the need to complain the windows down and have a discussion, that's it, done, forget it. I take offence to sneaky cowardly behaviour. I'm a firm believer of if you have a problem with someone to take it out face to face. Believe me if some idiot driver knocked me off my bike whilst on the phone I would certainly take the issue up with them or the police however I can't agree with random acts of vigilante. Keep your nose out imo. I agree with the principal of careless driving being punishable and I don't condone it. I wouldn't want someone telling tales on me so wouldn't do it to someone else., why people feel the need to interfere in other people's business is beyond me.

It makes me sad to think there are people like you in this country.
Whats worse is they are in the justice system as well.
The Law is the Law!!
If you see someone breaking the law it is your right and duty as a citizen to report this person to the correct authority.
I cant stress that enough.
Ignoring is a terrible policy, and it's terrible politics. It's a terrible policy because you are rewarding people forbreaking the law!

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Seems like people are more worried about picking up points instead of seeing what a stupid and irresponsible act this is.

 

[BentMikey]

On the other hand, there is a line we all choose to draw somewhere as to what is worth reporting. I don't generally bother with drivers not wearing seatbelts, for example, nor drivers going in the ASL.

Phone driving scum, though, I'll report every time.

 

[Cycling Dan]

Let's not forget that mobile phone use while driving is against the law, it's not some harmless child's jape like scrumping apples - people die because of this selfish behaviour.

Here's one from last week:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/975...d-pedestrian-after-texting-escapes-jail.html#

This grandfather is now dead because this woman just had to send that text!

Cowardice is irrelevant here, I wouldn't stand by and watch an old lady getting mugged just because it didn't affect me personally, same as I won't stand by and watch someone run a red light or drive using their mobile if I can do something about it.

I have no qualms or guilty feelings about grassing some idiot up if they actively choose to break the law, either they are too stupid to realise the consequences of their behaviour or they simply don't care, either way they shouldn't be allowed to drive and I don't want them on the same roads as me or anyone I care about.

I'm not bothered if any of this sounds pompous or self-serving, this infuriates me and it's time for zero-tolerance here.

"phone use at the wheel were woefully inadequate and the punishments should be put on par with drink driving if motorists were to take them seriously."
i would take it further... i would call it manslaughter. Give them the 14 years. or do what the Americans do (didnt think i would be saying that)... Vehicular or intoxication manslaughter
some people would say oh she will be guilty and other crap like that.... however they can go about there life as normal... having time with their children... However this person who has been killed was taken from everyone they knew.... it not just the person who is killed that is affect. Everyone that they knew and loved is. In no way is that equal.. Try this crap in a middle east country they take body parts.
It just enrages me that people who pull this crap get a slap on the wrist. Clearly a human life is worth a fine these days.
We should come down on people like this with a iron fist!

 

[adamangler]

Just for the record i dont condone mobile phone use, seems my point has been twisted to be something its not....
Anyway me disagreeing with reporting it doesnt matter, in the same way people reporting it doesnt, people will continue to do what they want just like speeding, some just dont think. Its wrong but so is a lot of things in this world, human nature is what it is.

Its not really something that bothers me enough to argue about, so i`ll leave it there.

 

[Davidsw8]

Just for the record i dont condone mobile phone use, seems my point has been twisted to be something its not....
Anyway me disagreeing with reporting it doesnt matter, in the same way people reporting it doesnt, people will continue to do what they want just like speeding, some just dont think. Its wrong but so is a lot of things in this world, human nature is what it is.

Its not really something that bothers me enough to argue about, so i`ll leave it there.

I got the impression that whilst you didn't condone mobile phone use, you object to people reporting others for doing it. Maybe I misconstrued your point...

The point, I and others here have countered with is that the world would be a better place if people didn't take a back seat and permit bad behaviour to continue without consequence. People's behaviour may not alter but if it doesn't alter then they will have choices removed from them, i.e. continued driving offences will result in them being disqualified from driving.

However, I'd argue that faced with losing one's job or mobility may prompt some people not to commit these offences, even if they don't care if they or someone else gets hurt (or dies) because of what they do.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Actually I don't use my phone when driving at work because its 3 points and I need my licence.

Thank god he's got a job then.

 

[BentMikey]

Just for the record i dont condone mobile phone use, seems my point has been twisted to be something its not....
Anyway me disagreeing with reporting it doesnt matter, in the same way people reporting it doesnt, people will continue to do what they want just like speeding, some just dont think. Its wrong but so is a lot of things in this world, human nature is what it is.

Its not really something that bothers me enough to argue about, so i`ll leave it there.

As David said, do nothing and nothing will change. Do something, such as reporting it, and things will change. Not as much as we'd like, and yet considerably more than you suggest (i.e. no change).

Quite a few of us have repeat customers, and most of the time these repeat customers do considerably better on their second encounter. Quite a few of mine drive as though they have a driving examiner sat next to them.

You might think that a few cycling cameraistas will make no difference, but there are thousands of us now. Camera use is increasing exponentially, simply because cyclists are most likely to get maltreated on the roads and most likely to have their complaints dismissed. Video changes that. Often, contrary to popular belief, cyclists are highly motivated technically savvy people with disposable income and time and a willingness to make a difference. This means that camera campaigning becomes particularly effective, as many drivers and companies have found out to their surprise.

 

[Davidsw8]

I know Adam's post got removed (by himself or someone else) but I did just want to say that I don't believe any cyclist with a camera sets out to deliberately find people committing traffic offences. It would be like saying you wear a cycle helmet then go out to find the nearest bit of tarmac to throw your head against. It's for protection.

For me, the camera acts as a back up should anything bad happen. If I get knocked off my bike, I want real evidence not their word against mine - and if someone chooses to break the law and I capture it on cam then I'll report it.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Met a dangerous driver last night on mobile in white marked van,a sub-contractor for Thames Water towing a two wheel thingy coming back from Waterloo going up to Tower Gateway,would have taken his number if I could have gotto a pen.You say we shouldn't "grass" these people up but they are allowed to have total disregard for other peoples safety.What a f'kin joke.

Passed too close and dangerously.

 

[adamangler]

I dont agree with grassing someone up for the sake of it.(for example someone driving the other way or sat at the lights not bothering me) I did however say if them being on a phone effects you (like you just said it did) then fair enough.

personally i couldn`t be bothered reporting them unless they had caused an accident, but everyone can please themselves.

 

[BentMikey]

It wouldn't be an accident, Adam. It'd be a collision caused by a James Blunt on the phone.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

I think when the accident has happened it is slightly too late to report these people.

How many people are killed on Britains roads each year,FFS.Wasn't there a crash on Saturday to do with a bus stop.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20857434

Sure it was ok then,perhaps he wasn't on the phone.There is something seriously wrong with the people in this country.Ok I know not everyone in this country is like this but sometimes it doesn't seem like it,esp when I have to put up with more crap driving from a motorist again.No,the camera is not fitted because quite plainly I can't be bothered to film the same old crap.

R.I.P,so sorry for the victims.