Live blog: The disappearing (and reappearing) world time trial champion; Brailsford says Froome is back on his bike, pedalling with one leg; French drivers to lose licences for using phone at the wheel; Phil Liggett’s tribute to Paul Sherwen + more

20 thoughts on “Live blog: The disappearing (and reappearing) world time trial champion; Brailsford says Froome is back on his bike, pedalling with one leg; French drivers to lose licences for using phone at the wheel; Phil Liggett’s tribute to Paul Sherwen + more”

1. As ever, enforcement is the

   As ever, enforcement is the trouble. How to catch people using their phone while driving? Though of course, they do still have police in France. 

   Log In or Register to post comments

   • Bmblbzzz wrote:

     As ever, enforcement is the trouble. How to catch people using their phone while driving? Though of course, they do still have police in France. 

     — Bmblbzzz

     One method might be to have a blitz on pulling over drivers for visible driving errors (eg failure to indicate) easy to capture on video. Then check their phone history. If there is an overlap, confiscate the licence and keys. As a side-benefit, such a campaign would see a load of BMW drivers booking their cars in to have the indicators fixed!

     Log In or Register to post comments

2. If the penalty was an instant

   If the penalty was an instant ban, then I don’t think you’d need a lot of enforcement for most people to not risk it.  I’ve never understood the need to be so lenient on mobile phone use at the wheel.  It’s just about the only traffic offence that it really is impossible to commit by accident.

   Log In or Register to post comments

   • pdw wrote:

     If the penalty was an instant ban, then I don’t think you’d need a lot of enforcement for most people to not risk it.  I’ve never understood the need to be so lenient on mobile phone use at the wheel.  It’s just about the only traffic offence that it really is impossible to commit by accident.

     — pdw

     It’s similar in so many other aspects of life inclusing sport. We were talking about how rugby league and union can try to protect players welfare more particularly with regards to concussion. Changing the penalties to be harsher, or more in line with the actual offence and actually applying the penalties all the time not ad-hoc plus subsequent match bns of a greater length and financial penalty would make players think a bit more when going into contact.

     Currently it’s abysmal and the traditional tackle has reduced as a % over the last 20+ years so you get a lot of head and neck contact, then we wonder why players are having more injuries both short and long term. 

     Changing the rules/penalties is the way forward, ‘armouring up’ is completely the wrong solution as they found in gridiron.

     Log In or Register to post comments

3. Why can’t we have a similar

   Why can’t we have a similar mobile phone ban in the UK? My preference would be for an instant driving license ban (a couple of weeks or a month) and immediate confiscation of the phone as well. Combine that with random enforcement checks (e.g. plain clothes police on bikes filtering past traffic jams) and drivers would soon get the message and would stop. It’s only because drivers can get away with it that they do it.

   Log In or Register to post comments

   • hawkinspeter wrote:

     Why can’t we have a similar mobile phone ban in the UK? My preference would be for an instant driving license ban (a couple of weeks or a month) and immediate confiscation of the phone as well. Combine that with random enforcement checks (e.g. plain clothes police on bikes filtering past traffic jams) and drivers would soon get the message and would stop. It’s only because drivers can get away with it that they do it.

     — hawkinspeter

     Don’t need bikes, a copper sitting somewhere slightly raised with a birdspotter scope, looking at oncoming traffic, radio to marked patrol to pull in drivers for mobile use, seatbelt, etc etc. Works great here in Norway, and they often stand in the same place, so you’d think people would be especially careful at their 5 fave places, but nope, every time they are there they stop loads of people. Equivalent to a £170 fine + 2 points (8 loses licence here for 6 months) 

     Couple of months back they caught so many they actually couldn’t stop all of them, they hadn’t space in the layby to pull in more. So they came back the same time the next day, and gaught even more. 3 of the drivers pulled in on day 2 had been pulled the day before, and both of them suddenly had enough points to become instant pedestrians. (If they have no other driver in the car the ban is delayed a few hours to allow them to get home, so if you live 2km away,  and get stopped at 9am, the ban would be from 10am)

     Log In or Register to post comments

     • StuInNorway wrote:

       Don’t need bikes, a copper sitting somewhere slightly raised with a birdspotter scope, looking at oncoming traffic, radio to marked patrol to pull in drivers for mobile use, seatbelt, etc etc. Works great here in Norway, and they often stand in the same place, so you’d think people would be especially careful at their 5 fave places, but nope, every time they are there they stop loads of people. Equivalent to a £170 fine + 2 points (8 loses licence here for 6 months) 

       Couple of months back they caught so many they actually couldn’t stop all of them, they hadn’t space in the layby to pull in more. So they came back the same time the next day, and gaught even more. 3 of the drivers pulled in on day 2 had been pulled the day before, and both of them suddenly had enough points to become instant pedestrians. (If they have no other driver in the car the ban is delayed a few hours to allow them to get home, so if you live 2km away,  and get stopped at 9am, the ban would be from 10am)

       — StuInNorway

       That is how you do it intelligently, however, here in the UK, intelligence and the Police don’t go hand in hand. The car rules here in the UK with a surprising amount of drivers racking up over 12 points and still allowed to drive (12 points is the limit as to where you become disqualified for a couple of months).
        

       In 2017, there was a Yorkshire driver who had an incredible 62 points on their license and still allowed to legally drive! Thats enough to disqualify 5 people, but yet they still are allowed to drive. So hats off to the Norwegians for actually enforcing the law properly.

       Log In or Register to post comments

       • jigr69 wrote:

         That is how you do it intelligently, however, here in the UK, intelligence and the Police don’t go hand in hand. The car rules here in the UK with a surprising amount of drivers racking up over 12 points and still allowed to drive (12 points is the limit as to where you become disqualified for a couple of months).

         — jigr69

         Not much to do with the police, everything to do with our useless, grovelling politicians, scared to death of the driver vote.

         It was the politicians who allowed hands free mobiles, despite the evidence showing that they are just as dangerous as hand held.  If I was in charge, the MPs who voted for that would be working shifts in A&E to make them aware of the consequences of their craven actions.

         It was the same politicians who decided that, although the effect on driving was the same as being over the alcohol limit, using a hand held mobile would receive a much smaller punishment.

         The same politicians who passed the Act allowing for exceptional hardship when drivers should be banned.

         Our MPs are spineless, cowardly and ineffective, and have no interest in really making our roads safer.

         Log In or Register to post comments

         • burtthebike wrote:

           That is how you do it intelligently, however, here in the UK, intelligence and the Police don’t go hand in hand. The car rules here in the UK with a surprising amount of drivers racking up over 12 points and still allowed to drive (12 points is the limit as to where you become disqualified for a couple of months).

           — burtthebike

           Not much to do with the police, everything to do with our useless, grovelling politicians, scared to death of the driver vote.

           It was the politicians who allowed hands free mobiles, despite the evidence showing that they are just as dangerous as hand held.  If I was in charge, the MPs who voted for that would be working shifts in A&E to make them aware of the consequences of their craven actions.

           It was the same politicians who decided that, although the effect on driving was the same as being over the alcohol limit, using a hand held mobile would receive a much smaller punishment.

           The same politicians who passed the Act allowing for exceptional hardship when drivers should be banned.

           Our MPs are spineless, cowardly and ineffective, and have no interest in really making our roads safer.

           — jigr69

           it has everything to do with the police because they have to enforce the law if like most of them they are so pedantic . 10mph over the speed limit etc etc.

           I think most politicians now are career minded . They never have the balls to talk for themselves.

           how many times do they get asked “ what do you think “ and they are to scared because they tow the party line and don’t want to fuck up their future prospects .   In Walthamstow the people voted not to bomb Syria  it was something like 99%  Their MP overruled it and voted in parliament to support the bombing . If your vote counted you wouldn’t be allowed to vote 

           Here’s the solution  why isn’t this in every fucking vehicle,,,because of the ker ching.

           https://www.livescience.com/3145-device-prevents-driving-cell-phone.html

     • StuInNorway wrote:

       Why can’t we have a similar mobile phone ban in the UK? My preference would be for an instant driving license ban (a couple of weeks or a month) and immediate confiscation of the phone as well. Combine that with random enforcement checks (e.g. plain clothes police on bikes filtering past traffic jams) and drivers would soon get the message and would stop. It’s only because drivers can get away with it that they do it.

       — StuInNorway

       Don’t need bikes, a copper sitting somewhere slightly raised with a birdspotter scope, looking at oncoming traffic, radio to marked patrol to pull in drivers for mobile use, seatbelt, etc etc. Works great here in Norway, and they often stand in the same place, so you’d think people would be especially careful at their 5 fave places, but nope, every time they are there they stop loads of people. Equivalent to a £170 fine + 2 points (8 loses licence here for 6 months) 

       Couple of months back they caught so many they actually couldn’t stop all of them, they hadn’t space in the layby to pull in more. So they came back the same time the next day, and gaught even more. 3 of the drivers pulled in on day 2 had been pulled the day before, and both of them suddenly had enough points to become instant pedestrians. (If they have no other driver in the car the ban is delayed a few hours to allow them to get home, so if you live 2km away,  and get stopped at 9am, the ban would be from 10am)

       — hawkinspeter

       Fair enough. I just love the idea of more police going out on bikes to give them a non-windscreen perspective and possibly improve their health as well. The big advantage of bikes is that you can capture all the stationary drivers that start using their phone whilst in jams.

       I don’t agree with the delayed ban, though it is nice and considerate for the drivers. Immediate ban and the driver can phone a friend or start walking. If you can’t travel alone, don’t use your phone (sorry, not sorry for the rubbish slogan).

       Log In or Register to post comments

       • hawkinspeter wrote:

         Why can’t we have a similar mobile phone ban in the UK? My preference would be for an instant driving license ban (a couple of weeks or a month) and immediate confiscation of the phone as well. Combine that with random enforcement checks (e.g. plain clothes police on bikes filtering past traffic jams) and drivers would soon get the message and would stop. It’s only because drivers can get away with it that they do it.

         — hawkinspeter

         Don’t need bikes, a copper sitting somewhere slightly raised with a birdspotter scope, looking at oncoming traffic, radio to marked patrol to pull in drivers for mobile use, seatbelt, etc etc. Works great here in Norway, and they often stand in the same place, so you’d think people would be especially careful at their 5 fave places, but nope, every time they are there they stop loads of people. Equivalent to a £170 fine + 2 points (8 loses licence here for 6 months) 

         Couple of months back they caught so many they actually couldn’t stop all of them, they hadn’t space in the layby to pull in more. So they came back the same time the next day, and gaught even more. 3 of the drivers pulled in on day 2 had been pulled the day before, and both of them suddenly had enough points to become instant pedestrians. (If they have no other driver in the car the ban is delayed a few hours to allow them to get home, so if you live 2km away,  and get stopped at 9am, the ban would be from 10am)

         — StuInNorway

         Fair enough. I just love the idea of more police going out on bikes to give them a non-windscreen perspective and possibly improve their health as well. The big advantage of bikes is that you can capture all the stationary drivers that start using their phone whilst in jams.

         I don’t agree with the delayed ban, though it is nice and considerate for the drivers. Immediate ban and the driver can phone a friend or start walking. If you can’t travel alone, don’t use your phone (sorry, not sorry for the rubbish slogan).

         — hawkinspeter

         But note that the Norwegian delayed ban is still far sooner and more definite than the British “automatic” ban which depends on the decision of a judge at a court case some time in the future. The ability of the police to ban you from driving literally and instantaneously on the spot with no argument already shows a huge difference in attitude to law enforcement. (Same of course in non-traffic law: a fine for eg littering can be given on the spot but you get 21 days to pay, etc.)

         Log In or Register to post comments

     • StuInNorway wrote:

       Don’t need bikes, a copper sitting somewhere slightly raised with a birdspotter scope, looking at oncoming traffic, radio to marked patrol to pull in drivers for mobile use, seatbelt, etc etc. Works great here in Norway, and they often stand in the same place, so you’d think people would be especially careful at their 5 fave places, but nope, every time they are there they stop loads of people. Equivalent to a £170 fine + 2 points (8 loses licence here for 6 months) 

       Couple of months back they caught so many they actually couldn’t stop all of them, they hadn’t space in the layby to pull in more. So they came back the same time the next day, and gaught even more. 3 of the drivers pulled in on day 2 had been pulled the day before, and both of them suddenly had enough points to become instant pedestrians. (If they have no other driver in the car the ban is delayed a few hours to allow them to get home, so if you live 2km away,  and get stopped at 9am, the ban would be from 10am)

       — StuInNorway

       A fairly regular feature in my local paper. A couple of journalists / photographers appear to be able to do a competent job:

        https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/17768435.drivers-file-nails-eat-breakfast-a338-wessex-way/

        

       Log In or Register to post comments

   • hawkinspeter wrote:

     Why can’t we have a similar mobile phone ban in the UK? My preference would be for an instant driving license ban (a couple of weeks or a month) and immediate confiscation of the phone as well. Combine that with random enforcement checks (e.g. plain clothes police on bikes filtering past traffic jams) and drivers would soon get the message and would stop. It’s only because drivers can get away with it that they do it.

     — hawkinspeter

     somebody tried to confiscate my phone today. Mounted the pavement on a scooter and went for me at quite a speed. I don’t think he was a cop either. Miserable little scrote .

     Log In or Register to post comments

4. Want to catch motorists on

   Want to catch motorists on their phones… simple… walk down a street and look in the cars as they passs by, you don’t need anything else, walking my dog in the morning to and from the local woods I go along a fairly busy road, I would say 30% of the drivers are on their phones.

   Current policy simply isn’t working, a ban is the only way forward

   Log In or Register to post comments

5. The problem I’ve encountered

   The problem I’ve encountered is the wording of the law which states the phone must be ‘in use’.  I’ve filmed a number of drivers with their phones in their hands clearly having a conversation and one recently who was filming his drive past Windsor Castle.  However when I reported all these to the police and provided the footage, the response I get back is that they won’t prosecute becuase that can’t prove that the phone was ‘in use’ rather than just being ‘held in the hand’ which isn’t an offence apparently.  If the law was changed so just holding the phone was an offence then it would be much easier to prosecute.

   Log In or Register to post comments

   • schlepcycling wrote:

     The problem I’ve encountered is the wording of the law which states the phone must be ‘in use’.  I’ve filmed a number of drivers with their phones in their hands clearly having a conversation and one recently who was filming his drive past Windsor Castle.  However when I reported all these to the police and provided the footage, the response I get back is that they won’t prosecute becuase that can’t prove that the phone was ‘in use’ rather than just being ‘held in the hand’ which isn’t an offence apparently.  If the law was changed so just holding the phone was an offence then it would be much easier to prosecute.

     — schlepcycling

     But unless the scribes writing it on the bit of vellum that got royal assent transcribed it wrong,which has happened once before I believe, the law should state its illegal even to just hold a mobile phone whilst driving,no qualifier that it needs to be in use,the only exception I believe was to make 999 calls if it was unsafe to stop, everything else even whilst stopped should be covered. Now whether the police feel it’s a law worth their time pursuing the full extent of the law for cases unless it’s a clear danger to other road users is another matter

     Log In or Register to post comments

6. Any seen the Russian ‘Stop a
   Any seen the Russian ‘Stop a douche bag’ channel on YouTube? They do stuff like stopping drivers going down pavements to avoid queues. If they dont back up they get a large, hard to remove sticker over their windscreen. Should do that.

   Alternatively police should just patrol on motorbikes, filtering and looking through windows. Then smash the window and give them a thorough beating.

   Log In or Register to post comments

7. The police force don’t have

   The police force don’t have the resourcefulness . The austerity that is going on in this country has seen to that . Cuts cuts cuts.   Anyway the  street police are mostly power tripping lunatics. They are just the government’s gang “ they are legal” . Look at the recent facial recognition van in London fining a man £90 . They  “the  government gang the police “ are just revenue assets . All we get is fake terror BS and busting kids for carrying some dope and turning up after the stabbings that have been numerous in London .

   Some lorry driver smashed in to my jeep parked outside my house. 

   I called the fucking police , this little shit in a uniform turned up and started giving me shit because I have long hair and tattoos. I told him to go fuck himself and do his job . I told him he was nothing without that uniform and I’m watching everything  he’s doing . He didn’t know what to do ,his partner intervened ,who happened to be a very decent chap and admitted that his partner lacks social skills I.e he doesn’t know how to talk to people . Remember I just called the police after a lorry smashes in to my jeep parked outside my house and instead of speaking to the lorry driver sitting in the cab he starts trying to pick on me , wtf , lucky I was not  black or a Muslim .

   Seriously how did he even get that job . That’s what we have ,brainwashed morons in positions of authority. 

   There is a device that can actually stop phones from working in a car etc . Why dont  they just install them in every car . The cost would pay for it self when you look at the accidents and  the deaths from this stupid  act . Get off the phones anyway. I challenge any poster to go a week without your phone . Your all turning into a bunch of fucking robots , we already are seeing people chipped ,wake the fuck up . Use your land line. . You really don’t need it .  

    

   Log In or Register to post comments

   • Xena wrote:

      

     Some lorry driver smashed in to my jeep parked outside my house. 

     I called the fucking police , this little shit in a uniform turned up and started giving me shit because I have long hair and tattoos. I told him to go fuck himself and do his job . I told him he was nothing without that uniform and I’m watching everything  he’s doing . 

      

      

     Seriously how did he even get that job . That’s what we have ,brainwashed morons in positions of authority. 

      

     Your all turning into a bunch of fucking robots , we already are seeing people chipped ,wake the fuck up . Use your land line. . You really don’t need it .  

      

     — Xena

      

     You’re a delight, i wonder why the Policeman treated you with contempt!

     Log In or Register to post comments

8. The delayed ban in Norway
   The delayed ban in Norway makes sense, else once you run out of room in the layby you must stop the operation. Else confiscate and tow the car, which is operationally and legally difficult.

   Log In or Register to post comments