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Tea Stop

Distracted driving (BBC link)

by brooksby
Thu, Aug 15, 2019 11:30
3

Seems relevent to the debate over handsfree/handheld phones, and use of the same:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-49351860/eyewitness-dash-cam-captures-moment-of-texting-while-driving-crash

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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3 comments

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ktache | 5 years ago
2 likes

I know all of this OldRidgeback, but you know, driving, war on motorists and all that.

Somehow a few kids on bikes being kids is worse.

And "cycle" cafe owners.

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ktache | 5 years ago
2 likes

I'm hoping that when the government updates the law on distracted driving to include filming and other such on a handheld, that they stick a no handsfree clause in there too.  Pretty much unenforceable, but could be used in the event of a crash.  I believe the French have done something like this.

Coherent message sending.

I'd like to see more seizure of phones if drivers are actually caught on them.  Drunk drivers are not allowed to continue driving when drunk.  Forensic examination and all that.  Taking away that precious phone would hit the addicts pretty hard.  And keep the rest of us safe for at least the rest of their journeys.

Instant bans for drivers over the limit too, a bit like holding people on remand.

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OldRidgeback replied to ktache | 5 years ago
1 like

ktache wrote:

I'm hoping that when the government updates the law on distracted driving to include filming and other such on a handheld, that they stick a no handsfree clause in there too.  Pretty much unenforceable, but could be used in the event of a crash.  I believe the French have done something like this.

Coherent message sending.

I'd like to see more seizure of phones if drivers are actually caught on them.  Drunk drivers are not allowed to continue driving when drunk.  Forensic examination and all that.  Taking away that precious phone would hit the addicts pretty hard.  And keep the rest of us safe for at least the rest of their journeys.

Instant bans for drivers over the limit too, a bit like holding people on remand.

 

Some of the new generation speed cameras look inside the vehicle and will also detect whether a person is on the phone. Bear in mind too that every bit of footage from your helmet cam (or dashcam) you upload to the cops, can help catch offenders too. 

Being on the phone to make a call while driving (where using a hands-free kit or not) increases your risk of crashing by a factor of 4, about the same as for being over the limit for alcohol. Using a phone for texting or using the Internet while driving increases your risk of crashing by a factor of 23. These numbers come from extensive research by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

So if being over the limit for alcohol results in a 12 month driving ban, then the same should apply for being on the phone while driving. But my feeling is that the TRL numbers should be taken into account with regard to using a phone for texting or websurfing while driving, which is nearly six times more dangerous! With this in mind, a minimum 24 month ban would not be inappropriate at all (at the very least).

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