driving instructor and phone

Jamie_Carter

fart wrote: »

And here's another person on this site without basic comprehension skills.

You said the law states you can't use a phone because it's dangerous, and that it's dangerous because you're not giving it your full attention.

The law also states that you can do it whilst using a hands free.

Does this conversation somehow take up less of your concentration because you're not using an arm to hold a phone to your ear?

If you don't get what i'm saying then i won't bother responding any further.

Again you are being very selective about what you are reading/responding to.

You have a very familiar style of posting. I'm wondering if you are somebody who many on the forum know under a previous name.

Wh05apk

!!!!!!, the instructor was breaking the law, whether you consider using a mobile a major offence or not, it is an offence.

End of.

steve-L

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

In the real world the instructor can't concentrate fully, just the same as if they were driving the car. The instructor is in charge of the vehicle, and must be fully concentrating at all times, so that they can take avoiding action in an emergency. This could include using the dual controls, and/or grabbing the steering wheel.

Hmmm perhaps we need 2 instructors per learner.
The one actually doing the instruction can't be concentrating so they need to sit in the back whilst someone else sits in the front with the dual controls?

steve-L

Wh05apk wrote: »

!!!!!!, the instructor was breaking the law, whether you consider using a mobile a major offence or not, it is an offence.

End of.

So is sitting in your car not actually in reverse without a seat belt.
ALWAYS ALWAYS put the car in REVERSE before you sit down or unless its an emergency vehicle your breaking the law.

Joe_Horner

Aretnap wrote: »

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/2695/made

So incidentally 'tis not illegal to use a hands free phone while supervising a learner. Which is a little ridiculous as it's not the holding of the phone which creates the danger, but the distraction caused by having to concentrate on having a conversation with someone who isn't there. But that's just as true of using a phone while driving as it is of using a phone while supervising someone, and the law can be a funny thing sometimes.

Slightly better (ie: safer) for the instructor to be using one than a driver, because the instructor doesn't need to be jugging the phone under is chin while steering one handed and holding his coffee / cigarette / tuning the radio with the other.

Hi brain also doesn't need to process quite so much information as the driver because he doesn't need to be making the actual control movements, so more processing power is free to deal with the distraction.

That said, it is illegal and I don't think anyone on here has denied that. Whether the OP is happy that their instructor was happy to break a law on their first lesson is a matter for them to decide.

My personal feeling is that if everything else was ok then it's probably not enough of a sin to send him to hell for eternity and I'd be happy to have an instructor who felt confident enough in my new skills to do this.

Jamie_Carter

steve-L wrote: »

Hmmm perhaps we need 2 instructors per learner.
The one actually doing the instruction can't be concentrating so they need to sit in the back whilst someone else sits in the front with the dual controls?

When I had lessons 25 years ago :eek:, my GF at the time actually came along. She sat in the back next to his car stereo size mobile phone, and answered it for him.

alastairq

The instructor should set a good example.

That is part of an instructor's professionalism.

An instructor, in exercising control over what the student does, has to be light-years ahead of the student with regards to so-called hazard perception....to recognise a problem developing, to observe the driver and their response [if any] and to take the necessary action in time.
The driver has to be closely observed, identifying fundamental driving issues that will need rectifying.

Yet the driver also needs to be given 'time' to sort issues for themselves...the good instructor does not intervene too early.

This requires a high degree of concentration.

Small wonder the Law recognises that fact, with regards to mobile phone usage.

The instructor has a responsibility to set the highest of examples to those being taught to drive.

If that is not the case, then the instructor needs to be reminded. of those responsibilities.

[Deleted User]

When I was learning to drive my instructor used a bluetooth headset. But then taking her eyes off the road to check her dairy so it was matless.

londonTiger

the whole dont talk while you're on the phone thing is really silly. We're allowed to talk and drive (with hands free) a few years ago we were actually allowed to have the handset in our hands while we're driving!!

IMO a driving instructor is skilled enough to multi task and talk on the phone while ensuring the student is safe. Obviously it depends on the level of proficiency of the student. I rememebr during the latter perioud during my driving lessons just before I was ready to take the exams the examiner would take sales calls.

I personally didn't care, instructor knew I was competent enough and the road was safe enough. A lot of driving insutrors are independants and they get students calling them to arrange lessons - they also get first timer lessons too. It's important for them to be able to take the call.

Jamie_Carter

londonTiger wrote: »

the whole dont talk while you're on the phone thing is really silly. We're allowed to talk and drive (with hands free) a few years ago we were actually allowed to have the handset in our hands while we're driving!!

IMO a driving instructor is skilled enough to multi task and talk on the phone while ensuring the student is safe. Obviously it depends on the level of proficiency of the student. I rememebr during the latter perioud during my driving lessons just before I was ready to take the exams the examiner would take sales calls.

I personally didn't care, instructor knew I was competent enough and the road was safe enough. A lot of driving insutrors are independants and they get students calling them to arrange lessons - they also get first timer lessons too. It's important for them to be able to take the call.

When was that then?