Little survey - what's worse?

TediousPhoenix

I too cannot vote.

I can only say that I used to cycle 7 miles per day and, give or take a few days, I would have a 'near miss' with a car where 90% of the time the driver was using a mobile every day.

Even with the ban drivers totally ignore it. The problem is that they think they are safe. But they don't even realise that you have had to slam on your brakes/ swerved/ slowed down etc..

I truly believe the penalty for driving whilst using a mobile should be greatly increased because people seem to think their call is more important than the lives of others.



...But speeding is still deadly.



There should also be a massive penalty for drivers with no insurance. I am 22 and cannot afford to learn to drive/ afford the running costs of driving so I don't. Others who can't should just not drive.

People should realise that driving is a privilege; it's not a right but comes with responsibilities.

TheWaltons_3

I voted for the 40mph speeding in a 30mph zone because of the damage that speed could do to a child.

However, after some thought, I should have checked driving with the mobile, as at least if you were driving 40 your eyes would be on the road.

Good thread. It's made me think. Imagine being on your mobile on an irrelevant call, and running a child over? How could anyone forgive themselves?

rachnbri

OK flame me now - I often drive a couple of miles an hour over the speed limit. NEVER around the school or in a highly pedestrianised area. I do this where I feel safe and have total control of my car. I NEVER NEVER NEVER use my mobile while I'm driving because I know this will take my attention from the road. I also drive at a low speed when the kids are arguing in the back, when I've been at work for 12 hours and I'm knackered, when the weather is bad, when there are lots of mums with little kids around etc. Basically I use my judgement and consequently I've never had so much as a near miss. I think on some occasions it's not safe to drive as fast as the speed limit allows - at other times it's totally safe to go a lot faster than it allows.

Eels100

The thing is, as far as speed goes I think exceeding the limit in a 30 zone is completely not on. I'll happily sneak quite a few extra mph when out and about, but never, ever in a 30. It's 30 for a reason - the space in 30 zones is shared with pedestrians, cyclists, children playing with balls, dogs, and idiots driving too fast. For that reason it's the maximum speed I'll travel.

As far as driving at 25mph on a mobile in a 30 zone, that's as bad. If a driver is having to slow down to maintain concentration due to a distraction such as a mobile then they evidently aren't paying adequate attention to the road. However, as has been pointed out already, the consequences should they injure someone are likely to be less severe.

I think if it was my child who was hit and killed I wouldn't much care which driver did it - they'd be as guilty as one another.

DKLS

Being on the phone is much worse, you are not in full control of a car when on the phone, On occasion I have been known to creep over the speed limits, obviously never speed past a school at over 30, but passing same school at 2 in the morning, mmm I wont be doing 30.

As a seperate point, do schools still have the equivalent of the Tufty club, and teach road safety? Becaue pedestrian awareness seems very poor these days and not just children, try driving through Headingly or past the Uni in leeds, it can be a nightmare, students are like lemmings, one cross's the road and they all follow, with very little road awareness, and even worse awareness of what stopping distances are.

jackieb

I think both are wrong, but i'd say that the speeding was marginally less worse than being on the phone. You can't be on the phone and concentrate at the same time.

devils_advocate

It all depends on circumstances. Driving at 40 mph in a 30 limit on a wide road past a deserted industrial estate at 4.00am and using a mobile is probably not as dangerous as driving at 25 mph in a 30 limit past a primary school in heavy rain at going home time.