Still like texting when driving? maybe this will put you off

Richard53

As I understand it, the research says that it is the distraction of a conversation with someone in another location that is the problem, not the actual holding of the handset. We can hold a conversation with someone in the car quite happily, I reckon because they can see what we can see, and if there is a hazard requiring full attention of the driver, the passenger is aware and shuts up. Talking to a mate who is in the pub, or having an argument with a spouse at home, is totally different. This applies equally to using a handset and hands-free, and I would welcome it if both were illegal and penalised heavily.


Only one way to use a phone in a car - pull off the road, engine off, keys on the dash. That way, there is no question about legality.

Iceweasel

Time to throw a spanner in the works, so to speak.

Using two-way radios, walkie-talkies, and CB radios is not illegal - I wonder why?

Richard53

I thought someone might bring this up


I've used CB quite a bit when I used to do a lot of off-roading, travelling in convoy etc. I found it easy to do and not distracting at all. I'm not a psychologist, so I can't say why for sure, but I think it is because the transmission is simplex, i.e. only one person can talk at a time. You say what you have to say, then click off and wait for a reply. If the other speaker is in the middle of a 6-lane roundabout and doesn't come back to you straight away, no worries. There are no interruptions and talking over each other like you get with a phone conversation, and it's mentally much easier to deal with.


Another thing is that conversations by 2-way radio are usually of a very practical nature (where are you, what are you doing, etc) rather than emotionally-loaded interactions with a loved one. There is an expectation that you will say what you have to say and then shut up - the exact opposite of a conversation with a spouse at home who wants to know who you have met, was she pretty, and by the way why didn't you let the dog out this morning, and can you pick up some milk?


Statistically (as far as I am aware), there isn't a major problem with police, truckers, ambulance drivers and the like crashing because they were on the radio, whereas there is a big problem with mobile phones.

patman99

Actually, using 2-way radios with hand-operated mics was outlawed back in the late 1980's.
Speaking as a former CBer, I know of at least 2 people who got points for using a hand operated mic whilst driving & this was back in 1989.

I, myself, use a bluetooth earpiece as it solves the issue of not only allowing me to answer my phone when driving, but also to answer a call when out and about without having to get the phone out, which reduces the theft risk.

topdaddy_2

londonTiger wrote: »

maybe if you focused on the road and not look at what other drivers are doing inside their cabin the roads will be a lot safer

I suspect you might not be observant. You drive on the same roads as me and I see far too many phone using drivers

Iceweasel wrote: »

Time to throw a spanner in the works, so to speak.

Using two-way radios, walkie-talkies, and CB radios is not illegal - I wonder why?

Cos the copper nicking you wouldnt be able to tell anyone they were nicking you:rotfl:

sh0597

Well that was miserable. Still trying to work out why the Mondeo took no avoiding action and the fiesta drove into them after they were stationary.

Richard53

patman99 wrote: »

Actually, using 2-way radios with hand-operated mics was outlawed back in the late 1980's.
Speaking as a former CBer, I know of at least 2 people who got points for using a hand operated mic whilst driving & this was back in 1989.

Really? I was using CB in the mid-90s and no-one ever mentioned it was illegal, including equipment suppliers and large groups of users that I came into contact with.


I don't doubt you, but I am very surprised.


Edit: hang on ...

It is an offence to use a hand held mobile phone or an "interactive communications device", but there is an exemption for a two way radio which is designed or adapted -

(i) for the purpose of transmitting and receiving spoken messages; and
(ii) operates on any frequency other than 880 MHz to 915 MHz, 925 MHz to 960 MHz, 1710 MHz to 1785 MHz, 1805 MHz to 1880 MHz, 1900 MHz to 1980 MHz or 2110 MHz to 2170 MHz.

Ofcom states that you should be transmitting CB in the 27MHz range, if you are, you come within the exception and are OK. The exception was created because so many government and private organisations (e.g. taxis) use 2 way radios.

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q659.htm

arcon5

Iceweasel wrote: »

Time to throw a spanner in the works, so to speak.

Using two-way radios, walkie-talkies, and CB radios is not illegal - I wonder why?

patman99 wrote: »

Actually, using 2-way radios with hand-operated mics was outlawed back in the late 1980's.
Speaking as a former CBer, I know of at least 2 people who got points for using a hand operated mic whilst driving & this was back in 1989.

I, myself, use a bluetooth earpiece as it solves the issue of not only allowing me to answer my phone when driving, but also to answer a call when out and about without having to get the phone out, which reduces the theft risk.

Taxi drivers use these devices all the time - with data units and i've never ever known them to be done. In fact i've done a couple of stints as a minicab driver and i'm sure i've played with mine whilst moving and never been pulled over if police cars are nearby....... lucky or legal??

Also - many modern taxi operator systems now use smartphones, you load an op etc etc etc... I thought it was legal to touch a phone where it's being used for such purposes and not being held..... right or wrong?

arcon5

Gavin83 wrote: »

What is actually dangerous about talking on your phone while driving, the fact you have to use a hand to hold the phone?

I guess it's a combination of only having the use of one hand and the fact your concentration is diverted away from the road during the conversation.

With the latter the same could be said about smoking a cigarette behind the wheel and compared to holding a phone on loud speaker. Or even compared to listening to and changing the radio station over. Or even eating a sandwich whilst driving.

But I guess they can't outlaw everything huh

Avoriaz

I had this experience on a ski trip some years ago.

One trip back from Morzine to Geneva airport involved a very late and rushed journey in a packed Land Rover desperately trying to make a plane departure. The whole area was in chaos due to very bad weather and the roads were very icy.


The Land Rover was overcrowded and I was squeezed in the front between driver and passenger seat with no seat belt. There were five or six in the rear with luggage piled all around, some of which came flying forward everytime the driver braked hard.


The most frightening bit was after we had cleared the worst of the narrow and steep icy roads. We were on a fast single carriageway section doing maybe 60 mph and the driver was on the phone to the airport checking on the plane departure time as they are often delayed too. He had one hand on the wheel and one on the phone when he saw a pal of his driving the opposite way. He took his hand off the wheel to beep and wave at the other driver.


So, there we were doing 60 on an icy and bendy road with nobody actually holding the steering wheel. The vehicle swerved sideways and clipped the metal barrier to the side of the road before the idiot driver regained control.


Words were exchanged and we did complain afterwards to the holiday organiser.


But we made the plane with minutes to spare.