Mobile Phones and Cars

[headlamp]

From Monday (1st December) it will be illegal for motorists to use a mobile phone while driving a car. They will be able to use hands free phones, but anyone putting one to their ear, or 'texting' will be liable to a £30 fine if caught.

I have had campaigned for this law for ages, since I saw a biker wiped out by a car where the driver was on his mobile phone and was not concentrating. He eventually got done for driving w/out undue care and attention, whereas I perceived it as careless driving at worse!

Anyway, we all know that most drivers are going to ignore this law and that the situation will remain as bad for us bikers as before. I am tired of observing drivers of cars drift all over a lane whilst they're on the phone or texting someone. I am of the opinion that a lot of drivers think it's safe to use their phone in traffic jams - not aware that they are 'weaving', making filtering a nightmare as well as potentially lethal.

What I am going to do from Monday is that everytime I see a motorist on the phone, I am going to hit the horn. That way his conversation will be interrupted and hopefully he will get the message that what he is doing is not just illegal but dangerous to us motorcyclists. I hope others will do the same!

[Ste]

It's about time. I already pull my clutch in and rev my bike by them until they put the phone down

[Kickstart]

Hi

Personally I think the law was fine as it was before, if they had bothered to enforce it. The example you mention of people weaving in slow moving traffic could have resulted in a prosecution.

I suspect all that will happen is people who are safe but obvious will get done (for example someone pulling over to answer the phone without turning off the engine).

It is just another absolute law that can be cheaply enforced against people who are not doing anything dangerous. Prosecting 1000 people just to cheaply get one who was dangerous is a bit of a sledge hammer to crack a nut.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Bendy]

Pull up next to the window and make a lot of noise.

Or maybe pull up and make a point of photographing them

[Sparks!]

Punch their windows / kick wing mirrors off

They should get the idea then
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Kickstart]

[Sparks!]

True

I wouldn't personally do that anyway, I was only joking..

I tried to kick a wanker in an Alfa Romeo once as I turned right into a road and the twat was driving up the wrong side... I slid (sideways!!) across that lane out of his way, my right hand slipped and jammed throttle open for a split second, but somehow I had my hand on the clutch and just about stayed upright

Beeped at the twat who gave me a "it was your fault" look... TWAT

Well as I rode off I went to kick the rear wing of his nice Alfa and as I swung my leg out he drove off so I missed and swerved across half the road again
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Robby]

Christ alive boy, people make mistakes driving, you should be looking out for things like that anyway, its all part of the defensive riding.

and kicking cars. Good plan. Kick a metal box that weighs a tonne to try and piss off the person inside, who'll either get pissed off (no doubt at bikers in general) or laugh at you.

[kev]

Its about time too, people driveing while on mobiles has always been a pet hate of mine, I know I have done it myself but it doesn't make it right.

I have often been driveing home from work and got stuck behind somebody driveing slowly drifting about because they are on their mobile.

The only thing which I would like to know about this whole this is how are they going to enforce it and will people actually take any notice of the new law.
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20:02:36 Jammy-R6: any holes a goal
20:02:48 kev: even if its a hairy mans arse
20:02:56 Jammy-R6: hell yes

[Sparks!]

[Kickstart]

[xlfive]

[quote="headlamp"]From Monday (1st December) it will be illegal for motorists to use a mobile phone while driving a car. They will be able to use hands free phones, but anyone putting one to their ear, or 'texting' will be liable to a £30 fine if caught.quote]
i think this new law is just another revenue earner, iwould like to see the pushbike crew be addressed after all they are allowed to use mobiles, roll a fag,weave all over the road ride on footpaths cause absolute mayhem,christ our council has even took our dual carrigeway out to create lanes for them all at our expence

[Danny]

How will these phone cams work, ie how will they be able to detect that someone is on their phone?

I find it interesting that you can get a £30 fine for doing something that endangers other road users and yourself but if you park illegally you get a £50 fine.

[cagiva gezzer]

When i get car drivers on the phone i just make a hell of a lot of noise, sometimes they shit it so bad they drop the phone.

The worst ones i get is people pulling out onto a roundabout in front of me, with a phone in one hand, and not being able to change down to get out of my way because they are trying to steer the car round the roundabout.

Anyway, the police have much more dangerous problems to deal with..........

Like dark visors
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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[Kickstart]

[Danny]

[xlfive]

problem solved

[Ant]

With this law, when will it stop? will they stop car drivers talking to a passenger?
i sometimes talk on my phone whilst driving (sorry) and i drive pretty much the same as when not on the phone, some people i see cant drive and talk, ie slow down to 50mph in the fast lane of the motorway! so i can understand the idea but... surly the law was better before where you got fined/done for driving without due care and attention rather than everyone getting done for talking on their phone and driving ok?

or is this just me trying to justify my phone driving?
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04 ZX10R ~

[Shaun]

[Ant]

i would have drove you into the ditch anyway plus i was miles off!
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04 ZX10R ~

[Sparks!]

Bloke from work is always texting or making calls when driving I've not really said owt to him but I hate driving with him. He also eats/drinks whilst trying to drive.

Annoying
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Shaun]

You were yes but Laura and Mike were on the other side of the car nearly off the road!

[Ant]

i eat whilst driving too!
And shaun the bend might have had someting to do with the movement of people, learn to drive before you make proper judgements and ride whilst your at it
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04 ZX10R ~

[Shaun]

Don't make me come down there!

[Kickstart]