Mobile phones while driving?

Question

Now that driving whilst using a mobile phone is illegal in the UK, Do you think that smoking, eating, and drinking whilst driving should be aswell? Suerly eating a sandwich, or taking a drink from a can of coke is just as distracting as using a mobile?

Answer 1

Any activity that distracts the driver from paying attention to the road and surrounding environment, has to be regarded as dangerous. What infuriates me the most, is drivers disregard to safety laws, there to protect us all, by continually using mobile phones whilst driving, knowing full well that it's illegal to.
I've lost count at the number of offenders I've witness lately, and yet, if their loved ones were killed as a result of the other driver losing control and/or not paying attention, they would want that individual hung-drawn and quartered.

Answer 2

I couldn't agree more, I've nearly been run over whilst crossing a road by someone who was having an animated mobile conversation and clearly not watching the road.

Likewise as you say, eating and drinking from a can is also just as distracting as using a phone.

In my view, and this won't be popular with the Top Gear / Jeremy Clarkson loving set, is that all distractions should be banned when driving except for talking to your fellow passengers.

Answer 3

Anything that takes your full attention away from the road is a no-no. I don't think that this should be mandatory as I feel freedom is a massive bonus in our society, but I do feel that the responsibility of driving should be reinforced by the government through advertising and education.

Ultimately, when you get behind the wheel you should always be aware that you are driving something that can take a life and in this day and age I believe we do not take this seriously enough.

I do think bull bars on 4x4 should be made illegal though. They cause more damage in accidents and can cause death, whereas a normal car would have just left injuries.

Answer 4

Illegal to use mobile phones whilst your driving? Try telling that to the hundreds of negligent morons I've witnessed since the nationwide ban came into force. White Van Man still think "he's" above the law, as do taxi drivers, these people drive for a living, they of all people should no better.
The problem is, how do you police the offenders? when at the end of the day, there's to many offenders and not enough police to enforce the law.

Answer 5

No, other things are not as dangerous, because people can choose the time when they light up, eat, or drink, and will look for a situation where they can do this without danger.
Nobody can predict when their mobile is going to ring, and a call takes usually a longer time than taking a bite out of a sandwich.

Answer 6

They already are illegal so I'm not sure where the question comes from.

Do you not hear the news, folks have been fined for eating sausage rolls/ mars bars. Drinking water from bottles.

Its put under the umbrella of driving without due care

Answer 7

Yes those things can be distracting but not as much as talking on the phone. The show Myth Busters did a test that proved that talking on a cell phone is as impairing as driving drunk. It should be illegal everywhere.

Answer 8

YES, I agree, research shows that you are 80 times more likely to be involved in an accident when you've only got one hand on the steering wheel because you are eating, drinking, smoking, changing the CD, reading a map, etc.

Answer 9

they should also be illegal here too as most peole can not talk and drive ( on a cell phone) at the same time so if you must talk pull over or get a speaker so your hands are freee they area distraction to driving safly

Answer 10

I agree whole heartedly with you veiws. I think it should be extended to include sex whilst driving too. There is far to much of it going on and i can distract other drivers which may lead to accidents.