Do you think that the penalty for using your mobile phone whilst driving is not severe enough?

Question

As a high mileage driver, it frustrates me to see so many people using phones on the motorway. I think it is only a £60 fine and no points, this is no deterrent at all. I have a little sympathy for people driving old cars as they may not have the funds for a hands free kit, but 90% of the people i see are usually driving expensive cars. (Mercs and BMW's being the worst culprits). If you can afford a BMW, the surely you can afford one of those little bluetooth ear-prawn thingys? Might it be a good idea to make the level of the fine proportional to the value of the car? How much do you think it should cost? I dont really care that these ignorant idiots are a danger to themselves (if they kill themselves in an RTA, then there are less people causing traffic jams), but i do care that they are a danger to me and other considerate road users

thanks for comments so far. Joey K, you are an idiot, go boil your head. The topic of conversation on the phone is not important, its the distraction from the road and whats happening around you that causes the danger.
Ive seen on countless examples of business types straddling/weaving across lanes whilst trying to look at whatever information they have on the passenger seat.
Yes i agree that we have to change gears (i actually have a car myself, i have some experience of this), but if we hold the phone in one hand and change gear with the other, it would take a bit of a clever dick to steer the car at the same time. Do you see what i mean?

Answer 1

it annoys me too..i agree with you!

Answer 2

The problem with any of the Driving Laws whether it is using a Phone, Driving under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol, or having an unroadworthy car, All the Major causes of RTA's are enforcement. Unless the Police see something or there is an accident How can they do anything.
When they do catch some-one the courts then give such pitiful inadequate sentences.The fines are TOO LOW!
But before YOU shout TOO loud THINK how often have you heard people complain about being stopped for something like lights or bald tyres with the 'They should be chasing REAL criminals not harrassing us'
To those I say because you've been lucky so far doesn't mean it cant happen. When it does it may COST A LIFE!

If you can Afford the car and the Phone you CAN afford a hands-free kit ! There are NO EXCUSES!!

Answer 3

The penalty is no where near harsh enough.It was brought in to help reduce the number of accidents on our roads,but it seems to have increased it even more.
I drive myself,and if my phone does ring,i refuse to answer it,`cause i won't buy a bluetooth headset,as i think these are just as bad.
It's not only drivers of the big expensive cars,but everyone in general.They must think the law doesn't apply to them,that's why they flout it.
I don't think any penalty is high enough,if a persons life is taken through someone using a phone,but i think the parents/relatives of a dead person,should be allowed a free-for-all the person/s accused.
Also the police should enforce the phone law more,by increasing the fine each time a person is caught using it.A data-base should be set up,so if the culprit keeps on getting caught,his fines go up,and they should have points put on their licences,and if they still flout the law,then they should be banned.
Trouble is,it doesn't matter anyone does,it's always the innocent it effects.

Answer 4

I wonder if for some people they get a sense of achievement to be able to drive and use their mobile at the same time, or that it is high risk takers who basically lack consideration and are not mindful of the consequences of their actions who will do this. I don't think that increasing the penalty in terms of cash would be a deterrent - bigger fines do not necessarily change attitude and may be the the grown up version of ASBOs and carry some street cred. The penalty should be public humiliation and shaming.

Answer 5

Being a professional driver I see this all the time on the road. NO! I don't think the punishment is severe enough. Drivers using cell phones and pretending that they are driving are one of the biggest hazards on the road! Hands free doesn't matter. It still takes your attention away from your vehicle and your surroundings. Picture this.. Your in a semi pulling 46,000 pounds of freight, in the right hand lane where you should be. Here comes a car in the left lane. In the mirror you can see he has that familiar growth on his ear called a cell phone. He passes then immediately swerves in front of you and nails the brakes. One possibly fatal accident coming up. 46,000 pounds doesn't want to stop very easily.

By the way joey k.. driving is my business

Answer 6

no I don't agree we have enough penalties on the road what with speed cameras . parking fines cameras everywhere tracking your every move car tax ... tolls ..the price of fuel ...yes I do agree that people should not be using mobile phones whilst driving but think hands free is OK ....the penalties are there already folks its up to the powers that be to enforce them ... and people who are not good drivers shouldn't be on the road especially after the age of 70 sorry guys but there are more hidden dangers on the roads and that goes for lorry drivers and taxi drivers

Answer 7

Not only talking on the phone, but text messaging, too. My own daughter and I went round and round about her texting while she drives. Her dad finally told her if he finds out about it again, she will lose the car and phone. As far as we know, she no longer does it.

Making the fine proportional to the value of the car is fine...until it's no longer proportional because someone was killed due to talking or texting. Then proportional is forgotten. There are states here already passing laws against talking on the phone unless you have a hands free system. Me personally, I have Nextel voice activated phone, so I can push one button while BOTH hands are on the steering wheel.

Answer 8

no the penalty is not high enough. I was thinking i could make a living from photograping people at the wheel on the phone and have half the fine, £30 for the government and £30 for me. Surely it would be irrefuteable evidence. I would be a millionaire by a week. Especially from plumbers in vans.

And you can guarantee that if people knew there was a stronger likelyhood of being caught, they wouldn't do it. At the moment, not many people care.

Answer 9

if your driving skills was all that it won't matter what other road users are doin around u cos u can easily avoid them but no all u are focus on is who is using what phone driving what flashy car when what your suppose to be doing is keepin them bleeding eyes of yours on the road!!! i think the biggest dangers on the roads are not those using their mobiles but idiots like u who cares so much as to what they're doing u not even bothered bout the traffic up ahead lol oh n a tip for u as well since im so nice :) go n pick up some steering wheel cover so in the event u don't want to drive with your hands u can drive with your thighs (thats presuming u ain't a miget!)

Answer 10

I think something should be designed into cars that inteferes with the phone digital signal and stopping them using the phone. maybe it could be imitted from the steering wheel around 2 feet then it wouldnt effect other padestrians. Or maybe the phone could implode. that would stop them. After all we have been using electric fences on animals for years maybe its time to transfere this to silly human drivers

Answer 11

I don't think it is any more dangerous to talk on the cell phone while driving than to smoke, eat, drink or talk to passengers. I always drive with only one hand, unless it's really windy or wet, and talking on the phone takes less concentration than smoking a cigarette and looking at the ashtray all the time to make sure the ashes make it in there. I mean, people can walk and chew gum at the same time, right? Now I myself would never text while I am driving. I have heard of people doing that, but I think THAT is really dangerous.