Do you think it should be illegal to use all mobiles when driving, hands free or not?

Question

Why do you think the Government has exceptions made for hands free?

Answer 1

Yes definitely it should be illegal. Anything that adds more distraction s for the driver makes him/her less safe.

Hands-free being allowed as OK is a compromise which recognises that a total ban would probably be unenforceable in practice.

Answer 2

I can't see a time when banning hands-free with become a reality. However speaking to passengers is not the same as talking on a telephone. When the phone rings people subconciously concentrate their attention towards that.. it takes priority, mostly (even in the house). It isn't just a matter of taking info and getting on with the driving, it may be a poor quality line or the person may be speaking in an inaudible manner, you may have difficulty in hearing and then find yourself asking the caller to repeat their utterance. The confusion can get much worse from then on in. You will be lucky if you don't hit anything or cause anyone else any nuisance or concern. WHEREAS: speaking to your passenger, you can, more often than not, put them on hold as it were, and pay attention to the driving situation at hand. You know they will still be there to take up the conversation when you are settled again.

Well it makes perfect sense to me!

__________"___________

PS: Wingless pilot has made a good point.

Answer 3

Hmmm...interesting question. I can't really say why, but sometimes when I think of it (using mobiles when driving), I think of those...certain conversations that hog-up more concetration even though hands-free is involved; I can't help but think that some issues being disussed are the kinds that still require someone to stop the car. For instance, you are driving (you're the emotionally unstable type) and an emergency call comes in that a certain loved one has just been involved in an accident (car, plane, etc) or has even passed on as a result of such. Theres a good chance your concentration could be derailed. There are so many over-the-phone issues that when discussed, can do stuff like fire up your rage, break your heart, etc.

Anyway, I guess some of the above is taken into consideration when Governments bans/makes ban exceptions to the use of mobi-phones (even with hands free). Your guess is as good as mine.

Answer 4

It's irrelevant whether the phones are used hands free or not. It's the being caught that makes the difference. There aren't enough "enforcers" out there on the roads to make it matter. No one can un-invent the mobile phone, and human nature being what it is, for arrogant arseholes who think they know better, they will always do what they want, no matter what the law says.
What about smokers, isn't having a lit cigarette in one hand whilst driving dangerous?
The government don't seem to be too bothered about that, but accidents do happen because of it.
What about drinking from a bottle or plastic cup whilst driving, or emptying the last bits of a crisp packet down the old throat. There are too many things to mention, but it all comes down to one thing. What is reasonable?
Most drivers do take care when on the road, it's the small percentage of idiots who always spoil it for the rest. It doesn't matter what they are doing, if it's done badly, someone is going to get hurt.

Answer 5

I prefer people to take responsibility for their actions rather than flood the world with new laws, but making mobile use illegal, as currently, has cut-down on usage.

As someone who got run-over (over a month in a coma) by a careless driver I would prefer drivers to have less distractions for their attention. Eg. confusing/too many signposts, mobile phone talking etc. I'd love other people's families not have to go through what mine were forced to.

Studies have shown that mobile phone use does severely restrict your ability to pay attention and slows a driver's response times (that is if they even see the things that should be responding to, such as kids in the road etc).

The UK governement acknowledged that handsfree usage posed some -but a lesser - risk for drivers. This was behind their creation of the law as it is. Roads would be safer without handsfree use, communicating on them still degrades driving performance.

It's not much fun waking up from a long coma, like I did (the dead never even get that chance) and less people would need to get hospitalised if people were better drivers and there were less demands on their concentration.

However... how would a blanket ban get enforced? More funding needed by the police etc (meaning higher taxes). I'm sure earpieces could be made so tiny that you could hardly see them from a few feet away, let alone by some sharp eyed police agent from moving vehicles.

It is to be hoped that enough knowledge will become widespread, to influence people to drive more safely overall. Similar to drink/driving really, where society's tolerance has changed against it.

Answer 6

People talk to passengers, listen to music, endure screaming babies and bickering children in the back these are as much as a distraction as using a mobile hands free. Using a mobile hands free a driver can still observe whats going on around them and keep both hands free for driving therefore I feel the government has got it right in this instance and using a mobile phone hands free shouldn't be banned.

Answer 7

Hands frees should not be banned. They are important for communication and to be honest how would the police enforce this when enforcing mobile phone bans is proving to be difficult.

Instead it should be instilled in us as safe road users, when to accept or reject a call. It really is just common sense! If you know your going to get into a heated arguement or likely not to concentrate why risk your life as well as anyone elses for the sake of a phone call!

I liked what a previous answer stated

" Its better if the gov't can provide better rest stop facilities along motorways or designated stop areas to catch up on important calls"

Or

" Include it as part of the driving test in using hands free while driving"

That sounds sensible enough. If people where a lot more careful and considerate I can't see why mobile phones should be a problem.

Answer 8

Simply put - no. I have a fixed handsfree kit fitted by work and can use it safely whilst driving. I only make calls if absolutely necessary i.e. I'm going to be late or take calls. I always inform the other person that I'm driving and can't talk for long.

However, what's more important is ensuring that penalties are imposed. Physically using a phone in your hand, particularly for texting is lethal. I drive 60 miles per day to/from work on the M4. I can spot someone who is using a handheld phone just by the way they are driving. Why can't the police? Why aren't more people stopped and fined?

One one occasion, I saw a mum driving a VW Touran with 3 young kids in the back along the motorway. I was doing a constant 70. I overtook her 3 times. Each time, she had slowed to about 50 whilst texting on her phone. I called the police and tried to report her. I was told that I would have to go to a police station and report in person but there was no point as it would be my word against hers and they wouldn't bother requesting records from the mobile company etc.

Even worse, the people I see who are using handheld mobiles are people driving expensive cars who could easily afford a bluetooth kit or even the car has one fitted as standard but they choose not to use it.

The most frustrating thing is being law abiding myself and a careful driver but seeing so much bad driving on the road on a daily basis.

Answer 9

I would definitely agree to ALL mobile usage being banned. Even now there are people going around roundabouts with a mobile in their hands....lorries turning corners with a driver using a mobile...grrrr.....

I think the Government has made an exception to hands free because you get into a grey area if you do ban it...would you then ban listening to radio's or tapes/CD's.....Would it mean that children and other passengers would NOT be allowed to distract the driver by talking to them...I know this is an extreme example but I think that they have held back on a total ban because of these reasons and because it would turn the tide of public opinion against the Government for doing a total ban.....to me it almost feels like the Gov' did a half job just to keep some people happy and the second half of the plan is being held off until public opinion is gained.....hmmm....I guess that is what is happening here right.....

Answer 10

It's not a simple question of using a phone or not. It depends on your attitude and the nature of the call.

If you chat on a hands free phone but you are primarily concentrating on driving then that's no worse than talking to a passenger. I often do this and people are used to not having my full attention. I often talk to a friend 3,000 miles away on the way home, we both drive at the same time because he goes in late and I go in early.

On the other hand if I get called from work all they are getting is the time I expect to be in or home when they can call me back.

The exception for hands free makes sense because a car isn't designed to be operated with one hand, even an automatic. Most drivers in America have very poor driving habits, relying on over assisted and vague power steering to help them drive their automatics on straight roads with just a finger or two. In Europe the roads tend to be more twisty and the drivers tend to pay more attention, that's why car advertising in Europe stresses brakes and handling whereas the US tends to stress comfort and acceleration. So Europe ends up with less powerful, safer and more economical cars and the US ends up with 300hp gas guzzlers that can't corner or stop well.

I drive a German car with manual transmission and a Bluetooth headset, it would be dangerous to drive that with one hand.

Answer 11

nothing wrong with hands free,holding something in one hand and conversing is basically dangerous,i am a bus driver,and i see very dangerous mistakes made by totally oblivious drivers everyday,my bus company uses a form of hands free radio,but even that can be slightly distracting,thus stopping in a safe place to communicate is usually the best practice,it all boils down to pure common sense and consideration to safety,unfortunately some are totally selfish and usually unaware of the danger they are creating.i believe that hands free systems need to be technologically better ,to make it as the same level of practice as chatting to your passengers,thus a totally hands free via voice activation would be more acceptable,the technology should be made affordable to everyone and fitted as standard in all new vehicles,plus more media awareness to the dangers and consequences of driving with handhelds.Punishment should be more seveare than that which has already been implemented,maybe on the drink drive levell,with long bans and prison sentences for those which maime and cause death with there recklessness.Eitherway ,the law must be upheld strictly and not ignored by lazy cops who do not wish the paperwork .