Do you think it would be a good idea for all of us to "flash" drivers who use their mobiles when driving!

Question

in the same way as you would flash someone who had forgotten to put their lights on at night, because both are examples of an accident waiting to happen, As there is no way you can change gear and steer while holding a phone to your ear unless you use your leg which is a danger to other drivers!!

I think a lot of you have missed the point here!! If you get up behind a car weaving all over the place and you see them with a phone up at their ear and you can't really miss it ""and yes when driving you are meant to observe the cars in front of you as well as behind" How else should this be dealt with?

Answer 1

Although some states are making it illegal to drive while talking on a cell phone, it doesnt make things any better by flashing someone. First off, they may interpret your flash as being hostile and cause more grief than you had intended. Road rage is growing at enormous rates in larger cities, I would say, dont become a statistic just because you didnt like that guy or gal talking on the phone while driving. You could make a more positive experience out of this by stopping by your local chamber of commerce, or city hall, or even your local police department to see what you can do, or who you can talk to so that you can try to make a change, or to simply file a grievance.

I would like to coment on your recent edit, you said "I think a lot of you have missed the point here!!"
Actually I dont think you read one single post to come to that conclusion, there are many good answers here.
Also the question you made "How else should this be dealt with?"
Again if you have read any of the posts you will see we have given "legal" ways to deal with this as an alternative to flashing your lights.
I might also reiterate my own post that says, if you flash someone, what are they going to think you flashed them for? You can flash someone that is on the phone, but this does not ensure your head light will get the message across.

Answer 2

With the way people drive while talking on their phones, I really don't think they need any more distractions. They are dangerous and inattentive enough already!!

I feel that contacting your local government and even as high as the national lawmakers would be a far better idea. While I don't discourage attempting change from the bottom up, this is a case where it definitely needs to come from the top down.

The biggest influence could be gained in the automotive insurance industry, except that they make too much money off increased premiums from bad drivers. Of course they aren't going to cut their profit margin.
I had a friend who worked for the first cell phone company when they just began marketing them. She claimed that after a 10-year study, there would be legislation to regulate the usage. However, I don't think that they got very far when suddenly their profits went through the roof. Obviously it's been more than ten years and I've only seen a few laws nationwide that limit cellphone usage at all.

Sad to say, but probably the only way to really put a dent in this dangerous habit, is for enough people to die or get permanently disabled (with absolute proof of cellphone causation) or for someone high up in government to be negatively affected by the phenomenon. Then it would spread like wildfire, the same as the moves against drunk driving and pedophiles.

P.S. For the person who has "hands-free", YES, you still count. If you're talking on the phone then your total attention is not with your driving where it should be.
And for the asker of the question, are you driving any better, constantly looking for cellphone users, than the users themselves?

Answer 3

If they're arrogant enough to use a hand-held while driving do you really think that they'll take any notice of you flashing? I think not.

If you can, take their vehicle number then note the EXACT time that you saw them on the phone and the exact location. Stop when you write this down or you'll be worse than the offender.

You may then report the incident to the police. They can trace the car through it's number and infer the driver's name and address from that. They can then trace the mobile phone records for that person from the mobile Network Providers (there are only four of these even though there are lots of phone compaies).

The exact time of the call and the location (from the cell in use) will, in conjunction with the car registration and your witness, enable them to nail his buttocks to the Hard Shoulder and give him 3 points too.

Answer 4

If you are behind a vehicle weaving all over the road - SLOW DOWN and get well back as you don't want to hit them.

DO NOT Flash them, the sudden light might cause a distraction resulting in an accident - you might end up in hospital running into the back of them.

If you have a passenger in your vehicle ask them to note the registration number, time, location, direction of travel and call the police. The police are trained to deal with these things.

If you are on your own, just keep out of the way.

You don't know what you may be getting into. Driving whilst under the influence of drugs is quite common and reactions of drivers can be quite violent.

Answer 5

Hi, my car is fitted with a totally hands-free system, so I don't count, but as for "flashing" people using a phone, you must be looking about you all the time instead of watching where YOU are going.
I would suggest looking after your own business first.
I only use the flashers to allow someone to go first, or if they are approaching a speed trap, with plod in attendance.

Answer 6

Well that sounds like a good idea, except it would be better to have the passenger "Flash" the other driver then point to a cell phone. It would be kind of dangerous for a driver to stick his butt out and drive at the same time. lol

Answer 7

The best step to take is to note the tag(license plate) number and, when feasible, report the offending driver to the local authorities. Many municipalities(cities, towns) have, or are adopting ordinances restricting, or banning cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle.

The City of Chicago has such an ordinance already on their books. If your city or town has not done so, attend city/town council meetings and make your voice heard.

Doing these is much more practical and safer.

Answer 8

So its 3 points, £60 fine for using a hand held mobile phone, and judging by the amount of people still using their phones on the move how is flashing you headlights going to deter them? Also whilst you are looking for said offenders are you concentrating on driving? Are you in full control?

Answer 9

Just like to say that "looking out/concentrating on the road ahead/paying attention to other road users and concentrating on driving" all as said above also means LOOKING OUT FOR THE DANGEROUS DRIVER ON HIS PHONE IN FRONT OF YOU!!!!!!! doing this IS concentrating on driving!! I dont think flashing the main beam would work though, they are far too tied up on their phones and are that inconsiderate, they wouldnt know what you were trying to achieve.

Answer 10

I understand your point but taking the law into your own hands by Flashing the person could easily back fire on you by causing additional confusion and accidents to occur on the roads.

The Best way for the Police to clamp down on motorists would be for them to take video evidence of drivers in the act, with on the spot fines and penalty points for persistent offenders.