Driver on the phone

Anonymous

I'm not getting into a legal argument on here, but numerous driving offences can be commited on a supermarket car park (which can be a highway)...

This is from the Direct.gov website -

The following list can be found abbreviated throughout the Code. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide, but a guide to some of the important points of law. For the precise wording of the law, please refer to the various Acts and Regulations (as amended) indicated in the Code. Abbreviations are listed below.

Most of the provisions apply on all roads throughout Great Britain, although there are some exceptions. The definition of a road in England and Wales is ‘any highway and any other road to which the public has access and includes bridges over which a road passes’ (RTA 1988 sect 192(1)). In Scotland, there is a similar definition which is extended to include any way over which the public have a right of passage (R(S)A 1984 sect 151(1)).

It is important to note that references to ‘road’ therefore generally include footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks, and many roadways and driveways on private land (including many car parks). In most cases, the law will apply to them and there may be additional rules for particular paths or ways. Some serious driving offences, including drink-driving offences, also apply to all public places, for example public car parks.

dag_on_a_bike

I too don't see the need for an argument.

Your experience, as I would expect, is no doubt far greater than my own. It is just not a foregone conclusion that an offence has been committed.

NapoleonD wrote:

I'm not getting into a legal argument on here, but numerous driving offences can be commited on a supermarket car park (which can be a highway)...

This is from the Direct.gov website -
... For the precise wording of the law, please refer to the various Acts and Regulations (as amended) indicated in the Code.

.

Having said that, I would just like to see some positive action to stem the problem of mobile phone use while driving.

The law exists. The fine/penalty points follow a breach. Impose them.

CW carries an article this week. I'm sure they wont mind if I quote the article in full.

Millions of drivers who illegally use mobile phones are the subject of a RoadPeace petition on Number10.gov.uk, the Prime Minister's official e-petition system.

RoadPeace cycling rep Alan Ramsay and former national road race champion Brian Tadman jointly set up the petition. It calls for tougher penalties for drivers caught using mobile phones.

"It's not only cyclists at risk from in-car techno addiction," says Ramsay. "So too are horseriders, motorbikers and families in people carriers, like the Stathams [a family killed by a lorry driver who may have been using a laptop]."

Log onto [url=HTTP://petitions.number10.gov.uk/mobilemenaceban]HTTP://petitions.number10.gov.uk/mobilemenaceban[/url]

E-mail Ramsay at roadpeacea@ntlworld.com

Monmouth

I have a slightly more positive experience of reporting a dirk driving while talking on his phone.

Ironically it was on a day when a series of accidents had gridlocked my little corner of the West Country, and about to cross a zebra crossing and a guy drives across it, head down texting someone. A few yards up the road was the local beat officer who took all the details and commented that there'd been enough accidents for one day without someone looking to start another.

Personally speaking I'd like to see the penalties ramped up each year. People these days know that its an offence, and hands-free kits are cheap as chips so there's no excuse, more no when its commercial drivers, i.e. people who need a licence for a living.

cee

Monmouth wrote:

Personally speaking I'd like to see the penalties ramped up each year. People these days know that its an offence, and hands-free kits are cheap as chips so there's no excuse, more no when its commercial drivers, i.e. people who need a licence for a living.

I agree.

Lets face it, you get a hands free kit (earphone and mic jobby) included in the box with most phones you buy these days!

Why will people not use them?

Also texting whilst driving......eh!

Anonymous

I tried to stop a woman once for speeding, she just carried on, I got in my car and followed her, repeatedly trying to get her to pull over. She didn't look in her rear view mirror once. I eventually I got to speak to her at some traffic lights. When I asked her why she didn't see me she said "Sorry, I was texting my friend."

Un. Be. Lievable.

dag_on_a_bike

Never ceases to amaze me.

Wasn't there a case recently where some woman caused a fatal accident due to using her mobile to send numerous text messages for some time in her journey?

jimmypippa

I saw someone emailing at 50 on the M3 getting onto the M25 once. At rush hour.