Texting while driving, fines and points up

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37389800
Good.
I'm sure some people want to directly link this to cycling safety, but forgetting that marginal issue, it is generally a good thing full stop.
Good.
I'm sure some people want to directly link this to cycling safety, but forgetting that marginal issue, it is generally a good thing full stop.
0
Posts
Elsewhere they carry the West Midlands Police piece and the comments section is full of your average bloody cyclists running red lights tosh.
The readers can make no connection between the two.
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
Facebook? No. Just say no.
it's been an offence for ages, people still do it, this won't stop them
Who is going to enforce it?
I am not sure. You have no chance.
If they could do it with dedicated people in plain clothes it would easily pay for itself. But that would clearly be unfair and a war on motorists. If they try to enforce it with marked vehicles, they'll catch almost noone.
pardon the pun but pointless, dedicated traffic police cut by 50% over the last few years and those that are left, are being trained up as Armed response.
everyone knows you can get away with it, very much like drink driving, little enforcement, means in rural areas, it is virtually impossible you ll get caught unless in an accident.
Many of the ones caught are usually done by police in unmarked vehicles so they do get caught although the catch rate has dropped.
There may be one token gesture arrest to make a point but I doubt there'll be a second.
I am not sure. You have no chance.
They should add an immediate small ban of a month I think. If you added 4 days community service picking up dog censored that can be completed in that month of weekends that would be good. So a bit of inconvenience and a bit of humiliation.
I'll be happier when it gets to the point that they confiscate the car.
The older I get, the better I was.
so will the police actually enforce it ? maybe make a token go so it appears in the local papers and hope the public get the hint, as I agree generally they avoid all but the most blatant motoring related road offences, speeding being the biggest one, but there was basically confirmation from one of the police forces the other week that they ignore APNR prompts about lack of tax/insurance etc as its a waste of their resources.
though Im sure the Met will be along shortly with another Operation Safeway to balance things up, cant have the motorist feeling under attack.
Bruiser
Panzer
Commuter
"I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]
However.....
Laws are only as good as how well they are enforced. What is needed is a pro active and deliberate operation covering the whole of the UK, all territorial forces and over an extended period of time specifically targeting this offence, in much the same way as drink/drive is targeted at Christmas.
I'm cynical and don't believe this will happen. Forces, with their politically driven agendas will continue to find far more politically rewarding goals..
A road death caused by someone texting/talking on their mobile? Pah!
Investigating an offence against 'political correctness', even though it doesn't cause death or physical harm? Now we're talking! Looks far better for the Chief Constable and their political career ambitions...
Come on steve0, yet again, sweeping knee jerk statements, you are not looking at the socioeconomic backgrounds, poverty plays a huge part, did they have the opportunity to go to grammar school for example? their diet, parents education??? again your reaction is just one of a privileged tory supporter.
On the other hand, i think i am absolutely in full agreement with you
now if we could only agree that Police cuts have gone to far, then we could be on to something more promising
I'm no Corbyn fan or Labour voter but credit where it is due - Corbyn highlighted what should be mentioned more often.
The Tory's look upon 'plod' as uneducated oiks with too much power and I can't see them wanting more police enforcement of this new law.
The enforcement will always be an issue regardless of spend, look how many drivers are on the road at an time and how many thousands of miles of roads we have. The best way IMO is to get the mainstream perception to shift so it is seen as be as bad as DD. Then it largely becomes self policing. Enforcement is a part of that as are the severity of the punishments, but often it is the combination of severity with a reasonable likelihood of being caught and some sensible publicity (including publicising offenders) that will change views.
I'm sure that last bit will come up in the other thread at some point
Bruiser
Panzer
Commuter
"I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]
I'm not sure what the answer is other than constant police enforcement coupled with punitive punishment, neither of which modern society would tolerate...
This will make no difference at all until, as Stevo says, it is morally unacceptable as there is so little risk of being caught. Passing a fatal accident wasn't enough to make this particular idiot think about concentrating on driving, what hope is there?
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
The older I get, the better I was.
The ones who want to make punishment passes whilst on the mobile phone, drinking coffee, applying makeup and shaving at 50% over the speed limit will continue to do so - once a knob, always a knob....
I have to say though - since this was published I had noticed a bit more space being given to me on my commute home (sample journey 2 ... so early days)
Bruiser
Panzer
Commuter
"I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]
Thats not really true is it?
Plenty of people have been sent to jail for killing people whilst texting, the problem is that we need to stop/deter people before they kill someone and that takes resources, so i m assuming Steve0 will be campaigning for extra spending on the Police ? :shock: