Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving - changes come into effect on 25th March 2022

[FROSTYBALLS]

See: Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

[Bernard Foy]

The number of drivers using hand held phone while driving is scary, particularly lorry drivers and van delivery drivers.

[alan333]

4 hours ago, Bernard Foy said:

The number of drivers using hand held phone while driving is scary, particularly lorry drivers and van delivery drivers.

As a truck driver I disagree with the issue being truck drivers.  Obviously truckers sit much higher thus have a birds eye view into the drivers seat of cars, especially in slow moving traffic.  The number of car drivers playing with their phone in queues would shock you, I’d guess about 1 in 4.

[Bernard Foy]

Yes they are not the only ones, I was moving slowly  through town this morning and a lady driver was waiting at a junction on my left wanting to join the traffic, so I almost stopped and flashed her to go ahead but she wasn’t looking my way at all but was engrossed in her mobile phone and missed her opportunity that I was giving her to proceed, and there was a few cars behind her waiting too. 

[Roy124]

Although Alan should admit that a passenger looking up at a British truck, or the driver if it is a Continental, will also see truck drivers engaged in other activities while actually driving. 

Once almost pushed into a motorway slip barrier by a Polish truck driver map reading. 

Whilst using a phone while stationary is an offence it is less so than a moving traffic offence. 

[Hornet3D]

Considering there are some very cheap handsfree kits available there really is no excuse for holding a phone while driving.

I remember waiting to pass through airport security with the gentleman in front of me talking on the phone all the time we were in the queue.  When it was his turn the security officer insisted he place the phone on the conveyer belt, which after an extensive discussion, he reluctantly did.  Having passed through the scan himself he hopped from foot to foot as though the ground was on fire until he managed to snatch the phone the second it passed through the scanner.  He was back on the phone within seconds.  

I saw many such occurrences when I travelled although I remember this as being one of, if not, the worse case.  Rather ironic that in a world that now rightly condemns slavery so many are willing to become slaves to their phones. 

[Roy124]

Hornet, lol.  Years ago before phones were surgically attached I watched in amusement a sequence on the train into King's Cross. 

"Has anyone tried to contact me?". He was visibly distressed that no one had.  He kept checking but then the fun really started.  Just as he got through it got dark as we entered a tunnel.  Oblivious he continued "hello, hello?" 

He hung up as daylight returned.  A minute or so later he tried again and it got dark again.  He had no concept of tunnels and dead spots and did this several times.