BMA says 'No' to mobile phones whilst driving

[Wombat]

In contrast, isn't the UK looking into built-in speed regulation?

[The PIT]

Yep it's been mentioned. The only problem about that is what happens when you do need to floor the loud pedal to get out of the way?

[The Rock]

The damn things should be illegal in vehicles. No one NEEDS to either make or accept phone calls while driving. I would dearly love to dump a clip into the face of these cell-phone fools. Only a matter of time before idiot cell-phone users get someone killed because they aren't paying attention to the road. If you can't pull over to the side of the road to make the call, then your reckless and damn lazy.

Bart

[Joel]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Only a matter of time before idiot cell-phone users get someone killed because they aren't paying attention to the road.</font>

That is already happening is why they are trying to get them banned.

Joel

[The PIT]

RichL I wasn't confused but it's going back quite a bit.
It's alright Jabbing the brakes on but if the guys 10 ft tall you may find yourself splatted all over the hard shoulder at the end of a fist or a baseball bat. Fending off a prolonged road rage is very tiresome.

[Pace]

Regarding the "Oh sh*t" message, it was that of a truck driver who had sent various messages in the build up to the accident, and then sent that one after it.

I feel that using a handheld should be banned for definite, as it is far too much of a distraction. The quick-dial/hands-free I'm not sure about - if it is classed illegal, then so should car radio, cd player, heating/air-con, windows?!

I've only just started driving, and I've already had a couple of lapses of concentration, when doing stuff to the radio/heaters, or when trying to see if I had my wallet in my jacket pocket. While I'd hope with more experience I wouldn't drift out as I did, it's perfectly clear to anyone that does drive, that 2 seconds can cause an accident...and everything should be done to prevent accidents. Everything.

The UK already has speed regulators on articulated trucks, and other HGVs/large vehicles, limiting them to 56mph (although it has been known to have been *cough* circumvented on *cough* occasion).

And Rylan, I think the Gov't has a right to tell you to do almost anything in your car, just like they tell you what side of the road to drive on. If anything could cause you to have an accident, then I see a case for its prohibition. Singling out cell phones might not be right, but that's not a valid argument against their particular problems.

RichL: Why do you talk to the sunvisor? You should be talking to the road, 30yds ahead of you

And while there is also the temptation to give careless drivers a fright...sometimes that very fright can cause the accident. Just note their number, and tell the police. If you know a sensible officer, then next time that car is speeding then they will make sure they are fined, etc. - maybe with a little hint as to another incident

Nothing is worth more than a life.

Paul.

[RichL]

PIT - Yeah, but they've gotta catch me first.
Pace - My handsfree kit microphone is clipped to my sun visor. Putting it 30yds ahead of me would require a long bracket and an extension lead.

[Greebe]

I have a hands free setup for my cellulars and it's like a day'n night difference in safety. You don't run people down and you're not radiating your brain.

On the subject of radiating... Most don't think about the 2.4gHz cordless phones being damaging as with the talk about cellulars... yet the frequency microwave ovens operate at are only 50mHz higher... yes it's at a much lower power level than sticking your head in an oven... but it still effects the brain.